by Varsha Dixit
“Don’t sweat it. Do you need help?”
“No I’m good, but thank you.”
Danika watched Noah and Diane from the window of the store. What a flirt! No woman is safe. Surprised he let Mrs. Garth go. Danika rolled her eyes and that was the minute Noah happened to glance at her.
Why the eye-roll? What did I do now? Noah cocked his head, his gaze questioning but Danika had already looked away.
Noah’s thoughts were all about Danika even though it was Diane who walked next to him. Diane insisted for she was going in the same direction as him.
That night when Noah slipped under the sheets he felt like he had met the entire neighborhood in a day and half. Cookie platters and business cards lined up the kitchen counters. For the last many years he and Alicia had lived in an apartment complex that housed working professionals who only nodded when passing in corridors or sharing elevators. Friendly folks! Noah yawned and stretched. An unexpected grin creased his face.
Danika's shining dark eyes unbidden came to his mind. Noah paused and then pushed the image out of his thoughts. Too much angst there! He conjured up Alicia's face, always the last person he thought of before falling asleep. Today he had trouble visualizing her.
Chapter 21
Day after
Hospital
After a particularly long arrhythmia surgery that had lasted over several hours, Noah walked the white and blue clinical corridor into his small office. Flexing his shoulders, Noah enjoyed the aftermath of a successful operation. The appreciation from the patient's family and the admiration of peers could easily push a doctor with exalted sense of importance into a God-like complex. Noah remembered his best friend from med school, Dr. Marco Perez, who was now serving a seven-year term in prison for making a cocky decision that led to the unfortunate death of a twenty-year-old patient.
Noah made it a point to remember Marco whenever he felt in the vicinity of the word, ‘invincible’. That memory always grounded him. Noah wrote to Marco every few months just to remind Marco that he wasn't forgotten.
“Have a minute Doc?”
“Sure. But just a minute.” Noah gestured Ahmad, his secretary to come inside. Ahmad had been secretary to the previous Department Head and had eased Noah's transition woes considerably.
Noah grabbed a bottle of juice from his mini fridge. He noticed the wad of message slips in Ahmad’s hand. “I have so many messages?”
“Your cell has been ringing more than a church bell. And very strange calls Doc.” Ahmad said avoiding Noah’s gaze.
Noah did not understand why Ahmad was so flustered. “Anything hospital or patient related?” Noah asked, sliding in the chair behind his desk.
“Not on your cell. Left the files of the patients you have to call on your desk. Also you have to approve invoices for defibrillators, vascular ultrasound machines, and aortic balloon pumps before you leave for the day.”
“Did you review the invoices?”
“Yes! All legit.” Ahmad replied, bobbing his head full of red hair. Ahmad liked the color red on him, on his clothes, and his shoes.
Noah opened his mouth but his cell rang at the same time.
“There it goes off again!” Ahmad trotted inside the office dropped Noah’s cell and messages on the desk and trotted out with much speed.
Noah but did not recognize the number on her cell. “215 area code?” He declined the call and then he saw the notification window pop up on his cell. Twenty-seven missed calls? The number was a bit much even for Noah who had a habit of forgetting the whereabouts of his cell phone often and for hours. That’s why Noah handed his cell to his secretaries so they could hand it back to him at the end of the day. Noah’s cell rang again. He answered it on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Hi! Is that Noah Ass Colic?” A feminine voice asked.
A startled laugh escaped Noah's mouth. “Excuse me?”
"Is that Noah Ass Colic, the one who thinks of himself a squirrel because he likes to bury his nuts in women!” The woman sounded indignant.
Noah felt himself turn red. He sputtered. “Lady you got your wires crossed. I'm not the Ass Colic or squirrel or anything else weird.”
“Aren't you the ass doctor?”
“No. I'm a heart doctor.” Noah thumped the desk. “A cardiologist! Where did you get this number from?”
“Jackass!” She hung up.
Noah could only stare at his phone stumped. What was that?
A wry smile soon appeared on Noah’s face. Squirrel who likes to bury his nuts, what the hell? Noah tossed his cell aside and resumed work.
Few minutes later his cell rang again. An unknown number! “Hello?” Noah answered tentatively.
“Hi, is this Noah Ass Colic? The squirrel-”
Noah ended the call. “What is going on? Where are these weirdos getting my number from?”
His cell rang again. After staring it for few second Noah answered it.
A woman spoke, “Is this Ass squirrel-”
Noah shot up from his chair, exasperated. “Look lady-” The woman hung up on him.
A knock sounded on the door. “Come in!”
It was Ahmad. “Something wrong doc?”
“Getting very strange calls-”
“The Ass doctor one? The squirrel. . .”
Noah scratched his head. “I don’t understand where are these women getting my number from?”
“A library bathroom. Morristown Library.” Ahmad replied. “I answered some of those calls and then just put your cell on silent.
“Where is Morristown?”
“Near your house?”
“Near my house?” Noah rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t remember applying for a library card.”
The cell rang again. Both Noah and Ahmad glanced at each other.
“I’m not getting that.”
“Don’t.” Ahmad agreed.
“But you should find out how your number got out?”
“How do I find out?” Noah wondered.
“Go to the library?” Ahmad suggested.
“And do what?”
“Ask the librarians if any members have had similar complaints.”
“Hmmm!” Noah scratched his chin, a thoughtful look in his eyes. His cell rang again. Noah picked up and threw it in the desk drawer. “I could just get a new number.”
“Get a new number Doc but do go to the library. I would want to know what is going on.” Ahmad said.
“Okay, I’ll do both. Get a new cell phone and go to the library.” Noah said putting his reading glasses on as he sat down in his chair.
“You can actually do three. Get a library card too while you are the library.” Ahmad’s smile was cheeky.
Chapter 22
Two days later
Morristown Public Library
6:30 pm
Danika snuggled in a black fleece jacket as she braved the chilly wind that stung her eyes and face. Her nose tingled and eyes watered. How cold is it today? She increased her pace to get inside the brightly lit library where warmer temperatures and hot coffee waited for her. There was more than coffee waiting for her inside.
Every other day Danika came to the library to use the free public internet to conduct job searches and send her resumes to any open positions she might find. She had a suspicion that her ex boss wasn’t giving kind references why else would so many good interviews not materialize after the ‘give two manager references’ stage.
I’m changing my references. No point being so honest. Am going to use my friend squad as my reference pool.
Danika snuggled deeper in her jacket.
**____**
Noah felt a slow burn as he signed the receipt of $250 donation he had just made to Morristown library. This wasn’t a bribe just a way of persuading the library staff to paint over the wall in the women’s bathroom where his number and the vulgar description about him was printed.
Half an hour earlier, when Noah had entered the library he had loitered near
the long front desk with several librarians working behind it. He had observed the staff scanning books, helping members with book searches and charging for over due books.
Finally one of the librarians with butterfly glasses and a bob that seemed to be set in cement had beckoned Noah to come over. Fumbling over words and haltingly, Noah had explained his problem.
That librarian, Mrs. Paige, had Noah repeat his dilemma to a few others until one of the staff members, a young woman giggled and nodded. She knew exactly what he was talking about. Going in the women’s bathroom she had taken a picture of the vulgar quote and shared it with Noah and the other staff members.
“Seems like an angry ex?” Mrs. Paige remarked.
“I just moved to Philly, I have no angry ex here?” Noah paused. Or anywhere! He shook his head. “Pretty sure no angry ex at all.”
“Well then I don’t know what to say? I will find someone to paint over it.” Mrs. Paige said taking a seat. She already seemed to have lost interest in it.
“As a thank you for your efforts, I would like to make a donation to the library.” Noah took out his wallet. “One hundred dollars.”
Mrs. Paige did not look up.
Sighing Noah said, “How about a two hundred and fifty dollar donation?”
Mrs. Paige bestowed a saintly smile on him. “How generous of you Doctor Collins. We appreciate all our patrons. Let me make you a library card too. That will be an extra ten dollars.”
“Why not?” Noah said between gritted teeth. His image of librarians as simple people lost to sounds of softly flipping book pages was dissolving rather quickly. He was now thinking that some of them might be related to the mafia.
Noah was about to hand Mrs. Paige his card but he then pulled it back before she could take it. “You will make sure that area is painted over as quickly as possible.”
Mrs. Paige picked up a bottle of white out and a dark duct tape. “As soon as I finish charging your card. Like I said we appreciate all our patrons.”
Definitely Mafia. “Thanks!” Noah handed her his credit card and driver’s license and waited patiently as he was made a new library card - a one he did not need.
Having signed the receipt for the charge, Noah walked to the library entrance once he saw Mrs. Paige head towards the women’s bathroom with her paraphernalia of choice to cover the vulgarity on the wall.
Noah’s stomach rumbled. He hadn’t eaten since breakfast that was essentially a tiny bowl of milk and cereal with a banana. He debated getting take-out from a nearby restaurant. His taste buds revolted at the thought.
Since his move to Philadelphia Noah had been eating out. He was beginning to miss his mom’s cooking. Even when Alicia was alive, Noah and she rarely cooked and his mother who lived only a few miles away would regularly have them over for dinner or drop off mouth-watering leftovers.
Noah’s mouth grew pinched and his eyes hardened. I left a mountain of work for this nonsense, I’m starving, I’m short of two hundred and fifty dollars and saddled with a library card I will never use. Noah glanced at his watch again. Damn her whoever she is.
As Noah was about to reach the revolving entrance door, it started turning. Noah stepped to the side giving room to the person coming in.
Chapter 23
Once inside the library, Danika pulled the hood off her jacket as she blinked, her eyes adjusting to the bright lights inside the library. “Brrr!” She warmed her forearms by rubbing them with her hands.
She became aware of someone standing on her side. A motionless figure, a few feet from her, Danika turned. And she forgot to breathe.
Dr. Noah Collins stood there looking straight at her.
Danika saw Noah’s mouth tighten ominously.
Shoot! Shoot! This is not a coincidence. He knows. Danika turned around and hurried back outside pushing the super slow revolving door as hard as she could. The door rotated but not fast enough. Danika felt like she had passed an eternity just trying get past that door. Her footsteps made quick soft sounds on the concrete pavement.
She did not get far. A grip on her arm brought her to a stop.
“Hey? Let go!” Danika tried to pull her arm free from Noah's strong fingers.
“It was you wasn’t it?” Noah demanded towering over her.
Danika met his eyes, her gaze challenging. “No clue what you are talking about. If you don’t let me go this very second, I swear I will scream.”
Noah dropped Danika’s arm but moved in front of her blocking her way. “Only if you were a guy!” He said between gritted teeth. Anger at her antics made him want to throttle her.
“Still no clue what you are talking about.” Danika swallowed under his blistering gaze but continued. “Are you stalking me?”
Noah gave a quick disgusted snort. “Are you for real? I would stalk you?”
Danika’s face flushed at the insult. She turned her face away and angled her chin up. “Move out of my way.”
Noah stepped closer to Danika. His expression was rigid. They were inches apart. Danika had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. Her hands fidgeted at her sides but she did not back down.
“Why did you write my cell number in the bathroom there,” Noah gestured at the library, “and the other stupid stuff? Why Danika?”
Color crept in her cheeks and Danika stepped back. She avoided his eyes. “I have no idea what you are talking about? Why and how would I have your cell number?”
“Really?” Noah placed his hands on his hips. “I gave it you at the grocery store for some stupid subscription you offered. There was no subscription was there?”
“I don’t remember.” Danika started gnawing her lower lip even as her gaze flickered.
Noah watched the tiny telltale sign of her nervousness. His eyes lingered and traced the shape of Danika’s mouth that was turning a dark shade crimson. “Stop biting your lips.” Noah was surprised by the huskiness in his voice.
Danika’s eyes widened at his tone but she did stop biting her lip and moved a few steps back. For a very brief moment something strange passed between them. A pull of a kind!
Noah quickly recovered, irritation seeped his voice. “I don't know what floats your boat but seriously, just stay the fuck away from me.”
“Gladly!” Danika sneered. She took a deep breath and started turning back to the library. “You stay away from me and I will from you.”
Noah felt cheated. The discussion was getting over too early and Danika had not apologized. “Maybe I should tell your brother what you have done?”
His words had the desired effect. Noah watched smug as Danika pivoted sharply back to face him. Her eyes were slits in her face and he could see the slow heaving of her chest under her jacket. Danika was trying to control and hide her panic. She shoved her hair away from her face with an impatient hand and tugged her bag's strap that had slid down to her wrist.
“What will you tell Bro?” Danika stepped in Noah’s personal space. “I haven’t done anything.” She stuttered. Some color came in her cheeks.
Noah wasn't sure if the color was because of her guilt or the cold. Frankly he did not care. “You know exactly what you have done. You have created much nuisance in my life.”
Danika felt her chest tighten painfully. She felt sweat collect on her skin that few minutes earlier had been shivering in cold. I'm so bloody reckless and stupid. I have to stop him. ”I didn’t do anything. But to calm you down, I’ll help you. What happened?”
Danika’s quick capitulation made him want to twist the knife a bit more. “You have helped me enough.” Noah dismissed her. “Maybe it’s your brother’s turn now to help me.”
Danika and Noah stared at each other. Danika's eyes were that of a deer caught in the headlights, uncertain and trapped. Noah’s gaze was biting and hooded.
“Tell me why you did it and I might, might not bring your brother in this.”
Danika gaze at Noah was pleading, imploring even though she did not say a word. But she saw no softening in his
face.
Unknown to Danika, her wide eyes that were shining with an unnatural sheen were chipping bit by bit at Noah’s anger. He could feel himself become responsive to the misery in her face. Noah clicked his tongue impatiently, impatience that was directed more at him.
Chapter 24
Danika sighed and lowered her face. “Yes I did it. I wrote your number on the bathroom stall with that stupid inscription. I was mad. Very mad at you since the day of the accident. I lost so much that day but your life just continued as it was. You went back to your perfect job, your new big house! You know where I went? I went to drudgery!” She looked up her eyes were angry. “The accident for you was a ripple in your perfect life but for me it was the beginning. Beginning of how hard things were going to get for me.” Danika’s voice wobbled but she kept going. “I blamed you for the day that started bad and ended as a total disaster. I blamed you and I won’t lie,” She gave Noah a clear-eyed look. “I don't like you.”
Noah who was beginning to yield to Danika’s sad expression and sincere words stiffened on hearing her last sentence. “I don’t give a damn whether you like me or not. But there is a line one doesn’t cross. The accident happened and sorry you were having a shitty day but if you have to blame someone for all the crap in your life then maybe you should blame yourself. Not screw with other people’s happiness. I have left some very important work to be here today. Wasting my time has become a habit of yours.”
Danika blinked stung by Noah’s words. She sharply pivoted and faced the street. Wrinkling her nose, she fought the tears that threatened to escape at the unexpected bite of his words.
“Where are you going?” Noah called out.
“Not wasting your time anymore.” Danika called out over her shoulder. She walked to the library but for some reason, she did not make it all the way inside. Overwhelmed and uncaring of the nip in the air, Danika sat down on a wrought iron bench, crossing her legs under her. She stared at the darkness.
Noah ran his hand through his hair. Not quite sure what to make of the quiet hunched figure on the bench.