The  door opened, and Kashish Diwan, elegant in a cream pantsuit with  a file in hand, entered with Jiya Panchal, effortlessly chic with her notepad, and Aryan Sinha, polished and exuding subtle confidence. "Good morning, esteemed members of the board," Kashish greeted. "We are honored to be here," added Aryan. The board responded with nods, and Director Dr. Ranvijay Shukla gestured towards the empty chairs. "Please be seated, Ms. Diwan and team."

As they settled, Kashish subtly scanned the room, noting nameplates: Dr. Rajeshwari Rathod, Dr. Shruti Singh, Dr. Aditya Saxena. Her gaze paused on Dr. Kabir Singhania, Neuro Surgeon, AIIMS Board Member. Their eyes met briefly, a flicker of recognition or curiosity passing between them, perhaps echoing their morning encounter. She quickly looked away.

The hospital assistant clicked the remote, and the projector displayed: "Visionary Vista: Redefining Healing Spaces." Kashish stepped forward, her voice calm and commanding. "Good morning. I'm Kashish Diwan, Chairperson of Visionary Vista. We're a team of Oxford-trained architects, passionate about merging functionality with emotion, designing healing ecosystems, not just buildings." She advanced to the next slide. "In three years, we've completed 14 large-scale projects, including the Niramaya Wellness Centre in Pune and the Riverside Pediatric Oncology Wing in Dehradun."

Her tone was crisp yet warm. Dr. Shruti Singh leaned over to Kabir, whispering, "She's got presence, man. Beauty and brains." Aditya Sinha concurred. Kabir remained silent, his eyes fixed on Kashish, his expression unreadable.

As the next slide appeared, Kashish continued, "For this project we have planned to create disaster-resilient zones with recycled steel and smart thermal insulation. We reduce hospital stress through spatial breathing, not just therapy rooms." Jiya joined her, highlighting their sustainability approach: "Solar-integrated rooftops, modular patient rooms, and nature-facing palliative units." Aryan followed, showcasing structural innovation and cost-efficiency. Their synergy was seamless, professional, precise, and passionate. Kashish continued, "Solar efficiency: 37%.  91% natural lighting during daylight hours." Each detail was rooted in science and soul. 

As Kashish Diwan stood confidently before the projector screen, the slides glowing behind her. "The new wing is divided into three essential, interconnected, but emotionally distinct zones," she announced, as a 3D aerial view appeared, color-coded for: Active Oncology Treatment Block, Recovery & Observation Wing, and Palliative Care & Family Support Zone. Her laser pointer traced the blueprint. "Movement flows gently between medical intensity and emotional recovery." The next slide showcased the Emotional Design Approach: sunlit corridors, earth-toned walls, and indoor gardens. "Natural light, silence, and space to breathe are paramount. Every room, even ICU pods, has a window, because cancer patients deserve sunlight as much as medication. Soft curves replace harsh angles, acknowledging the inherent hardship of illness." Board members exchanged intrigued glances. Slide three detailed the Palliative Wing Design. Kashish's tone softened. "This is the soul of our design." The cross-section revealed: Private Family Lounges designed as cozy home libraries for dignified goodbyes, Spiritual Nooks with prayer alcoves, Sensory Therapy Rooms using aroma, music, art, and a Healing Garden accessible to wheelchairs and beds, with heated flooring for winters. "End-of-life care should feel less like a hospital and more like a comforting home." Aryan briefly highlighted Sustainability & Smart Construction. "Built on passive solar design with 91% daylight access, using recycled steel, AAC blocks, and smart insulation, lowering operating cost by ₹2.2 Cr annually." Jiya added, "Nurse stations offer 360° visibility for faster response, and smart ventilation systems regulate air exchange for chemo-sensitive rooms." Kashish resumed. "We've also addressed winter conditions with geo-thermal flooring in waiting lounges, anti-slip heated pathways, and emergency snow-shield canopies for ambulances." The final slide displayed an elderly woman holding her grandson's hand under a skylight in a garden. Kashish turned to the room. "This wing will not just treat patients; it will honor them. Every cancer warrior and their family deserves not just care, but a place to breathe, to feel seen, and to say goodbye without feeling lost in concrete walls." A heartbeat of silence. Eyes met Kabir's briefly. "Let us help AIIMS Shimla build a legacy of not just medicine, but memory." She paused, then concluded, "We believe AIIMS deserves an architectural identity that matches its medical legacy. Let this Cancer and Palliative Care Wing be a benchmark in what healing spaces should look like in India." The boardroom remained still, absorbing the presentation. Even the clock seemed to tick slower.

"They're young, but this is solid work," Dr. Rathod whispered to Director Shukla. Kashish glanced at the board, her eyes drawn to Kabir, who watched with quiet intrigue, holding her gaze this time.

"Thank you," Kashish said as the final slide disappeared. "We now welcome any questions."

A flurry of questions followed. Dr. Rathod, CMO of AIIMS, led with, "Ms. Diwan, what's your projected timeline from foundation to inauguration?" "Fourteen months, with a 45-day buffer for extreme weather," Kashish replied. "We've partnered with on-ground contractors for speed without compromising structural integrity." A senior orthopedic surgeon raised a brow. "Your design involves too much glass. Have you accounted for thermal control in Shimla's winter?" Aryan smoothly answered, "Triple-layered insulated glass with argon gas filling traps internal heat, reducing heating system load by 32%. It's certified and field-tested." Jiya added, "Patient rooms maximize sunlight across seasons." The board nodded, impressed. Then, Dr. Kabir Singhania spoke for the first time. "Ms. Diwan," he began, "you've spoken of space, light, structure. But how does your design acknowledge the emotional weight of palliative care—for families and not just patients?" The room fell silent. Kashish met Kabir's gaze. "Healing isn't only clinical, Dr. Singhania. It's deeply human. Our design creates silent zones for grief, lounges near ICUs with soft lighting and curved walls to hold vulnerability.", "We've included indoor gardens in the palliative wing—not for aesthetics, but because green spaces lower cortisol and offer quiet dignity to those waiting for final goodbyes." "For us, architecture isn't decoration—it's a language of compassion." Kabir didn't nod or smile, but something in his stillness shifted. He'd heard her. Director Shukla addressed the team. "Thank you, Team Visionary Vista. You may leave now. We'll be in touch via official communication." Kashish nodded gracefully. Jiya smiled, and Aryan tilted his head confidently as they left. As the doors closed, Dr. Shruti whispered to Kabir, "Damn. She meant every word." Kabir watched the doors, silent. The silence felt like the beginning of a storm.

As the doors to the AIIMS boardroom shut behind them, Kashish Diwan, Jiya Panchal, and Aryan Sinha walked back toward the preparation room, their heels echoing in the polished corridor. There was a visible lightness in the air now, the nerves had settled, the pitch had been made. Kashish exhaled deeply as she unpinned her hair halfway, a soft smile touching her lips. "That... went well," she said, pulling her laptop back into its case. Aryan grinned, fixing his cufflinks. "Well" is an understatement. That was stellar. You looked like you owned the room. Jiya chimed in, still clutching her tablet, "They actually listened. I saw Dr. Rajeshwari nod thrice. That's basically a standing ovation in AIIMS terms." Kashish chuckled, grabbing her coat. "Let's not jinx it. But yes, if there's justice in the design world... we should get this." Aryan held the door open as they exited together. "From Oxford coffee tables to AIIMS boardrooms, we've come far, haven't we?" Kashish glanced at them both with pride. "We're just getting started." The trio walked down the hospital steps, professional yet visibly hopeful. Each stepped into their respective cars. As the doors shut and the engines started, the Visionary Vista team left with one hope on their mind.

Inside the Conference Room – 1:00 PM

Back inside, the AIIMS boardroom had transitioned into its final evaluation mode. The lights were slightly dimmed, files of all five shortlisted firms open across the mahogany table.              Dr. Ranvijay Shukla looked over the edge of his glasses, his fingers steepled in thought. "We've heard five," he said, "but two clearly stand out." Dr. Rajeshwari flipped through the Visionary Vista folder. "They're young. But the clarity in that design? The palliative wing was... different. Emotional. Human." Dr. Shruti Singh added thoughtfully, "Also technically sound. Their metrics were solid. And I liked the fact that they integrated both clinical efficiency and patient empathy." Dr. Aditya Saxena looked toward his friend. "Kabir? You've been very quiet. What did you think?"

Kabir, still flipping through the slides of Visionary Vista's disaster-resilient layouts, finally spoke, his voice calm but precise. "They designed for healing. Not just treatment. That matters." The room fell into reflective silence. Dr. Ranvijay nodded slowly. "Let's make our recommendation."

The single sheet, the one that mattered—lay at the center of the polished boardroom table. It bore the final recommendation. Each board member had cast their opinion, debated timelines, weighed costs, and more importantly—reflected on vision. Dr. Ranvijay Shukla, the Director, looked around the room and finally said with finality, "It's done. The selection letter will be emailed by tomorrow morning." One by one, the board members began gathering their files. Some stretched, some shook hands. The intensity of the meeting slowly dissolved into casual murmurs. The conference room doors opened. Coats were pulled on. Greetings exchanged. In composed silence, the board members walked down the corridor—each stepping into waiting cars, engines humming softly as they pulled out of the AIIMS gates into the fading golden hour of Shimla. But inside that single folded sheet? A decision had been made, one that might just rewrite the future of healthcare architecture... and quietly nudge the lives of two strangers who didn't yet realize how tightly their stories were about to intertwine.

                                                                          **************

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Until the next chapter,
Stay curious. Stay warm.

Image credit goes to the respective sources.

- [Pristi Scrolls]