The Heritage Convention Hall now shimmered not just with crystal chandeliers and stage lights, but with the warmth of legacy, applause, and brilliance. The evening had begun with modest yet tasteful performances,A soft sitar recital, followed by a graceful kathak duet that captured the essence of tradition meeting excellence. Soon, the ceremony began. Doctors, surgeons, researchers, and professors, the best minds in medicine filled the front rows, their names echoing across the grand hall as anchors announced each segment with reverence. One by one, the names of legends were called out. Standing ovations filled the hall as Dr. Devansh Singhania and Dr. Shivangi Singhania were honoured for "Lifetime Excellence in Healthcare and Service to Himachal Pradesh". Dr. Angad Diwan and Dr. Vaidehi Diwan followed, receiving "Pillars of Indian Medical Advancement" award. Each pair stood tall. Generations of doctors looked on in awe, young interns, seasoned consultants, and hospital chairs alike, inspired by the grace of these four giants.. As Devansh and Angad shook hands on stage — flashes clicked, cheers erupted. It wasn't just friendship. It was history being framed. Next, the awards began flowing to the next generation. Dr. Abhimanyu Singhania, Excellence in Cardiac Surgery. Dr. Akriti Singhania,  Pioneer in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Ranveer Diwan, Cardiology Leadership Award. Dr. Raghav Diwan, Orthopedic Innovation Award. Dr. Avni Diwan, Mental Health Excellence in Psychiatry. Dr. Natasha Diwan, Women's Health & Gynecology Award. Dr. Shivansh Diwan , Sports Ortho & Trauma Care Award. Dr. Soumya Diwan, Pediatric Service Recognition. Dr. Abhir Diwan, Advanced Cardiac Surgical Excellence. Dr. Prisha Diwan,  Emergency Medicine Leadership. Dr. Yug Singhania , Excellence in Orthopedics Research. Each name was met with thunderous applause. Families watched with pride. Peers clapped with genuine admiration. When Dr. Sayoni Diwan Raichand walked on stage to receive the National Honor in Cosmetology & Reconstructive Surgery, the entire younger medical community rose to their feet. The award ceremony continued, honoring distinguished doctors, surgeons, and medical professionals for their remarkable contributions to the field of medicine. Applause echoed through the hall as excellence, dedication, and years of service were celebrated one name at a time.

And then, the final, most anticipated announcement: "And now, The Award for the National Medical Excellence Award, Under 30 goes to...  Dr. Kabir Singhania, Neurosurgeon and Chief Medical Officer of Care Bridge Hospital and Medical College!" The hall erupted. Kabir rose from his seat poised, respectful, composed. As Kabir walks up the stage, the audience bursts into applause. Some resident doctors and young interns begin the chant "Kabir! Kabir! The Himalayan Star!" The chant picks up, echoing through the garden, there was the smallest flicker of emotion in his eyes. He walked with a quiet confidence to the stage, accepting the award with folded hands.  As he looked across the hall, he paused for a breath. His gaze found her Kashish, seated gracefully among the Diwans. Their eyes met. She offered him a soft, unspoken smile, A blend of pride and quiet warmth. And Kabir, standing under the spotlight, returned it with the same silent sincerity. No one else noticed. But Shivangi, Akriti, Vaidehi, and Avni did. And they understood.

As Dr. Kabir Singhania stepped onto the stage, thunderous applause filled the hall. He accepted the gleaming trophy from Dr. Samrath Diwan former senior, now equal, their handshake firm, their smiles reserved but genuine. Taking the mic, Kabir glanced at Samrath, then at the audience, his voice calm and steady. "Its An honor to receive this from Dr. Samrath Diwan, who held this award last year. Big shoes to follow." A light chuckle rippled through the crowd. He paused his gaze briefly settling on Kashish, then on his family before returning to the audience, then he continued saying "Medicine teaches us that learning never stops, and legacy isn't built alone. It's made in OTs at 3 a.m., in corridors, in failures, and in breakthroughs. I share this with every mentor, colleague, and soul who stands beside the vision. This is ours. Thank you." The applause rose, touched by his humility. Samrath then leaned into the mic, voice laced with quiet pride. "Dr. Kabir isn't just one of the sharpest minds in neurosurgery today... he's proof that discipline, when paired with vision, creates brilliance. He may have once been my junior but tonight, he owns this stage."

After the applause settled, the evening host invited Dr. Angad Diwan once more on stage, this time, to share a few words. Dr. Angad, elegant in his sherwani, stood behind the podium. The crowd grew silent, his presence carried both authority and sentiment. Dr. Angad Diwan stepped onto the stage with quiet authority. Taking the microphone in hand, he paused for a brief moment, his gaze sweeping across the attentive audience. A silence settled, respectful and expectant. Then, in his calm, steady voice, he began his speech. "It is said... legacies are not built in a day. They're nurtured through sleepless nights, emergency calls, surgeries that change lives, and courage that sustains generations." The crowd listened, attentive. Dr. Angad (looking toward his family table): "I am proud of each child in our family who has chosen the field of medicine. But tonight, I want to thank someone... who has never worn a stethoscope, yet has contributed in her own way to the place where healing begins." He paused. Eyes shifted. And then... he said it. "Thank you to my granddaughter Ms. Kashish Diwan for attending her first Shimla Doctors Excellence Awards. The mind behind the design and structure of AIIMS Shimla's new Cancer and Palliative Care Wing." There was a hush. All eyes turned. Kabir looked again, this time not bothering to hide it. Kashish, caught in the center of unexpected attention, straightened in her seat, eyes briefly wide before offering the softest, most polite smile to her grandfather on stage. The spotlight, which once made her nervous... now felt like recognition. And at two tables  Shivangi Singhania and Vaidehi Diwan shared another glance. This time, there was a silent acknowledgment. They both saw it. As Dr. Angad Diwan mentioned Kashish's name in his speech, a flicker of realization crossed Akriti's face. So she was the one Kabir had spoken about last night, the poised young architect who led the AIIMS project. The same girl sitting just a few seats away. Kashish Diwan, the younger granddaughter of Angad and Vaidehi Diwan, and the very same girl Kabir had unknowingly collided with before the awards began. Akriti's gaze shifted from Kabir (Who was already looking at kashish)to Kashish, then back again quietly observing. There was a flicker of something, An instinct only a mother could feel. Something unspoken, still distant, yet undeniably present. She composed herself, drew in a quiet breath, and turned her attention back to the award ceremony, calm on the outside but thoughtful within.

As the final notes of applause faded, the stage lights dimmed to a soft gold glow. The anchor stepped forward with a bright smile, microphone in hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, what an evening it's been, A celebration of brilliance, dedication, and legacy. On behalf of the organizing committee, we thank you for being part of this prestigious night." She paused, letting the warmth of the moment settle. "Now, to end this evening on a delicious note, we invite all our esteemed guests to join us for a curated dinner experience in the Heritage Garden area. Please follow the ushers through the west corridor. The lawns are lit, the fires warm, and we promise the conversations will be just as memorable."

As the final announcement echoed and applause slowly faded into murmurs, chairs pushed back and people began rising from their seats. The Diwans stood gracefully, poised yet relaxed, ready to move toward the dinner lawns. But before they could take a step, a small group of senior doctors and colleagues made their way toward them warm smiles and curious glances in tow. One of them, Dr. Vikas Mittal, A respected name in internal medicine, chuckled lightly, turning to Ranveer and Avni. "Ranveer, Avni, all these years, where have you been hiding this daughter of yours?" He glanced toward Kashish with a nod of admiration. "We just got to know it's her design behind the AIIMS Cancer and Palliative Wing. Truly impressive." Avni smiled politely, while Ranveer gave a soft, proud tilt of his head. Kashish, standing beside them, folded her hands in a quiet namaste. Within minutes, more doctors and acquaintances came forward some congratulating, some offering admiring glances, others... subtly questioning. "Architecture? Over medicine? That's rare in your family." "You could've been one of the finest doctors, no?" To all of them, Kashish responded with the same graceful restraint, A small nod, a composed smile, folded hands. Her silence was not hesitation, but quiet strength. A strength honed by years of carving her own identity, separate from the stethoscopes and scalpels that defined her lineage. And yet, deep within, she already knew tonight would come with attention not just because of her presence, but because her grandfather, Dr. Angad Diwan, had spoken her name, had publicly acknowledged her role in a room full of doctors. She knew there would be murmurs. And questions. Why not medicine? But the spotlight, as much as it had never been her comfort zone, didn't shake her. She was her own blueprint. Just then, Dr. Abhimanyu Singhania and Dr. Akriti Singhania made their way toward the Diwans. With old-school warmth, Abhimanyu greeted Ranveer and Avni. "A pleasure seeing you both, as always." Akriti's gaze gently settled on Kashish. "You've done a remarkable job with the AIIMS design. Truly." Kashish smiled, offering a respectful thank you. As they took their leave toward the garden, the night outside sparkled  fairy lights woven across trees, soft jazz playing in the background. And slowly, the evening moved from applause to the clinking of cutlery and the murmur of meaningful conversations under the stars.

Both the Diwans and Singhania's were still engaged with friends and colleagues, decades old friendships rekindled over desserts and slow music. Kashish, however, gently excused herself from a conversation and quietly walked away from the center of the crowd. Her heels tapped softly on the stone pathway as she made her way toward the farthest wooden bench, nestled under a tree adorned with warm lights. The applause and pleasantries were behind her now  she needed a breath that wasn't laced with expectations or lineage. Not far from the pathway, Kabir stood in quiet conversation with Dr. Aditya  and Dr. Shruti 

Aditya was mid-sentence, clearly baffled. "Bro, I still cant believe my ears. The Kashish, the same girl who was grilling us about HVAC systems and sun exposure in the AIIMS boardroom, is none other than Dr. Ranveer and Dr. Avni's daughter. Their youngest." Shruti raised her eyebrows dramatically. "And I thought the Dr Ranveer and Dr Avni had only two sons, Dr. Samrath and Dr. Shivansh. This Kashish came straight out of syllabus, yaar. No one told us there was a third chapter." Kabir's lips twitched into a rare smile. He shook his head slightly "Well... maybe some chapters aren't meant to be known. They're meant to be discovered." He said it casually, but the weight in his tone didn't escape his friends. Aditya smirked, nudging him. "Okay, okay, poet mode activated. Bro, you're sounding suspiciously invested." Shruti chimed in playfully, "Looks like that boardroom connection might become something more." Kabir shot them both a pointed glare, but his smile lingered. "Done? Or do I need to surgically remove your assumptions?" They laughed, clearly enjoying his reaction. Kabir lightly tapped Aditya's arm "I'll catch up with you guys later," he said, glancing at Aditya and Shruti. "Need a breather from all this attention." Aditya chuckled, nudging his arm with a grin. "Fame does get exhausting,            Dr. Celebrity." Kabir gave a small, crooked smile and stepped away, weaving through the crowd toward the quieter end of the garden. His steps slowed as his eyes caught someone already seated at the far bench, Kashish. She sat with her back straight, her face tilted upward toward the sky, lost somewhere between thought and starlight. Her dupatta fluttered lightly in the breeze, a quiet contrast to the noise behind them. She sensed him before he spoke, her gaze lifting instinctively. Their eyes met not in surprise, but with an odd familiarity. Kabir approached slowly, stopping just short of her bench. "What are you doing here alone, Ms. Diwan?" he asked, casually. Kashish gave him a faint smile, her tone light. "Taking a break. Fresh air feels better than a hundred compliments sometimes." Kabir nodded, settling at the other end of the bench, keeping a respectful distance. "I get that. Needed to escape the 'congrats' storm for a bit myself." She chuckled  soft, brief. "Still," she added, turning to him, "Congratulations, Dr. Singhania. Well deserved." She extended her hand toward him. He met it with a firm, unhurried handshake. "Thanks," he said, then added with a hint of amusement, "Now that we've officially met outside of AIIMS boardrooms and presentation halls... can we drop the formal titles?" Her brows lifted slightly, amused. "Finally," she said, "So... Kabir?" He nodded with a half-smile. "That's better. And I'll take the liberty of saying... Kashish." There was a pause, short, quiet, not awkward, not rushed. Just there. Like a brief footnote between chapters. Her phone buzzed. She glanced down. "Yes, Bhaiya... I'm at the end of the garden are. Coming," she said softly, ending the call and slipping the phone into her clutch. "Looks like my ride home's getting impatient," she said, standing up. Kabir rose with her. "That's fair. It's been a long day." She smiled, the tiredness masked by something calmer now. "Well... good night, Kabir." He returned the smile , quieter, more settled "Good night, Kashish." They walked back toward the main garden area, A few steps apart, walking in sync without meaning to. There were no more words. And yet, nothing about the silence felt empty. From the other side of the dinner lawn, under the softly lit trees, Dr. Devansh, Dr. Shivangi, Dr. Vaidehi, and Dr. Angad noticed them returning together. None of them said a word  but their eyes silently acknowledged the moment. A subtle look passed between Shivangi and Vaidehi. An eyebrow lift from Angad. And the faintest smile from Devansh. 

(Kabir and Kashish sitting together in garden area, Assume it as night)

This is how the Award Night ended  With thunderous applause fading into soft murmurs. With plates clinking gently in the garden, old colleagues sharing laughter, and young doctors chasing autographs and mentors. But while the spotlight dimmed from the stage, it quietly shifted somewhere else  to a far-off garden bench, under fairy lights, where two worlds unexpectedly met again. Dr. Kabir Singhania the evening's final awardee, No longer just a face of medical excellence... but a man now watching someone who, unknowingly, had built the very walls that carried his legacy. And Kashish Diwan, The architect who never asked to be noticed — noticed in a way words couldn't define. No mics, no announcements. Just the silent recognition of a presence that mattered. Their brief exchange, invisible to the crowd, was very much seen by those who mattered: mothers who understood more in silence than in words, grandmothers who read between gestures, fathers who noticed shifts even amidst accolades. The award show didn't just conclude with trophies or titles. It ended with connections. With a conversation that wasn't supposed to happen... but did. With a moment that wasn't planned... but lingered. With a new chapter turning quietly... away from the stage, under the stars. And in that calm, tucked just between legacy and limelight... a story had begun.

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

So Readers, 

How did you find the Award Night chapter? 🌟

Did the grandeur feel just right?
Did the undercurrents — legacy, pride, rivalry... and that unexpected spark — land the way you imagined?

Tell me 
What stayed with you most?
Kabir's speech?
Kashish's quiet presence?
Or the silent looks exchanged between matriarchs?

Would love to hear what worked for you... and what you'd like to see unfold next. 

- [Pristi Scrolls]