Posted:
Dr Nidhi was busy examining the patient in front of her when the call came through.
"Nidhi...did you see the news...am so happy ...congratulations...!"
Dr Nidhi was puzzled. What had she done now that was worthy of being on TV? Not that it was new to her. As one of the country's leading fertility experts, she had performed many a miracle. Even last week, a sixty year old woman had become a mother, thanks to her treatment. The woman and her husband had wept with joy as they thanked Dr Nidhi for this blessing. It was a good feeling to be praised thus. But Nidhi could not personally understand what the fuss was all about. However, it was a good thing that a child mattered so much to so many people. She had built her entire career servicing the need. After her masters in India, she had travelled to the Uk to further specialize in the field of obstetrics and fertility treatment. She now had patients from all over the world travelling to Lucknow to be treated by her. The last twenty years had been good for her. She had achieved all that she had wanted and more!
"Nidhi...are you there?"
Nidhi's trip down memory lane was cut short by Anjie's slightly irritated voice.
"Haan Anjie...tell me...is it about that sixty year old woman who gave birth to twins last week at my hospital?"
"No Nidhi...it is not about you...it is about Jeejaji!"
Dr Nidhi was surprised. Dr Ashutosh had quit medical practice almost fifteen years ago. She had been away in the UK when it had happened. He and his Baba had decided to convert Dr Mathur's house into a home for underprivileged and abandoned children! Dr Nidhi had been surprised by his decision since he was one of the country's top neurosurgeons of his time. However, she had too much of respect for him to argue with what she personally thought was a stupid decision. Ever since then, Dr Ashutosh had devoted all his time and efforts to that initiative. Money was not a constraint since he had invested his life earnings well. Their personal needs were well taken care of. Of course, Dr Nidhi had soon started earning so much that Dr Ashutosh's life earnings were paltry in comparison. Such was the degree of her success. She would have been able to gift him the world if that was what he wanted. He did not though. He was content with the home and all his efforts towards rehabilitating orphaned and street kids. The former CM, whose life he had saved, had made a government grant towards the home. A few of Dr Ashutosh's grateful patients had also chipped in. Baba and Dr Ashutosh had set up an outlet through which products made by the children were marketed. The proceeds went towards funding the education of the children and the upkeep of the home too.
Was there a TV news item on the home? There had been a documentary crew from the US just a couple of months ago. Nidhi had also been interviewed and her professional achievements were also extolled. They had been described as an ideal couple, with him devoting his life to the care of underprivileged children while she provided a cure to the fertility issues of childless couples.
"Nidhi...Jeejaji has been awarded the Magsasay Prize for his work with underprivileged children!"
Nidhi was thrilled for Dr Ashutosh. This was amazing. He so deserved it.
"Nidhi...will drop by in the evening to congratulate Jeejaji...have to pick Riya up from school...and Aryaan will be back from college...need to make sure he has his snack before going off to tennis classes...and then, I need to send a consignment to the Delhi boutique...they called to say the new designs are selling by hot cakes...And Dr Ranganath wanted gobi paneer and mutter pulao for dinner,,,have to make sure the cook gets the masala right...God, sometimes I wish I had ten hands...see you in the evening...bye Nidhi!"
"Doctor...you have blessed so many other couples with the joy of children.,.please help us too!"
Dr Nidhi looked at the middle-aged women seated in front of her. The yearning in her eyes challenged Dr Nidhi. She had the power to make it disappear. Dr Nidhi got back to work. Calling Ashutosh would have to wait!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There were press vans and a number of cars parked outside the home. Dr Nidhi automatically checked herself in the rear view mirror to see if her hair and lipstick were in place.
She walked into the visitors room. A press conference was in progress.
"Dr Ashutosh, whom would you like to thank for this honour?"
Dr Nidhi knew he would take her name. Yet, she waited curiously.
"This honour is not just mine..it belongs to all my children, my team members and every single individual who has been with us on this journey...I would like to thank each one of them...I have to thank my Baba for showing me the way to give back...he gave me ...and I am giving these children...I hope one of them takes over and continues with the giving...life is about giving...but yes, there are a few others who have been the reason for this journey of mine...my parents and my wife...!"
Nidhi was surprised. Why was he thanking his parents?
"my parents taught me the meaning of words like orphan and abandonment even before I learnt to speak...so, I must say that my journey began the day I was abandoned...thanks be to them wherever they are..!"
He took a deep breath and continued.
"I need to thank my wife, Dr Nidhi...she has been my guiding light in this journey...she has stood by my side and not complained that I am not like other husbands...like normal, regular men who cherish and place their wives and families above all others...besides, most important of all, she makes so much of money herself that she does not complain that I do not give her diamonds and cars..in fact, I live off her..I am not ashamed to say that our household is being run on her money...since I earn nothing..a true woman of substance, my wife!"
The room erupted in applause.
Ashutosh spotted Nidhi at the door and beckoned her to come forward. As he puts his arm around her, the cameras were clicking away.
"Sir, a personal question...why don't you have children of your own...do you regret it?"
Dr Nidhi was taken aback. How would he answer his question?
"No...I don't...and again I have my wife to thank for that...but for her, I would not have known the pleasure that is to be gained from having children of the heart...even though, I am a doctor, I say this...DNA and blood have nothing to do with being a parent...except in a purely biological sense...it is a feeling that comes from the heart...my wife helped me discover this feeling within my heart...for this, I shall remain eternally grateful to her!"
There was nothing but truth in Ashutosh's eyes as he spoke these words.
"Dr Nidhi, what do you have to say about this?"
Dr Nidhi found that she had no words to offer in response.
Current Affairs
Anupamaa
