My mother is a poem I'll never be able to write,
Though everything I write is a poem to my mother. ~Sharon Doubiago
I dedicate this chapter to all mothers' in the world. I've put in a story all of you may have read, I'm sorry if you feel bored it is just a try on my part to honour the treasure, the precious gift god has bestowed us all with.
Chapter-11
She was walking in the lobby of hospital when she receives one more sms "Thank you". She turns to look around but there was no sign of him...he is around but where...confusion was written on her face...Dr. Ahana passing by asks, "Nidhi are you okay? Looking for some one? She shook her head in a "NO" but a team of senior doctors mostly deans of various departments came out from oncology ward of KGH waiting for some one. So he is here? She waits for him to come out as he was still in the ward and tries to converse with Dr. Ahana, she desperately wanted to see him. As he came out his eyes fell on her but he immediately averted his eyes and moved ahead passing them with team of doctors following him. They all went to the reception area of the hospital and were inspecting the place. She saw some black cat commandoes entering the hospital and Dr. Rangnath stopping them. On enquiring about the security Dr. Ahana revealed to her, "CM's grand son has been attacked I think he is being brought here". Nidhi was surprised "what? When did that happen?"... "Just an hour before, the hospital has been put on alert. He is being shifted from the City Hospital where he was admitted being near to the place he was attacked. The doctors in City Hospital have just read a medical bulletin to media saying he has got head injuries. I think CM may have opted Dr. Ashutosh to treat him. He is the best in our state and our hospital among top most hospitals." Dr. Ahana saw the team retreating and she preferred to disperse to avoid them. Nidhi also entered the ward to meet the children before leaving. She was missing him but he was so busy she felt helpless. She writes a sms conveying that she is leaving. The answer comes:"Fine! Call you later?"She felt dejected and left after biding good bye to all the children. She was very tired so on reaching home moments after lying on the bed she was fast asleep.
The CM's grand son a boy of twelve years was admitted in one of the hospital's VIP suite that was well equipped with all the facilities. Only few commandos were allowed inside hospital that remained in the suite. Hospital's best Staff was assigned the duties. Dr. Behl was already assigned the job along with few Sr. neurologists and two junior neurosurgeons, and he was asked to choose the junior paediatrician to complete the team. "Dr. Nidhi Sir" he answered in the first instance and she was called for the duties. It was at 7 in the evening when she was getting ready after taking a quick shower her phone rings "Love getting ready?"... "hmn...Are you there?"... "yes why did you ask"... " hmn...nothing"... "Missing me" after a pause she answers "I want to see you"... he loved the way she said that poutingly... "I'm here waiting for you but...taking a sigh...we won't be able to talk"... "Hmn...if you are around that is enough"... "Looks like someone has really missed me"... "Looks like someone has not missed me at all"... "Don't instigate me I'm not going to retreat always keep that in mind... how much torture my poor heart can bear" she says nothing in response "Love!"..."hmn"... "you don't want to talk"... "hmn"... "what?"... "Yes!... you love to tease me"... "No..I love you" and she hears screech of car halting "you said you are in the hospital"... "when did I say that I said I'm waiting for you"... "where???"... "You'll see yourself come out now"... "but my car"... "yes in your car, come I'm waiting"... Taking her robe and stethoscope she literally flew. When she took a turn outside her house she saw his car on the road end and when she was about to reach near he started his car and drove ahead. She followed his car and stopped when he finally stopped his car on a road side. The road was on there way to hospital and was deserted unusually. It was dark outside but she saw him coming as her car's head lights were on, she put them off and unlocked the doors of her car. He opens the door on the left side and gets in saying "Hi" raising her eyebrows... "What is this? Why are you here?"...the moment he got into her car he looked at her intently "wanted to see you"... shrugged his shoulders and took her hand in his... "But we were meeting at hospital?"... "hmn"... "why do I feel there is some other reason also?"... "What were you doing since you were back home?"... "Why??? I was so tired I was asleep the moment I hit the bed"...he smiles... "Good you have taken some rest...the riots have hit the city since the news about CM's grandson spread"... "Oh! I didn't know...then what was the need to come here...you shouldn't have"... "Really?"... "Yes...she was pouting and murmured looking outside what was the need to put your life to risk"... he comes close to her and whispers "I came exactly for that...didn't want my life to put to risk?" she turns to look at him alarmed...he heard me... he raised his one eyebrow in response...there eyes remain locked for some time then she mumbles lowering her eyes "And who gave you the right to put my life to risk?" Hearing that he gets a bit emotional leans forward and places a peck on her forehead "let us protect our precious lives and move from here...I so wish to talk to you but we'll have to leave C.M's grand son needs immediate surgery"... She nods "and yes we are about to enter the area that is most hit by the riot the authorities have managed to control but the area is still very tense...keep your phone on hands free mode and let me know if you feel scared"... "I won't"...he raises his eyebrows in response and gives a lingering kiss on her forehead saying follow me... closely... Okay? She nods and he pats her cheek and gets off moving quickly to drive his car...she felt overwhelmed caressing her cheek with her left hand she waits for him to start his car and both drove towards hospital after a minute he calls her and asks "Are you okay?"... "Yes I'm fine concentrate on your driving"... "You think I'm an amateur driver?"... "No! You are very expert atleast who can forget the way you were performing surgery on your car engine last night... that makes him laugh... but sensing some tension around he turns serious and says "Nidhi be attentive I can sense something around let us move out fast from here" and both raised the speeds of their cars moving fast they here a voice of a bang and thud realising someone's car has been attacked by the rioters'...he asks "Love"... "I'm fine" he takes a sigh of relief and within minutes of drive they reach the hospital ...Nidhi realises whole hospital outside has been turned into a security garrison their phones were still on and she utters... "within a few hours the whole city has changed!!!"... "yeah...let us move now quickly"... "hmn"...but he was still concerned.. "Are you okay?"... "I'm fine!"... "Get off quickly I want to see you"... "What?"... "Quick...we are getting late"... when she gets off he was already locking his car he gives her a look and she hears him taking a deep breath... "You won't leave the hospital without my permission"... "No"...he was moving inside and she followed him. He repeats in a low but stern voice, "You are not allowed to move outside...got it?"... "But why?"... "You want me to issue orders...Okay fine?"... "You are mingling professional and personal life"...he was climbing the steps of hospital... "No I'm not I think I'm the boss here and a thorough professional you'll see" and cuts the call... Nidhi was miffed "hmn... I'm not going to listen".
Soon she saw him in action...first order to Divya the receptionist...I want to see Dr. Rangnath in my cabin immediately...a few steps ahead he saw Dr. Rangnath... "Dr. Rangnath please ensure no one in the ladies staff leaves hospital without being escorted or given a drop facility...city is not in a good state riots have hit the entire city"... "yes sir"... "And the staff posted at hospital's VIP suite is not allowed to leave without my permission not even after finishing their duties"... "Yes sir"... "I hope the OT is ready"... "Yes Sir"... "Good get the staff ready I'll be there in a minute" and he moves to his cabin...nidhi was more peeved...Dr. Rangnath read her face and understood why specific orders were given for the staff posted at VIP suite. He suppresses his smile and that miffs her more then he moves near to her and utters "I think this is concern Dr. Nidhi". She stomps her feet and walks towards her duties. All the junior doctors were closely monitoring the patient and waiting for the nod so that the patient is shifted to the OT when Dr.Ashutosh, Dr. Behl and some other Sr. Neurosurgeons entered to check the patient. Ashutosh checking the reports and vitals of the patient prescribed him an injection... he thought his BP needs to be normalised and left saying I think we need to wait for some time and turning to all the doctors "I want keen observation". The injection was administered to the patient and Nidhi alongwith the other junior neurosurgeons waited outside on the couch checking him intermittently... after some time she receives a sms from him "so doc...you are not leaving without permission"...she answers, "I am not a kid I can take care of myself"...answer comes... "Oh! My baby" she opens her mouth agape but realising where she is she immediately modulates herself. When she didn't answer she receives a call after some time and leaves outside to answer his call... "Yes"... "So much anger"... "hmn"... "Please!!!"... "No"... "Fine! If you want me to die worrying for you I'm Okay!"... "Ashutosh!!!"...after a silence of few moments...he calls her name twice but she doesn't answer then after sometime he pleads... "Please!"... "again no answer"... "please talk to me...Okay I'm sorry"... "No answer"... "you want me to apologise by kneeling down...Okay I'm coming"... "No answer'... "Please Love I wont say that again I promise...never ever...please" now he hears a sigh in response and then she utters "Are you going to escort me like this"... "Yes and Shouldn't I be doing that?... She had no answer to that she takes a sigh giving up... "Okay! All the best for your surgery"... "I don't need my lady luck is with me" she says bye smilingly.
Only half hour passed since the injection was administered on patient and He thought it fit to operate on him. Whole team geared up within minutes she saw him in his surgical attire she also scrubbed and joined the team...the surgery wasn't so complicated and ended in an hour and it was for the first time she saw him operating with such a precision that she was stunned she wished to kiss those hands that have the ability to save lives making her feel proud. When he was done he ordered his junior's for suturing and left giving a blink to her avoiding other's gaze. She smiles under her mask in response - a smile reaching to her eyes and lighting up his heart.
Ashutosh had a press meet at 10.00 Pm to brief the press about the patient's condition he came to check the patient in ICU at around 11.00 pm seeing him stable he left for his cabin and after some time she sends a message "why don't you go home now?"... "Leaving love...but you wont leave in the morning till I return- please" "Okay! But I want sms when you reach home"... "Sure"...On reaching home he SMS' her as promised. Next day morning he calls the DIG of the city and on his assurance that situation has been brought under control as curfew was clamped down in the city and strict instructions have been given to security agencies to ensure smooth movement of medical staff... he sends her a morning sms adding... "You can leave now its safe". Three days passed Ashutosh and Nidhi met in ICU at evening when he waited for her to have a look but they hardly got time to talk to each other. They were missing each other badly...a few sms' a day was the only respite from hard working days and nights. She remained busy during night shifts and he remained busy during day time... visits of VIP's...hovering of media and press conferences tired him whole day.
On fourth day morning Nidhi was leaving the hospital...the entrance was jam-packed with print and electronic media persons who were trying to enter the hospital premises to know about the health condition of CM's grandson...the city was abuzz with rumours regarding his deteriorating health condition...security men in the hospital were having hard time to control the situation. When the media person spotted her they all swarmed to ask questions to her... "Doctor we want to know about the health condition of CM's grandson... and what is this?...no one is responding here...where are the senior doctors in the hospital? We want answers...we all are curious to know."
"Nidhi lost her patience and took the situation in her stride...she politely asked them can you all please come to this side of entrance and leave other side for the visitor's who are desperate to meet their loved ones to know about their well being and also for the patients who want to come in for the treatment for their ailments. I hope you all have a sense of responsibility towards them too." They all move towards one side and the visitors and patients manage to come in that eased out the situation a bit.
"Now coming to your questions...I think the hospital reads a medical bulletin after every two- three hours and updates you and the general public about the condition of the patient. It's only 8 am and hospital reads a bulletin every morning at 9.30 after senior doctors check on him. Even the doctors answer your questions as well".
"Doctor you expect us to wait for one and a half hour more when there is so much unrest and rumours in the city dwindling the peace of the city. It's the responsibility of the media to make right news to reach the public...we can't wait for you and your hospital to apprise us according to your wishes...we want the information right now."
"yes the social responsibility of intentionally presenting information in a way that is intended to excite or shock people...I very well understand why you all are so desperate to get this news...a news that can have sensationalising effect on your channels and papers... but please can't we leave human emotions...we can...we can rise above TRP benefits...I understand your responsibility and I want you to understand the responsibility you have towards these patients...she points towards an old man on a wheel chair with his son entering the hospital after waiting long for media personnel to give him space to get inside the hospital"...She speaks a bit softly, "I always believed media has the power to guide and enlighten us towards truth and from darkness towards light and I appreciate your hard work and toil...I assure you CM's grand son is in good condition and is improving...I request you to wait in the garden area for the medical bulletin that will be read on time." The media persons retreated and some where seen thanking her when she was leaving"
Baba was elated to see her... he was watching TV...What a girl?...KGH has hired good staff...He switched to another news channel to watch her again when Ashutosh came to have his breakfast yelling at Hiraman
"Kaka breakfast I'm getting late"
"Vow Ashu I am impressed...he frowns a bit...KGH has very good staff."
"I can't understand what do you mean?"
"See for yourself...the girl who talked to media persons...very young but resolute...she has a spark...wait...wait they are showing her again" Ashutosh waits for the news to be relayed and when he saw her he forgot to breathe...he murmured Nidhi!!!...he mesmerizingly watches her...baba was praising her...when the report ends baba utters "who is she Ashutosh? she has a spark in her...you saw how she managed all the media persons and how she talked to them when people respond to media by giving politically correct answers to avoid getting caught in controversies how determinedly and brazenly she talked to them...she has such a confidence." Ashutosh was smiling hearing his baba's praises for her... "What is her name Ashu? Why are you smiling like that?"... "hey beta!...rolling his eyes while saying... Is she...I mean the one you love...Is she also like her?" "No Baba...taking a pause...she is the one...she is the one you wanted to meet"...Baba takes some time to get what he was saying and when he understands he gets up in joy moving close to the TV. Is she?...Ashu she is the one you love...She is the one!...Hiraman!!!! come here! come here! see our would be daughter in law...Ashu she is so pretty...he moves near Ashutosh, cups his face in his hands and pecks his forehead...I'm happy... so happy Ashu. When Hiraman comes he also acclaims yes doctor sahab she is very beautiful...he comes and places an affectionate hand on Ashutosh's head...Isn't she beautiful Hiraman? Yes Doctor sahib she is lke a doll...Ashutosh laughs at that...Baba orders "bring sweets I want to celebrate". "No Kaka..No Please...Baba why are you behaving like that? You can't have sweets you know that"... "O' Keep your advice to yourself...today not even your father can stop me"... "yeah how can he stop when he is behaving like a kid"...Hiraman get the sweets immediately can't you hear?
Sweets! What is this celebration for! A voice made them to turn their heads and glance at door...that was Malika.
Baba: Come in Beta..Come in...after such a long time... you forgot me?
Malika: Baba how can I forget you? Not possible not in this life...but what are the celebrations for?
Baba: Nothing beta...the Hiraman and Ashutosh look at each other...It is my...It is my...mother's birthday today.
Malika: Really!!! Great I can have sweets too...and when Malika looks at TV she gets surprised to see Nidhi in headlines and asks Ashutosh looking towards him, "what has she done now?"
Baba: No..she has done nothing... they will show her again...wait you can see yourself. When she watches the whole story...she shakes her head saying she is such ambitious girl...she can do anything... Ashutosh closes his fists in anger baba notices that.
Baba: why Malika beta why do you think so?
Malika: Baba you don't know her she always goes overboard in doing things...Ashutosh gets up saying "excuse me I'll be back in a minute" and moves to his room...and she continues narrating all the stories regarding her to Baba..Baba was feeling elated introspecting after every word he heard about her... "she seems indomitable...the way she takes care of her patients without concerning about her job...she must be very caring...she is very daring and is having very good virtues that's why she acts for doing good without thinking about consequences..and what he deduced hearing Dr. Sunil's episode was that his son really loves her...he felt satisfied that they'll be able to handle and make their relationship successful and will live a happy married life."
Ashutosh moving to his room gives her a call but after two rings he cuts the call thinking she might be taking rest...but much to his expectations she calls him back the very moment...seeing her incoming call a grin forms on his face and answers her: Hey my love...how are you?... "Fine"... "I hope you're not sleeping"... "so?"...No I thought you must be feeling tired... "so what? I can answer your call"...he laughs at that "still in fighting spirit"... "I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that but I couldn't bear... the patients were suffering"... "it's okay! But it could have turned bad confronting present day media you know how it is"... "yeah I understand I'm sorry"... "but my day has been made"... "how"... "I had the glimpse...then a long pause...I miss you love"... "but I don't"... "Nidhi! You've surprised me enough...enough for the day...take rest bye". She was smiling looking at her phone her love was heightening with every passing day...the care that he showered on her past few days was making her feel protected as if she has got a protective shield in her life..."he was right when he said I needn't to care about anything...he is there for me."
Four more days passed in that very state though the condition of patient was improving day by day but Nidhi wasn't able to understand why Ashutosh was still very busy. She didn't know he was toiling all for a one days break and for easing his future schedule so that he can spend time with her when she is free.
Ashutosh was feeling bad for the patients and the visitors who had to suffer due to frisking and security checks. Since he was fit to be discharged he thought to have a one on one meeting with CM and he managed to convince CM to take his grandson home. He assured him a doctor and few nurses will be provided by hospital and he'll be taken care at his home. The arrangements were made and he was ready to be discharged next day. Soon the hospital's security cover was withdrawn and hospital was back to normal. The staff posted at VIP suite was given three days compulsory leave to take proper rest. After taking some rest she got up at 11 am she thought to call him but finds a sms on her phone that said "having three surgeries scheduled so will remain busy"..she was missing him and he was...she threw her phone on her bed and went to take shower and get ready...after spending some time with her dadi bua, at solanki house and making phone calls to Rohan and Anji she had her lunch. In afternoon she thought to visit Rahul who was operated the very next day when CM's grandson was admitted in the hospital and she hardly got anytime to see him. She did go to see him two-three times in ICU but now he was shifted to ward and she thought to go there and meet all kids that way she can while away her time and kids will also feel good. When she entered the paediatric ward all kids were elated...she met them all one by one but she saw a boy of some 11 years a new entrant in the ward bit irritated..she tried to enquire but of no avail...when finally priya revealed, Nidhi Di he is a bad boy..he fought with her mother...he asked for the game Rahul is having but she doesn't have money to buy...and he hates her mom for that"
Nidhi: Oh! Thatz really bad! What's your name? He didn't answer but priya answers for him "Ankit"
Nidhi: Okay! Ankit I'm going to tell you a story of a boy and this is for all of you...to which all clap but Ankit showed no response...Janki Bai comes and pats the shoulder of Nidhi saying... "Thank you doctor you only can manage them". She smiles in response and begins her narration:
"This is story of a boy and his mother. His mother had only one eye. He hated her... he thought his mother as an embarrassment for him. His mother ran a small shop at a flea market. She collected little weeds and such to sell... anything for the money they needed. One day during elementary school on field day his mom came to see him he felt so embarrassed and annoyed that he threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school his class mates taunted him... "Your mom only has one eye?!" and he felt very bad. He so wished that his mom would just disappear from this world so he said to his mom, "Mom, why don't you have the other eye?! You're only going to make me a Laughing stock. Why don't you just die?" His mom did not respond. He felt a little bad, but at the same time, he felt good to think that he had said what he'd wanted to say all the time. Maybe it was because that his mom hadn't punished him, but he didn't think that he had hurt her feelings very badly.
That night... he woke up, and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. His mom was crying there, so quietly, as if she was afraid that she might wake him. He looked at her, and then turned away. Because of the thing he had said to her earlier, there was something pinching at him in the corner of his heart. Even so, he hated his mother who was crying out of her one eye. So he resolved to himself that he would grow up and become successful, because he hated his one-eyed mom and their desperate poverty.
Then he studied really hard. He left his mother and went to another city where he studied and set up a very good business. He got married and bought a house of his own. He was living happily as a successful man with his wife and two kids. He liked the place as it didn't remind him of his mom. His happiness was getting bigger and bigger, when someone unexpected came to see him "What?! Who's this?!" It was his mother... Still with her one eye. He felt as if the whole sky was falling apart on him. His little girl ran away, scared of his mom's eye. And he asked her, "Who are you? I don't know you!!" as if trying to make that feel real he screamed at her "How dare you come to my house and scare my daughter! Get out of here now!!" And to this, his mother quietly answered, "oh, I'm so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address," and she disappeared. Thank goodness... she doesn't recognize me. He was quite relieved. He made it that he wasn't going to care, or think about this for the rest of his life. One day, he received a letter regarding a school reunion he lied to his wife saying that he was going on a business trip. After the reunion, he went down to the old shack, that he used to call a house...just out of curiosity there, He found his mother fallen on the cold ground. But he did not shed a single tear. She had a piece of paper in her hand... it was a letter to him.
She wrote: "My son,I think my life has been long enough now. And...I won't visit your place anymore... but would it be too much to ask if I wanted you to come visit me once in a while? I miss you so much. And I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I decided not to go to the school... For you... I'm sorry that I only have one eye, and I was an embarrassment for you. You see, when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn't stand watching you having to grow up with only one eye... so I gave you mine... I was so proud of my son that was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye. I was never upset at you for anything you did. I miss the times when you were still young around me. I miss you so much. I love you. You mean the world to me." HIs World Shattered. He hated the person who only lived for him. He cried for his Mother, He didn't know of any way that will make up for his worst deeds...
By the time she ended the boy was sobbing she quickly went to him and pacified him saying one should never hate one's parents, they give us life, they raise us better than they had been. Your mom must be trying to give you better than she ever had. Mom's are like that, say sorry to her she'll grab you in her embrace. You'll say sorry to your mom...won't you? He nodded in a yes. She moved to see Rahul who had tears in his eyes: "What happened Rahul?"
Rahul: Ankit is so lucky he has a mom and he yelled at her. I've never seen my mom.
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Mother they say is a:
"a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan
No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother's love. It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star. ~Edwin Hubbell Chapin
I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln
[A] mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled. ~EmilyDickinson
Happy Mother's day!
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