CHAPTER 8
Wardboy: "Madam, the file you requested."
That one sentence broke the spell. It was like pouring cold water on hot fire!
Nidhi: "Huh! Yes the file. Thank you for bringing it."
She had forgotten all about the file she had requested just before she stepped into the common room. She took it from him and started walking back towards the Emergency ward to resume her duty. But her mind raced back. The aura of Valentine's Day had continued for the next four or five days. It seemed as if they were living a dream, their days were romantic and nights passionate! Suddenly they had been brought back to the ground with a thud. One evening, about five days after Valentine's Day, as they got ready to leave for home, Dr. Ranganath had stopped them. He had informed them about a freak train accident that had happened about an hour back, a little away from Lucknow. And a lot of passengers had been injured. It appeared that out of nowhere a thunderstorm broke out in that area causing some land slides which had then hit the train was happened to pass through. It had been so sudden that the driver did not get a chance to react before tons of debris hit a couple of compartments derailing them. Almost all the passengers in both those compartments had some degree of injury. All the injured were being brought to the hospitals in Lucknow. And since she was on duty in the E&T ward it had fallen upon her to receive all those injured passengers. And so began an ordeal, the entire hospital was extremely busy, it was an emergency lock down situation.They both had not gone home for almost 2 days.
Even in those two days Nidhi had managed to see him only once, when she had gone seeking him in his cabin. A serious, pensive looking Nidhi had knocked on Dr. Ashutosh's door...
Dr. Ashutosh: "Come in..."
And when he had seen it was her he had smiled and immediately lowered his head to return to perusing the file in hand but she had not returned his smile. Without looking up he had continued...
Dr. Ashutosh: "Sit Nidhi. Has everything settled down in emergency? Have you finished diagnosing all the injuries? I just came back from my last surgery, last one for now at least"
Only silence...after waiting for a few seconds Dr. Ashutosh had raised his head and was shocked to see her red face and swollen eyes, eyes that clearly had told him that she had either been crying or was about to bawl like a baby...
Dr. Ashutosh: "Nidhi, what happened? I think you did not even listen to a word I uttered. Why are you looking so lost and shattered?"
That concern in his voice had broken her. She tried to answer but could not hide the quiver in her voice.
Nidhi: "Dr. Ashutosh...I...I"
And the tears had started pouring out in earnest. The next minute she had found him near her, wiping away her tears.
Dr. Ashutosh: "What is the matter Nidhi? I can guess it is really serious. What happened, did you make some mistake?" With a hiccup she had shaken her head to indicate negative. "Then what?... say something Nidhi!"
The last words were said in a louder voice with more frustration, and was accompanied by rough stroking of his hair. She had known that Dr. Ashtuosh would soon blow his top.
Nidhi: "I...I...ummm..." After another hiccup and a long, deep breath, "Do you remember Dr. Ashutosh, long back when I forgot to give Shahenshah that injection and you scolded me for negligence? I remember when you told me that a day will come when I would lose my first patient inspite of my best efforts...I...I..." She took another deep breath... But she had looked over him and had registered the recognition on his face.
Dr. Ashutosh:" Nidhi, did you? When? Who?"
Nidhi: "Just a few minutes ago...I...There was... She must have been only in her 30s..."
But she had not been able to say another word and she had started crying in earnest. After ordering some tea for her, Dr. Ashutosh had found out the details and spoken to the Department Head on the next course of action. He had also found out that since Nidhi was extremely shocked and shaken by the turn of events, she was given a little time to compose herself and then report back. And that's when she had come to see him. Just then the tea had arrived. Dr. Ashutosh had added extra sugar and had forced her to drink and had quietly told her how one felt when horrible things happened. Even though she had tried her best ultimately it was God's will. After a little while the combined effect of a cup of warm, extra-sweet tea and his soothing voice she had calmed her down, she had gone back and resumed her duty. But the tempest had only been put on hold and not completely alleviated. Later that night, after they had gone home, she had still been very upset...
Dr. Ashutosh: "Nidhi, I know this is one event a doctor never forgets. I still remember the day I went through the same situation. I can remember every detail as if it happened a few minutes back."
Nidhi: "Do you Dr. Ashutosh? If you remember do you still feel guilty! Its not just that Dr. Ashutosh. After I went back I came to know some more things. It was a family of four and the husband and wife were most injured as if they tried to shield the children by taking most of the impact."
The lady's husband was also badly injured, his legs were almost crushed under the debris. He had been operated upon and was in their ICU. It was suspected that he was going to have a limp for the rest of his life. And then the wife, the patient whom Nidhi had lost earlier, her skull and lungs were badly damaged. In fact she had gone into coma as soon as she had been brought in. But in the midst of all this the two children had the least injury. She had also found out that the lady was an only child and her mother a widow.
Nidhi: "Dr. Ashutosh, I saw her children when I went back. Their grand parents had arrived. The little girl was probably not older than 6 years and the boy only 10-11 years old. I... I... I could not face them and give them this news...I failed!."
Dr. Ashutosh: "No Nidhi, it is not a failure, it is a falacy that is quite prevalent that doctors are Gods when in reality we are no more human than them. But yes, when we face a situation like this its normal human tendency to grasp at the straws, make Gods out of doctors and when nothing works, the last desperate effort is often a plea to Almighty. So no, do not take this as a failure, all we can do is analyze and see if we could have done things differently and be better prepared to face another similar situation. Please, Nidhi, are you understanding what I am saying?"
Nidhi: "Yes, Dr. Ashutosh, my head is, but my heart is unwilling to listen to reason. Especially when I keep seeing that little girl in my mind. only one question comes to me, does she have a DB or Shyama Aunty in her life? If she does, will they become sufficient replacements for the mother she has just lost? A mother whose face will slowly fade away with time. Will he remember how her mother used to look, talk, dress, paly with her, will she remember? Or will photos be the only thing she remembers of her mother? Dr. Ashutosh, that girl was just a little older than myself when I lost my mother... and..."
She could not go on, there were too many questions raging in her mind, questions that had no answers even today. She remembered how she had turned away from him when she felt tears assault her eye afresh. But he had known, and very gently he had turned her back to him and,
Dr. Ashutosh: "Nidhi, do you miss your mother a lot? Are you remembering her now? How is it you never talk of her? Nidhi, till today I have raved and ranted about my lonely childhood and days as an orphan and I always thought you were very secure. But today after hearing you, I feel I do not know you at all!"
Nidhi: "No... no! Dr. Ashutosh, please do not misunderstand. I had a wonderful childhood with DB, Aunty and Anji. They all loved me and took care of me so much that I hardly missed my mother. But I would be lying if I say I do not miss her. I do, especially when I am going through an emotional upheaval, I miss her terribly and wish she was with me. I missed her when I realized I had fallen in love with you and this I wanted to badly share with my mother but could not. Then when you had your accident and we broke up, I used to remember her and cry every night. Those were the days I badly wished she was there with me, to talk to Baba and DB, to meet you...but... And you know, when we got married I felt her presence that day as if she was right there and blessing us."
Dr. Ashutosh: "Nidhi, you have never mentioned this before. Till today whenever you spoke about your family, only once I remember you mention you mother."
Nidhi: "Yes, I don't talk about her very much. And moreover DB and Aunty gave me very little occasion to miss her. But its true, as a daughter I now realize that sometimes I will miss my mother. I have experienced that. And sometimes I get worried wondering if I would be a real mother? What if I don't know how? Even if I have seen Aunty and Anji, I have personally not experienced that kind of love...the type of mother I will be will be purely instinctive...and sometimes these thoughts worry me."
She had been rambling on when she had looked into his face. He seemed to have become very still and very attentive. She felt as if her words were affecting him on another level. It had appeared that he had zoned her out, that he had been transported into a different place. But just then he saw her look at him and immediately he had regained his composure. "What was he thinking? Did I say something wrong?"
She was walking back to her ward and thinking these things when she saw the name of her department and came to an abrupt stop. She had reached here already, she was in front of her department! So schooling her features she walked in only to be met by a bunch of roses. She smiled automatically thinking Dr. Ashutosh was no so attuned to her that he knew when she needed cheering up. She smiled and remembered Valentine's Day, a mere two weeks ago when he had turned on his charm and she had spent the day enjoying one surprise after another...
Valentine's Day...
BB and HK had left the previous evening on their teerth yatra' for three days with the group from JS. After their departure she had been racing around the house getting dinner ready and finishing up chores. Once done she had stepped into their room and was setting up the alarm to wake up an hour early due to HK's absence when suddenly it was snatched out of her hand and held way above her head...
Nidhi: "Dr. Ashutosh...what is this? Please give me my alarm clock."
Dr. Ashutosh: "No!" And he started to adjust the time. This was something he had never done after their marriage.
Nidhi: "Dr, Ashutosh, please tell me what are you doing?"
Dr. Ashutosh: "Patience Dr. Nidhi, all in good time! Till then go to sleep. Good night and... and no more questions."
With that he had patted her face, gone to his side of the bed, placed the alarm under his pillow and had promptly gone off to sleep leaving her standing there gaping at him. "What happened to Dr. Ashutosh just now. He seemed alright even a while back when BB had left?" And a few hours and a day-break later she got her answer...
Dr. Ashutosh: "Wake up, wake up! Time to rise and shine. Good morning Dr. Nidhi, your coffee is served!"
Then he had come close and kissed her shut eyelids and forehead. And so she had woken up that day to a day that had turned out to be full of pleasant surprises, all meticulously planned by Dr. Ashutosh. A quick look at the clock had told her she was late, so she rushed into the bathroom. On the way he had caught her hand and pulled her back. Then he picked up her hand and kissed it effectively preventing her from taking another step.
Nidhi: "Dr. Ashutosh, don't... please... let me go, I am late. We are late!"
At that his hand slowly tracd a path up her arms finally settling around her neck. Then pulling her closer he had touched her forehead with his.
Dr. Ashutosh: "Slow down Ndhi. Its our day off today!"
This was said so softly that it had taken her a few seconds to comprehend it. Once it had sunk in...
Nidhi: "What? What did you say...did I hear day off? When and why? How did that happen?"
Dr. Ashutosh: While extending a box that looked like a jewelry box to her, "Slow down Nidhi. Happy Valentine's Day to you!"
She was stunned into silence by the turn of events and now these gifts had her gaping at him with a dropped jaw. And while she was still gazing at him he brought forth a bunch of red roses too.
Nidhi: "But? Happy Valentine's Day Dr. Ashutosh! But day off... how?"
Dr. Ashutosh: "Nidhi, we have been working so hard off-late that I thought we could take a day off to relax and what better than a day off to celebrate an occasion. So I applied vacation for both of us and decided to surprise you. Which means now you can get ready slowly, no pressure."
Then she had realized that she was still holding the jewelry box. So she had slowly opened it to find the most beautiful piece of antique necklace with matching ear-rings nestled in it. It had rubies and emeralds laid out in a single line and a big pendant in the middle that had some white pearl accents as well. And it was perfectly complemented with a matching ear piece.
Nidhi: "Wow! This is so beautiful. I do not have anything like this. Thank..."
But she did not complete it for there was another box from Armaan's Boutique this time. This had left her wondering if the surprises would ever end! She had gingerly opened it to find the most beautiful Anarkali type suit in mid-night blue that had a green Banarasi brocade bodice with red embroidery around it and a beautiful red, green, blue border at the bottom. The sleeve in green tissue was long with red embroidery on top and the border repeated at the cuff. The churidaar was in green silk with a red embellished dupatta that was its crowning glory. On the whole it looked exquisite and it was one of her favorite shades of blue as well. At that moment she had felt tears on her cheeks and a moment later Dr. Ashutosh was cupping it and gently wiping them away. Slowly she had raised her eyes and,
Nidhi: "Dr. Ashutosh... I... I don't have words to express my feelings. I.. Happy Valentine's Day to you too. I.. I, am sorry I have not got anything as yet." At that he had shushed her and placed a very gentle, light kiss on her lips...
Dr. Ashutosh: "Nidhi, remember sometimes it's the moments that matter, not the gifts. I have got mine. Now get ready fast and come out!" And before she could even respond he gave her his most charming smile and was gone.
For full five minutes she had stood rooted to the spot gazing at all the gifts and wondering how and when did Dr. Ashutosh manage to get all that. Then as if suddenly remembering she still had to get ready she had rushed off into the wash room. The Nidhi that had arrived in front of Dr. Ashutosh a little while later looked and felt like a million bucks! That dress looked perfect on her! and from his reaction it had seemed as if it was Dr. Ashutosh's turn to stand rooted to one spot gaping at her with his mouth wide open. It had seemed that he himself had not anticipated the effect that gorgeous attire would have on him...
Dr. Ashutosh: After clearing his throat, "Its,... its beautiful, you look very exquisite in that! Do you like it?"
Nidhi: "Its perfect Dr. Ashutosh, and I love this color a lot...Tha..."
Dr. Ashutosh: "Don't say it... You have said it enough times. Now let's eat."
That was when she had noticed the small but delicious spread in front of her. it looked as if Dr. Ashutosh had replaced their usual toast with French toast instead with some powdered sugar on top. And then there was some fresh fruits cut and mixed into a fruit salad with sweet yogurt (curd) on top. And two mugs of steaming hot coffee. And she had felt more miserable.
Nidhi: "Everything looks so delectable. Why did you do so much, I would have helped."
Dr. Ashutosh: "Well, these are not difficult to make. I actually wanted to make Sheera but did not know how. I could not ask you and did not want to ask DB. So I took the easy way out and made what I knew."
Nidhi: "Didn't you just say, it's the moments that count. So I know I am going to enjoy all these dishes because I am going to be sharing it with you."
And she had picked up his hands and kissed the back of them. Turning them around she had placed a kiss on both his palms too. Then she had taken a piece of French toast and fed him, but in her mind she had already decided that at lunchtime they would be having Sheera for desert. He had taken the bite from her hand and just as suddenly had pulled her onto his lap.
Dr. Ashutosh: "Why Dr. Nidhi? Is that all I get for my effort? A kiss on my hands? In case you have forgotten, I am your husband! And anyway, isn't today a day for love and romance"
So saying he had held her face and started kissing her, first her eyes, then nose, then chin, and then... it was a while before they both surfaced for air! And so the rest of the day had proceeded, with Dr. Ashutosh giving her company in the kitchen while she cooked. But then she had to chase him away as she was getting nowhere with the lunch preparations! He had been distracting her, sometimes hugging her from the back or sometimes kissing her on the neck or sometimes holding her hand while she stirred, so she had to banish him, albeit reluctantly. After lunch they had gone for a drive, stopped to eat ice-cream, then stopped again at their favorite tea stall and finally had pulled in front of the Dhaba to enjoy some authentic Punjabi cuisine. On the way back they had revisited the Baradari that was shining with all the Kandeels lit and they had lit one this year as well. The day had ended with an equally romantic night. The day had been all about making new memories from old and the night had been all about passion and desire, but the memories of that day's events still gave her goosebumps.
Sitting all by herself now, almost two weeks later, she was lost in deep thought, even smiling to herself forgetting that she was in the Emergency ward in the middle of her shift. She was rudely awakened by Nurse Janki Bai who was now introducing a patient who had just arrived. It was a lady whose little son had a deep gash in his foot and she seemed to be pregnant as well. After tending to her little boy Nidhi sat back in her chair. Her thoughts immediately shifted to Anji. She had barely recovered from the accident victim's trauma when Anji had got a scare, and that had scared her even more. ...
TO BE CONTINUED...
Friends, once again hope you liked this chapter. Please, as always your comments are welcome. And please also hit the 'LIKE' button if you liked this one. 😛
Edited by aardhan - 12 years ago
