KTLK ... my take - Page 2

She sat beside Shehenshah following his condition closely. She kept a watchful eye on his parameters and that infernal temperature that didn't seem to lower. She made sure to record every little reading. After four long hours, he seemed to stabilise as the temperature decreased a little. She sighed with relief. She sat back in her chair and flexed her shoulders. She loosened her hair for she felt the knot she had tied at the nape of her neck would break it! She ran fingers through her hair. Her earrings were lying on the attendant's table. They were carved dark roses of granite with a cluster of tiny dangling black pearls. She had fallen in love with them at first sight. She sat down again walking round the room once or twice to keep the blood circulating in her legs. Sr D'souza entered the ICU unit and spotted Nidhi. She went to her and asked her about her little patient. After learning that he had stabilised, she advised Nidhi to go home.

"I am here now and will take care."

"It's ok Sister, I'll be here till 6 o'clock."

"You need rest, Doctor."

"I'm okay Sister, really." Nidhi touched Sr D'souza's shoulder in appreciation and smiled. The older lady nodded and went to the next cabin. She saw Nidhi through the chick curtain and silently admired the young lady's tenacity. She knew she wasn't doing this to impress her peers or her superiors. She was doing it because her conscience dictated so. In the so many years of being in this profession, she could easily separate the grain from the chaff. If her instincts were right, Dr Nidhi was the finest grain of wheat. She was a little sensitive when it came to Dr Asht. He expected ... no demanded perfection from every doctor in the hospital. He had a hard exterior but Sisiter knew what a fine human being he was. No one could doubt his expertise or devotion to the hospital. Dr Nidhi had to learn many things involved in working in a hospital. It was a serious profession and one which made great demands on all working there especially the doctors and nurses.

Nidhi sat with her eyes closed trying to relax into an uneasy doze. From far away, she heard someone call out her name. She blinked her eyes open. Dear God! Now what would this monster say? He'd carp about her being asleep on her job. Please God she prayed, spare me another dressing down.

She stood up. "He's ok Dr Asht. The fever has broken and his condition is promising."

"Go home Dr Nidhi. You need to rest."

Nidhi wanted to pinch herself. Had she heard right? Was this man actually understanding? Were his words genuine or sarcastic? She just blinked dumbly.

"You have done what you could, now go home." His voice was not harsh, nor his expression. She nodded.

"His charts are here on the table and have been updated till half an hour ago." "Ok."

She tied her hair in a pony tail and edged towards the door.

"Oh Dr Nidhi... when you return for your shift, meet me in my cabin."

Nidhi's heart sank. Now what? She nodded and left the ICU. She went to the washroom. She splashed water on her face. As wiped her face, she looked in the mirror. She looked terrible...hair unkempt, droopy eyes, crumpled clothes and a downturned mouth! Is this how Dr Asht saw her? Eeeks!!! Hah! She said to herself. She didn't care what he thought... she didn't care a fig! She stamped out of the washroom and started to move to the lobby to make an exit from the hospital.

Meanwhile upstairs, Dr Asht moved to the table to pick up the chart. He espied something dark shimmering under it. He noticed they were a pair of earrings. He picked them up. He shook his head. Dr Nidhi's probably. Why did women think such baubles were important? He didn't know the answer since he never could understand the way the female mind worked. He opened the drawer and took out an envelope. He placed the earrings in it and called for the orderly.

"Go down to the lobby and hand this over to Dr Nidhi. She will be going home, so catch her before she leaves."

"Yes, Sir." The man left quickly.

Nidhi was leaving when the orderly called out to her. She turned.

"Yes?"

"Sorry Dr Nidhi. Dr Asht has given this for you."

Nidhi looked puzzled but she thanked the man and made her way to the parking lot. As she sat behind the wheel, she kept the envelope on the seat next to hers. Out of curiosity she peeped into the envelope. Her earrings were in it. She was surprised. Dr Asht was actually thoughtful enough to send these to her? How strange! This man was unfathomable. After blasting her last night, he was now being kind? Oh no Nidhi, she told herself. She remembered that threat of an appointment in his cabin when she returned. She scowled. Drat that man!!!!!!

Dr Asht smiled to note the progress the little chap had made through the night. He sighed! Now he had to deal with Dr Nidhi later this afternoon. He didn't quite look forward to it. But it was a routine shake-up he gave most interns. He had to make them pull up their socks. It was not something he relished, but he had to do it. All doctors had to be dedicated and careful. He sighed ...