I am updating part 6 of my ff after a long gap as I was on vacation. Sorry for the delay, hope you like it, and please do let me know your views.
Sanya.
Nidhi
I couldn't wait to get to SVH this morning. I had taken great care to wear a peach kurti with light blue motif bordering, and same shade leggings, accessorised with tiny blue earrings and a small bindi. As I scurried to the dining table, dadi bua noticed my stance and said " Arre wah today my Nidhi seems happy, and pretty too". She looked
at me longingly and then with relief perhaps that I had gotten over my heartbreak and moved on. Little did she know that ...
I did not have any plan of action in mind, but believed that my heart will show me the way and help me bring the people I loved, together. " Ok dadi bua, I am going to the hospital, see you soon", I said after finishing breakfastand grabbing the car keys.
My feet were moving at a pace faster than usual as I parked the car and walked towards the hospital."Good morning sister", I greeted as I looked at the new patients list. " Good morning Dr. Nidhi, you look happy today, anything special?" " Yes the day seems beautiful, isnt it? Has me filled with this new energy", I said with a bubbly smile while the nurse looked away a little amused. I realised the staff at SVH hadn't seen this Nidhi which Kotnis knew.
The thought of kotnis brought a smile to my lips again, and I chided myself, and went to check on the patients. As I entered Ketan's room, to my surprise saw the bed being made by the ward boys, and Ketan was no where to be seen.
"Where is Ketan", I asked the ward boy."He got discharged last night Dr Nidhi. His parents talked to Dr. Kadam and got permission to shift him home as he was doing fine". "Oh I see",a feeling of disappointment came over me, that means I won't see Dr. Ashutosh today. All the excitement of the morning seemed to dissipate, and my walk became slow as the nurse came and said " Dr. Nidhi, a food poisoning patient has come in, You are called by Dr. Tiwari in the OPD". "Ok, I am coming I said somewhat disinterestingly". Dr. Tiwari seemed very quiet and serious, after examining the patient gave me instructions to shift her to the room, and handed over the chart with the medication and vitals. I was to be in charge of the patient for 2 days. "Oh god, how boring, food poisoning, boring disease and doctor", I chuckled at my thought. "I wish some head/nerve injury patient came in so that Dr. Ashutosh...," I stopped myself before I went crazier and reprimanded myself for wishing on injury to patients so I could meet my love, god, please forgive me".
Ashutosh
I found myself looking forward to go to SVH as I went on rounds with Mallika. Mallika could sense my preoccupied mind and said "Ashutosh, you seem quiet today, anything going on?" "No Mallika, there isnt much left to happen in my life now", I said dryily as we walked. " Hey Ashutosh, there is a new violin concert in town this evening, shall I get tickets for both of us?", she tried to cheer me up and looked hopefully. Just then, my phone rang, it was from SVH,
I answered right away, but was disappointed to learn that Ketan had been discharged. That means I won't be able to see her today, and the thought was glooming me. After yesterday's emotional outburst, I felt a ray of hope in my relation with Nidhi, and the longingness to see her, talk to her had increased since then.
"So shall we go for the concert Ashutosh", Mallika repeated. "Ok Mallika, we can go", I said, as that would be something to look forward in this dull day as violin was one of my passions, and I hadn't been to a concert in years.
I was almost about to go for the concert with Nidhi and then as I remembered the sequence of events then, how Nidhi was ignorant of classical music, and then our private concert at my place,it brought a smile to my lips. The memory of those
days is what keeps me going. " What are you smiling for?", "Uh, nothing Mallika, I'll pick you up in the evening for the concert, be ready". She happily went away. Mallika had been with me for so long, but I could not give her more than friendship, though she still seemed
to have hope in her heart, especially now with Nidhi out of my life. Well she was out of my life, but I can't take her out of my heart.
"Ok Ashutosh, I'll go home now, see you in an hour", said Mallika on her way out. I waved to her while on the last round of the day. The day wasn't too busy with few patients today, but maybe my mind was tired, making my body feel so.As I drove out, noticed the skies had got cloudy and the air had got a slightly earthen smell, rain was coming I guess. A little while later the clouds got darker, and I noticed few drops on the windshield, I should rush soon, or might get late for a
concert. After all, Its been ages having seen one, not to mention Mallika's disappointment If we miss the show.
The rain was picking up, and some small kids on the street were enjoying the light rain. Kids get happiness from the simple things of life, wish life was like that for adults too. The rain couldn't help bring to mind my first rain with Nidhi together, she was also so happy like these kids, and thats the first time I enjoyed the rain in years, and realised my love. All these thoughts took me to to the tea stall. Rain and tea was too tempting to resist andI parked my car besides the stall, and walked out, as if possessed. The rain felt good on my forehead and I stood there for what
seemed like an eternity, taking in the showers, with my eyes closed. The tea vendor knew my taste by now, and was already making my ginger tea as he greeted me inviting to sit. " Sir, as it was raining today, I was remembering you, and what a coincidence, you came, after so long". " But Sir, did you and madam have a fight?" I looked up to the vendor in surprise as to what was he saying, when he pointed to the other side of the stall where to my delightful surprise, Nidhi was seated, unaware of my presence. She looked a little tired, perhaps a long day
at the hospital. "Sir, Madam, your tea is ready", Nidhi came to get her tea, oblivious to me, lost in her thoughts,and as her hand brushed mine, her trail of thoughts broke, and she was taken aback to see me, and then her face lit up. "Sir, you? what a coincidence? Since
morning I have been thinking of...", and she stopped midsentence, blushing to herself. I could never get tired listening to her talk, or looking at her innocent face. I was lost in her, when the rain suddenly increased and the tea vendorgot us an umbrella " Sir, please have your tea before it gets cold".
Book Talk
Anupamaa
