CHAPTER 13: Memories, Ambitions, and New Relationships Next morning: Anjali was driving to the hospital, and Riddhima was in the seat next to her, chattering about something which Angie would pay attention to in spurts, and drop in a ?hmm? in between randomly to pretend that she was listening. Her mind drifted back to the night before at home.
They had driven back from the hospital and Nani had fussed over both of them as usual. Dad had been out for a late meeting, and Nani had urged both of them to go to sleep and not wait up for him. Ridzie had given in eventually when she couldn?t stay up any longer and finally gone to her room to sleep. But Angie had stayed up. For some reason, she really felt like talking to Dad that night. Talking with Atul about Dr. Omi had put her in a strangely nostalgic mood and she wanted to talk to Dad about the old days in Sanjeevani?when Mom was still with them, as was Dr. Omi. She had been sitting in the living room, sifting through old photo albums, her fingers trailing over Mom?s pictures. ?Did he remember?? she wondered to herself. Today would have been their 30th wedding anniversary. Almost 20 years since she had been gone?and not a single day went by when she didn?t miss her. Ridzie had been too young when Mom passed away in that accident to clearly remember much. But Anjali remembered that day vividly. Dad had been wild with grief, and Nani had been beside herself crying in grief. After that, Dad withdrew into a shell for a week, not talking to anyone. Nani was the one who took care of them in those days, trying to overcome her own deep sorrow. Ridzie would constantly ask her where Mom was, and Nani would keep evading it by saying that she was away on a trip and would be back soon. Some nights, when Angie was unable to sleep, she would walk over to Dad's room to try and talk to him. But every time she?d go there, she?d find him crying softly to himself, and she would always turn back, tears streaming down her own face, unable to share his grief with him, or express her own to him. After about a month, Dad plunged himself back into work with a vengeance?and slowly, life moved on in some way or the other for all of them. In the initial years, even a mention of Mom would become too painful for everyone?especially Dad. And after a while, everyone stopped broaching the topic so as not to upset him.
A tear fell on Anjali?s hand as it rested on one of Mom?s pictures, and she blinked as she emerged from old memories. She glanced down at the picture?one of her favorites?Mom was wearing a pale aqua colored Sari and a big smile on her face as she hugged her to herself. Dad had taken this picture, and she remembered him mock complaining that she loved her Mom more than she loved him. ?Did he miss her this much as well?? she thought to herself. ?Why had things never been the same ever again? Ridzie had never really sensed the change?but then, Dad had never really let her feel it as much either. She had of course, been heartbroken when the news was finally broken to her, but Dad had done everything possible to make her feel that everything was ok?and being as young as she was, she got over it pretty quickly as well. But Anjali knew that something had changed irrevocably after that?Mom had left, and taken a part of Dad with her that would never come back.?
She had no idea how long she sat there, staring at Mom?s picture, lost in thought and then eventually drifting off to sleep on the couch, clutching the album to her chest. Shashank walked in an hour later, glad to finally be home after a long day. As he started towards his room, he caught a movement out of the corner of his eyes. He turned and saw that Anjali was sleeping on the couch, curled up into a little ball, clutching something in her hand. He smiled and walked over to her quietly, slowly kneeling down next to her sleeping form on the couch. The years seemed to fade away in that moment and he could see the 8 year old Anjali in front of him all of a sudden. He was almost about to pick her up and carry her to bed, before reality returned to him and he laughed at himself self-deprecatingly in his head. He reached a hand out and softly brushed her head, then slowly maneuvered the album out of her grasp and turned it over.
His heart turned over as he looked at Smriti, smiling that beautiful smile at him through the picture. He brushed a hand over it, and looked up at his daughter sleeping quietly. The daughter who was so like her father in almost every way?.but she had gotten one thing from her mother?that wonderful smile?the one that lit up her entire face, but had sadly been so rare since quite a while now. He sighed to himself as he closed the album and kept it on the table. He went and found a blanket, and covered Anjali with it, brushing her cheek softly for a moment, before walking back to his room. He went straight to his bedside, and lifted the picture of Smriti lying on the bedside table. ?I miss you, Smriti.? he said to her softly, holding the frame close to him. ?And so does your daughter. Why did you leave me alone to do this by myself? I just?never seem to be able to communicate with her properly! I wish?I wish you were here.? He looked at her for a few moments, and then put the frame back on the table. He got up and turned to go and change, but then paused suddenly. He turned around once again, and kneeled next to the table, eye level with the picture. ?Happy Anniversary, Smriti,? he smiled at her. Then he got up and went finally went to change.
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Anjali had woken up with a crick in her neck the next morning, and hurried to get dressed as she was getting late as usual. It was now as she sat in the car that she wondered who had put the blanket on her. Had it been Dad? She finally braked to a halt outside Sanjeevani.
?Oh no!? Ridzie?s voice roused her from her thoughts.
?Hmmm?? she said, grabbing her purse and getting ready to get out of the car.
?That idiot Armaan has parked his car right next to ours!? she said, making a face and motioning towards the side with her chin.
Anjali glanced over, and saw Armaan getting out of his car. He spotted her instantly and blew her a kiss before waving a ?hi?. She laughed, and waved back.
?Di!!? said Ridzie, outraged as usual.
?Ridzie, you really
really need to develop a sense of humor! Chill!? said Angie, and then stepped out of the car. Riddhima followed as well, and then proceeded to get into an argument with Armaan instantly. Angie considered intervening for a bit, but then rolled her eyes and decided to walk in instead.
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Locker room: Atul pulled open the glass door and walked into the locker room, feeling as if he was floating on air. He just couldn?t seem to keep the massive (almost loopy) grin off his face. He hummed ?Pehla Nasha? under his breath softly as he walked over to her locker. He looked around, but no one else seemed to be in yet. He glanced back at her locker and smiled once again, reaching out a hand and softly running it over her name as he thought back to the last two almost magical days at the camp.
?Thank you so much, Atul? she?d said smiling at him for the first time.
?The kind of love that they seemed to share?I wonder if it really exists.?
The way she?d felt in his arms when he had carried her.
The way she?d looked sleeping with the moonlight bathing her in an ethereal glow.
The way the firelight had glowed on her face as she sang, ?Anjali Anjali?
The way she?d smiled when he?d given her the daisy.
The way she?d turned around to wave at him last night. He rested his head on the locker for a moment and then moved back. He felt as if there was a permanent 1000 watt bulb glowing inside him. ?Udta hi phiroon in hawaaon mein kahin.? He sang, as he did an imaginary little waltz around the room. ?Ya main jhool jaoon in ghataaon mein kahin?? he spun around and crashed into Sapna who was just emerging from the changing room.
?Ooff!? they both said in unison.
?Sapna?!! Where did you come from??? he asked in shock.
Had she heard him singing around? he wondered.
She looked at him in exasperation. ?Aasmaan se tapki hoon, Atul! Tumhein nahin pata? Arey yaar! Changing room se abhi abhi nikli hoon!?
?Ohhh?alright. So?uhh?you didn?t..uhh?see anything??
?See what?? Where?? she said, looking around now.
?Nothing, nothing.? He said quickly, breathing an inward sigh of relief and walking over to his own locker to put his things away.
Sapna smiled behind his back and thought to herself,
Do you mean your Pehla Nasha special performance, Dr. Atul? That I most definitely saw, heard, and enjoyed a lot! she smirked to herself.
?Accha yeh sab chhodo! Do you know what happened today?? she said, as she walked over to him.
?What?? he asked curiously.
?Meri Mummy! Aaj subah subah phir kisi naye rishte ki baat lekar mere peeche pad gayee!? she said, making a face. ?Pata nahin kaunsa namoona dhoonda hai is baar?some Jignesh! Hey Bhagwaan! Will she ever let me live in peace??
?Jignesh?? Atul laughed, ?Kya kamala ka naam hai, yaar! Aur tumne abhi tak haan nahin ki?? Kyun Sapnaben?!? he said, with mock reproach.
?Atttul!!!? she said, hitting him on the shoulder. ?Do you think this is funny?? Wahaan meri Mummy ne un logon ko parson chai par bhi bula liya hai! I?ve told her so many times that I don?t want to get married for atleast another 4 years, but she never listens to me!! And then she keeps throwing these weird characters at me! It?s like she doesn?t care who I marry, as long as it?s some random guy from our community?joker ho to bhi chalega!?
He laughed at the last line and put an arm around her shoulders. ?Don?t worry, Sapnaben! Main hoon na! I?ll find you a kamaal ka Gujrati ladka! Mummy bhi khush, aur tum bhi!?
?Awww?how sweet, Atul!? she said, pulling one of his cheeks. ?Ab tum mere liye itna sab kucch kar rahe ho, to I should also help you out now, haina? So tell me then?what kind of a girl do you want, hmm?? she asked him.
?Me??!? he said in surprise. ?Uhh?Uhh?? he looked down, fumbling and trying to figure out a way to change the topic.
?Anjali?? she said.
His head snapped up and he gaped at her in complete shock. But she seemed to be looking behind him. He turned around to look as well, but didn?t see anyone there.
Sapna smiled as he quickly glanced back, and then quickly smoothed it out when he turned back to her in puzzlement.
?I thought I just saw her outside?maybe I was mistaken.? she said, shrugging. ?Haan?so you were saying??
?Uhh?I?uhh?don?t...? he fumbled yet again, much to her bemusement.
?Hi, Atul! Hi, Sapna!? said Anjali as she walked in to the locker room.
Saved by Anjali, he breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. ?Hi, Anjali!? he replied back.
?Hi Anjali!? said Sapna as well, ?Where?s Riddhima??
?She?s outside,? replied Anjali, ?arguing unnecessarily with Armaan as usual,? she said, rolling her eyes.
?Yeh dono bhi na!? said Sapna in exasperation. ?They never leave a chance to irritate each other! Especially Armaan!?
?Seriously!? agreed Atul, ?I wish he?d give Ridz a break once in a while!?
?A break?? laughed Anjali sarcastically. ?Ah yes?SHE is the one who needs a break?innocent, na? little Ridzie.?
Atul and Sapna looked at her in puzzlement, not quite sure how to reply to that.
?Never mind,? she said, ?Let?s get going now before Gabbar reaches the nurse?s station before us and starts turning red in the face.?
As they all walked out one by one, Atul mulled over her last comment about Ridz. He was unable to fully understand why she felt such deep resentment towards her. He decided to talk to Ridz to see if he could get a better idea about things.
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Nurse?s Station: Dr. Keerti assigned all of them to their various duties for the day. She then turned to Riddhima and told her that she would be assisting Dr. Aastha in a C-section delivery today as Dr. Aastha had been very impressed by the way she had handled the patient the other day when she had panicked upon hearing about the possible complications in the surgery. Riddhima smiled and said, ?Thank you, Dr. Keerti.?
Anjali?s mouth tightened imperceptibly, but no one noticed except Atul.
?And now, another important announcement,? continued Dr. Keerti. ?I will be observing all of you very carefully over the next few days, and the person who impresses me the most with the way he/she handles their duties and cases will get a chance to assist me in a surgery.?
Everyone?s interest piqued up at this and noticing that she now had their undivided attention; Dr. Keerti continued further, ?This will be an excellent opportunity to gain a significant number of points for the IOTM award as well, so I suggest that you put your best foot forward, and make the most out of this opportunity. All the best, ladies and gentleman.? She finished, and then took her files and left.
Everyone except Atul and Anjali dispersed after that as well, hurrying towards the respective wards that they were all assigned to, determined to do their best to grab this chance.
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Anjali stood in front of the IOTM for a moment looking at the scores. There was a very small difference in the points between Ridzie and Armaan. And Anjali herself was only two points behind him. ?It?s doable, Anjali,? she said to herself. ?And you
will win it!?
Atul had not had a chance to talk to her by herself ever since they?d all arrived this morning, so he now walked over to her as she stood looking at the board, deep in thought about something.
?Hi Anjali! What are you thinking?? he said.
?Huh?? she blinked for a moment, and then replied, ?Hi Atul! Oh?uh, nothing?was just looking at the latest scores.?
?The scores? The race is heating up now, haina?? he smiled. ?I guess it?s going to be a close finish between Ridz, Armaan and you, hmm?? he said, glancing at the board.
?It sure is,? she said, smiling a little enigmatically. ?You?re not counting yourself or Sapna among the competition, Atul? I don?t need to beware of you guys?? she asked, arching a brow.
He laughed at that. ?Sapna and I have already declared ourselves the winners?if you rank us from the bottom up.? He wiggled his eyebrows.
She laughed at that, and was about to reply when her pager went off. She checked it quickly, ?Oops! Have to run now, Atul. Duty calls! Will see you later.? she said, hurrying off towards the General Ward.
He remembered then that he should be at the ENT ward by now as well, so he turned and hurried towards that ward. As he walked into the elevator and pushed the button for the 5th floor, he reflected on the scene at the Nurse?s station.
She wanted to win this award badly, he realized.
And not just for the sake of competition, there was something? more to it, but he couldn?t clearly make out what it was exactly. He was still lost in thought as he exited the elevator and walked towards the ward when he suddenly bumped into someone.
?Offo! Dekh kar nahin chal sakte ho kya?? said an irritated voice.
?I?m so sorry,? said Atul, reaching down to pick up the toy elephant that the person had dropped, but a small hand reached past him and picked it up before he could.
?Don?t touch him!? said the voice
Atul looked up and saw a little girl clutching the toy elephant tightly to herself and glaring back at him angrily.
?Tubby doesn?t like you!? she declared in an angry tone.
?I?m sorry, Tubby,? said Atul in a contrite tone, addressing the elephant now. ?I didn?t mean to make you angry. Can?t we be friends??
The girl held up her elephant?s mouth to her ear and after a moment replied, ?Tubby says he?ll think about it.?
Atul smiled at that, and said, ?Ok. I?ll wait for his reply then.? He glanced around and then asked her in a gentle tone, ?Did you come with your parents? Where are they??
?Mommy?s inside with Doctor Uncle. But Mili was bored, so she left.? she replied.
?Where is the Doctor Uncle, Mili?? he asked.
She pointed out an office four doors down. ?Dr. Kher,? he thought to himself.
?Alright Mili, let?s get you back to your Mommy then. She must be getting worried about you.?
?Why should Mili go with you? Mommy says that Mili shouldn?t talk to strangers.? she replied back defiantly.
?Hmmm, well Mommy is completely right.? He agreed, ?Let me introduce myself then. I?m Dr. Atul and I work here in this hospital, and if you agree to go back to Mommy along with me, I?ll give you this,? he said, producing an ?airs from his pocket.
She looked at the ?airs in his hand for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip and then she finally nodded and held out a hand for the ?airs.
Atul smiled and handed her the piece of chocolate. She instantly opened the wrapper and popped it into her mouth. Atul watched all of this in bemusement and held out a hand for her, which she took instantly and they both walked back to Dr. Kher?s office. Just as they reached the door, it opened and a woman stepped out, looking around frantically. Then her eyes finally landed on Mili and she rushed over to hug her in relief. ?Oh thank god you?re alright! Where did you disappear to, Mili?? Do you know how worried Mommy was??
?But Mili was right outside only, Mommy!? she replied innocently.
The woman hugged her once again, trying to calm her racing heart and reassure herself that everything was alright. She then finally noticed the young man standing next to Mili.
?Dr. Atul Joshi,? he introduced himself. ?I just found her wandering down the hall, so I brought her back here.? he smiled.
?Thank you so much, Dr. Joshi!? she replied. ?Mili has a habit of wandering off without telling me, and I had just stepped in for a moment to discuss her reports with Dr. Kher and when I came out, she was nowhere to be seen in the reception area. Thank god she didn?t wander off too far!?
?You are welcome, Ma?am,? he replied, and then looked down at his watch, ?I must be rushing off now. Bye Mili!? he waved at her.
?Dr. Atul?? said Mili in a soft voice.
?Yes?? he said.
?Tubby says that he will be friends with you now.? she said.
Atul smiled and bent down to her. ?Thank you, Tubby.? Then he glanced at Mili, ?And will Mili be friends with me as well?? he said, holding out a hand.
She nodded slowly, and then smiled and shook his hand. Atul waved a bye to both of them once again and then hurried off toward the ENT ward.
?He?s a nice doctor, Mommy.? said Mili.
Her mother smiled back at her and said, ?He sure is.?
Edited by nureat01 - 17 years ago
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