Chapter 3

Sandhya's POV

" Glad to see, all of you on time. Now you all will go for your rounds with me, check all patients and will make small notes about them. Dr Chirag and Dr Ajay,  you will make notes about their problems, medicines, what should be given, what quantity should be given and at what time.  And Ms Sandhya you will see what should be their food according to their diseases and their problems you will come with the complete food plan for them.  Three of you will show everything to me tomorrow first thing in the morning.  Am I clear??"  He asked looking at me.

" Crystal clear sir... " I said sarcastically. He glared at me.

" You better be, or you will face the music tomorrow. Now follow me and be ready to make your notes about all of them." He left his room and we followed him. He went to the ward where his patients were.

We met the first patient. He was a 65-year-old man, who got operated 2 days back. I noted all his particulars. 

Then the next patient was a 10-year-old boy who had a hole in his heart. Aww... poor child. He was so scared. He was not even eating anything. He was to be operated in 2 days.

I talked to him for two minutes and told him whispering that he is a very good looking strong boy. And he need not worry about surgery, as Dr Vikram will take care of him. He just needs to follow the diet chart and take medicine on time. I winked at the little boy and he smiled. 

There was another old lady with high blood pressure problem. We went to all the patients one by one noting their requirements and their problems. 

After the rounds were completed, Dr Rathore went, to do a surgery.  We all went to the cafeteria to have a cup of coffee. I was very tired. I called Shubh and informed him to come in an hour.

We had our coffee and I decided to make food plans for all the patients right away. 

I kept working for around 45 minutes and made diet charts for all of them according to their respective problems, age, food habits. 

I was ready to leave, as our duty hours were over when Dr Rathore came to the cafeteria. He got a coffee for himself. He looked at me and came towards me. 

" What are you doing here. Your duty is over. " He asked me.

" Yes sir I was going, I wanted to finish my work as I was free.  It is finished now, so I was leaving as you entered. May I take your leave now?"

" Yes, of course, You may. " He said sipping his coffee.

" Thank you sir " I left the table and started walking towards the door. I could feel his eyes on me.

I was surprised to see Shubh here, I thought he would wait near reception or near parking. He smiled at me and asked me, " So, how was your first day here? " He asked me enthusiastically. 

" It was good, nice experience "

" Hey, I am very hungry, I want to eat something first. So how was food here?" He asked me dragging me towards the cafeteria.

" I just had a coffee, It was good." He led me towards the cash counter and asked me, what would I have?

" I am not hungry, please let's just go. You should not eat all that ."

" Oh, it doesn't matter... Chill yaar. "

He bought a plate of pasta and two coffees. " What will you have?"  He asked me.

" Nothing, You know that. " 

"Ok, have at least one spoonful." He said and I ate it. I was very much aware of the eyes which were staring at me. 

Shubh enjoyed eating and then we went out of the hospital. He drove us home. I went to my room, changed into something comfortable and then came back to the living room. My aunt and uncle were not at home. So I made dinner for both of us.

I was still thinking about the game destiny was playing. I am supposed to assist a man, whom I thoroughly despise. I mean there were more than 10 doctors, Yet I got to work with him.

" What is going on in that cute little head of yours? " Shubh asked me.

" What?? Nothing is wrong. Why do you think so?" 

" I know you since the day you were born, Now tell me.."

" But there is nothing to tell. "

" Ok, if you say so. But I am not convinced, just giving you some time. Take your time and tell me when it is comfortable. Or, I will have to find it myself."

" You are so irritating sometimes. I am telling you, it is nothing. "

" Fine, I will find it myself." I just rolled my eyes and went to my room stomping my feet.

I slipped into slumber the moment my head touched the pillow. 

******

I got up with the chirping of birds, that was coming in my room through the slightly open window. I did my morning routine and got ready for the work. But I was tensed, as I knew I had to face him as well so I went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast for everyone. I made Aaloo Paranthas for everyone. I also made stir-fried Idly. I laid the table with the help of a housekeeper.  

We all had breakfast together. Uncle loves eating paranthas. He usually says that I am blessed by goddess Annapurna ( goddess of food). I love cooking food so I do it, whenever I am happy or sad... Means I do lots of cooking.

I packed, stir-fried Idly for Shubh and myself. He insisted that he would drop me. I said that I can go on my own, but he said he would do it.

He dropped me at the hospital and said, " Are you sure, You have no problem? You are unusually quiet since yesterday. Come on sandy tell me, what is bothering you? "

" There is no problem, Bhai please be rest assured. " He just nodded, though he was not convinced. He left, but I knew he will try to find out.

I went inside and then reached the Cardiology department. Ajay and Chirag were already there. We all said good morning to each other. Chirag was a very funny man he started telling another funny story of one of his friends. It was so hilarious that we all were enjoying it so much. 

Just then we heard a phone ringing. We all looked into that direction. Dr Rathore was standing there. We all became very serious at once. We all followed him inside his cabin. 

" So, how was your first day here in the hospital, yesterday?  " He asked us.

" It was good sir." Chirag and Ajay said.

" What about you Ms Sandhya? Did you enjoy your first day?" 

" Yes, I did sir," I said, avoiding looking at him.

" Ok, let's go for the rounds and see, what you prescribed for the patients." 

We followed him to see the patients. He asked different questions from all of us regarding the medicine, the food, the diet chart. Chirag and Ajay answered all his queries about treatment and medicines.

I presented him with a diet chart for every patient.  He raised one of his eyebrows and looked at me. 

We went for our rounds. The young boy was denying to eat the porridge that was given to him for breakfast. I went to him and asked, " What happened, little young man? " He smiled faintly and said, "This is very boring, I don't want to eat this. " 

" But this is very good for you. You want to grow into a strong, handsome man. Right? Then you need to get operated. You'll have to eat healthy food."

" But I can't even think of eating it. It is tasteless. Moreover, I hate it. You try and taste it. I don't want to eat anything at all. " 

I tasted it and whispered near his ear, " Ok, dear if you eat this, I will give you something tasty and interesting to eat. Finish at least eat half of it." 

He looked at me for a few seconds and then smiled and said, " Promise? " I grinned and nodded. 

He picked up the spoon and started eating it. I smiled and ruffled his hair a bit and said, "Good boy, I mean young man."

He smiled and whispered, "Just remember your promise." I nodded.

I had almost forgotten about a certain someone, who was standing right behind me.