The world has so many , yet each one so unique.
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The train had arrived, I boarded the AC compartment and nervously followed my friend, Aryan, towards the seats. His mother lay there wrapped up in blankets and carefully placed pillows, his dad sat next to her wearing a worried expression.
"Namaste aunty", I said.
She smiled sweetly and asked, "How did you manage to reach?"
"No problem aunty, I just took an auto", I lied and wondered how she could be bothered about anyone else amidst so much pain and discomfort. My heart went out to her. Aryan's mom had been diagonized with tubercolosis of the spinal cord and was referred to Christian Medical College - Vellore for further treatment.
The train started moving, aunty's condition worsened as we approached Katpadi. She had started puking because the pain was unbearable. After about two hours we arrived at the junction and were soon on our way to the hospital in an ambulance. At 7.00 AM, the ambulance arrived at the hospital, we pulled aunty's stretcher outside and rushed her to the casualty, while uncle waited outside with the luggage. A rude looking staff asked us to wait in queue. I used my Tamil speaking skills and asked the lady to admit her, she told us that a doctor would come and examine aunty after which she could be admitted.
"Don't worry aunty, just try and relax", I said.
"I'm feeling very tired", she murmured.
I wondered what took the doctor so long . When I asked the lady once again she screamt at me asking me to wait. We had already waited four hours outside without even first aid. Aunty was exhausted and she had been sleeping. Aryan waved his hand asking me to come out. He asked me to rest, while he would attend to his mom. Even before he could get to his mom, a stout young man with a stethoscope appeared, he quickly asked aunty something and hurried back into the casualty. Following that an attendant also appeared and said somethin to Aryan.
We then rushed aunty to the Department of Neurosurgery, the attendant had said that casualty won't admit a patient who belonged to the department of Nuerosurgery. For the next two hours we were shuttled between the Casualty and Neurosurgery, it finally ended with a letter to the Casualty from one Dr. Rinku of Neurosurgery, saying aunty had "life threatening diarrhoea" and that she must be admitted in the Casualty. On seeing the letter , the stout young man at Casualty literally blew his top. His words still ring in my ears...
"This is CMC Vellore! Not just any local hospital! What do you mean by life threatening diarrhoea?! How dare you bring me such a letter! I refuse you treat your mother! Who do you think you are?!"
After an eight hour long wait, this is what we got from one of the most prestigious hospitals in India. Fearing that complaining wasn't a good idea at that moment, we waited for some more time. Finally the Devil himself admitted aunty and began treatment. I learned his name was Dr. Vishal. After that the series of tests began and it was time for me to leave. From the time I had seen aunty , I had developed some sort of an affection for her which made tears roll out of my eyes involuntarily.
"I'm leaving now aunty, I'll be back to see you next week. Take care.", I said .
I could see tears in her eyes too. She hugged me and said ," You are nothing less than a daughter for me." She placed a kiss on my forehead and sent me off. It turned out after a few days that she too had fallen prey to cancer. She remained at the hospital for a couple of months and passed away on a quiet sunday morning. This lady had accepted me -a stranger as her child. Her unfathomable love had touched me, I still miss her badly. I regret her time with me was too short , at the same time I thank God for making me capable of serving someone.
As for Dr. Vishal... Karma always get back, he can run from it but can never hide. Someday he will pay for it.
