Category: Books

The Budding Friendship

~ Sowmya Gali

Lunch was a quick affair but Vandana ate to her heart’s content. Prashanth seemed a bit distracted as his cell phone seems to be buzzing every three minutes or so. Satyamma shot angry looks at him.

“If I can’t discipline the father, how can I expect the kids to behave well?” mumbled Satyamma.

Vandana ate in silence and soon excused herself to retire to her room.

As she made her way to her room, Prashanth caught up with her.

“I’m really sorry, Dr. Mittur for my behavior back there,” apologized Prashanth. “I’ve been working on a project for a company in Mumbai, and there they developed some technical issues,” explained Prashanth.

“Did Satyamma make you apologize or do you really mean it, Mr. Kumar?”

“What?”

Surprised, Prashanth turned to her to see a smile creeping up her face from her lips to her eyes and he instantly realized she was teasing him.

“I’m really sorry, Dr. Mittur,” said Prashanth, a bit taken aback by her expression.

“Oh! Mr. Kumar, I was just teasing you. No offense taken. I completely understand. I am also like that. In our profession we must be available at all times. One cannot foresee when an emergency arises. You don’t have to apologize,” assured Vandana, gently patting his arm.

Prashanth felt a warm tingle permeate from his arm to the entire body. She seems to be completely oblivious of the feelings stirring inside him.

“Thanks, Dr. Mittur. I hope you can rest well. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call either me or someone in the house. I will be gone for an hour to pick up the kids and for a bit of shopping but should be back home by tea time. You can rest up as much as you want. One of us will knock on your door if you don’t show up for dinner, though,” he confirmed, walking to her door.

“Thank you, Mr. Kumar. I need to get some sleep. I’m afraid my hunger pangs will not allow me to sleep for too long,” she said, opening her door. “I guess I will see you and the kids at dinner, then,” she said stepping in.

“See you then, Dr. Mittur,” said Prashanth.

Vandana closed the door behind her, leaned on the door and thought how comfortable she is getting around this man. Despite working around men all her life, she never felt so at ease. She was pleasantly surprised that her sense of humor popped out of the blue after so many years. She smiled as she walked to the patio door. She stepped out for a while, taking in the warm afternoon breeze.

Indeed, it was much warmer than the morning. She walked back and forth, reading the documents that Mr. Kumar handed to her that morning. She read carefully before signing any of them. She spent a good thirty minutes, when her eyes started drooping. She closed the curtains to make the room a bit darker but let the door to the patio open for some breeze. She turned on the fan, changed into pajamas, looked at her big, comfortable and inviting bed. Resisting the urge to jump in, she sat at the edge to feel the softness of the bed. Slowly, she raised her feet up and laid down her head on the pillow. Never in her life had she slept in such a cozy, soft bed.

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Maladies of an Old Woman

~ Sowmya Gali

As they stepped out of the hospital and walked towards the jeep, an old woman, with a slight bend and a walking stick, walked up to Prashanth.

“Babu, can you please tell your staff to treat me with some respect? They make me run around the whole hospital from room to room, nurse to nurse. I am old and tired. I’ve been waiting for a bed since last night. They say none of the beds are available when I myself saw many empty ones. Liars!” complained the old lady.

Prashanth winked at Vandana and smiled as she looked questioningly at him.

“Latamma, come here. Sit down first,” urged Prashanth, leading her to one of the garden benches.

“I want to introduce you to our new doctor. I am sure she will be able to treat you well so you don’t have to come to the hospital every other week,” suggested Prashanth, helping her down to sit on the bench. He sat next to her.

“Namaste, Doctor. I hope you are a good one and give me some good medicine to treat me,” said Latamma, folding her hands.

“Namaste, Latamma. I sure do hope to help you. Why don’t you come back on Monday so I can see you properly, diagnose and give you the right medicine,” asked Vandana, quickly checking her pulse.

“What if I die before Monday?”

“Now Latamma, I am sure you won’t die so soon. You are still so young. Last time you mentioned that your oldest grandson is expecting a baby soon. How could you even think of dying before holding your great grandchild in your arms?” asked Prashanth, holding her by her shoulders.

Vandana was looking on amused by the fondness between the two. She understood by the look in Prashanth’s eyes that he knows her story.

“Latamma, why don’t you come with me and I will help you find a good bed,” said Prashanth and turning to Vandana requested, “Dr. Mittur, can you please come and see what is wrong with Latamma.”

“Sure, Mr. Kumar,” said Vandana, following them.

Prashanth found a bed for Latamma after the receptionist agreed not to say anything until Monday morning when Dr. Mittur will do a complete check-up.

Dr. Mittur spoke to Latamma and enquired about her ailment. She gave the old lady a minor dosage of sleeping pill and pain killer. She noticed that all her vitals were normal. She heard her heart beat and found it to be normal as well. Without further tests and her previous records, Vandana didn’t want to prescribe any stronger medications.

By the time Prashanth returned, Latamma seemed to be happily chatting with the new doctor. He led her to her assigned bed.

“Now Latamma, rest here. Dr. Mittur will come back on Monday morning, and I assure you, you are the first patient she will see. No waiting in line for your turn.  Meanwhile, you be a good girl and don’t pick up any fights with the staff or other patients.

“Thank you, Babu. I will be good to others as long as they don’t bother me,” said Latamma, lying down on the bed. “Thank you, Doctor. I think I will feel much better by Monday.” They bid good bye to Latamma and hurried to the jeep as it was almost time for lunch.

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