Mish' Fiction

“Doctor Sahib. Mera bachcha theek to ho jayega na?” Nidhi was interrupted during her ward visit by a woman.

“Ji aap kiske saath hain?” she asked patiently.

She pointed towards the bed besides which Nidhi was standing. Nidhi was surprised, “Aap iski Maa hain?”

The woman nodded.

“Lekin ye to orphanage, mera matlab hai anaath ashram mein tha.”

The woman started crying, “Kya karti main? Iske pita ko guzre chaar saal ho gaye hain. Main chhote mote kaam kar ke guzara karti hoon. Aur ye din bhar yun hi bekaar karta rahta tha. Kissi ne kaha ki anath ashram mein daal do. Achchhe se pal jayega aur wahan iski padhai likhkai bhi ho jayegi. Iske kal ka soch kar maine ise khud se alag kar diya.”

Nidhi was pained to hear her story. She noticed Ashutosh overhearing their conversation. His face was tense. He didn’t come to them and walked out of the ward. Nidhi returned her attention to the woman, “Aap chinta mat kijiye. Ye bilkul theek ho jayega. Beemari kabhi kabhi zyada dinon se ho to gahri ho jaati hai. To thoda samay lagega. Lekin ye theek ho jayega.”

After doing her rounds she went to Ashutosh’ office, “May I come in, Sir?”

“Please come in Dr. Nidhi. Ah! I was waiting for my tea,” he smiled. Whenever Nidhi came to him for no other reason, she brought tea as an alibi.

She smiled and sat down without waiting for his invitation. Ashutosh didn’t mind that she was carefree around him. He liked it!

“Aapne us orhpanage waale bachche ki Ma ki baat suni?”

Ashutosh stopped smiling, “Haan. suni.”

“Mujhe aisa kyon laga ki aap usse gussa ho gaye?”

“Shayad isliye Dr. Nidhi ki main gussa ho gaya tha.”

“Lekin aapko itni jaldbaazi mein uski feelings ko judge nahin karna chahiye. Woh apni taraf se bachche ke future ke baare mein achchha hi soch rahi thi. Aisa nahin hai ki uske dil mein bachche ke liye mamta nahin hai.”

“Shayad aap theek kah rahi hain. Mujhe koshish karni chahiye judge na karne ki. Lekin kuchh cheezein aisi hoti hain jinmein dil dimaag ki nahin sunta. Kabhi aapne aisa mahsoos kiya hai Dr. Nidhi?” His tone in the last sentence had changed. The way he asked her that question gave her goosebumps. She felt nervous and turned red. Somehow she managed to say, “Sabke saath hota hai. Insaan ka dil bahut ziddi hota hai. Jab tak woh achcha karne ko uksaye tab tak koi burai bhi nahin hai. Lekin agar dil aapko naaraaz kare, gussa dilaye to shayad us waqt use daba kar rakhna chahiye.”

Ashutosh smiled wistfully. Nidhi got up to leave, “Main ward mein ja rahi hoon.”

—

“Hello everyone,” Ashutosh looked curiously at the going ons in the children’s ward. The ward was filled with colored papers, glues, sticks etc. “Ye kya ho raha hai?”

“Dr. Nidhi ne upcoming elections ke liye jhandiyan banane ka theka le liya hai aur child labour use kar rahi hain hamare ward se,” Dr. Rangnath replied.

“Thank you Dr. Rangnath for the helpful explanation. I am not sure my friend Dr. Armaan would be very pleased to know that this is how we treat our kids here. He is working with WHO,” Ashutosh introduced his guest to them.

“Ohh!” Rangnath realized that it was a bad time to crack a joke. Everyone got up to greet Armaan.

“Sir. Dar-asal ye Dr. Nidhi ka idea tha, bachchon ko bore hone se bachane ka. Bistar par lete lete ye bachche phool bana rahe hain. Aur ye phool hum un bachchon ko bhejenge jo bahut beemaar hain,” Dr. Rangnath explained.

Nidhi was sitting on a low stool and had not gotten up. She was uncomfortable and it did not help that after Rangnath’s explanation, everyone was looking at her.

Armaan praised the effort, “Bahut achcha idea hai Dr. Nidhi. Mujhe achchha laga ki is ward mein bachche bore nahin ho rahe, ya shaitaaniyan nahin kar rahe. Balki productively khud ko entertain kar rahe hain.”

Ashutosh could not understand why she was not getting up, when everyone else was standing. It was awkward.

“Dr. Armaan yahan WHO ke ek project ke silsile mein aaye hain. Aur hamara hospital inke saath closely kaam karega aas paas ke gaon mein medical centres aur medical camps karwane mein. So, I think you all will be interacting a lot with him in coming days.”

“Looking forward to it, Sir,” Priyanka said and Ashutosh and Armaan took their leave. But Ashutosh excused himself from Armaan saying that he had some work in the ward and came back, “Dr. Nidhi. Aapke pairon mein koi problem hai.”

“N… No Sir.”

“To aapko nahin lagta ki jab koi guest aaye aur jab baaki sab log khade ho kar baat kar rahe ho to aapko bhi khade hona chahiye.”

“Y… Yes Sir.”

“Will you get up now?” Ashutosh tried not to shout.

Nidhi finally got up and everyone broke into a laughter as the stool she was sitting was lifted with her. “Main super glue par baith gayi thi,” Nidhi explained.

Ashutosh also laughed and was surprised to find someone else joining in their laughter. He turned around and found Armaan standing near the door. He had followed him to the ward.

Ashutosh went back to him still laughing, “Children’s ward ko playground bana diya hai in logon ne aur ye Dr. Nidhi in sabki leader hain.”

“Achcha hi hai Ashutosh. Isi bahane tumhare chehre par bhi hansi dekhne ko milti hai.”

—

“Ab ye bilkul theek hai. Bas aap ye dhyaan rakhiyega ki ise zyada thandh ya zyada garmi na lage. Aur agar aap kahin dhool waali jagah par kaam kar rahi ho to wahan se ise door rakhiyega.”

“Ji ab uski koi chinta nahin hai.”

“Achcha. Kaise?”

“Dr. Ashutosh ne mujhe apne ghar kaam par rakh liya hai. Khana banane ke liye. To ab ye bhi wahin rahega. Unhone kaha hai ki wahi uski parvarish bhi ho jayegi aur school bhi jayega.”

“Achchha!” Nidhi genuinely felt happy. For the boy as well as for Ashutosh. This decision meant that he had let go of his bitterness about the mother for leaving her child in the orphanage.

She looked around and saw that Ashutosh was also in the ward. They eyes met and they smiled at each other.

—

“Mallika? Kya hua? Tabiyat kharaab hai kya?” Ashutosh entered his office to see Mallika sitting there. She was holding her head in her hands.

“Achchha to nahin lag raha hai.”

“Ghar chali jao Mallika. Kissi ko depute kar do apni jagah.”

“Ghar ja kar hi kaun sa achcha lagta hai Ashutosh. Khali ghar kaatne ko daudta hai.”

“Auntie nahin hain kya tumhare saath?”

“Maa ko bhi apne bete aur poton ki yaad aati rahti hai. Unke bhare-poore ghar mein rahna chahti hain.”

“Lekin Aditya to unhein rakhna nahin chahta.”

“Phir bhi. Unka dil nahin maanta. Mere ghar ke akelepan se ghabra kar wahan chali hi jaati hain beech beech mein.”

“Mallika. Aise dil chhota nahin karte,” Ashutosh went towards her. He did feel bad for her. But how should he convince her to move on.

She got up, “Main kya karoon Ashutosh. Kabhi kabhi ye sab bardasht ke bahar ho jaata hai. Aur phir main tumhein pareshaan karne aa jati hoon.”

“Ismein bura mahsoos karne waali kya baat hai? Doston ko koi apni pareshaaniyan nahin batayega to kahan batayega.”

“Lekin mujhe to tumse bhi shikayat hai Ashutosh. Main kya karoon?” Mallika started crying and to Ashutosh’ surprise, leaned on him for support. He was startled, but patted her head slightly to soothe her.

Nidhi entered his office just then. They separated hastily.

“Yes Dr. Nidhi?” Ashutosh asked.

Nidhi averted her eyes and spoke hurriedly, “I… I am sorry. Dr. Armaan aapka wait kar rahe hain. Unhone mujhe aapko inform karne ko bola tha.”

She went out immediately. It had been a long day for her. But that was quite the routine. She sailed through it. But today, she suddenly felt very tired.

—

To be continued

Mallika walked into his office the next morning, “May I come in?”

“Aao Mallika. Tumhein kab se izaazat ki zaroorat padne lagi?”

“Pata nahin. Kal ki apni harqat ke baad main sure nahin thi Ashutosh.”

Ashutosh did not say anything. He had hoped that Mallika would not start that conversation again. But that was not Mallika.

“Main tumse maafi maangne aayi hoon Ashutosh. Mujhe aisa nahin karna chahiye tha.”

“Uski zaroorat nahin hai Mallika.”

“To tum naaraaz nahin ho.”

“Hona chahiye tha kya?”

“Hona to chahiye tha. Agar maine sach kaha tha to bhi, aur agal galat kaha tha to bhi. Ya tumhein meri aur meri baaton ki itni bhi parwaah nahin hai?”

“Mallika. Kya har cheez par itne bade bade sawaal khade kar ke unhein uljhaana zaroori hai? Main hamari dosti ki kadra karta hoon Mallika. Aur main chahta hoon ki woh dosti waisi hi bani rahe.”

“Okay boss. Main aapse aapki terms & conditions par hi dosti rakhoongi.”

“Mera woh matlab nahin tha.”

“Mera bhi woh matlab nahin tha Ashutosh. Main bas tumse jhagda nahin karna chahti. Jeetoon ya haaroon, dono tarah se meri hi haar hai.”

“Jhagda na karna achchi baat hai Mallika.”

Mallika smiled sadly and left.

His mobile rang just then.

“Yes. Dr. Nidhi?”

“Sir. Reception par kissi orphanage se phone aaya hai. Woh aapko poochh rahe hain. Receptionist yahan nahin hai aur mujhe call forward karna nahin aata. Shayad koi bachcha bahut beemaar hai. Aap reception par aa kar call receive kar sakte hain please.”

“Sure. Aap unhein hold karne ko kahiye. Main abhi pahunchta hoon.”

—

“Thank you Dr. Nidhi,” Ashutosh took the receiver from her hands.

Mallika had also seen Ashutosh rushing towards the reception and she could not help her curiosity. She also reached there.

When Nidhi saw Mallika coming towards the reception, she left. But she stood behind a pillar within a hearing distance and heard Ashutosh’ conversation on the phone.

“Aap chinta mat kijiye. Main khud aa raha hoon… Bachche ko kuchh nahin hoga… Ye Aliganj waala orphanage hai na?”

“Tumhein jaane ki kya zaroort hai Ashutosh?”

Ashutosh smiled sadly at Mallika, “That’s bad Dr. Mallika. Agar ye kissi rich and famous aadmi ka bachcha hota, tab bhi aap yahi kahti?”

Mallika was embarrased, “Ashutosh. Itni jaldi kissi ki neeyat par shaq nahin karte. Mera ye matlab nahin tha… Main to… Main to bas ye kah rahi thi ki bachche ko hospital bhi to la sakte hain.”

“Orphanage ke paas gaadi nahin hai Mallika. Main dekh loonga. Aur agar zaroorat hui to use apne saath hi hospital le aaunga.”

“Main bhi chaloon tumhare saath.”

“Nahin. Mere absence mein tumhara hospital mein hona zaroori hai.” Ashutosh dashed off.

Nidhi was smiling hearing that conversation. Whatever he thought of her, she could not help admiring this man. Rushing off to treat an orphan. From what she had known of him till now, she knew that he was going to even pay for the treatment of the child.

—

“Dr. Nidhi. Would you like to take charge of this patient?” Ashutosh asked after he returned from the orphanage. The child was suffering from severe pneumonia and had to be admitted in the hospital.

Nidhi could not understand him. When he talked to her, it looked like he trusted her more than anyone else in the world. It was clear that this case was close to his heart, the child being an orphan. And he wanted her to take charge of him. And yet, she was irresponsible, immature and inefficient for him.

But she did not say anything on that outwardly. “Sure Sir,” she reponded and went forward to examine the patient.

“Aur haan. Jab aap paper work karein to dhyaan rakhein ki bill orphanage ko na bheja jaye. Woh…”

“Aap pay karenge. Main jaanti hoon. Dhyaan rakhoongi.”

Ashutosh smiled, “Thank you, Dr. Nidhi.”

“Thanks kyon bol rahe hain aap?”

“Mujhe samajhne ke liye.”

Nidhi again didn’t know what to make out of his behaviour with her.

—

“Main jaanta hoon ki tum bahut busy hoge. Lekin haalaat hi kuchh aise ho gaye Dr. Ashutosh ki mujhe tumhein phone karna pada,” Nidhi’s baba was extremely apologetic over phone to Ashutosh.

“Aisi baatein kyon kar rahe hain aap? Bataiye kya baat hai?”

“Main shahar ke bahar hoon business ke silsile mein aur Nidhi kissi wajah se bahut pareshaan ho gayi hai. Phone bhi nahin utha rahi to main baat nahin kar pa raha hoon. Kissi ko bataya nahin hai usne ki woh kahan hai. Shayad tum phone karo ya milo to woh baat kare. Please.”

“Ji Baba. Aap bilkul chinta mat kijiye. Main abhi unse baat karta hoon aur aapse bhi baat karwata hoon.”

Ashutosh was worried. Nidhi was child-like, but she wasn’t immature. She even survived Mallika at the hospital. What happened that she was so upset? He rang her mobile, but she did not pick up. He looked in the ward and then in the common room. He found her mobile there, but she was nowhere in sight. There were several missed calls in it from her home, her Baba, Anji and one from himself. Where could she be?

Then he tried to think calmly and remembered the incident from a few days back and he knew where to look for her. He rushed towards the terrace. Most surely, the door was open and there she was! Sitting on the dusty bench. He silently walked to her. He made to place his hand on her shoulder, but stopped and resisted. Instead he called her name softly, “Dr. Nidhi!”

Nidhi was, yet again, startled as she got up with a jerk from the bench and looked at Ashutosh. It was day time and there was no way she could have hid her tear-stained face. But she did quickly wipe her tears off.

“Sir. Aap? Meri duty abhi shuru nahin hui thi to isliye main…”

“Jaanta hoon Dr. Nidhi. Aap apni duty chhod kar kahin nahin jayengi.”

Nidhi didn’t say anything. So, Ashutosh continued, “Baithiye. Aapse kuchh baat karni hai,” he indicated towards the bench she had been sitting on.

She looked at him confused. So, he repeated with a slight smile and nod, “Please sit down.” Nidhi obliged him and sat down hesitatingly. Then Ashutosh also sat down beside her and started speaking while looking directly at her, “Aise to aap itna bolti hain, bilkul chahakti hui si ghhomti rahti hain, lekin jab koi baat aapko pareshaan karti hai, to aap use kissi ke saath share kyon nahin karti hain?”

“Main samjhi nahin.”

“Phir se jhooth bolne ki koshish? Maine pahle bhi kaha tha na aapse ki aap jhooth nahin bol pati hain. Koi bhi sane insaan khush hone par to yun akele mein baith kar nahin rota hai. Aap pagal to hain nahin. Isliye obviously aapko koi baat pareshaan kar rahi hain. To aap batati kyon nahin hain?”

“Kise bataun?” Nidhi spoke without thinking.

“Aap mujhe bata sakti hain.”

“Aapko?” Nidhi was more incredulous than she let on and Ashutosh could see that. Then she continued with a sad, slight smile, “Aapko meri bachkani baaton par hansi aayegi.”

“Ye kaisi baat hui?” Ashutosh did not like it that she didn’t trust him.

“Main aapki ya Dr. Mallika ki tarah mature nahin hoon. Mujhe pata hai. Isliye to aap log mujhe immature, irresponsible aur childish samajhte hain.”

What had Maalika been telling this girl, Ashutosh wondered. Are her insecurities messing up with Nidhi’s head?

“Dr. Nidhi. Kissi aur ke baare mein main kuchh nahin kah sakta, lekin agar aapko lagta hai ki main aapko immature ya childish samajhta hoon, to aapko bilkul galat lagta hai.”

Nidhi did not reply and kept looking down.

“Meri baat samajh rahi hain na aap?” Ashutosh asked when she did not say anything. But she still did not reply.

“Meri taraf dekho Nidhi,” Ashutosh said forcefully. Nidhi’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Ashutosh addressing him as “Nidhi” instead of “Dr. Nidhi” and also saying “dekho” instead of his usual, formal “dekhiye”. She hoped that Ashutosh didn’t notice her goosebumps. And she could not ignore him, when he spoke like that. So, she looked at him, trying to keep her tears in control.

“Umra ke jis daur se tum guzar rahi ho, usmein logon ko zindagi ke baare mein, future ke baare mein confusions hote rahte hain. To koi bhi aise samay mein kuchh irrational kaam kar sakta hai. Shayad tumne bhi kuchh aisi cheezein ki hain. Aur agar mujhe laga hai ki main tumhein samjha sakta hoon, ya guide kar sakta hoon, to maine woh karne ki koshish ki hai. Lekin iska matlab ye nahin hai ki mujhe tumhari harqatein ya baatein bachkaani lagti hain. In fact, sach ye hai, ki mujhe lagta hai ki apni umra ke hisaab se tum bahut mature aur sorted ho.”

The expression of sadness on her face changed to surprise as she heard him.

“Aap sach kah rahe hain?” she asked earnestly.

“Haan.”

The slight smile that appeared on her face warmed his heart. He continued, “And now I expect you to behave with the maturity that I think you have. Yahan aise bachcon ki tarah akele baith kar rone ki bajay aap mujhe ye batayengi ki problem kya hai?”

He had reverted to “aap”. Though slightly disappointed, Nidhi thought it was for better. If he addressed her more intimately, it was difficult for her to think straight and speak coherently.

“Main Mummy ko bahut miss kar rahi thi,” Nidhi started speaking.

“Koi khaas baat hui aaj?” Ashutosh prodded.

“Dadi Bua Baba ko bhala-bura kah rahi thi. To mujhe gussa aa gaya aur…”

“Woh Baba ko kyon kuchh kah rahi thi…”

“Unhein aisa lagta hai ki bin Ma ki bachchi, yani ki mujhe, Baba ne sahi se paala nahin aur bigaad diya hai. Mujhe Dadi Bua ke baare mein kuchh aise kahna nahin chahiye. Mummy ke jaane ke baad unhone hamare parivaar ko sambhaal ke rakha hai. Lekin unhone Baba ko aise kaha to mujhe bilkul achchha nahin laga. Baba mujhse bahut pyaar karte hain. Agar Mummy hoti to hamein aise kissi ka ehsaan nahin lena padta, ya kissi ki baat nahin sunni padti.”

Ashutosh sighed, “Dr. Nidhi. Yakeen maaniye. Rishton ko khone ka dukh kya hota hai ye main jaanta hoon. Aur kuchh rishte to aise hote hain jinki kami koi poori nahin kar sakta. Lekin phir bhi, aapki zindagi mein to kai aise log hain na jo aapko pyaar karte hain?”

Nidhi nodded.

“To aapka ye farz banta hai ki aap bhi unki parwaah karein. Jahan tak main aapki Dadi Bua ko samajh paya hoon, unki zubaan thodee tez zaroor hai lekin unka dil bilkul saaf hai.”

She nodded again. Of course, she also knew that. Yet sometimes…

“Aur aapke Baba aapse kitna pyaar karte hain, ye aap jaanti hain. Kissi aur ko ye jaanne ya samajhne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Main theek kah raha hoon na?”

Nidhi smiled, “Aap kabhi kuchh galat nahin kahte hain Sir.”

Her innocent acceptance made Ashutosh smile too, “Phir theek hai. To un sab logon ki khatir, ab rona-dhona band kijiye aur us mood mein aa jaiye jo aapko suit karta hai. Happy and smiling. Okay?”

Nidhi’s smile got broader as she nodded.

Then he surprised her by taking out her phone from his coat pocket. He gave it to her and said, “To phir aap abhi apne Baba, apni best friend aur apni Dadi Bua ko phone kijiye. Aap kissi se kuchh kahe bina ghar se aa gayi aur sab pareshaan hain.”

Nidhi nodded, “I am sorry. Maine aapko bhi pareshaan kar diya.”

“Aap mujhe jitna chahe pareshaan kar sakti hain. That’s not a problem,” Ashutosh said earnestly making Nidhi’s hear skip a beat again, “Ab chaliye. Munh dho lijiye aur sabko call kijiye.”

He waited till Nidhi started walking towards the corridor and smiled after her.

—

To be continued

“Dr. Nidhi. Kahan thi aap apni duty chhod kar? Aapke ward mein ek patient problem mein tha aur aap use attend karne ke liye thi hi nahin,” Mallika blasted Nidhi when she found her.

“Dr. Mallika. Main ek emergency case attend kar rahi thi… Mujhe Dr. Ashutosh ne…”

“Agar aisi bureaucracy karni hai Dr. Nidhi to ja kar koi government hospital join kar lijiye. Yahan doctors responsibility se kaam karte hain. Jaiye apne ward mein abhi.”

Ashutosh reached there just then on hearing Mallika’s raised voice. But Nidhi had left – almost in tears.

“Kya hua Mallika?”

“As usual Ashutosh. Dr. Nidhi aur unki galtiyan. Woh apne ward mein nahin thi.”

“Mallika. Maine hi use bheja tha emergency case attend karne ke liye aur nurse ko bola tha ki tumhein ya mujhe inform kar dein agar ward mein koi problem ho to.”

“Lekin…”

“Mallika. Tum aaj bahut stressed up ho. Din mein bhi kuchh zyada hi cases aa gaye the. Main hoon aaj hospital mein. Tum ghar jao. Please.” He sent Mallika home.

He walked towards the ward to talk to Nidhi. But on his way, he saw a shadow on the hardly used terrace. At first, he was worried if it was some intruder. But then he had realized that the door which led from the corridor to the terrace was open. So, it must be someone from the hospital. When he walked closer, he could make out Nidhi’s silhoutte on the dimly lit terrace.

“Dr. Nidhi,” she was startled on hearing his voice.

“Sir! I am sorry. Woh main ward ka round laga chuki thi to thodi der ke liye yahan aa gayi. Main wapas ja rahi hoon,” she made to leave.

She tried to appear calm, but Ashutosh could make out that she had been crying.

“Rukiye Dr. Nidhi,” he stopped her, “Aap pareshaan hain.”

“Nahin to,” she lied.

“Main jaanta hoon ki aap bahut able prankster hain, lekin phir bhi, mujhe nahin lagta ki jhooth bol paana aapki strength hai.”

“Ji?” Nidhi was taken aback by his seemingly irrelevant rambling.

“Ji. Aap jhooth bol rahi hain. Aur ye pata chal raha hai aapke chehre se. Itni kam roshni mein bhi. Aap Dr. Mallika ki baaton ko lekar pareshaan hain, right?”

“Aapko kaise pata?”

“Maine sun li thi aapki baatein, lekin main zara der se pahuncha. Unke behaviour ke liye main aapse maafi maangta hoon. Mujhe pahle hi unhein bata dena chahiye tha…”

“Nahin. Nahin Sir. Aap kyon maafi maang rahe hain?” she didn’t like him apologizing to her, “Galatfahmi to kissi ko bhi ho sakti hai.”

“To ab aap rona band karengi.”

“Main nahin ro rahi,” she didn’t want to admit that she was crying.

Ashutosh laughed slightly and said patronizingly, “Of course. You are a brave girl. I believe you. Aap nahin ro rahi thi.”

“Agar aap aise mera mazaak udayenge to main sach much ro doongi.”

“Main mazaak nahin uda raha. Aur aap Dr. Mallika ki taraf se pareshaan mat hoiye. Maine unhein bata diya hai ki aapki galti nahin thi.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

—

“Mallika. Main soch raha tha ki tumhari zimmedaariyan badh rahi hain. To kuchh administrative tasks main Dr. Rangnath ko hi de doon. Duties lagane ki responsibility.”

“Iski koi zaroorat nahin hai Ashutosh. Main overworked nahin hoon.”

“Lekin ye administrative kaam tumhari abilities ka best use to nahin hain.”

“Itne saalon se kar rahi hoon Ashutosh. Achanak tumhein ye kaise dhyaan aa gaya ki meri abilities kya hain.”

“Mallika. Itne saalon mein haalaat bhi to badal gaye hain. Hamare paas kahin zyada staff hai. Log hain jo is kaam ko sambhaal sakte hain.”

“Ya phir tumhein mere kaam se koi shikayat hai. Agar aisa hai to seedhe seedhe baat karo Ashutosh. Yun ghuma-phira kar karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Main dekh rahi hoon ki tum aaj kal hospital mein raat mein kuchh zyada hi ruk rahe ho. Koi problem hai?”

Ashutosh sighed. Mallika won’t let him do it the safe way. She has to bring it to confrontation everytime, “Tum khud ek professional ho Mallika. Tumhein pata hai ki mujhe kya shikayat hai. Maana ki hum doctors hain aur hamein apne profession ke usoolon ki hisaab se kaam karne ke liye din-raat ki nahin sochni hoti hai. Lekin as employers hamein apne employees ka bhi to khayaal rakhna hota hai. Isliye duties rotate hoti rahti hain.”

“Mujhe pata hai.”

“To phir Dr. Verma ki itni zyada night duties kyon lag rahi hain?”

“Woh night duties mein hi theek hain Ashutosh. Din mein ward mein rahti hain to ward playground ban jaata hai.”

“Kya matlab?”

“Jab woh ward mein rahti hain, to tumne kabhi dekha hai ki bachche kitna shor karte hain. Ek din ek trustee visit kar rahe the. Jab woh Dr. Verma ke ward mein pahunche to woh us samay bachchon ko football khelna sikh rahi thi, lete lete. Takiye ko football bana kar.”

Ashutosh tried to imagine the scenario and smiled in amusement, “Koi problem hui?”

“Nahin. Woh bhale insaan the, kuchh kaha nahin. Lekin isse to department ki badnaami hogi hi na.”

“Bachchon ko entertained rakhna bura to nahin hai.”

“Nahin. Lekin unhein disciplined na rakhna to bura hai. Ek din kissi bachche ko injection de rahi thi to usne itni zor se haath maara ki injection gir gaya aur toot gaya. Lekin unhone us bachche ko kuchh nahin kaha. Apne paison se injection mangwaya.”

“Beemaar bachche se kya kah sakte hain Mallika? Are, hum-tum bhi beemaar padte hain to bachchon jaisi harquatein karne lagte hain. Phir bachchon ka kya hai.”

“Mujhe samajh nahin aata hai ki tum Dr. Nidhi Verma jaisi ek irresponsible, immature aur inefficient ladki ko kaise bardasht kaise kar sakte ho?”

“Well… Mallika. Main doctor hone ke shayad thoda-bahut painter bhi hoon. Jab koi painting bante hue dekhta hoon na, to mujhe achchha lagta hai. Aur mujhme ye pahchaan karne ki bhi ability hai ki woh painting kaisi banne waali hai. To jo ladki tumhein aaj irresponsible, immature aur inefficent lagti hai, main dekh raha hoon ki kitni tezi se ye painting ban aur badal rahi hai. Ek din main use ek bahut capable doctor bante hue dekh sakta hoon.”

“Are you sure Ashutosh ki tumhari ye opinion completely professional hai?”

“Kya matlab?” he asked sharply.

“Tumhein shayad pata na chalta ho Ashutosh, lekin tum Dr. Nidhi Verma ki khoobiyan kuchh zyada hi dekhte ho, aur khaamiyan kuchh kam.”

“That’s rubbish Mallika.”

“Meri baaton ko rubbish karne se pahle khud se honestly poochh kar dekho Ashutosh. Kyon rukte ho tum aaj kal raat mein hamesha hospital mein? Patients ke liye? Nahin Ashutosh. Tum Nidhi ke liye rukte ho. You are infatuated with her. Apne se aadhi umra ki ladki se pyaar karne lage ho tum Ashutosh. Aur agar aisa kiya hai to himmat karo aur accept karo.”

Mallika let go of her pent-up frustrations and walked out of Ashutosh’ room leaving him completely baffled.

Nidhi threw the tea in the sink. She had taken it for Dr. Ashutosh. She was about to enter his room with the tea, when she had heard Mallika, “Mujhe samajh nahin aata hai ki tum Dr. Nidhi Verma jaisi ek irresponsible, immature aur inefficient ladki ko aise bardasht kaise kar sakte ho?”

She had stepped back immediately and walked away. So, that’s what she was to him, still. Irresponsible, immature, inefficient. Was there no way that she could do better in his eyes? Could she do anything more? Anything better? She felt heart-broken. She was crying.

But what good it would do to cry. He was so senior to her, so experienced, so well-renowned a dotcor. How could she ever measure up to him? Even if she did her best, it would take her years to reach a stage where he would respect her as a doctor. And there was nothing she could do about it.

She washed her face and came out looking composed. She was stepping out of the common room, when Ashutosh walked in. She saw him, but averted her eyes and walked out. Ashutosh was puzzled. He, himself, was not sure why he had come looking for her. What would he talk to her? So, when she did not stop, he also could not call her back. He just looked on as she walked away.

—

To be continued

Ashutosh was worried about Mallika’s attitude towards Nidhi. She made no bones about mixing personal and professional lives. So, trying to talk to her was only going to make the matters worse. He kept an eye on the duty chart and it was clear that Nidhi was getting unfair share of long and night duties.

Until he figured a way out of this situation, he decided to help Nidhi out. He started spending the nights, when Nidhi was on duty, in the hospital.

—

“Dr. Nidhi. Aap bahut thaki hui lag rahi hain. Chahein to thodi der aaraam kar lein. Main hoon agar koi problem hui to.”

“Thank you Sir. Par main theek hoon. In fact, free thi to socha thodi padhai kar loon.”

“Bahut zyada mehnat kar rahi hain aap. Apni health ka dhyaan rakhiyega.”

“Ji Sir. Uske liye Dadi Bua hain na. Har samay shor machati rahti hain khane, peene aur sone ke liye.”

“Kaafii… dilchasp hain aapki Dadi Bua.” Ashutosh was reminded of the time when Dadi Bua had marched into the hospital with food for Nidhi and had raised a hell when she could not find her.

Nidhi laughed, “Aap mile to hain. Aap unki burai kar sakte hain. Sabko pata hai ki woh kaafi ridiculous ho jaati hain. Lekin unhein meri bahut chinta rahti hai. Bachpan se paal pos kar bada kiya hai na.”

“Aap khushkismat hai Dr. Nidhi jo aapko chahne waale aur pyaar karne waale itne log hain.”

“Phir bhi Mummy ko miss karti hoon. Insaan ki greed kabhi khatam nahin hoto na,” Nidhi laughed self-deprecatingly, “Aapne apni family ke baare mein kabhi kuchh bataya nahin Sir.”

“Family?” Ashutosh smiled sadly, “Meri family, in fact, meri saari duniya mere Baba ke saath shuru ho kar, un par hi khatam hoti thi. Lekin ab woh nahin rahe.”

“I am sorry.”

“It’s okay Dr. Nidhi. We all have to come to terms with our losses. Mujhe dukh is baat ka hai ki unki sabse pyaari nishani mujhse chhin gayi. Agar woh mujhe wapas mil jaye to shayad is loss see zyada achchhe se cope kar sakoonga.”

“Main to apne aas paas itne logon ke hote hue bhi Mummy ko miss karti hoon. Jabki mujhe to kuchh yaad bhi nahin hai unke baare mein. Phir aap to… Main pray karoongi ki aapko woh nishani jaldi se wapas mil jaye. Waise aap bhi apne father ko Baba kahte the?”

Ashutosh nodded and smiled.

“Aap kuchh aur bataiye na apne Baba ke baare mein.”

Ashutosh looked at her for a second, as if wondering if he should open up to her. Then he decided to talk, “Baba ne mujhe bahut pyaar diya Dr. Nidhi. Itna pyaar jitna koi apne bachche ko bhi nahin de sakta.”

“Ji?”

“Unhone mujhe adopt kiya tha. Woh bhi duniya mein akele the. Main bhi… Aur hum logon ne saath mein apni ek duniya banayi thi. Main jo kuchh bhi hoon unki wajah se hi. Aur meri personality, meri aadatein, meri hobbies sab unko mirror karti hai. Unhein gardening ka aur music ka bahut shauk tha.”

“Kya coincidence hai? Mummy ko bhi gardening aur music ka bahut shauk tha. Baba abhi bhi Chhote Sarkar ko daant daant kar ghar mein chhota sa garden maintain karwate hain, Mummy ki yaad mein. Aur unke kai purane records pade hue hain. Ab to maine unhein digitize kar diya hai. Kabhi kabhi sunti hoon. Khaas kar ke ghazalein.”

“Achcha? Usmein Bade Ghulam Ali Khan ke collections hain kya?”

“Bilkul. Unka to sab kuchh hai. Woh Mummy ke favourite Ghazal singer the.”

“Baba ke bhi. Lekin unke records to ab tak kharaab ho gaye honge.”

“Main aapko CD bana kar de sakti hoon,” Nidhi was excited.

“Ab to main sunta nahin.”

“Kyon?”

“Bas aise hi… Khair aap bataiye. Aur kya hobbies hain aapki? Apni Mummy ke collection ki Ghazalein sunne ke alawa.”

“Aur? Aur to pata nahin. Anji ko dekh kar kabhi kabhi paintings banane ki koshish ki thi, lekin jo banaya use dekh kar khud hi dar gayi.”

Ashutosh laughed, “Aapka ye self-deprecating humour kaafi achcha hai.”

“Main kuchh self-deprecation nahin kar rahi. Sach kah rahi hoon. Haan – paint kar ke to kuchh kagaz par utarna mere wash ki baat nahin hai. Photography se kar leti hoon kabhi kabhi. Mujhe agle birthday par Baba se apne camera ke liye ek naya lens lena hai gift mein. Bahut dinon se taal rahe hain woh.”

“Kabhi dikhaiye apni photographs.”

“Zaroor. Agli baar aap ghar aayenge to dikhaungi. Waise aapse poochhna to bekaar hai ki aapki hobbies kya hain? Aap to poore time hospital mein hi baithe rahte hain. Apne patients ke liye.”

Ashutosh laughed, “Aap mere hospital mein rahne ko exaggerate kar rahi hain.”

“Bilkul nahin. Ab aap aaj raat kyon ruke hue hain? Sufficient logon ki duty hai aur koi emergency bhi nahin hai.”

“Main patients ke liye nahin ruka hoon Dr. Nidhi.”

“Phir?”

Ashutosh fell silent. It was an awkward moment. Then he sighed and said, “Shayad apne liye.”

Nidhi didn’t understand, but did not ask further.

“Mujhe ek baar round le lena chahiye,” she said and got up to leave.

“Sure. Aur agar aapko padhai karni ho to aap mere office mein baith sakti hain. Wahan aapko disturbace nahin hogi.”

“Ji. Thank you.”

—

Nidhi walked into the ward late at night and saw a little girl still awake.

“Kya hua? Soyi kyon nahin ab tak?”

“Mujhe dar lag raha hai?”

“Itne saare bachche hain yahan? Main hoon. Nurse hain. Phir tumhein dar kyon lag raha hai?”

The girl did not say anything.

“Koi aur baat hai? Batao mujhe?”

“Ghar par Mamma roz story sunati hain sone se pahle.”

“Ye baat hai na. Koi baat nahin. Aaj main tumhein story sunaungi. Batao kiski sunogi? Lion ki, bear ki ya elephants ki?”

“Ya saat baunon ki?” Ashutosh suddenly appeared beside her and asked the girl in a whisper.

“Saat baunon ki!”

“To suno… Ek jungle mein saat baune the…”

The girl was lost in the story and Nidhi was lost in Ashutosh. His countenance was unusually affectionate and soft. No hint of Dr. Hardstone there.

Towards the end of the story, Mallika also walked in the ward.

“Mallika. Hum ise saat baunon ki kahani suna rahe hain. Aao, tum bhi hamein join karo,” Ashutosh said cheerfully.

“Maine medicine ki pahdai ki hai Ashutosh, literature ki nahin. Kahaniyan tum hi sunao, achchhi bana lete ho. Waise is kahani mein kya aap bhi shaamil hai Dr. Verma?”

“Ji?” Nidhi was taken aback by her rude question.

Ashutosh rubbed his forehead in frustration as Mallika walked out. Ashutosh looked back at the girl and continued the story until she was asleep. Then both of them came out of the ward.

“Sorry about Dr. Mallika. I think she is stressed out.”

“Aapko sorry bolne ki zaroorat nahin hai Dr. Ashutosh.”

—

To be continued

“Dr. Nidhi,” he woke her up.

“Yes Sir,” she was clearly cross with him.

“Aapne rounds le liye?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Theek hai. Ab aap wapas ja sakti hain. Maine Dr. Kabir se baat kar li hai. Baaki ki night duty par woh rahenge.”

“Nahin Sir. Ab main subah hi jaungi.”

“Aapke father ka phone aaya tha. Aap apna mobile ghar par bhool aayi hain.” Nidhi’s hands automatically went to the mobile case attached to her purse. It was indeed missing.

“Woh bahut pareshaan hain,” Ashutosh continued, “Aapko ghar jaana chahiye.”

“Main unhein phone kar loongi. Car driver ke paas hai. Woh subah wapas aayega.”

“That’s not a problem. I will drop you,” Ashutosh said and smiled.

For some reason, Nidhi no longer felt upset at him. She also ended up smiling.

—

“Sir. Aap Baba se nahin milenge?” Nidhi asked him when the car pulled up in front of her home.

“Baba?”

“Mere father.”

“Aap unhein Baba kahti hain?”

“Ji. Mummy ne sikhaya tha jab woh zinda thi. Woh bhi apne father ko Baba kah kar bulati thi.”

“Jinhein aap Baba kahti hain, main unse zaroor milna chahunga.”

“Kyon? Agar Baba na kah kar kuchh aur kahti to?”

“Jise Baba kaha jaata hai, woh definitly bahut achcha aadmi hota hai.”

“Woh bahut happy-go-lucky insaan hain, logon ki taang kheenchne mein to unhein bahut mazaa aata hai. Agar aap woh enjoy karte hain, to main itna to promise kar sakti hoon ki aap bilkul bore nahin honge unke saath.”

“I am sure. Chaliye. Aapke Baba se milte hain,” Ashutosh smiled.

—

“Aaiye. Aaiye Dr. Ashutosh. Itna suna tha Nidhi se aapke baare mein. Finally mulaquaat ho rahi hai. Baithiye please. Kahiye. Kya shiquayat hai aapko Nidhi se?”

Ashutosh laughed out loud, “Ji nahin. Main shiquayat karne nahin. Coffee peene aaya tha.”

“Bilkul. Bilkul. Nidhi zara Chhote Sarkar se kahna…”

“Ye unka TV dekhne ka time hai Baba. Unhein rahne dijiye. Main bana kar laati hoon.”

“Ye bhi theek hai. Dr. Ashutosh. Kuchh aur banana offer karti to main aapko khatre mein nahin daalta. Lekin coffee ye achchhi bana leti hai.”

Ashutosh laughed once again and Nidhi’s heart leapt with joy to see him bond do well with Baba.

—

“Anji. Bistar se nikal aur abhi ke abhi yahan aa ja,” Nidhi cried on phone.

She quickly checked herself in the mirror, brushed her hair and dabbed her face with face powder before rushing to the kitchen.

“Aadhi raat ko kya hua Nidhi?” Anji’s voice was still sleepy when she entered the kitchen.

“Dr. Ashutosh aaye hain.”

“Kya?”

“Haan. Woh mujhe drop karne aaye the. To maine unhein coffee ke liye bula liya.”

“Coffee ke liye. Quite meaningful!” Anji winked.

“Shut up Anji. Maine unhein Baba se milne ke liye bulaya tha.”

“Of course. Lekin ghar mein to kai log aate jaate rahte hain. Aaj tak ye special coffee to kissi ke liye nahin bani.”

“Woh mere boss hain Anji.”

“To kya hua?”

“Mujhe machchhar barabar bhi nahin samajhte woh. Har samay daantte rahte hain!”

“To bhi kya hua?”

“Chup kar Anji aur meri madad kar. Ise achche se mix kar. Main cocoa powder nikalti hoon. Aur kuchh snacks bhi le jaane chahiye na?”

“Main to kahti hoon ki Baba ko bolo abhi baat kar daalein. Mere ghar mein mithai rakhi hai. Munh bhi meetha kar lenge.”

“Anji tu chup karegi? Apni mithai Dr. Rangnath ke liye rakh. Free mein redecoration ho rahi hai Children’s ward ki. Dahej bhi nahin maangenge.”

“Shut up Nidhi. Free mein main isliye kaam kar rahi hoon kyonki mujhe itna experience nahin hai ki confidently redecorate kar sakoon. Paise nahin loongi to kuchh gadbad bhi hui to koi kuchh kah nahin payega.”

“Of course. Chal ab.”

—

“Nidhi ki koi galti nahin hai Dr. Ashutosh jo woh thodi betakalluf hai. Maine use paala hi aise hai. Koshish ki hai ki Baap nahin, dost ban kar uske saath rahun. Mujhe lagta hai ki bachchon ko bahut pyaar dena chahiye aur unhein, unki baaton ko, unki personality ko importance deni chahiye. Isse woh khush rahte hain, aur unke man mein kissi tarah ka koi complex nahin hota.”

Ashutosh seemed affected by it for a moment, which Baba noticed. But he pulled himself back to the conversation, “Bilkul sahi soch hai aapki. Bas is baat ka dhyaan rakhna chahiye ki jo care, jo pyaar aap unhein de rahe hain, woh kabhi wapas na le lein. Maine logon ka bharosa tootte dekha hai.”

Baba looked at him for a moment, then said, “Nidhi ne jaisa kaha tha tumhare baare mein, tum usse bahut alag ho. Achcha hai jo us par thodi sakhti rakhte ho. Zindagi ka saamna karne liye khushmizazi hi nahin, discipline bhi zaroori hai.”

“Baba. Aap meri shikayatein kar rahe hain?” Nidhi and Anji entered with the coffee tray.

“Nahin. Main to bas Dr. Ashutosh ke munh se sach nikalwane ki koshish kar raha tha. MBBS to rote rote kiya hai isne Dr. Ashutosh. Ab pata nahin PG ka bhoot kaise sawaar ho gaya hai. Kar bhi payegi ye?”

Ashutosh sipped his coffee and said, “Bilkul kar payengi. Doctor ko bahut achchi hain. Ismein koi shaq nahin hai.”

“Achcha. Lekin mareezon ka khayal bhi to rakhna hota hai.”

“Bachche inse bahut hile mile hue hain. Aur mujhe lagta hai ki bachchon ko insaan ki pahchaaan hoti hai. To usmein bhi koi problem nahin hai.” Ashutosh and Nidhi’s eyes met for a moment when he said that. Nidhi saw something there which she hadn’t seen before and she could not hold the eyelock. She averted her eyes.

“Coffee bahut achchhi bani hai,” Ashutosh added almost immediately.

“Nidhi. Coffee mein kuchh khaas milaya hai kya beta?” Baba asked seriously.

“Nahin to Baba. Kyon? Taste different hai?”

“Nahin. Dr. Ashutosh tumhari… taareefon ke pul baandhe ja rahe hain. Kuchh to gadbad hogi na?”

“Baba!” Nidhi was embarrassed and everyone else laughed.

“Dr. Ashutosh. Aap Anji se to mile hain na pahle? Ye meri bachpan ki dost hai. We are best friends.”

“Ji haan. Mila bhi hoon aur Dr. Rangnath ke munh se taareef bhi suni hai. Ward redecoration ka kaam kaisa chal raha hai.”

Anji blusehd at the mention of Dr. Rangnath and replied, “I am trying my best Dr. Ashutosh. Jab apke paas final designs aa jayenge to aap khud hi dekh lenge ki kaisa raha kaam.”

“I am sure achcha hi hoga. Waise aap log itne achchhe dost hain. Phir aapke raaste alag alag kaise ho gaye?”

“Aise ho gaye ki Baba ne mujhe zabardasti doctor bana diya.”

“Achcha. To aur kya banne waali thi tum ye bhi bata do zara?” Baba teased.

Nidhi did not say anything in reply. Ashutosh did, “Is ek baat ke liye zabardasti kar ke aapne achchha kiya. Hamare hospital ko achchhi doctor mil gayi is wajah se.”

Nidhi blushed and Baba patted her back proudly.

—

To be continued