Part 6 – Her Heart Therapist

It was around 1 pm. Samiksha and Madhu were having a heart to heart talk.
“Baby, please thank Dr. Karan when he comes for visit ok. He has helped us a lot. He took into consideration your kiddish demand for shifting to this private ward so earnestly.”
“Of course mum, also for how duly he did my operation right?”
“Sometimes you become intolerable Samiksha. Is this the way to . . “
The opening of door intervened their conversation. It was Dr. Karan.

“Good afternoon ladies.”
“A very good afternoon doctor. Thanks a lot for your aid in getting us this ward,” Madhu said at once with humility.
“My pleasure mam. Hope all is good here.” He said looking at Samiksha with the corner of his eye.

She looked

at the opposite direction at once.
“Can I see my patient? Need to check the basic details, like pulse etc.”
The smile on his face was teasing but accompanied with compassion. Madhu smiled back at him. She knew now that Karan is used to these tantrums.
“May I? Relax. Try not to think of anything else as it affects the readings ok.”
Samiksha gave him a piercing glance. He took her hand in his and rested his fingers on her pulse area, his eyes never leaving hers.
Afterwards he took his stethoscope and checked her. He examined her foot in plaster also. No doubt the resentment she had right now with him affected the readings for sure. He looked her case file and saw the details of the operation done.

“All ok doctor?”, Madhu asked him.
“Fine mam, just for the fact that as she is a bit upset right now, so her pulse is little high. it happens. And the surgery was done by one of our best doctors. Don’t worry at all.”
“Doctor, can I just go out for a minute?”, Madhu asked him
“Sure. I am here.”

As soon as Madhu left,

Samiksha tried to turn her face away in anger resulting in a sharp pain in the operated part. As a result, she screamed.
“Mum, my leg.”
Karan immediately caught her hand and pacified her.
“Relax. I am here. You have been operated today morning. How can you just try to turn without taking necessary precautions?”
Samiksha felt a tinge of guilt as she was behaving real bad with him, in person or at the mention of his name. And here he was selflessly helping her.

“You ok?”, he asked with concern.
“Um. Yes.”
After making sure she is in a relaxed position, he continued. “Sorry for today. I could not make it. Had an emergency operation and I needed to be there.”

A faint smile appeared on her lips as he was clarifying his position so modestly. His honest attitude made a place in her heart, at once.
“Its ok . You need not be sorry for that.”
Karan was startled at her reply and was somewhat relaxed. He was happy that the atmosphere was comfortable now.
“So. Are you happy with the ward now?”
“Nah that was not the issue anymore. Was upset because you did not turn up for my surgery. But now, I am fine with everything.”
“You sure?”
“Yes”, and for the first time he saw a broad smile on her lips.
“Hmm. I hope you know that spicy, tasty foods are a strict no for the next few days?”

Eagerly Karan waited

for the backlash.
“Tasteless food? No way. I will eat what I like. How do you know I like such foods?”
“Your mum told me. Since you are on bed for most of the time, heavy food intake might cause problems for digestion. So, please ignore your taste buds for few days. Will you?”
“Ok.”
This was a shock to him as she agreed without any arguments.

“So what was your guess about my age?”, he asked raising eyebrows, continuing the conversation they had left in between last time.
“Um, 30?”
“Hmm. What makes you think so?”
“Your balanced behaviour, composed way of talking. The way you handle things. Your ability to handle tough situations and. . “
“People?”, he interrupted.

At this mention, both started laughing at this statement. His cell phone beeped and he checked it.
“Time to leave. You take care. Bye.”
Samiksha smiled back. As he was about to leave she called him,
“Karan. I mean Dr. Karan.”
He smiled and said, “You can call me Karan. Can we talk later. Have to leave.”
“Sure. Bye.”

Samiksha’s smile

prevailed on her lips after he was gone and Madhu entered.
“So I believe you have settled scores with your doctor?”
“Yes”, she replied with a smile and stretched her hands for a hug from her. She cuddled her.
“Shall we have lunch now?”
“Yes. But no spicy and tasty foods ok. They are not good for health when in hospital.”
Madhu had a shock of her life hearing such balanced words from this adamant girl.

A day passed and Mahesh visited the hospital as soon as he was back from abroad. Already being upset as the hospital was an upcoming one and Mahesh was used to offering luxuries to his daughter. Even though it delivered the best service at reasonable rates. But

“Madhu can you explain why my daughter is such hospital,” Mahesh slammed her just ouside Samiksha’s ward.
“Calm down first. Did you see how your daughter is? How relaxed and comfortable she is. Trust me this place gives the best service.”
“How do you know? I hope the best equipments are been used. This is not an established hospital as per my records. I feel we should take her to another one for better treatment.”
“I think you are over reacting.”
“Any issues mam?” Dr. Karan asked from behind.

“Not actually.

Meet Mahesh, Samiksha’s father.”
“Glad to see you sir. I guess you are upset with something. With regards to our hospital?”
“Is this place yours?”
“No sir. I work here. But I do want to know the reason behind your disturbed state of mind.”
“I am not happy with the environment here. And I want to shift my daughter to some other hospital.”
“Sir if you wish to do so, I will get things arranged right now. But I would like to know the shortcomings of my hospital so that the future patients don’t suffer.”

For a moment, Mahesh ran out of words. Karan was talking to him so comfortably inspite of the tone he used. Moreover he asked the reason for the disappointment in such a docile manner. He looked into Karan’s eyes and struggled for an answer.
“Sir, you are elder to me. I respect the concern you have for your daughter. But please be ensured we treat our patients with care and empathy. We get a feeling at times that something is wrong. But on probing deep into the simple question ‘what is wrong’, we get most of our answers. I am sorry if I have crossed my limits. Excuse me as I have to take rounds. And if at all you want to shift your daughter, please let me know. The process will start at once. Nice meeting you sir.”

Before Mahesh could speak anything, Karan turned back and continued,
“Sir did you meet your daughter? Please do so as she is missing you badly. See you later.”
“What say?” Madhu was eager to know the effect of Karan’s talk on Mahesh.
“Can we go in now? Samiksha must be waiting for me.”
Saying these words, Mahesh barged inside the ward followed by Madhu.

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