The moonlight seeping through the hospital curtain made strange and erratic patterns on her face….she was unable to sleep that night…
She was getting discharged in the morning….after an ordeal of 2months of being in the hospital…
She sobbed softly..as her chest heaved recalling that fateful night when she was returning from work
she was crossing the road….and before she could even realize anything…a speeding car rammed into her and next, she remembered was only when she opened her eyes in a totally alien surrounding…the smell of medicines and hand sanitizer made her head spin…she wanted to throw up badly.
She felt a squeeze on her hand…it was a very pleasant looking young doctor standing next to her bed…
“Glad to see you sit up…….how are you feeling ?” he said with warmth…
Next one hour was a period of shock, pain, agony, and disbelief…..
She was told how a car crushed her under its speeding wheels and she was brought here in a really bad condition…….her left leg had to be amputated…..in order to save her life…
Next few weeks were spent on rigorous counseling and endless conversations with this handsome doctor…
He made her regain her confidence…as he took her around in various wards of the same hospital where she saw endless sufferings of small children….adults and patients of all age groups….some who were living only on “borrowed “time from fate….some “hoping and praying”for the end of their lives…..n some living in the false hope of a “better tomorrow”…..
She realized that she hasn’t lost much………..and that made her bounce back to life….once again…
She heard a soft knock ….n without even turning around…she knew it was him……..
Wait a moment…he was not wearing his silly green OT dress…neither was a mask hanging around his neck……he looked handsome in a casual shirt n faded denim,
“You are going home tomorrow…….just wanted to tell you that….you will be missed….missed badly…I have gotten so used to seeing you every day…..” his eyes spoke more than his lips could…
“Likewise….though nobody wants to miss a doctor but…I guess I am going to miss you loads too…” she said shyly…
Over the period of time, she had actually developed a soft spot for him but she was so badly blanketed in self-pity that she never let those feelings grow younger…..after all she had mastered the art of nipping it in the bud itself….
The moonlight was casting lovely patterns on the floor…….suddenly he went down on his knees and popped out a ring…
“Will you marry me…..?”
“What….wha……hey…wh
“Will you?”….he was persistent…..
“Is it some kind of a joke…don’t you know I have lost my leg….doctor,,.its April first I know….but please do not play this nasty joke with me and fool me into this prank…I beg”
“Am waiting to hear your reply…….am proposing you as I have fallen in love with you…..your decision will be honored…whether or not it’s in my favor…” he smiled gently…
She was in tears…………..
“I have fallen for you too…, for your kindness….for your patience…for your goodness….for YOU…..but I can’t marry until I see my culprits been punished…..they can not run away scot-free after ruining my life…….I seek justice…..right now my heart is filled with more pain than love……..will you wait for me…?her eyes oozed…pain….anguish n innocence……….
He shook his head in affirmation…..and slipped the ring back in its tiny twinkling box……….
That night when he came home….his heart was heavy…..each breath he took was filled with pain…….
He picked up the phone….but soon he was disturbed by Murli bhaiya…..
“Saaheb….your car has come back from the workshop …..all the dents have gone…it looks brand new again…” he placed the bill and the car keys on the table next to him………
He smiled….as he picked up the car keys….and dialed one- zero- zero………
(Some Aprils start on a fool’s day but end up on a much meaningful night……)
