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 a visit. He has helped us a lot. He earnestly considered your kiddish demand for shifting to this private ward.”
“Of course, Mum, also for how duly he did my operation, right?”
“Sometimes you become intolerable, Samiksha. This is not the right way.”
The opening of the door intervened in their conversation. It was Dr Karan.

“Good afternoon, ladies.”
“An excellent afternoon, Doctor. Thanks a lot for your aid in getting us this ward,” Madhu said humbly.
“My pleasure, ma’am. Hope all is good here.” He said, looking at Samiksha from the corner of his eye.

She looked

in 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 was used to these tantrums.
“May I? Relax. Try not to think of anything else as it affects the readings.”
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 also examined her foot in plaster. The resentment she had right now with him definitely affected the readings. He looked at her case file and saw the details of the operation.

“All ok, doctor?” Madhu asked him.
“Fine, ma’am, just because she is a bit upset right now, her pulse is a little high. It’s but obvious. 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 on this morning. How can you just try to turn without taking necessary precautions?”
Samiksha felt a tinge of guilt as she behaved indifferently toward him, and here he was, selflessly helping her.

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

A faint smile appeared on her lips as he clarified his position modestly. His honest attitude made a place in her heart at once.
“It’s 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. I 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 in bed most of the time, heavy food intake might cause problems for digestion. So please ignore your taste buds for a 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 his eyebrows, continuing the conversation they had left in between last time.
“Um, 30?”
“Hmm. What makes you think so?”
“Your balanced behaviour and composed way of talking. The way you handle things. Your ability to handle tough situations and. . . “
“Adamant patients?” he interrupted.

At this mention, both started laughing at this statement. His cell phone beeped, and he checked it.
“Time to leave. 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 was shocked to hear such balanced words from this adamant girl.

A day passed, and Mahesh visited the hospital as soon as he returned from abroad. Already, he was upset because the hospital was new. Yet, it delivered the best service at reasonable rates. But Mahesh was used to offering the best to his daughter.

“Madhu, can you explain why my daughter is in such a hospital?” Mahesh slammed her just outside Samiksha’s ward.
“Calm down first. Did you see how relaxed and comfortable your daughter is? Trust me, this place gives the best service.”
“How do you know? I hope the best equipment has 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 overreacting.”
“Any issues, ma’am?” Dr. Karan asked from behind.

“Not actually.

Meet Mahesh, Samiksha’s father.”
“Glad to see you, sir. I guess you are upset about something. With regards to our hospital?”
“Is this place yours?”
“No, sir. I work here. But I 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 arrange things right now. But I would like to know my hospital’s shortcomings so that future patients don’t suffer.”

For a moment, Mahesh ran out of words. Karan was talking to him calmly despite 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 your concern for your daughter. But please be assured that we treat our patients with care and empathy. We get a feeling at times that something is wrong. But we get most of our answers by probing deep into the simple question, ‘What is wrong?’. I am sorry if I have crossed my limits. Excuse me as I have to take rounds. And if you want to shift your daughter, please let me know. The process will start at once. It was nice meeting you, sir.”

Before Mahesh could say 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 asked with a smile. She 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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