In Every Heartbeat

Past threatening the present

After Dr. Anirudh had left me standing there alone. I couldn't understand the hanging tension between Anirudh and Dev.

Keeping my curiosity aside, I made my way  towards the cancer patient ward.

 "Room number 12....Ah here it is !" my eyes scanned for the room number I was looking for. I stopped in front of the door, feeling a mix of curiosity and anticipation. As I approached, my eyes were immediately drawn to a peculiar sight - a drawing delicately stuck on the door. The artwork depicted a profound message that resonated deeply within me: "We are all a part of the same thing." These simple words held a profound meaning, evoking a sense of unity and interconnectedness.

Intrigued by the message and its significance, I found myself captivated by the emotions it conveyed. I couldn't help but imagine the experiences and struggles of the young artist behind this thought-provoking masterpiece. It was as if her emotions were beautifully encapsulated within the strokes of her drawing, inviting me to delve into her world.

With a gentle touch, I reached out and grasped the doorknob, feeling a surge of anticipation. Slowly, I turned it, allowing the door to creak open, revealing a glimpse of what lay beyond. As I cautiously peeked my head inside, I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability.

"Can I come in..?" I whispered softly, my voice filled with a mix of curiosity and respect. "yes", A soft voice answers. I stepped inside the room, closing the door behind. I made my way further into the room. A small  girl was sitting on the bed with her back resting against the pillow with a diary in her hand.

 The girl, who was bald due to undergoing chemotherapy, looked absolutely adorable with her shaved head. As she sat there, writing in her diary, she would occasionally glance up at me. Her hazel eyes, resembling the color of honey, shone with sincerity. Her soft, yellowish-white complexion and petite stature gave her an air of fragility.

Moved by her kind words, I responded, "Thank you." However, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for her when she said "Don't look at me like that, I know I'm ugly". She often had to endure hurtful comments about her appearance. Wanting to uplift her spirits, I added, "Don't say that; you're not ugly. You're so pretty... I wish I had eyes like yours." I said, hoping to make her feel any better but it's true, her eyes are really so pretty and beautiful. She doesn't respond. She kept writing in her diary.

I really don't know how to deal with kids but I'm still trying my best. "You really like writing in your diary ?" I asked her while looking up at her, waiting for an answer. She just hummed in response.

I was contemplating on how to extend this conversation when she said "she is my friend, she listen's to me without judging my physical appearance" she said while looking up at me than at her diary again. I gently extends my hand to caress her head. "if you would like I can be your Friend?" She again didn't responded.

Feeling the tension in the air I decided to change the topic. "I have to clean your body. The nurses are busy with other patients on 3 floor" I said while dipping a fluffy piece of cloth in the bowl of water. she nodded while still writing in her diary.

I gently fold her pants to expose her legs when I saw bruises on her legs. "When I was getting on my bed I just bumped my leg against the light stand...it wasn't that bad but still.." I can in her eyes that how scared she is. Tears started welling up in her eyes.

Her Leukanemia is so serious that she is getting bruises so easily. I wiped her tears with my thumb, cupping her face in my hands gently. "You're are the strongest ! A very powerful warrior. These are marks of your victory over this shitty disease" I said while smiling.

She looked at me and finally gave me a small smile. Withdrawing my hands from her cheeks, I again put all of my focus on getting her cleaned. "Will you be my Friend?" She asked while looking up at me with her big doe eyes. I looked up at her "Ofcourse i would like too" I said with a big smile. she jumped in my arms making me drop the cloth piece on bed. Her little hands are around my neck, pulling me in a very soft hug. I wrapped my arms around her gently, avoiding to hurt her.

"What's your name ?" She asked me while pulling away from the hug. I was feeling happy while seeing her smile. "I'm Mahak Verma. I'm assigned to take care of you, I promise we gonna have so much fun ! " I said while having a smile on my face. "I'm Chhavi, I-" she replied  but she stopped mid way. It looks like her words stucked in her throat. "Chhavi...?" I asked in a concerning tone. She fall back on the bed while her eyes are wide open.

Shit..she's having a seizure !

A tear dripped down from the corner of her eyes. Her face is straight but her body is shaking violently. Adrenaline rushed through my nerves. Without wasting a second I pressed the emergency button that is on the wall. I clicked it multiple times. I went near Chhavi, holding her hands in my own trying to give her some warmth.

"I know you can hear me Chhavi... I'm here with you, don't worry," I whispered as I gently stroked her hair, trying to provide some comfort in the midst of the chaos. The room suddenly filled with a sense of urgency as five doctors entered, their white coats billowing behind them. They were followed closely by three or four nurses, bustling around with a sense of purpose.

Anirudh looked at me with mixed expression of confusion. He reached out to me, his voice anxious, and asked, "Mahak...?" His voice trailed off, the unspoken question hanging in the air. I could see the fear etched on his face, mirroring the turmoil within my own heart.

I tried to respond, to offer some reassurance, but before I could even finish my sentence, a sudden wave of nausea washed over me. It felt as if the ground beneath me was shifting, and panic began to set in. My hands grew clammy, and my fingers trembled involuntarily, betraying my inner turmoil.

My gaze darted back to Chhavi, still caught in the midst of a seizure.. Her body is shaking and her pupil aren't moving. She was still grabbing my hand with her small fingers, not letting go.

All other doctors of diagnostic team took the lead making me back off. the nurses kept running inside out of the room bringing whatever the doctor's are asking for. Anirudh took some glances at me but he didn't noticed when I left the room.

After 50 min, in "diagnostic team office".

"I hope you know what you are saying. That intern can't even handle a simple seizure and yet you expect her to make her place in this hospital? Unbelievable Dr. Anirudh."Dr. Anika said while dropping on her seat burying her forehead in her palm. "We should at least give her a chance Dr. Anika..." Anirudh replied trying to convince her.

"Dr. Anirudh, you been my students for 10 years...first in your medical college and than when you done your internship here. I believe that whatever you will decide will be best."Dr. Narayan Das said with a determined face while taking a sip from his cup of tea. "You can't be serious Dr. Narayan". Anika said with frustration.

I don't know where this conversation is heading.. "Dr. Anika let me remind you incase you forget that you also got unconscious while giving someone a intravenous injection on your very first day." Dr. Narayan said with a chuckle. Dr. Anika flushed and gets embarassed. "Sir...." Dr. Anika said with a chuckle. finally some tension gets released out from the room. 

"I understand your concern Anika but didn't you saw how her hands were shaking after seeing Chhavi condition ? She is sensitive...give her some time. Believe me, as the owner of AIIMS I have seen many interns in my whole career and how professionally she handled everything in bus is something we all should appreciate." Dr. Narayan said while classping both of his hand, putting his elbow on the table. "But Dr. Anirudh was also present there..." Dr. Anika replied, glancing at Anirudh. "But her quick thinking of searching her purse and calling someone from her family...I don't think we can prove her wrong that she do have some skills." Dr. Narayan said. Other members of the team nod their head in agreement.

"But sir .." Dr. Anika said. There no chance she can win in this conversation so she just shut her mouth. Dr. Narayan notices the concern of Dr. Anika. "A good doctor is someone who can work both professionally and emotionally. The problem is not that she let her emotions get between her job but if she let this happen again maybe than we can consider the cancellation of her Internship" Dr. Narayan claims while getting up from his seat, sending a glance at Anirudh way. A small smile makes its way over Narayan Das lips "I want y'all to keep an eyes on your interns specially, Dr. Mahak Verma".

So, How was the chapter ? First of all, I apologize for updating so late. I had second thought about this book and considered unpublishing it but here we are !

Let me know in the comment section if you enjoyed this chapter see ya soon !!