Nothing's gonna change my love for you.....

Its funny how someone can break your heart and..you still love them with all the little pieces!!!
Yeah, that’s probably right. What do you say guys? Do you agree with this statement..yes??..no??..did you say pass? Nope, that s not an option here!
Well, to be frank…I am a destiny believer. I ve always believed that whatever happens, happens for a reason..happens because its destined to happen that way. I ve always been laidback, therefore, and never bothered to question the way things happen! Never pondered if things could happen differently..or if we could induce things to happen in an improbable way, maybe not quite the obvious way as designed by mother nature.
And, then, I ve always seen one thing. Nature always has her own ingenious way to handle things, and keep us all guessing..the best part of life, as you shall soon see! It is not surprising to see that opposites are always pitted together, they are attracted to each other (at times, re attracted) and somehow, they stay together…..
* * * *
As I glanced at the table in the library, the familiar silhouette of Ratnesh greeted my eyes. I and Ratnesh had been the best of friends since day one of MBBS. Always shared everything in common…all but Aarti. She was only ‘his’ property, his ‘girl’ and the only thing in his life which would probably never change! He was head over heels in love with Aarti…another thing which I associate with day one of MBBS.
……as I slowly treaded towards his table, I could sense the grim atmosphere all around. Those drooping shoulders and the lifeless head told me that she had said-NO. I had a premonition that something bad was going to happen to a close aide..and here it was! And then, I saw the familiar red fluid on the floor below and I knew I had to rush. I tied my handkerchief around his forearm, lifted him and rushed to the ESR. Here was someone, denying and changing the way nature would function. Why? What had happened? But for now, I did not care about the answers. I had to rush and I was on the way…
* * * *
…… Ratnesh Mehra, 24 yr old, PMTite, a good natured and intelligent guy, shy and reticent and above all a human being par excellence, my best friend and who was clear about only one thing he couldn’t live without(..no not oxygen, refer below for the right answer!)..
….. Aarti Honavar, 23yr old, localite, a lovely and an enigmatic girl, clearly above average( ref-the katta score of >8/10), always very clear about what she wanted in her life, and also a good friend( BHABHI- Ratnesh liked it that way) of mine.
Luckily all of us were in the same batch. We attended clinics together, went for movies together…(did last minute changes to seat these ‘two’ together!!)..participated in the dance together (I had no option as I was pulled into it..he needed me..and I was there to convince others that they danced in sync and therefore should partner each other!).. cheated during the exams together( I would write the answers and then hand over the sheet to Ratnesh who would photocopy that in his neat handwriting and then would pass his so called indigenous sheet to her. A sweet thanks from her at the end would make his day...and I was happy to let the things happen this way!)
Enter Feb 14th, for me it was a Friday but for him.. Valentine s day!! I was damn sure that he could never express his feelings..tachycardia, tremoulessness, palpitations..today he was a nervous wreck! But I had laid my plans. I had already bought a rose day ‘crush card’ for him, three days ago( that s a tradition at Sion..you dedicate a card to the one you love..which would be read in the auditorium at the common meet and she would then have to come up on stage to collect it and the rose..and of course, no points for guessing, I was the host!!).So today early morning, I had scanned all the V –DAY dedications in the Times of India and had finally settled on one-
Dear Aarti,
Its been a while that I ve known you. I ll always cherish those wonderful moments and everlasting memories that we ve had, so far. And I just wanted to say, this one lil thing-
Once upon a time, something happened to me…
It was the sweetest thing, that could ever be…
It was a fantasy, a dream come true…
It was the day, I MET YOU!!

….and I just wanted to add one more thing, that though you may only be one person to the world, you are the world to one person..thats me!!
From- Ratnesh.
Ratnesh was sitting in one corner of the audi. From the corner of my eye, I could see that Aarti had just entered the hall. I read the card aloud. Ratnesh, almost, had a sudden cardiac arrest..no..an ante mortem rigor mortis would describe his state better(if at all there existed a term like that!!). All eyes were on the beautiful lady making her way to the podium. I handed over the card and the rose…and I prayed hard, prayed for a yes!!
I really don’t remember the no of kicks I received at the end of the day, courtesy Ratnesh. With a clown like me as a best friend, it was never a difficult guess as to who might have done it. But I was happy, the job was done! We had the V-DAY SOCIALS in the evening…it was then that she confronted him! She was surprised with this public display of love and affection( I had anticipated this and had told Ratnesh to make a sad face and behave sheepishly, when this would happen). She said that she needed more time to decide. Bugs bunny Ratnesh had agreed.
….our days continued, we were done with our exams. Internship was over and it was time to say goodbye. Ratnesh would leave us and go back to Jabalpur. It was then that he approached Aarti, one last time. And no one knew about this, till the time I found him in the lib. He had not returned to the room and I went looking all over for him till I found him there.
* * * *
…..in the casualty, his CLW was sutured and a pint of blood was transfused. When stable, I took him back to my room. Finally he spoke- he said that she agreed to the fact that he was a close friend. But it would be difficult for her to settle down with him, plus all those cultural differences, going against the wishes of your parents (.. and all that stuff that you need to say before you reject someone..GOD!), it was, just, not possible. The final verdict was a NO! With that he burst out crying.
I must admit that all these years, I had played cupid for this couple, and I really wished that things would end on a better note. Here was a guy, my best friend, good looking, good natured and a wonderful human being (arguably the best guy of my batch!), someone who would do anything for his friends(..need I say that he would do everything to keep her happy?). But love equations probably don’t work that way.
So now what..i had to console him somehow. I started with my lecture series on this topic (never be sad for what is over, just be glad that it happened..and stuff like that!!). Told him to look forward in life, and the fact that life doesn’t end here, told him to be strong and forget her(..i had no option but to say this, did i?) and finally concluded saying that its all destiny(I wish changing the destiny was possible..wish someone would do it for him..i just could not see him in this painful state!!) and that you cannot change it(I wanted to be proven wrong on this account, atleast for today). Sadly that’s how it ended. Our AIPGE results were out the next weekend. I was in Kemh, so was she, and he was in Indore. I tried to talk to her, at times; regarding the same, but she was adamant, things were not going to change. Though I knew that he could never forget her, there was not much that I could do. By now a year had passed after this incident, life was hectic and I had lost touch with most of the things happening around me.
……
…… I was in deep sleep when,suddenly, the phone rang..i picked it up and it was my friends familiar voice at the other end. I had not spoken to him for months now. And he sounded much better than the last time we spoke at the Dadar rly stn, before he left. I purposefully avoided her topic in the conversation(as I always have, ever since that day). It was then that he dropped a bomb! She had called him yesterday night( ..first time since that eventful day), spoke about how life s changed after graduation..and then confided that she missed him and …said..YES to him. Needless to say, I had suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest now! He was so happy that he did not know what to do! He was going to come down the next month..life would be the same as I thought it would be! I really didn’t care if it was divine intervention (ONTCC by chetan bhagat, remember) or destiny (by me, remember) but I was just glad that it had happened. I could imagine these two walk hand in hand when they meet next time humming Nothings gonna change my love for you (Sion’s favorite song..long live Glenn Mediores)-
If the road ahead is not so easy
Our love will lead a way for us
Like a guiding star
I'll be there for you if you should need me
You don't have to change a thing
I love you just the way you are……

Well as I end this write up, I am very ecstatic that good things do happen in life and surprises do spring up when you least expect them..that s life..with every dark cloud there still is and will always be.. a silver lining!!!!

woes of- THE LITTLE MASTER!

…..This article is, and will always be, dedicated to the wonder boy-THE LITTLE MASTER!!! You are the sole inspiration behind this write up. Life (and that includes ward 6) would never be the same without you, my houseman-the great one!!! With the sheer burden over your shoulders, and a registrar like me by your side, only one word sums up the entire situation-SAD(Seriously Awesome..Duh)!! So today when I saw you, head over heels on the patient’s file, eyes wide shut and and your clenched fists grasping the pen(..wish it was my neck, instead!) doing the CTall at ten, I felt guilty. My conscience told me that I should help you in this predicament and, thus, I thought of this article. The next few lines will give you enough ideas to strengthen your repertoire, and should see you through these tough times!!
If I am right, your day begins at 7am with the ward round, followed by the bosses round, then the calls, collections, dressings, minor OT, or OT, evening round, ct alls, and then the much needed sleep!( as you see I ve not included your extra-curriculars like afternoon siesta, long chats on the phone, and dinner with her!!) Now at the end of the day, suddenly, it dawns upon you that most of the work is incomplete and you are sure that crucification is certain the next morning. So what do you do… Simply read the rest of the article and all will be fine!
So lets begin with the excuses that have been rated as the best as they have stood the test of time-

*excuses for not waking up on time*
-sir, I had set up an alarm at 6am. And then, unfortunately, my cell got discharged at 5am and it didnt sound, therefore…. (look sad when you say this!). Else say that it snoozed once and stopped on its own and you were going to get up after the second snooze, for sure! (avoid that sheepish grin when you say this!)
-sir, I was working on the bad patient in the ward till dawn and then fell asleep. Even I did not know when! Else say that the sister kept on waking you up every hour for a patient s iv line/ irritable alcoholic in withdrawl / rowdy head injury fellow/ opposite unit’s serious patient as their houseman was not traceable….
-sir, my girl next door, had a bad day at office..really..very bad day. And my heart went out to her(..so humane and kind)..so I counselled her overnight(..and we all know that morale support at this hour of the day does strengthen relationships..level of evidence 4!) and in doing so forgot to catch up with the much needed sleep.
-sir, I had uninterrupted sessions of loose motions at night, slept intermittently and uncomfortably over the pan ( can mention that you even fell down into it once…does highlight the seriousness of your condition!!), then the mama lifted me up and put me on the bed. I was feeling very weak and could not wake up on time!
-sir, I was forcibly taken (..by aliens?!) to Hard Rock Café y’day night and was made to drink tequila and then I just don’t remember what happened (..use this when you know that your registrar has seen the movie-the hangover) and so you see.. I forgot everything, including the excuse which I had made up for ya!

*excuses for not taking/completing your ward round*
-sir, I took the rounds. But I was not completely oriented in time, place and person. Therefore, by mistake I took rounds of all the patients, but, of the opposite unit!! Oh no..boo hoo! And then when I asked Manish to reciprocate, he denied to take rounds of our patients!!
-sir, there was a small misunderstanding with my co. I was under the impression that she had taken the female ward rounds. And coincidentally she thought likewise (..see how similar our thoughts are!) and we both ended up taking the male ward rounds!
-sir, halfway through the round I got a SOS call that she (..could be your Co, or the SNDT student, or the sweet lil thing by the patient s side whom you were eyeing for so long!) was down with severe abdominal pain. I rushed to her rescue, resuscitated her, sent an urgent gynaec call (..could not get it attended as usual),nursed her back to good health; and in the process couldn’t complete the round!
-sir, this patient is ours??!!! I had no idea, oh no! (look surprised, astonished and flabbergasted..let the jaw drop by a few inches! The ‘sheepish look’ is tailor made for this situation, so use it to the maximum!!!)[repeat this for every third patient whose rounds are missing..continue in a similar manner, till your reg throws you out. Then say sorry..and..ahoy! you have an early off call today!]
-sir, you had said that you would come at 9am. So I started late. And then you turned up at 8am, instead. Not fair….

*excuses for calls not sent/noted/attended*
-sir, I sent the call. But , unfortunately, to the wrong unit! Else say that you had sent it with the patients relative and he got lost/abducted/hijacked on the way and so it was not noted!
-sir, the call was sent before 4pm(or 11am if on a Sunday) but the on call registrar’s watch was already ahead by ten mins and,thus, he wrote- kindly send a routine call coming morning!
-sir, I called up the on-call reg. he said he ll come but didn’t turn up. He broke the trust which I had entrusted him with! (if you have seen movies of dilip kumar, you would exactly know how to sound sentimental when saying this..) else say that his phone kept playing-‘tum mile’ but no one picked up and now you know the song by heart, thanks to your persistence!...or simply say that when he came, the patient was not in bed and therefore an opinion was not possible!!
-sir, (with a astonished look) I thought you said an ENT call for this patient. Err, I didn’t know that I had to sent a Neurosurgery call. Ab kya karoon… (..wake up SID!)

*excuses for investigations( blood inv/ xray/ecg/any other) not available*
-sir, I sent all the samples. Then I realized that today the lab is closed! Else you could say that the machine was not working today and hence, no reports!
-sir, I did the collection and kept it on the window sill. Suddenly a crow swooped down from nowhere ( ref-harry potter/Narnia/LOTR/Indiana jones) and took that bottle away!! ( this was actually told to me by my ex houseman HBT..and I couldn’t help but smile!!!)[when you use this excuse, remember not to use the following- archeopteryx(now extinct), kite(not found in the indian subcontinent; eagles are!), sparrow( not strong enough to carry the bottle), garuda(again a mythical creature)]
-sir, I told the intern about Panduranga’s collection, and she sent it too, but of the other Panduranga in the ward! (..comedy of errors, you see!!)
-sir, I sent the relative to pay for the CT Scan and he just disappeared into thin air! Else say that when the relative arrived the trolley wasn’t there…and when the trolley was available, oxygen cylinder wasn’t there...and when everything was in place…the servant wasn’t there…and when the patient was, finally, placed on the scanner, the CT machine conked off!!
-sir, I had sent him for a chest x ray as advised by you..but..this film shows only the costophrenic angle and the whole of abdomen!...why so sir??!!! You can also use a similar excuse and say that the patient was sent for a Right lower limb Venous Doppler but the radiologist did it for his left leg, for reasons best known to him!!

*excuses for not doing the dressings*
-sir, there were no gauze/ bandages available in wd 5/6/7/8/ESR/SICU…..wish I knew that before I opened all the wounds!!
-sir, I just missed out on this one. The abdominal binder concealed the dressing and I had no idea that a wound check was done for him.
-sir, I thought we were doing an alternate day dressing for him..oh no!!
-sir, I thought that the green colour on the gauze was Acriflavin. Didn’t know that it was Pseudomonas. And couldn’t smell it due to nasal congestion!! I have to take cetrizine and otrivin drops now, high time! (Stamp your foot in annoyance and then say sorry!!)
-sir, the physiotherapists usually do his dressing after ozone therapy. Looks like they had a change in the mood today!! I was banking on them..ditchers!!

*excuses for not doing the CTall at night*
-sir, I dunno what happens to me while doing it! After I begin, just after a while and again towards the end(..not to mention in the midst, too..) I feel very sleepy! ( this happens to be my housie’s fav excuse, I hear it everyday…)[actually, one of you, UG students could take this as a topic of research- why the little master sleeps from 10pm onwards while doing the ctall but NEVER while watching a movie at PVR from 10pm to 1am!!!]
-sir, when I was doing the ctall, this patient’s file was missing!! ( simple reasoning which often works!!)
-sir, I was repeatedly dozing off on the table. The sister told me to sleep and assured me that she would wake me up after 15 mins. But, she didn’t!! And now I have to bear the brunt of her mistake!!
-sir, I did all the double ctalls and kept it in the sideroom. The servant thought that it was thrash and dumped it in the bin. [One housie said that someone had opened the cupboard at night and had stolen only the ctalls ( leaving behind all those expensive suture materials and liga clips!! logistics, anyone!)]

And to end it all, here’s a list of all the places you could disappear to and catch a nap during your emerg with your registrar running helter skelter, frantically looking for you-
-EMS USG room
-Gents changing room( when your reg is a lady, this is the best place to hide!!)
-Servants locker room in the EMS OT
-beneath the autoclave in the boiler room in EMS OT
-E Lab
-CT complex( first floor), side room.

…….So that’s where I put the pen down, hold my breath and make a wish-
I wish that the little master benefits out of this manuscript and I wish him good times ahead!!!!