182 Days

"Not so funny," I replied to my ex-boyfriend as he desperately wanted to make me laugh. "Come on, don't be so serious. It's okay, bad things happen. You are stronger than that, my darling," he said. "Dude, one more time, you call me darling; I'm sure you'll become my cadaver the very next minute." "Easy there, Maya. I just wanted to console you. And I am sorry, will not call you by that name hereafter," he replied. "Fine. Will call you later. Eat well," I replied. "Okiee Dokiee Panda, you too. Hydrate yourself and relax. Don't overwork," he advised. "Areeyyyy old memories flash, it seems," I mocked and cut the call. "Well, we still would have been together if he showed these emotions before breaking up with him," I mumbled to myself and walked inside the dressing room in the surgery department at the early hour of the day. "Good morning, Ji," I exclaimed, looking at her energetic face. Miss Suja is a nursing staff, an amazing and energetic person who confronts all the hurdles with a huge smile on her face. "Hello, my darling, late today? As usual?" she raised her eyebrow. "Sorry, Ji. Overslept today," I said with a pouted face, pleading for forgiveness. "It's okay, darling. Guess what, you'll be FREE TO FLY today." "WHATTT??? Today's Monday, sister. No wonder by 09 am this whole place will be filled with a lot of patients." "Yes, darling. But a batch of MBBS just graduated a few weeks back, remember? They're joining for duty from today, it seems," she explained. "Oh, I see, my seniors to the rescue. I hope they don't treat me like a slave like the previous batch did." "Nope, I heard that this batch is very sweet. Don't worry, if they did, Miss. Suja will always be at your rescue." "Well, I am surviving here just because of you." She patted my back and gave me a wink before she left for the CSSD to get enough gauze pads, gauze pieces, and other sterilized stuff needed for the day. Well, if you wonder what my role is, I am posted in different departments for clinical classes; I learn as well as assist with the day-to-day chores of the doctors, from the daily ward rounds to performing complex surgeries. As I stretch my hands and legs, preparing for the crowd to pour in, a tall, sharp-figured person dressed in a perfectly ironed shirt and pants, wearing a face mask, bursts in with a diabetic foot ulcer patient. "Well, I guess it's the new CRRI," I thought to myself as the person was unfamiliar to me. I don't usually engage in conversation, but I have a talent for recognizing people by their gait and demeanor. I'm a keen observer, you see. The person stood there, looking perplexed, hands on hips, clearly uncertain about what to do next. Medical procedures require at least two people, one to perform the procedure and the other to assist by fetching sterilized equipment. His eyes scanned the room for nurses, but none were available to help him. It looks like I'll have to step in and lend a hand. "No flying today," I thought to myself as I made my way over to him.