Farhina Ibrahim

CHAPTER 3: A PROMISE TO KEEP

Aarohi wasn’t daydreaming about mischief or playful Moments. Today was about fulfilling a promise she had made to her late mother. The day began with her father, Vinod Sinha, entering the house with a triumphant smile. He had been tirelessly leveraging his connections and social standing to secure a place for Aarohi at Patna Medical College, one of the most prestigious institutions of its time.

“Aarohi, my dear!” Mr. Sinha announced, his face glowing with pride. “I’ve done it! You’ve been admitted to Patna Medical College!”

Aarohi’s heart raced with a mix of joy and apprehension. “Oh, Baba! That’s wonderful news! But… I still can’t shake the feeling that I’m not ready.”

Mr. Sinha placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “This is a significant opportunity, Aarohi. I’ve fought hard for this. Your mother’s dream was to see you become a doctor and serve our country. Now, it’s your chance to honor that dream.”

Later that day, Aarohi’s family celebrated the admission with a small gathering. Her cousin, Rohit, who was studying engineering, jokingly teased her as they sat around the dinner table. “So, Aarohi, ready to cut up bodies now? I hear it’s the latest trend.”

Aarohi laughed, her nervousness momentarily easing. “Very funny, Rohit. I’m more concerned about surviving the first week than becoming the next great surgeon.”

Her younger cousin, Sameer, chimed in with a grin, “Maybe you’ll get a superhero cape and save lives like in the movies!”

Aarohi chuckled and patted Sameer’s head. “I think I’ll stick to scrubs for now.”

As the laughter continued, Aarohi felt a renewed sense of support from her family. They believed in her, even if she was still grappling with her own doubts.

The following morning, as her father’s words echoed in her mind, Aarohi stood in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her. The reality of her new role hit her like a wave.

“Is this really what you wanted, Maa?” she asked the empty room, her voice a whisper. “Am I doing the right thing?”

The silence of the room was soon broken by the sound of footsteps approaching. It was Kiran, her closest friend, who had come over to offer support.

“Aarohi, are you okay? You’ve been staring out of that window for ages,” Kiran’s voice was filled with concern as she entered the room.

Aarohi turned her face a mixture of determination and uncertainty. “Yeah, just… thinking.”

Kiran walked in and noticed the unease in her friend's posture. “Thinking about what? You look like you’re about to start a new chapter, not just taking the first step into medical school.”

Aarohi sighed, rubbing her eyes. “It’s just… I’ve been questioning if this is really what I want. The admission process was so intense, and now that it’s real, I can’t help but wonder if I’m doing this because I want to, or because I promised Maa.”

Kiran sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on Aarohi’s shoulder. “Aarohi, you’ve always been the one who pushed through, no matter how tough things got. Remember how you used to help me with my homework, even when you had your own pile of work?

You didn’t do it just because you had to. You did it because you cared.”

Aarohi looked at her friend, her eyes glistening. “But this is different. This isn’t just about homework. It’s a whole career. What if I’m not good enough? What if I let everyone down, including Maa?”

Kiran squeezed Aarohi’s shoulder gently. “You’re not just doing this for your Mother. You’re doing it for yourself too. She believed in you, Aarohi. And so do I. You’ve got the heart and the passion. That’s what matters most.”

Aarohi nodded, her resolve slowly strengthening. “You’re right. It’s just… hard to shake off the doubts.”

Kiran gave her a reassuring smile. “Doubts are normal, especially when you’re stepping into something new. But you’ve got this. And even if you stumble, you’ve got people who believe in you, who will support you through it all.”

Aarohi took a deep breath, a small smile forming on her lips. “Thanks, Kiran. I guess I needed to hear that. I’ll try to focus on why I’m doing this. For Maa, for me… for all the dreams we had when we were kids.”

Kiran nodded, standing up and stretching her arms. “That’s the spirit. Now, let’s get ready for this new chapter of your life. The world’s waiting for you.”

As they prepared to leave, Aarohi glanced back at the window, a sense of calm washing over her. She knew the journey ahead would be challenging, but with the support of those she loved and her mother’s memory guiding her, she felt ready to face it head-on.

The first few weeks at Patna Medical College were a whirlwind of lectures, textbooks, and lab coats. Aarohi felt overwhelmed by the relentless pace of her studies. To add to her stress, her classmates had organized a welcome party, complete with awkward ice-breaker games.

During the party, Aarohi found herself participating in a rather amusing game of “Two Truths and a Lie.” Her classmate, Ankit, announced with a grin, “Alright, Aarohi, it’s your turn. We’re all dying to hear what you’ve got.”

Aarohi hesitated, and then smiled. “Okay, here goes. One, I once ate a whole chocolate cake in one sitting. Two, I’ve been to a circus where the elephants did a tango. And three, I’ve fainted at the sight of a cadaver.”

Her classmates burst into laughter, and Ankit exclaimed, “I’m betting on the elephants tangoing!”

Aarohi laughed along, feeling a bit lighter. “Actually, the last one is true. I’m still recovering from it.”

The party ended with Aarohi feeling a bit more at ease, though the real challenge awaited her in the anatomy lab.

Her first practical session was an eye-opener. As she entered the lab, the sterile smell of disinfectant hit her like a wall. The sight of the lifeless body and the intricate ballet of the surgical team working around it were overwhelming.

Her hands shook as she tried to follow along with the dissection instructions. The sight of the scalpel slicing through the skin, revealing the inner workings of the human body, made her stomach churn. Aarohi’s vision blurred, and before she could react, she fainted, collapsing onto the cold, hard floor.

The lab fell silent as her classmates rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces.

When she came to, she was in the recovery room, her classmates looking at her with a mix of concern and suppressed laughter. Aarti, one of her friends from the class, offered a weak smile. “It happens to the best of us, Aarohi. You’ll get used to it.”

Aarohi forced a smile, though the sting of embarrassment lingered. “I guess I’m not quite cut out for this yet.”

Another classmate, Rajiv, tried to lighten the mood. “Well, if you ever need to faint again, let us know. We’ll make sure to provide a cushy spot for you.”

Later, as she walked out of the operating room, she was met by Dr. Patel, the head of the department. “Aarohi, how are you feeling?” he asked, his tone more concerned than critical.

“I’m fine, Dr. Patel,” Aarohi replied, her voice trembling. “I’m just… I wasn’t prepared for how intense it would be.”

Dr. Patel placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Remember, you’re here because you have the potential to be a great doctor. Don’t let one Moment define you.”

Aarohi nodded, taking a deep breath. “Thank you, Dr. Patel. I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

Another memory surfaced, this one from her mother’s final days. Aarohi was sitting beside her mother’s hospital bed, tears streaming down her face. Her mother had grasped her hand weakly and said, “Promise me, Aarohi. Promise me you’ll fulfill the dreams we had. Promise you’ll make something of yourself.”

“I promise, Maa,” Aarohi had whispered, her heart aching. “I promise I’ll make you proud.”

As she reflected on her mother’s words, Aarohi felt a surge of determination. She knew that despite the challenges and the judgment of her peers, she had to push through her fears and doubts because her mother’s wish was a promise she was determined to fulfill.

One evening, as Aarohi sat alone in her room, she pulled out a small locket her mother had given her. Inside was a picture of her mother and a note that read, “Believe in yourself, Aarohi. You are stronger than you know.”

Tears welled up in Aarohi’s eyes as she whispered to her, “I have to keep going. I have to succeed. For you, Maa.”

And so, despite the overwhelming pressure and the judgment of her peers, Aarohi resolved to continue. She knew that she had to push through her fears and doubts because her mother’s wish was a promise she was determined to fulfill.