Borrowed But Mine: An Arylie FF

Borrowed But Mine: Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi

A tall well dressed man in a navy blue shirt and khakis, stepped out of the bustling cafeteria, his unusually deep green eyes observing the activity around him. Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Medical Sciences was a pioneering institute in the metropolis of Delhi.

A tertiary care center where some of the most complicated and critical patients arrived for care at minimal charges. A teaching institute.

The man scanned the bustling floor registering hurrying medical students, some laughing and joking, preparing for the start of the day, harried appearing family members, frail appearing patients, some on their feet, some in wheelchairs.

Even in the early hours of the morning, the hospital buzzed with energy, nervous and anticipatory.

He looped the strap of his cross body bag around his neck, over one shoulder and set off for his destination.

Weaving through the busy lobby, his long trouser clad legs carried him towards the bank of elevators where a group of medical students, residents and general lay people already were beginning to gather.

An insulated, reusable coffee cup in hand he leaned against a nearby stone column and mused quietly to himself.

LBSIMS was his new home ground. Well not that new. He'd been here for at least a year now. Returning to India, had meant a quick climb on the ladder of success. He'd joined as the fellowship program director and was quickly promoted to the head of his department.

Why not? A young prodigy, the desi version of Doogie Howser, he'd graduated medical school earlier than most. He was young, dedicated to his mission, fairly adept at what he did and had learnt from the best of the best.

At 29 years old, he headed a department with a posse of doctors under his leadership at one of the most prestigious institutes in India's capital city.

His mission was clear.

To bring the best available skills and technology to his beloved homeland and its citizens. And to prepare a cadre of young, hopefully compassionate physicians who'd take their knowledge and use them to serve their patients across the country.

LBSIMS, after all, did admit students from across the nation. A truly diverse mix of students. He still had problems with some of the laws of the country governing admissions but chose to stay in his lane. That issue was the Dean's headache, not his.

Most of his desi friends back in the States had scoffed at him for turning down lucrative opportunities abroad to return home. But he wanted to be remembered as a trailblazer in his field of medicine. Delhi was only his first stop.

He glanced at his watch as the first elevator full of people emptied. Choosing to hang in the back as it refilled, he figured he had time before his morning rounds began.