Anatomy of Love (Complete)

Chapter 2

A young child of 9 years sleeps peacefully on his bed. A noise wakes him up. He opens his eyes, rubs them and sits up. He should not get out of the room at night, that was his mother's instructions. But he has done it several times before and he will do it again. He loves his mother to bits. He listens to everything she tells him. If she says it is day for night, he would blindly accept it. However this is the only thing he doesn't follow. The reason behind that is he wants to be there for her. Most nights when his father is at home, they fight. And he leaves her sobbing and alone. He watches everything from afar and pretends to console her by looking at her from outside. He never goes in. He is afraid that his mother would be embarrassed of him seeing her so vulnerable. She has always tried to be the strong lady in front of him and the world. Hence he always sat outside, peeping in till she fell asleep after popping some pills.

He walks to their bedroom. They are arguing again. He knows most of the words they tell each other. Some requests, some curses and loads of complaints. But he doesn't understand why it happens most nights. Why do they argue? Why don't they smile at each other or hold hands like they do in front of people? He finds that strange. He is still young to understand the complexities of a relationship.

He screams,"I am not coming back again. I am really done with you. I will send you the papers. "
"No.. please don't say that. I love you.. we need you.. Don't go.."
"You are sick. You have lost your mind. I am feeling claustrophobic with you holding me in your life like this. You can't force me to stay anymore."
She tries to hold him, "You promised never to leave me. Then why? Your son needs you, I need you."
"I will take my son with me. I can't let him get destroyed with someone insane like you."

She stares at him and like a mad woman she starts hitting him.
"No.. you can't take him. He is not... going. He is my son."
He pushes her away from him.
"You are crazy. Look how you are behaving. Your son will go crazy if he stays with you anymore. You are a bad influence and impossible to live with. Listen, I can't stay with you and nor can my son. Samjhi tum. I will take him with me tomorrow. I will go now. "

The child hides in the darkness as the man darts out of the room. She falls on the floor sobbing profusely, covering her face with her palms. He stands there watching helplessly. There's an ache in his chest. He wants to run to her, hug her tightly but he does not do that. He sits down on the floor, gazing at her behind the wall,

He must have dozed off, sitting on the floor outside the door when he heard a click. He peeps inside and sees something that drains the blood out of his face. She stood still staring at the photograph on the wall. Smiling faces of her and her family. In her hand is a pistol. She puts the nozzle on her temples and before he could stop her, she presses the trigger.

"No..."
Rishab wakes up with a scream. He pants for air, trying to breathe. He is covered in sweat despite the air conditioning that's chilling the room. He opens a bottle of medicine, pops a pill and drinks water with shaky hands. He gets out of the bed and walks out to the balcony. The sun hasn't risen yet so it is still dark. The cool air feels good on his bare body. It relaxes him. He runs his fingers through his hair and lights a cigarette. Blowing out smoke, he watches the sleepy city and night sky waiting to break into yet another day.

The five residents enter a room filled with some other young doctors.
Nisha says,"Thank God, we are on time."
Pankaj nods his head, "I skipped my breakfast today. Had just four pieces of bread, one egg and tea."
Peter lifts his eyebrows, "What did you skip then? Lunch?"
Pankaj shoots him an annoyed look, "Maa ke haath ka paratha. Hot aalu ka paratha."
Mohit grins, "C'mon Peter, he comes from what we call, khate peete khandan."

Everyone laughs except for Khushi who keeps checking the door.
"Hey you, Khushi right?"
Nisha asks.
"Yes, Khushi Kapoor. Nisha?"
"Yep. I really wanted to tell you how amazed we all were when we saw your entry."
Mohit nods his head, "True. Riding over a patient, too good!"
Khushi smiles, "Don't forget the encounter with Dr.Khadoos."
"Dr.Rishabh Khurana? Dr.Khadoos? Wow!"
"He is dangerous. You have got guts to reply to his face. Everyone knows how rude he is with people."
"He is not rude with patients or their families though."
Khushi asks,"By the way, where is he?"