Chapter 31

3.6K 187 1
                                    

 Post-Mortem 97

The fresher's party started as a welcoming meeting. All the teachers were present and our HOD Dr Kurian Varky inaugurated the party. He gave a wonderful speech and so as the other teachers. Then representatives of each class welcomed us. It was Hari who said gratitude on behalf of us, the first years.

"Ok, since our official function of welcoming our dearest newcomers are over, let's move on to our celebration. Medical college newcomer celebration "Post Mortem 97".

"So cringe, they actually named the function Post Mortem 97, Isn't so cheap?" asked Jessy

"Yes is it, but our second years told me that, our seniors are not very friendly. I am kind of upset and scared," Hari answered.

"Hari, don't scare Sathya. She is already melting," Jessy took my cold and sweaty arm; "It's just a function, Sathya, don't be afraid," she softly stroked my arms with her warm one. I am feeling less nervous, but still, I am nervous.

There were performances by our seniors, funny dances, songs and a short drama, we enjoyed it. When it comes to dancing, people off stage go wilder than dancers on stage. Jessy also wanted to dance so she dragged me to the back and we danced. I love it, and I recalled my memories with Durga. We used to dance to every song at all the festivals. Jessy is not a replacement for my Durga but she is exactly like Durga. Because of her, it's hard for me to forget any memories from the past. It is so nice. Since forgetting someone is more agonising, I wish not to forget any person I met in my life. Each and every one in my life was a new lesson that assisted me to walk forward, towards my future. Everyone is important. Then the moment I feared came through the announcement of my senior.

"Dear students, let's proceed to our next programme. Just like our title says, it's time to dissect some young bodies. So I will call the names of our first years, please come to the stage,"

They started calling my classmates names. First, they had to introduce themselves and then do something our senior says. I am so scared. The first boy who went up the stage got to act as a monkey and he did it without any hesitation, I think they like him. I wish I had that courage. Some female students cried on stage but they are not even showing an ounce of mercy. Then they called; "Jessy Varkey," I glanced at Jessy, but she looks confident. She went to the stage and smiled at them, wow! I thought.

"Since Jessy is our dear Varkey Sir's daughter, we cannot give some cheap task to her, maybe she will become the head of this department in the future, am I right?" the host asked the crowd and the crowd cried "YES."

"So we have decided to give our dear junior an amazing task. Jessy, please identify the organs on the table and explain their position in our human body and also an illness. Let's see how better is our Sir's daughter," the host smiled. I was shocked. "Ehh! Isn't it so simple? I can do that," I said to Hari. He looked at me with his sloppy face. I know Hari is still upset. He went on stage before Jessy and they asked him to act as the late Jayan, a famous Malayalam film action star. Hari is very thin and everyone laughed at his Jayan impression. Jayan was a macho action celebrity with a unique style. So he is still embarrassed to face others. Jassy's task was very simple, she got one organ's position wrong but she nailed the others. Next is me and I hope they don't give me anything funny.

"Next is Sathya Balakrishna, please come to the stage," the host called my name, I went to the stage shivering, anxious.

"Sathya, we don't speak Tamil and I hope you can understand what I am about to ask. Your task is, imagine you are in a drama troop and you are doing the role of Ravana, the demon king. How will you act?" he asked. I am stunned. Did he just ask me to act? I thought this is a fun game. He wants me to act. Oh my god, I am so relieved. I can act, I am good at it. I felt so happy and my eyes sparkled. I cleared my throat and adjusted my saari. I faced the audience confidently and then remembered one of my favourite dialogues from the Ramayana drama I did with Durga very long ago.

"If only I had more time to spend being your teacher than your foe. Unlike your arrogant younger brother, you are a deserving pupil, standing at my feet as one should. Since I have a limited amount of time, I will only be able to share one significant life lesson with you. Things that are bad for you readily entice you; you hurriedly rush in their direction. However, things that are truly beneficial to you don't appeal to you; instead, you creatively avoid them while coming up with compelling justifications for your tardiness. I didn't want to meet you, which is why I was eager to kidnap Sita. Ram, this is the lesson of my life. My final words. I offer it to you."

"I acted the last words of Ravana when Rama asked for his wisdom to pass down to him before his death. I presented it because we can learn a lot from it," I served that part, even though it was in Tamil, I am sure they understood the meaning. I got a wave of applause. They looked at me with wonder in their eyes, I feel strong now. That's when I saw him, near the entrance door, doctor was watching me with a smile, clapping proudly. I beamed and went towards him.

"Did you see me acting? How was it?" I asked

"My Sathya is always amazing, I guess I worried for nothing. You were so great on stage, fearless goddess," he responded. I know I was worrying about nothing, I should have taken this little game as a little game. It was fun. My official days as a popular college girl started from then. Even though I never thought I will get this many fans, I became the first person they look at when any drama or talent show comes. I am proud of myself.

Seasons change, people change and everything around us changes whereas what we treasure inside stays, untouched. My love for the doctor is my treasure, something that will never vary and remain as it is for years. I can clearly see what lies ahead of me and with him by my side, I will go forward, even to the edge of this world.

Miracle MarriageWhere stories live. Discover now