Dastaan Jo Likhun

Ch 6. Infected Needles

___________ Context __________

I have used images to aid in storytelling, so please read through the texts to get the subtext and play the bgm attached when prompted to get the full experience.

Trigger warning: Mentions of smoking, which is extremely injurious to your health and the environment, and you should under no circumstances do or allow others to do.

Note: This chapter involves multiple time jumps so please follow along and enjoy!

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Time: 6:07 am

It was a relatively quite morning, as the family was sitting around the dining table, enjoying their breakfast as the head of the family immersed himself in the new issue of the magazine. 

Reading through the developments in new age technologies implemented in the medical field. Highlighting the page numbers with his pen, a reminder to look it up later for his research, as he bit into the stuffed sandwich on his plate.

His nose scrunched up at the taste. There was nothing wrong, just that he didn't like the extra butter on his bread, but h̶i̶s̶ w̶i̶f̶e̶ that woman, Manjari, never seemed to remember.

"Arey kabhi to sahi se kuchh bana liya karo..., " his disdainful voice loudly announced in the direction of the kitchen where she stood, preparing their food. "Mai itna greasy food nahi khata, par tumse ek kam thik se nahi hota... Subah subah mood kharab kardiya!," mumbling the last sentence. 

She was looking at him, her left hand holding onto her hanging pallu [saree pleats hanging down the shoulder], as her nervousness creeped in. He purposefully pushed his plate aside, gesturing to the kitchen staff to take it away. 

"J-Ji, wo mai abhi doosra bana ke lati hun," as she took the plate in her own hand, springing into action to cater to him. 

"Hmm.." He just nodded, not saying anything more, as if that was answer enough.

The rest of the accompanying members on the table, not even looking up as it was daily occurrence. 

His sister-in-law, Dr. Mahima, content with her fruit salad as she was busy reading the latest patient notes scheduled for a craniotomy. She would be taking over the surgery as there was a conflict in her husband's schedule. 'Finally!' 

It was laws of nature, that there could be no two lions in a pride, but no one says that about surgeons. Her husband, Dr. Anand, always getting the first stake on the kill, i.e. the neurosurgeries. Like the one he was performing currently.

Apparently, the hospital scheduling system always prioritized surgeries to the chief attending over the others. Like herself. 

Her snide more prominent at her thoughts. 'That's the first thing I'll fix when I become chief attending.'

His adopted son, Neil, keeping his head down, not engaging as his left hand fisted on his lap, at the disrespect that man always showed his mother. 

Sure, she must have made a mistake but to chide her so openly, specifically in front of the staff members was completely unnecessary. 

His nephew, Parth, flicking through his notes, preparing for his 12th board practicals as they were nearing evaluation. His dark circles and sunken cheekbones indicating his restlessness for the exams.