The Hospital

Radhika

"You did a test to know the gender of your baby?" Asked Sneha, astonished as she looked up at the woman shocked.

This was a common practice in certain hospitals but Sneha didn't think that a hospital of this reputation would be involved even in a gender reveal test and abortion of a girl child before birth.

"You don't understand. Only a boy could save me now." Said the woman in front of her, as she took deep breaths in between.

"How could you say something like that? Aren't you a woman yourself?" Asked Sneha as her eyes widened in disbelief.

It was beyond her understanding that a woman thought delivering a boy could save her. Giving birth to a boy does not necessarily mean that she will have a happy life ahead. The same grown-up boy could also leave her anytime. Besides, if she had a girl as well, it wouldn't be any different. The grown-up girl could also earn and help her parents.

"My in-laws have said clearly that if I do not give them a boy this time, I will be asked to leave." Said the woman. There were tears in her eyes now.

"Then leave. Why do you want to stay at a place where even the presence of your daughter disgusts them? "

But Sneha's words made the woman weep more. She looked down and nodded her head from one side to another side.

"And go where? Back to my house, where other relatives will shun me and my parents? I don't want my parents to face those absurd comments from my relatives."

"Every choice has a consequence. You want a good happy life or you want your daughters to suffer. God forbid if your son becomes like them, then his wife will also suffer. Children learn from people around them. Your daughters will learn to give up just like you. Is this what you want? Daughters who cannot even raise their voice for themselves?"

The woman now looked at her with widened eyes. She suddenly no longer looked in a discomfort. It was surprising that suddenly something changed about her. Perhaps she too desired her daughter to live happily and fearlessly . Sneha did not know anything else about this woman but she hoped she could understand what she meant. She gave the woman her papers back and stood silently. The doors of the elevator opened to the third floor and the lady in a sari walked out looking at her. She then turned and walked away.

The doors closed again and Sneha was left alone in the elevator again. The woman's face was still captured in her mind and she couldn't shake it off. She sighed when she finally landed on the sixth floor. The doors opened revealing something she would have never expected out of hospital. The floor was almost similar to those of hotels. The power of the golden lights from the crystal chandelier was felt over the lobby in front of Sneha. She slowly walked out of the elevator and looked around. A couple of doctors were seen wearing their doctor's coats and moving around. Some even had coffee in their hands while some had patient files. On either side of the lobby were rooms and one room with a huge glass window opposite her showed several chairs around tables. Many people were sitting and eating through this window.

Sneha looked at the map again. Today she was supposed to meet the main head intern. As per the map she turned right and walked to the third room. Opening the white door, she saw a large very cozy room with four large sofas 7 comfortable beds, and a table that had a coffee maker on it. Two people sat on the sofa. One was a tall, extremely thin young man with brown skin. He wore a dark blue shirt over cream trousers  The other was a girl who was neither fat nor thin. She wore a black and white dress that went up to her ankles. Her face was caked with makeup so much that Sneha wanted to puke but she controlled herself and bit her lips hard as she walked inside. 

"Hi, are you one of the new medical officers ?" Asked the girl.

Sneha simply nodded her head up and down. She did not feel like speaking much to her.

"Hi, I am Shankar. I am new as well here." Said the young man with brown skin.

"I did see you yesterday. Do you know who is the third person who got selected?" Asked Sneha.

"I was told that two girls got selected. I am hoping that the third person has some better dressing sense at least." Said the girl with heavy makeup.

"Yes, of course, I hope the third person can apply makeup without looking so disastrous." Said Sneha, smiling widely.

Shanker gave a small smile at Sneha whose eyes quickly shifted to the girl in front of her. The girl now looked at her with a frown. 

"Word of advice, My name is Radhika Bhandari. Dr Krishna is my father and I don't have to tell you both about him, right? The whole city knows him."

"So what?" Questioned Sneha, raising her eyebrows.

"So, my dear, if you want to succeed in your life and not get your medical career destroyed, you must be nice to me ." Said Radhika, smiling.

Sneha laughed loudly. This was her first time meeting a doctor with such thoughts. People would lose hope if they realized that such immature persons were granted a medical degree.

"Or else what, you will complain to your daddy like a silly little girl who could not face others. Not only you do not know how to wear makeup, but you also do not know what to speak in which situations. That is why you are openly bragging about being daddy's little girl in such a place where you can be easily recorded and affect his reputation."

Radhika got up and glared at Sneha. Shankar on the other hand now looked at both of them worried. 

"How dare you speak like that with me? You have no idea how I will make you regret." Said Radhika.

The white door of the room and walked inside someone whom Sneha despised from the day of the interview. It was Dr Vikram Malhotra who walked confidently in black trousers and a white shirt. He wore a black tie with blue stripes. Today not only did he look good with his handsome figure, but he also seemed to be happy about something.

"This guy is an inspiration," whispered Shankar as Dr Vikram walked towards them.

Another person entered the room and her presence made Sneha smile widely. It was the same girl Ayesha, whom she met on the day of the interview. She wore a red long shirt with red flowers over black leggings. Her long silky hair was tied in a ponytail.

"Good morning Sir." Said Ayesha to Dr Vikram.

"Good morning Sir." Said both Shankar and Sneha together.

"Good morning and congratulations on getting the position of medical officer here. I understand that you all are also trying to get a post-graduation seat but here you must work hard as well. Whatever knowledge you get here will also help you solve practical questions." Said Dr Vikram.

"Hi, Good morning." Said Radhika smiling too widely.

Shankar and Sneha both looked at each other surprised. Not only was Radhika a spoiled brat, but she was also stupid. She did not speak like a normal person with Dr Vikram. It sounded as if they already knew each other personally. This was not a surprise but every doctor would not speak at this personal level in front of colleagues.

"Doctors, today is your first day. I hope you all are well versed with the map." Said Dr Vikram, ignoring Radhika.

"Yes, sir." Said Shankar.

"You will meet other doctors in the evening but today you will start working in your respective departments. We were supposed to meet all now but the patient flow increased and all became engrossed. Behind the coffee maker is the duty schedule for all doctors. This month, Dr Sneha you will be posted in obstetrics and gynecology.  Dr Shankar, you will be in emergency and Dr Ayesha you will be in surgery ward. By five in the evening, you will all come back to meet the doctors in your post."

Suddenly the door of the room was forced open with a force. To Sneha's surprise, it was Vivaan, who wore a blue t-shirt over black jeans. However, unlike his usual demeanor, he looked too much worried. His face was full of sweat and he was taking deep breaths.

"Sir, we have a situation. A patient in obstetrics is threatening to kill herself." Said Vivaan.