More than just Feluda (Fanfic)

The Annoying Patient

Mr Mitter was admitted in the ward, and he was no less than a total headache for Sujata.

She had seen rather a lot of people, especially old people, who did not listen to the staff's instructions in the hospital. But this old man, he did not want to take his medicines, did not want to do the exercises, was annoyed by everyone and everything around, always wanted to get up and go somewhere, read something, do something, and got angry when told to rest or sleep.

He did not even like to just sit and chat with someone. A few people in the ward tried to have small-talk with him, but they were all turned down by a nonchalant stare, or if they still continued with their banter, a sarcastic taunt or two. Naren was juggling between the hospital and the house, and he brought books, newspapers, letters and what not according to whatever he was told to bring. 

Sujata had the very difficult job of making this old man eat his medicine pills and exercise, for avoiding which he found new excuses every time. 

"I'm feeling bloated already, I don't want these pills"

"These pills wouldn't increase your bloating. Take them."

"They would, I feel this weirdly bloated every time I take them. Ask Dr Ghosh to change them."

"There's nothing in the pills that causes bloating, so changing them won't help. Take them quickly now!"

"I want to consult Dr Ghosh on these pills. Only then I would take them."

"He isn't here, and Dr Ghosh or not, you WILL have to take the pills. Please. Right now."

"You can't force me into this"

"I don't want to either. Just take them quickly. You've also got your exercises pending."

"Not those stupid exercises! I don't even trust if those exercises really are of any help, or you guys just made them up!"

"They are proven to help keep muscle movements function smoothly, So you're going to do them."

"But what does a patient like me have to do with muscle movements? I'm not paralyzed or something, hence my body should not forget from its muscle memory. This treatment might actually be useless."

"You can research that later. No more Jalebi, now, take these pills quickly."

"I already told you I won't."

"You WILL have to"

"I WON'T"

"I'm not asking you, I'm TELLING you. You are supposed to take these pills RIGHT NOW."

"I'm not taking them."

"You'll either have to take them yourself, or I'll have the nurse hold you and push them through your mouth with a glass full of water."

"This is not how you talk to a patient."

"This is not how a patient behaves."

"Do you know who you're talking to?"

"Someone who is going to take these pills now. By themselves or by me. 

I'm going to count till three. If you don't take these by three, I'm going to call the nurse to hold you.

ONE,   TWO,  THR-"

He took the pills from Sujata's hands and gulped them down without water.

"Open your mouth."

"What now?"

"I need to make sure the pill didn't get lost while finding its way to your throat."

He tried to avoid it, but had to open his mouth in the end.

"Ahh, There it is! I Knew it wouldn't find its way, and would still be there in your mouth! Now; take this water and gulp it down properly. No more games."

He had to give in this time.

"Good... Now, the exercises."

He looked at her. "You're too stubborn."

"As if you aren't." She replied with a slight smile.

There was a sudden glint of something in his eyes, but then it vanished as soon as it came. He silently obeyed her during the rest of the exercises that day.

Sujata had talked to Naren a few more times by now, so she was well-acquainted with him. 

"Narenji, You said Mr Mitter's brother was going to come back from America. It's almost been two days since he's admitted, and I didn't see his brother around. Is there any problem?"

"No no, doctor madam. Its just that Chhote Babu and Memsaab couldn't get a flight that immediate day, so they had to wait for the next day. They should already be on their way, because they will reach by tomorrow morning."

"Oh, that's great! I hope of getting some relief from this headache of making him eat medicines everyday, once his family arrives."

"I don't know if he'll even listen to them, doctor madam."

"Is he always like this? I didn't think he would be this difficult when he came at the check-up."

"He's old, madam. Old people are like kids. He usually has these little mood swings, but I feel he's more frustrated right now because of a new surrounding and very less things to do."

"What 'things' did he do at this age?!" Sujata asked jokingly

"A lot of things. He reads so many books, works on translations of old books and records, collects some things, and a lot more... Don't you know, he was a-"

"Naren! Where is my magnifying glass? I kept it right in this book before sleeping."

Naren rushed to the bed and started finding the glass.

Sujata took leave of the two amidst their magnifying-glass hunting and started walking towards her quarters. 

This man is such a classic cute grandpa!...

She smiled to herself, but then remebered that she hadn't called home today. She quickly took out her phone and dialed Maa's number.