cross road

Chapter-6

Pallavi woke up early, her heart racing with anticipation for her first day at the government hospital. She remembered Chandra Uncle's call,Raghav's father where he had checked on her whereabouts and promised to arrange for a maid to help with cooking and household chores. After getting dressed, she stepped out, opting to walk the two kilometers to the hospital, relishing the morning air.

As she walked, her uncle's words echoed in her mind. "These hospitals are not like the ones you were practicing in. You might end up not getting basic necessities. Handle it calmly; this is the best way to hide you." She understood the gravity of her situation but was determined to make the best of it.

Upon arriving, she was greeted by a dimly lit, old building with various rooms for consultations and a busy operation theater. Nurse Radha welcomed her and introduced her to Rakshith, the hospital in-charge. His grumpy demeanor made her anxious.

"You look too young to be here," he said dismissively. "I expect you to follow the rules. I'm retiring in six months and don't want any drama." With that, he left.

Pallavi felt her frustration boiling but tried to compose herself. She turned to Radha, asking to meet the other doctors. However, Radha's expression turned somber as she explained, "No doctors come around until evening. They just sign in and leave."

Pallavi was taken aback. "But who's taking care of the patients?" she asked, incredulous.

"Either the nurses or the doctors come in and instruct us," Radha replied.

Disheartened, Pallavi headed to her room, realizing she was in a place that didn't prioritize patient care. After hours of treating outpatients, she witnessed firsthand the dire financial conditions of the patients. The language barrier compounded her struggles, but with Radha's help, she managed to get through her rounds.

By late afternoon, hunger pangs hit her. Radha mentioned a small hotel nearby that served food, but as Pallavi stepped out, she noticed a group of patients waiting outside. Remembering her earlier instructions to Radha, she approached one of them.

The patient, frail and shivering, stepped back when she reached out. Radha rushed to her side, saying, "Madam, he can't come inside. It's the way things work here."

Pallavi's heart sank as she grasped the reality of the caste system in this village. She refused to accept this unjust treatment.

Meanwhile, Raghav was picking up his family from the airport when his father received a call requiring his intervention at the hospital. They rushed over, only to find Pallavi standing protectively in front of the patient, while a hostile crowd gathered.

The mob, led by Malang and Swathi, was in an uproar. Raghav quickly approached Swathi, determined to prevent any escalation. He knew Malang could instigate violence, especially towards Pallavi.

As Chandra tried to speak with Pallavi, Rakshith, the in-charge, suggested she return inside, falsely claiming that the situation was resolved. But Chandra could see the tension and knew it wasn't over.

After calming the villagers, just as everyone began to leave, they heard a commotion. Pallavi had set up a temporary treatment area outside the hospital, fully prepared to treat patients there.

"Since you don't want me to bring patients inside, I've created my setup here. I hope you have no problem with that," she declared confidently.

The doctors exchanged glances of defeat as she introduced herself, her determination shining through.

"I thought you all were on leave since none of you showed up today," she said, her tone light yet challenging.

Malang and Swathi were visibly fuming but had no grounds to protest.

Before they could leave, Pallavi called out, "Remember, if you think you can control this village, I will fight for what is right. Don't underestimate my resolve."

With that, she turned back to her patients, her focus unwavering. Raghav watched his father's pride grow as he witnessed Pallavi's courage.

On their way home, Raghav couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment creeping in. His father was beaming, praising Pallavi's bravery and determination, while Raghav felt overshadowed. It hit him hard that his father's admiration, usually reserved for him, was now directed at someone else.

Raghav glanced at Pallavi, who was deeply engaged with her patients, and he couldn't help but respect her spirit. Yet, the unsettling mix of admiration and jealousy stirred within him.