A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 51- An Angel and a Shaitaan

Manik and Nandini were called inside to meet the doctor. The doctor is in her mid forties and asked them to take a seat as they entered. ''Hi doctor'' Manik greeted her. ''What's your problem?'' she asked adjusting her specs. Manik and Nandini looked at each other. ''I don't have any problem but she got her periods'' Manik said. ''Okay, are you both married?'' she asked. ''Yes'' Nandini replied. ''Exactly how many months you've been married!'' she asked noting everything they told on a notepad. Manik and Nandini are clueless. ''0.5 months'' Manik said. For the first time, doctor paid attention to both Manik and Nandini. ''What?'' she asked surprised. ''It's just 15 days that we're married'' Manik said raising his hands in air. Doctor gave a look at them and said, ''get these tests done and then come and meet me'' she said after writing a few tests on paper. 

''Bina problem jaane aap ye kaise tests likh rahe hai'' Manik snapped at her. ''These tests are for you and these are for her'' doctor said to Manik. Both of them understood what she wanted to say. ''We're not sexually active'' Manik said. ''But you said you both are married'' doctor said. ''We're married but not sexually active. She is on her periods, and has an excruciating pain with too heavy bleeding. Not every couple comes to gynae for pregnancy. If you can, please provide some solace to her'' Manik said in one go. ''You should have said that before'' doctor said. ''I didn't know ki aap hume aise judge karne wale hai'' Manik said. Nandini was just a mere statue there. The doctor seemed to soften a bit. ''Ah Mrs.?!'' she spoke. ''Nandini'' she said introducing herself. ''Mrs. Nandini, are you periods regular?'' doctor asked. ''Do you have this pain every time?'' she asked. ''Almost this has become so normal for me during periods'' she said. ''Please don't normalize period pain or heavy flow. Get these tests done and meet me. Until then, I will give you some medication to alleviate the pain'' doctor said handing over another paper. 

''But is it safe to use pain killers during this time'' Nandini asked. ''Of course, how do you think I've been working all my life. Just surviving on these pills'' she said showing Nandini a strip of tablets on her desk. Manik and Nandini burst into a laughter as they saw them. He quietly passed a chocolate bar to the doctor. ''I thought only Nandini need it now, but you need it too'' he said. ''Manik, behave!'' Nandini glared at him. ''No problem, young lady'' doctor said smiling. ''By the way, how many kids do you have doctor?'' Manik playfully asked. ''3'' she said. Manik was about to say something but Nandini stomped on his foot. ''Please take this injection now, the pain should subside. But please don't delay these tests, in the worst scenarios, this pain could be endometriosis too'' she said. ''Injection!'' Nandini tried to be calm but hearing about injection is making her lose it. ''Agar tumhe injection se dar lag raha hai tho don't worry, I'm here with you'' Manik said. He stood behind her holding hand while nurse got an injection. ''Please go and lie down, injection site is your hip'' nurse said.

''Can I go out and wait!'' Manik asked sensing Nandini's tension. ''Are you her husband'' doctor confirmed again. ''Yes'' Manik replied. ''Then you can stay'' she said. He tried not to look at the direction where she lied down. The more he saw her, the more she looked scared. Nurse then drew the strings of the curtain and Manik couldn't see her. ''Ahh'' Manik gave a sharp turn to see her behind the closed curtains and she came out of it walking in less than a minute. Nandini came back and sat in front of the doctor. ''Get those test reports so that I can prescribe you any medicine'' she said smiling. ''Thank you'' Manik said and they were about to leave when the doctor called them again. ''And if you're planning pregnancy, please do use folic acid right after your period'' she said. Nandini and Manik didn't look at each other after they came out of the room. 

''Are you feeling better'' he asked. ''Hmm'' she nodded. ''Do you want to eat anything?'' Nandini's taste buds danced as he asked her but he instantly killed them with his next sentence. ''Main tumhare liye mild spices add karke khichdi banaunga. I'm sure you'll love it'' he said excited. ''Yes, I'm gonna love it'' Manik didn't get her sarcasm. Even though Nandini didn't liked whatever he cooked for her, she appreciated his efforts and had dinner complementing him. Both of them retired to his room. ''I guess hum dono aaj yahi sona padega, until Aryaman is here'' Manik said. ''It's okay'' she said. ''You take the bed and I will sleep on couch'' he said settling on the couch. ''Umm, you can't fit in there'' Nandini said. ''But I can't let you sleep in discomfort. You might feel uncomfortable'' Manik said. ''Can't we both adjust on bed!'' Nandini asked with hesitation. Manik cleared his throat. ''Are you sure?'' he asked and paused for a while, ''only if you feel comfortable'' he announced. ''Mujhe koi problem nahi hai'' Nandini said.