Evanescence

Chapter 3

It was wrong, I was in the wrong body. Where is Ankita, the beautiful, ambitious girl and her shining eyes. Where are her dreams? If Iam Ankita I need to know what happened. Don't I have the right to know my life? I cursed all the gods. It was unfair.

The doctor's voice awoke me from the thoughts.

"Hello. How are you feeling?"

"Doctor, who brought me here?" I asked in vain. He was a jolly young fellow. Cheerful and I needed his help more than anything else in this world.

"Actually we don't know about your whereabouts. A group of people brought you here. They found you unconscious on the road." He looked helpless and concerned.

"I need your help" I sobbed. "I really don't understand anything, oh god"

"Calm down. Your body and mind are weak.The nurse is here. You give her your name and details, she will contact your family. Take rest." He smiled and proceeded to go.

"Doctor... Please." It must be the dread in my eyes the doctor paused for a second.

"I'm Ankita. I lived with my parents in Mumbai. I studied in St Peter's. Thats all I know about me. I remember my parents, college.... Everything... But my memory lasts till 1993. I'm shocked to find my reflection in the mirror. Iam a frail old lady. I'm not myself... I'm not even sure I'm Ankita. I remember an explosion..fire..a child's cry....that is the last thing I remember". I felt hot tears down my cheeks. What did I do wrong? Don't I deserve to know my life? Don't I deserve to know what happened to me. There were so many unsure questions in front of me. I might be 43, but I look far older than that. My body was weak. What am I supposed to do now. Will I be able to find my parents?

Doctor looked at me in disbelief. He must be thinking what I have thought right now.

"Ankita.... Give me your address. I'll try to contact your parents."

He left. I gave the nurse my 20 year old address. I don't know if its of any use. From the nurse I heard Im in Kerala right now. Of all the places on earth I wonder how I landed up here. Like the silver line in the cloud, the only hope left is calling my parents. I have nothing else to do in this helpless state.

*******

My days in the hospital were slow and monotonous . The smell of the bedsheets and the toilets were tough to cope with.

I spent most of the time sleeping. I felt scared and lonely. 3 days passed since I gave my number to the nurse. I don't know what happened. Every time I saw the nurse she said the doctor is trying. The funniest thing is that I don't know why I'm in this hospital or what happened. I didn't bother to ask. This was my only shelter and I wanted to be here till my parents come for me. There were wounds in my body. But their intensity seem so unimportant with the heap of thoughts I have.

It was hot and I was lying on my bed when the nurse came into the room with the injection.

"Why am I taking all these medicines when there is no use? Who pays for all this? Isn't this a private hospital, don't you need any guarantee about your patients?"

"Madam, Dr Rajeev, great person- like god- help many poor- great great- he even pays." The nurse tried hard to speak English.

"I want to talk to the doctor it's important. Please let me. I want to meet him." I begged.

" Doctor busy-busy person. I- will - tell - him. " she smiled proudly.

" Thank you so much. What is your name?"

"Thaamara. Which- means- lotus -in English"

I had to appreciate her for the effort she took. I smiled at her. The first smile after I have been here.