Spies & Spice (Completed)

Chapter 17

Earlier in the day:

Elegant Towers, New Delhi 

Anosha rechecked the bulky file in her bag, to make sure that she had all the documents necessary for the internship interview at the hospital. As she was leaving the apartment complex, she met with Sam in the parking lot, who was busy kick starting her scooty, which for some reason was giving her trouble.

Sam kicked the scooter hard one last time and the engine roared into action, much to her relief, and she greeted loudly "Hi Anosha!"

"Hi Sam!"

"Where are you going? Do you want a lift?"

"Hmm, no I am good, I don't need a lift." Anosha answered, in a flustered way.

"Don't be so shy. What's that file? Oh!! Is today your interview at the hospital? All the best dear. You are a brainy doctor and look so pretty too. I am sure you will get the job. Trust me, I am good at predicting these things." Sam winked at her.

"What's my face, pretty or otherwise got to do with anything? I would rather be selected for my talent." Anosha's eyes narrowed and the smile on Sam's face evaporated. She understood she crossed a line.

"I am sorry Anosha, I didn't meant it that way. But hey, please let me drop you at the auto stand at least. Please." Sam insisted and Anosha felt it would be too rude to refuse.

During the ride Sam tried her best to engage Anosha in a hearty conversation but failed miserably. Within few minutes, Sam dropped Anosha at the Auto stand and made sure she went in one of the Autos, whose driver was their regular and trustworthy guy. Wishing her the best of luck for the interview once again, Sam went off to do her shopping as Anosha made her way towards the hospital.

After waiting nervously for few hours in a large conference hall on the ground floor of the hospital, along with fifty other hopefuls who came for the interview,  Anosha felt relieved when she her name was finally called out by the coordinator.

She followed the coordinator towards an opaque glass walled room. She knocked on the door once and entered a large meeting room which looked cold and intimidating with a large rectangle table in the middle. As she observed the faces of the five member panel who were seated along three sides of the table, her anxiety doubled and she tried her best to cover it up with a bright smile. A younger  member of the group, Dr Banerjee stood up and shook hands with Anosha, introduced himself and other members who were senior doctors and consultants at the hospital.

After the initial warm up questions, one of the senior doctors, Dr Batra asked, " Let's say Ms Malik, you are covering the obstetrics and gynaecology wards in your shift, and a 35 year old female patient, who had a caesarean section 2 days ago is now presenting with severe shortness of breath and chest pain. What would you do?"

Anosha smiled inwardly as she came prepared for such questions. She cleared her throat and began to explain her approach in such scenarios, in a methodical way.

"Dr Batra, I am assuming I received the call on the phone so I would ask for vital signs from the nurse and then I would go to the patient straight Away. And if the vitals needed it, I would ask the nurse to call for emergency help and ask her to stay with me and the patient. I would try to think of all possibilities including worst case scenario, say pulmonary embolus. I will check the history chart and examine the patient again and would take further steps after my examination, like calling a senior colleague, if I think it is necessary."