"Oh!I saw an ambulance at that hosp!! So cool!!"

A few months ago, my sister got into MBBS. Soon after her admission counseling was over at the Common Entrance Test Cell and her admission got confirmed, she was messaging all her friends that she got through and was to be a budding doctor now. Ofcourse she had specified which college she was getting into. Congratulating replies came, calls came and it went on. But one girl surely outdid the rest of them. She called up my sister and said, "Oh that college!! I've seen that college. It has a huge campus, huge hospital. There was an ambulance 'also' in front of the hospital ya! Cool!!".. Huh? Finding an ambulance in front of a hospital is something worth mentioning? Nowadays there are freelancing free ambulances too!! And this after all is a  Medical College Hospital. Sounds funny, but at that age, all that that girl had was innocence, joy and excitement. I remember saying similar stuff when my best friend A was trying for admission at the IISc. We were just excited about the campus and the boulevards there and the stipend and what not! But not once did we talk about the coaching there. When you're genuinely excited for someone, every small thing looks exciting. IISc didn't happen, but all the better ISRO did!! And I am so proud of her :).  Every time I talk about my best friend to anyone, I sure mention she works there. Anyways, back to the younger ones, my sister's friend was happy for my sister and that was all that mattered..I wish both of them all the good luck for their endeavours.

Until next time,
Chandana C. Shekar

My First Take At Story Writing :-) :-)

To,
 Dr.Priya Raghavan
G-3, Gayathri Apartments,
Basavanagudi, B'lore.

.. read the address written on an envelope in her mailbox. Priya instantly recognised the handwriting. Her heart missed a beat. She wanted to open the mail right there; but managed to get to her apartment , so that she could read it in peace. She knew she would go weak in her knees after reading it. She always did, whenever it was anything from 'him'. Sharath , the only guy, whom she had ever allowed access to her life, a long 3 years ago. The only guy, she loved more than love. The only guy, to whom she had given more rights over her, than to herself. The only guy , who was synonymous with the world for her. That one person, who she trusted more than she trusted God. The only one ,who had managed to stay on her mind, heart and soul 24*7, even though he was miles away.

She opened the letter, her eyes already filled with tears of joy. It had been two months since he had called or even written to her. She never questioned it, because she could not. He worked with Merchant Navy. He was sailing. She couldn't call him on the ship's satellite phone.She did not have an address to write to. Her e-mails had bounced back, and she had no idea as to why. Yet, yet, yet, she had no complaints. She trusted him. She convinced herself that he is busy somewhere. She wished nothing had gone wrong with him..... And as she opened the letter, there it was,... the words, in black, on white,...

"Hey Priya, I'm sorry to say this. I don't mean to make things turn ugly, but.. we need to break-up! Can't give you explainations now. But trust me, this is how it was supposed to end. Sorry again. Take care -  Sharath".

Blank.. blank.. blank... Priya's tears of joy took less than a second to dry out. They also failed to come out of her eyes. She was shocked, awestruck, numb.. She couldn't believe this was reality. How could this happen to her? She had never sensed anything of this sort coming her way. He, among all people on earth couldn't have done this to her. How could he see her hurt? How could he leave so many questions unanswered? How could it be so easy for him? Just two lines and everything over? Had he even thought what would happen of her? How could it be fine when they were not together? Why this? Why her? Why now? She was supposed to go home to her parents that week, and she planned to talk to them about him. And now this? All the Hows and Whys swept through her mind like a hurricane. She sat there, as immobile as a stone, staring into nowhere.

Three days passed. She sat in her living room, staring at the newspapers at her door, which she hadn't bothered pick up. Her colleague called to tell her that her Professor was really mad at her for staying absent without a notice. She knew that would come. Being a Post Graduate student in Medicine, when she had patients under her care, emergencies to handle and a lot more duties, she just couldn't stay away from hospital like this. Not without assigning somebody else to handle her duties. She had got leave for only 4 days for her sister's wedding too. And that was starting tomorrow! She knew she was in trouble. But nothing seemed worst than what had happened to her. She had lost her 'everything'. Life itself had come to a stand still. What would she do after becoming a physician? All her dreams of the future were associated with him. And now, how could she live life with his slot empty?

Just as she thought of that, 'Sindhu' blinked on her phone. Her elder sister was calling . "Hey Munni, when are coming home? I'm waiting for  you to come and apply mehendi for me. You know that I'm not getting it done at any parlour right? Come soon da!". .. Priya thought for a second and said, "Yeah, almost leaving". Sindhu was getting married. Unlike Priya, Sindhu always wanted to get into an arranged marriage, to see her parents happily bid good bye to her, and then, open up her life for the person, who the world thought suited best for her. Love for her, was too risky. Whenever Sindhu had said this, Priya always thought to herself, 'My love isn't risky. It's bliss'. Priya couldn't let her sorrow ruin Sindhu's wedding celebration. She packed her bags, and left,...for home... for Chennai.

Two days later, the D-day finally arrived. Priya had never seen Sindhu as happy as she was now. She wondered if she herself could ever ever be this way. She hated it when people said, 'So priya, you are the next one in line!".It made her heart bleed again and again. She helped the bride get ready, to look her best. Sindhu looked gorgeous, the perfect bride -happy, smiling, calm, anxious and shy. Priya felt really happy for her. She said, "Akka, sometimes in life, we fail to understand the value of  people who are always there for us. We never wonder what would happen of us if not for them. I just can't think of being what I am, if you weren't in my life. Sorry for the times that I hurt you. And Thanks for all the times when you lost, just to make me win. Thanks for everything. I love you". Sindhu's eyes were moist. Her little kiddo sister had grown up. The same girl, who she had taught rhymes to, was giving speeches now!. They hugged each other. They realised that they loved each other a lot lot more than they themselves knew.

"Munni, the Groom's arrived...get the aarthi thaali", Priya's mom shouted from the across the hall. Priya flashed a smile and went to welcome the Groom and his family. She hurried to the entrance,and there, ... she froze.

She remembered telling Sharath on the phone, 6 months ago, "I'm so dying to see you honey, that when I finally will, I'm sure the ground will slip off my feet".. And it happened. Right then. Right there.

Her 'akka' was getting married to 'her' Sharath!! She recalled not hearing to anything abour Sindhu's fiance, and not seeing the snap Sindhu had mailed her. She had then teasingly said, "Let there be some excitement and mystery. I shall see the 'arranged-marriage-hero'on the big day itself". Sharath knew that Sindhu had a sister called Munni. He hadn't even vaguely imagined that Priya and Munni could be the same. Maybe the once-in-a-fortnight, 15-minute-conversations on the satellite phone,that he and Priya had, never gave them enough time to talk about anything other than the love they cherished.

Priya had always taken everything from Sindhu. From parents, to clothes, to books, to dolls, to nail colours. And now, Sindhu had forver taken from her, the only thing that she truely wanted, the only thing that was solely 'hers'.

A week ago, after readin that letter, Priya had thought that she had lost everything in life... But now she realised, she had some more to lose,.... and she lost that too.

Yours truly,

Chandana C. Shekar

p.s. 1- My First time at story writing. Maybe it went a bit longer for a short story.Hope you enjoyed reading. I'm dying for feedback. Do comment. Bouquets and Brickbats most welcome :)

p.s. 2- And yeah, my creativity is tired after writing this story, and it's taking a nap. So, suggestions for the Title welcome too :)

p.s 3.- I love the last picture, It's my fav since months :). It speaks a lot.

Cheers :)

Chandana

Aarrgghh !!

For the first time in my internship, I'm regretting being on leave :( Yeah, you heard it right, It might sound insane, but yeah, its true. I must have said "What the hell", quite a few times now. No intern would repent being on leave. Even I wouldn't in other circumstances. We jump and grab the leaves we can get. But now, there are three things that are making me regret. One- I'm sick :-(. Two- It's happening during Ortho postings of the lot!! Three- I'm royally bored!!! Ortho postings has hardly any work to be done. Coming home by 11.30 am on free days feels nothing else but 'bliss'. And I'm missing out on that.. Wish I had fallen ill during some other postings when I had loads of work to do :( I would have slept with peace..

This fever is so sickening. It's changed from intermittent to continous now. I'm so royally bored sleeping all the time. The only other thing that's happening is that music is playing. And my 'younger' sister keeps advising me to stop it coz she thinks that it'll give me a headache!! My younger sister reigning over me? yeah, I know, power does a lot to people. Mom's not in town.So, my sister thinks she is responsible to look after my health now. Poor girl, she ends up asking me if I want anything umpteen times a day. Mom will be back tomorrow. I'm glad. It's always so nice to have Mom around.

Gave my blood for repeat investigations. Waiting for the reports. Have to call the physician after that. I realise, there are a few advantages being a doctor. Or even a doctors' kid. No need to worry about hospital hours, even for the slightest problems. Things get done anytime. :-) I wouldn't have consulted a physician for this fever. Thought it's viral. But it's been a week and sumptoms aren't reducing.So, my parents need 'expert' opinion for that. lolz. See, when your kith and kin fall sick, you forget that you are a doctor too :-).

My friends are giving me varied diagnosis every time they call me. And they seem to be very sure of it. It's fun when they say, "This disease doesn't usually present like this, but it can you know?"..Yeah, yeah, I know :). See, this is what happens when you know half and half :). Anyways, best one was when somebody said 'swine flu'.. hehehe... How could he say that? But poor guy, i appreciate his concern :)

One of my best friend's wedding got finalised. I'm so happy for her. The wedding's after a year. I just wish it was somewhere at a more nearby date. I'm sure I'll be a part of it. So wondering if it could happen somewhere now. Atleast would have had some excitement in life. lolz :) . I guess it'll be the first wedding among my 'best' friends. So, pretty excited about it. :)

I seem to have fallen in love with the song 'chor bazaari' from the movie 'Love aaj kal'. Been hearing it over and over again. Love the beats in the song somehow. My sis says that I need to change the song. I've played it so many times that she has the lyrics by-heart itseems.lolz. I won't change. Getting some sadistic pleasure by irritating her ;-) .

Ok, I'm hungry now. Need to go eat something. Feels so good scribbling my mind out. I feel less 'aarrgghh'. I hope you guys don't feel 'aarrgghh' reading it :) . If you do, don't write to me.. Write to..,.maybe...hmmm... My sister... lolz ;-)

Take care

Chandana C. Shekar

Random happenings..

Running around shopping is the only thing I've been doing nowadays other than my internship. Are you thinking, what's so new in that? Wait a minute, I've not shopped anything for myself!!! That's 'news' na? :) Shopped for Mom's birthday gift. Lotsa things for my aunt and uncle. They are going to USA to meet their son ( my cousin brother), so bought quite a few things for him. Went to the best places to buy all of them. Had to send it to my brother after all you see :). And I'm writing 5 digit accounts (all of them are true ones) :). Now all that's remaining is packing and I'll do it tomorrow.

My co-intern (my friend) caught chicken pox from nowhere yesterday. I agree that we are working in Dermat department. But we had never seen a case of chicken pox till yesterday. God knows from where she got it. Poor girl, she comes to the hospital in the morning with vesicles on her face and stuff and gets diagnosed as chicken pox. Couldn't see the look on her face. :( Miss her at work. Her parents are worried about her health and if whether the scars will remain for long, and this girl is worried about whether she will get leave or will she be marked absent!! Well, in one way , that's genuine you see. If at all she gets marked absent, she will have to do extra duty-days later!!! There is just one leave for every fifteen days as per rules, and she has already availed that before her chicken pox episode. Poor girl, hope she gets well soon and gets leave too :) Get back to work soon gal :)

My sister's been after my life since the past few days to make me lose weight and I'm running away from her. Hate exercising man. But I need to lose some weight sure. Hope I start running on the treadmill soon :) She's got to know that I write a blog and she read it yesterday. She saw dedications for my brother and mom on my blog, and has started nagging me to write something on my blog for her. She says 'it's no big deal' that I've written two poems for her!!! Well, little ones you see!! :) Oh yeah, think of the devil and the devil appears. She's come to my room now saying 'hi, wasup'. I know for sure ki its not just a 'wasup' and there's something more coming up. So I better sign off now and see what mischief she's upto !!!

Chandana C. Shekar