Destiny

26. Things Getting Settled

Anupama was able to walk now, and she was going to be discharged the next
day. She had been a good patient, and had followed the doctor’s advice
sincerely, so her progress had been fast. Every day, she would slowly walk from
her room to Vasant’s chambers and then go back, as she had been told to practise
walking a little.

When she was leaving the hospital, Vasant told her, ‘You are fine now. Make
sure you eat well and you will recover fast.’

She paid her bill and thanked Vasant, ‘Thank you, doctor, for all that you have
done for me. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for all that you have done.
Being able to speak Kannada again made me feel so much at home.'

Vasant felt a little embarrassed as he was not used to being thanked so Profusely. He said, ‘If you really want to thank me, invite me to see the play that you are directing.’

Anupama was surprised, ‘How do you know about that?’

‘Satya told me. It seems one of the plays that you directed received an award.
It was announced in the Kannada Sangha at Matunga. We go there often.’

‘By all means. Actually I am directing a play for the Dusshera festival. Please
do come. I will send the invitation.’

‘Two of us will come, but please don’t send passes. I want to buy tickets. No
performing art should be seen free of cost.’

‘Entry is free, so don’t worry about tickets. Do bring your wife.’

Vasant laughed heartily. ‘I’m still unmarried. I don’t have anyone either, like you. I will come with Satya. He’s my roommate.’

Anupama felt a little awkward and said, ‘I am sorry, doctor.’

‘Why are you apologizing? You never asked me anything. I chose to tell you
about myself.’

Anupama had also become well acquainted with Satya by this time. She said goodbye, gave him her visiting card and left, saying, ‘Keep in touch'

🍃🍃

A few months later, Satya and Vasant went to attend their colleague’s wedding in Bandra. They were both surprised when they saw Anupama there. She had recovered completely and looked happy.
‘Hello doctor, it’s so nice to meet you again,’ Anupama smiled.

Satya happily started a conversation with her. ‘It is not always nice to meet
doctors! They remind one of sickness and surgery.’

Anupama disagreed, ‘No, doctors always remind me of service and hope!’

Vasant interrupted, ‘How come you are here?’

‘The bride is my student.’

‘The groom is our colleague,’ Satya told her.

There was a two-hour break between the wedding ceremony and lunch.

‘My house is close by. I must go and check on something. Please come and
have a cup of tea before lunch,’ insisted Anupama.

Vasant was keen on getting to know her better and immediately agreed.

‘Not now. We will come some other time,’ said Satya who was in no mood to
exert himself.