Love Hurts Love Heals

In the crowded city of Mumbai, at a high 30 storey building,

-At the Office-

"What the hell? We've been waiting for them for twenty minutes Dad. Do they think that the meeting is at 11 in the night instead of 11 in the morning? Who is he to keep Abhishek Malhotra waiting?" A muscular, fair skinned man with soft black hairs yelled. He was in his mid-twenties.

"Quiet Abhishek. Just because you rarely come to office on time doesn't mean everyone should be there at that time. Mr. Kumar is a very punctual man. And if he is late, there must be some big reason. He is neither calling nor receiving the call." His father, Ram Malhotra said dialling his number continuously.

"Finally, he has called." Ram Malhotra said heaving a sigh. "Yes Mr. Kumar. We've been waiting for you.” He said politely.

Suddenly his expression changed to shock and he stood up from his chair. "What? No. We can conduct meeting anytime. You don’t worry about that. Just take care."

"What happened?" Abhishek asked uninterested while playing with the paper weight.

"Mr Kumar met with an accident on the way. They took him to the nearby Holy Family Hospital. I'm going there to see him, you handle here." Abhishek’s dad ordered before leaving.

"Fine." He spoke.

-At Holy Family Hospital-

A slim, lady doctor with long open hairs, and honey brown eyes covered by black rimmed glasses is reading 'Twilight' novel in her cabin. She sees a patient's parent rushing to talk to her. The woman is crying vigorously while explaining something.

The doctor turns to the woman. "Okay Don't cry please. I'll see to it." Saying this, both of them start walking towards the ward where a boy is yelling and shouting at everyone in sight.

"Look at him doctor. He’s my son, Naren. He's not ready to get himself treated. Already four doctors left due to his tantrums. Please help him.”

"So, he’s your son?" The doctor asked in her thin, silvery voice, straitening her black rimmed glasses.

"Yes. He injured his leg badly while practicing football and now he can't play for international tournament which will be held in a week. Doctors have said that he can walk if he gets treatment but it may take up to a few years. Therefore, he's not ready for it. He thinks they can't do anything. Please help him doctor." The woman was crying vigorously and pleading for her son but it didn’t seem to affect the boy’s stone heart anymore.

The doctor says in a little loud voice, "What are you saying ma'am? I think he's right. If he doesn't want to walk, or play football, who are we to interfere?"

Naren's mother was shocked at this reply but all the other doctors and staff smiled because they understand. "Hey boy. Naren right. Come with me. Nurse, please give him his walking stick." She said turning to the patient.

"Look if this is your trick, I’m not interested. Go away. I don't want any treatment.” The boy said rudely but the doctor smiled confidently and said, "Who is talking about treatment? I just want to walk around the hospital with you. Is it really a big deal? Or is it that you are afraid that you’ll change your mind?" She said smiling, clearly challenging him.

He was irritated by her constant smiling despite getting insulted, actually irritated by her confidence.

He stood up with the help of his walking stick and slowly followed her outside. She led him towards another ward and opened the door.

The boy was terrified by what he saw inside. A man was lying on a bed and he had no legs. His body ended on the knees but still he was laughing and smiling with some kids.

"He's a soldier who lost his legs while fighting for the country." The doctor said quietly.

"H... how can he be so happy despite that?" The boy stuttered pointing towards the man's legs.

"Because happiness comes from within. Our happiness depends upon us and not others. If we depend upon others for our happiness, we never get it. Come I've to show you something else too." She Led him towards a 12-year-old kid who was playing with a cube and was so happy as if there were no tomorrow.

“You know which section of hospital this is?" He shook his head in negative. She pointed towards the door and it had a board, CANCER WARD. The boy was horrified to the extreme.

"That boy you see, he's suffering from cancer, at second stage. We're still not sure if we can save him.” She said, sad and guilty over the fact. “Now instead of looking at the people who are walking and running and feeling helpless, why don’t you look at these people and feel grateful to God for what he has given you? Circumstances don't make us. The way we react to circumstances makes us. The same boiling water which softens the potato hardens the egg. Tell me the name of just one person who doesn't face problems in life. There's no one like that right. Just that some chose to deal with it with a positive attitude. I'm really amazed at your decision. I mean, you can give up your legs for football, but can't try to walk for your parents? Is football more important than their tears? When life gives you hundred reasons to give up, we should find one reason to hold on.

Your physiotherapist will be here in an hour. If you still feel that you don’t need your legs, you can say no to him. Take care”

By this time. The boy was terrified, amazed, grateful, sad and regretful at the same moment.

"Wait." He shouted back at the doctor who was walking away.

"Yes?" She turned around.

"I'm ready for treating myself. I don't want to hurt my parents." He said regretfully.

"Good. Now let's go. Your parents must be waiting." She beamed and led him towards his ward.

At a little distance, a man in his mid-fifties was standing and watching all this since the time the girl had started talking to the boy.

Just then his phone buzzed and he received the call, "Ram Uncle, I've done your work. Come to the office fast, I've to talk to you about it." Laksh Verma, Abhishek's best friend and lawyer said from other side. Ram had given him the responsibility of finding a perfect girl for Abhishek.

"Forget it Laksh. We don't need that now." He answered and disconnected the call leaving Laksh confused like hell.

The man walked towards her, "excuse me."

She turned around and elaborated, "Sorry Sir. I'm a little busy. I'll ask some other doctor to-"

"No. I'm not a patient. Actually, I had come to visit a friend who is admitted here. He's also stubborn like that boy. I doubt he'll give up on his treatment. So, if you could just...?” he lied because he wanted to talk to her, to know her more.

"OK. I will handle that too. Where's he?" She asked generously.

"Not now. Some other day. By the way, what’s your name?" Ram inquired.

“Dr. Roshni." She responded proudly.

"Roshni...?" He continued like a question expecting her full name.

"My name is Roshni. Just Roshni." She mumbled with a smile which didn't reach her eyes.

The man got the hint and didn't talk about it more. "OK then, I'll leave. Here's my card." He stated politely. "I know giving your number to a stranger isn't okay with you so keep this and call me when you’re free." He added.

"OK then see you later Mr...?" She trailed off not knowing his name.

"Mr. Ram Malhotra. Nice to meet you doctor." He responded.

They shake hands and she leaves While Ram is smiling victoriously. "Thank you, God, for listening my prayers. SHE IS SO PERFECT FOR HIM." He chimes and leaves.