SCOPE,HEART AND ME
With sunrise begin the hectic schedule of Dr. Balachandran, a well known
cardiac surgeon of the region. He is recognized as the best cardiac surgeon
available, being successful in many operations that all other surgeons had lost
hope in. He is almost equal to a God to many whose life he had saved. His hands
seem to be blessed to save life. He is a heart doctor who understands the heart
of his patients literally and metaphorically. Dr. Balachandran sat on his bed
next to his sleeping wife, Reena. She seems to be sleeping peacefully. The lady
had suffered a lot for him. She is the pillar of his success. She has
been keeping lots of his secrets for past many years. She is an iron willed
wife and a tender mother. Balachandran
removed a strand of hair that had fallen to Reena's face. She slept on. He went
for his morning jogging.
As he went, he saw light in Kajal's room.
Her final exams are coming up real soon but Balachandran has no fears. She is a
hard working and intelligent girl. She knows to take the right decision at the
right time. She is a kind of girl who makes any father proud. Balachandran
smiled as he entered the dark streets. He is blessed with a wonderful family.
His wife, Reena had gone against her family to marry Balachandran and so had
Balachandran. Neither of them had seen their parents after marriage. The last
time Balachandran saw his father was when he came to his college hostel to
demand that either he should not marry Reena or be disowned. Balachandran chose
the second option as he refused to cheat the girl who had given him her
heart. Balachandran was still in the college when he married Reena. He had to
do all the odd jobs at night and attend college during day to support himself
and his wife. But he succeeded and now leads a very happy life. It’s almost 26
years after his marriage.
Dr Balachandran finished his
daily round and walked towards his O.P. As usual there was a crowd in front of
his O.P. Every one stood up as they saw him to express their respect and
gratitude and Dr Balachandran nodded and smiled at them. Unlike his
colleagues, his smile was genuine. He recognized all of them. As he
settled on his room, Visak entered giving him a warm smile. Visak was 18, same
as his Kajal. Even though there was a bright smile in visak's face, his face
appeared to be tired. The poor child's condition is worsening day by day. Dr. Balachandran
had done all the treatments that was possible but with very little effect. There
was only one thing left to do, but....
"Dr Uncle. Guess what? I'm selected to go for inter-school dance
competition to be held next month. I want to win this competition. Please pray
for me." Dr. Balachandran was unable to bring a smile to his face. The
poor child may not live for one more month. He had a promising future, but will
he have the future? He is not only a dancer, he is bright in studies, and is an
exceptional singer. Most probably the hero of the school. He is Kajal's
schoolmate. Kajal used to narrate proudly about his helpful nature and leading
ability as a school captain. Everyone at school loves Visak. Kajal had said
once. Visak was going on about his plans about the dance competition. Dr.
Balachandran strongly advised him not to practice for some time. His condition
is very bad and even a slight exertion to his heart can have fatal results. Dr.
Balachandran tried his best not to hurt the child's feelings while explaining
not to practice. It was really difficult for him to do that.
Reena was
sitting in a small hut. It was raining outside and the hut was leaking. It was
really cold but Reena was not bothered. She was worried that her Bala has not
returned yet. He was working hard to meet the two ends together. Tears poured
from her eyes as she thought about Bala studying in the day to be a doctor and
working as a waiter in the night in the local bar. Her childhood friend, Bala
was born in a rich family. Nobody thought he will have such a fate. Reena
patted her tummy. She was not sure whether or not to tell Bala that she was
pregnant. Bala may not be able to afford a child at the moment but abortion
will never be an option for him. When Bala came after midnight, drenched in
rain, Reena told him that their family is going to be complete. Bala was so happy.....
Reena was 7months pregnant. She was slowly walking down the stairs of the
hospital when somebody called her from behind. She turned back, slipped feet, there
was pain. She was sleeping. Something happening to her tummy.The pain. A voice
telling that she may not be... periods of unconsciousness.... a baby moving
away from her... a dead baby... A hand on the shoulder.....
Reena woke up drenched in sweat. Her
old memories had once again surfaced in her dreams. She decided never to sleep
during day again. She always sought refuge in her garden among the colorful
flowers. This is how she spent her time while her husband and Kajal are away.
Kajal bounced into her home. Her last exam just got over. Now she can spend a
few months without school before joining college. She had some plans for
college which she wanted to discuss with her father. That can wait though. She
thought about how to spend her vacation. She had some tour programs planned
with friends. Her father had given her permission earlier itself. Kajal's best
friend Sneha didn’t get the permission from her parents so she has decided to
lie to her parents and go. She said its all worth the risk. All her friends had
some sort of adventure or risk. They did something or other that their parents won’t
approve of. All except Kajal. She wanted to do something as well. Something
harmless. She had no idea what to do...
Visak was brought in
emergency department, unconscious. He had tried to practice for the dance
competition next week. His weak heart couldn't manage the extra work. He
was shifted to ICU. Dr Balachandran did all that was in his power to sustain
his life. Now only one more thing to do. But that is almost impossible.
Kajal entered
her father's study. A lot of documents were stacked in the rack. She remembered
her mother scolding her once for entering the small room in the back of
his study. Her mother told that the room is full of delicate instruments. Kajal
wanted to see that delicate instruments now. She entered the room not knowing
that it’s not filled with delicate instruments but with delicate memories. The
room was dark. Kajal fumbled in darkness and found a light switch. The room was
full of some old framed photographs. She looked at them. It was of a man she
never saw before. He had his arms around her father. Looking at him started a
feeling of uneasiness in her stomach. She saw a few more pictures of her dad
with that man. He seemed to be rich. Then there was a wedding photo. That man's
wedding. The bride was beautiful. Kajal was not feeling well at all. The bride
now has a small child in her lap. Reena was gazing lovingly at the child.
Visak's father fell on Dr. Balachandran's feet. "Please take my life. Just
save my child." Dr. Balachandran was stunned. He didn't know what to do.
The poor child was struggling for his life. He didn't notice his phone buzzing.
He didn't notice anything. He could only see Visak fighting to keep his life.
Kajal saw an old diary. Her father do not usually write diary. This is not a
daily diary. It was a narration of Balachandran's life at Bangalore. After
finishing MBBS, Balachandran went to Bangalore with his wife to work in a
hospital. There he met Advocate George, son of a rich businessman. They became
thick friends soon. George took initiative to finance further studies of
Balachandran. They were happy together. Balachandran helped George to get his
love of life, Sherly. The two couples lived happily for some time. Sherly gave
birth to a girl child. The child was given the name Kajal on Balachandran's
suggestion....
A lightning had
struck. it had begun to rain, The diary fell from Kajal's hand. She couldn't
move. Her legs turned into lead. A small paper slip fell from the diary. She
picked it up. There was an address of a house in Bangalore. Her real home, she
thought. Where her real parents live. She stormed out of the room. She was not
sure what was the emotion pouring through her heart. She hopped into the car in
garage and set out into rain.
Dr. Jimmy entered the ICU. Dr. Balachandran was sitting near Visak's bed
holding his hand. Jimmy was a young and dynamic doctor who joined cardiology
department recently. "Heart transplantation is only way left and we need
to perform it within a few hours if we want any hope" Jimmy reminded his
boss. "I know" croaked Balachandran, "Sir; a girl was brought to
emergency department. It was an accident. She is brain dead" Balachandran
was still emotionless. Another death. Why is this young generation so careless?
“Sir, we can use her heart if we get consent" . Dr. Balachandran looked at
Jimmy. He was unable to decide what to do. He was in a numb state.
Reena was calling Bala continuously. When she returned from temple in the
evening, servants informed her that Kajal went out in car. The small room was
found open and the diary was thrown on ground. Reena understood what happened,
but she didn't know what to do. Balachandran was not picking the phone.
"Sir. I am trying to trace the girl’s identity. It will take a long time
for police to get us the information. I will try on my own. The girl had this
address in her hands. May be this will help" Dr. Jimmy raised an old paper
piece. Absentmindedly Balachandran looked at the address. He got a shock. He
himself had written that address on that paper more than twenty years before,
when he first met George. Realization and memories crashed over Balachandran.
George had appeared against an infamous politician of the region in the court.
The politician had sent goons to kill George and his family. Two year old Kajal
was with Reena in Balachandran's home when the criminals killed George and
Sherly. The cruel politician wanted to kill the two year old as well to
complete his revenge, Balachandran, knowing this fled to Kerala. He managed to
make fake birth certificates and all necessary documents and made the two year
old Kajal his own daughter. The same Kajal who is now nearly dead, whose heart
he was about to take out. He had loved her more than anything in this world.
Even more than his wife. But now she is gone.
"NO, I CANT KILL MY OWN DAUGHTER. NEVER" Balachandran shouted at
himself and he fell on ground. A confused Jimmy tried to support his weight but
failed. Balachandran was in a pathetic state, mumbling to himself.
10 hours later... Operation was successful. Balachandran descended the steps of
his hospital. he believed that he killed his daughter to give life to a boy..
"And the best actor award goes to ...... my favorite, the young and
talented...
a beautiful show
hostess with heavy makeup was shouting through the microphone.
"Visak" she finished. A handsome youth rose from the crowd and walked
towards the podium. He acknowledged the audience and received the award. He
took the microphone and said “this award do not belong to me. It is for Kajal,
the girl who gave her heart to save my life. The girl i never saw alive. And
also to her father, Dr. Balachandran, the living God. I owe my life to you
sir." A small drop of tear trickled out of his eyes as he sat in the front
row and blessed the boy. His Kajal will be clapping for Visak.
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