Me & My World
The Doctor’s job is so boring and monotonous. It is equal to manual labour. I hate doctors. I hate the word doctor. I hate to get
up early. I hate to dress up plainly and I hate to go to hospital every day. At the end, I hate the person who forced me to
become a doctor and that is my Mom. She thought saving people’s lives and earning big bucks are cool. But she didn’t
foresee the fact that being a government physician, (Who usually gets their postings in villages) I have to miss city life, family,
fashion, friends and everything. By the time I realised what I missed, I was stuck here in this godforsaken place (this village is
actually called Chinturu) where all I see is sick villagers coming for medical help and 2 medical assistants.
I don’t mind helping sick people, but what about my life? And how am I supposed to find a groom here anyway? I tell this to my
family and they laugh at my face. This is so not fair. I am rebelling against this whole system. Doctors should be in a position
to decide where they want to live and do their practice. They should send those good old doctors who want to be in villages
and eat gaas poos, not gorgeous young girls like me.
But this story is not about my problems. In fact this is about the miracle of my life which, I never expected would happen. So
let’s start. As usual, I went home from the clinic while the sun was setting slowly. I don’t have the luxury of using a bike to go
home since my home is within one kilometre from the clinic. I slowly unlocked the door after wishing Rangamma, who was
patiently waiting for me to come home so that she can clean my house and do the dishes.
She is my maid who comes twice a day and to do the dishes, laundry, cleaning and cooking. She lives nearby and never
misses her work. So poor me never gets to do any work at home. Rangamma was recruited by my Mom who comes to my
place once in two months in order to see that everything is as per her liking. Moreover, I strongly suspect that Rangamma also
acts as a spy. You know, informing my Mom about my daily activity and what rules I broke, etc. I don’t have any proofs though.
Right now Rangamma is carrying all those vegetables given by the villagers, who are my patients. I never get to go to market
and buy vegetables and milk because of these silly fellows. When will they understand that they don’t have to pay anything to
a government doctor? Anyway, I let Ramgamma clean my house, do the dishes to her utmost satisfaction and shooed her
away. She packed rotis & curry in a hot pack before leaving. So I have to eat them right away. God, how many things can a girl
do?
I called my Mom and listed all my complaints and as usual she rubbished them. According to her I am lucky to get a job like
this in a place where pollution cannot affect my health and I don’t need to shell out for anything and my big salary is safe in the
bank. She is in search of a bali ka bakra groom who is also a doctor and who works in a place near to my place. It is her plan
to trap me in this village forever, but I am not going to let her do this to me. Though I don’t know how right away, I will figure
out something. I intend to include my Dad in my rebellious plans. I just can’t spend the rest of my life in this out-of-the-way
area minus all the fun.
For now I just listened to her and said ahhs and ohhs when required. She is so excited about all those sarees and jewels she
bought for me. She is piling all these items for my wedding. She bought sarees, jewels, furniture, kitchen utensils and even
zeroed in some function halls also for wedding. All that is lacking is the groom which she will get very soon she assures me.
According to her, she already has some nice boys put aside for me to check, as if my opinion mattered. If I know her, she must
be checking their background before coming to a decision.
At the end, she concluded saying that I have to apply my annual leaves along with my weekend holidays this time. So that she
can show those nice boys to me and decide. "Ashnita, why can't you listen to your parents? Whatever we do is for your future.
Look at your cousins and friends, they all married the boys their parents selected", she yelled at me when I tried to say
something about leaving the job and postponing marriage plans. Against my heart's strong defiance, I said okay and cut the
call. I will think about it later.
For now I opened the novel "Life of Pi", which I bought during my last visit to city. Poor fellow, Pi is also facing problems like
me. He also has to spend days alone with animals. I can understand his situation. It is actually little better than me. Animals
won't speak and demand answers. I heaved a sigh and ate my dinner.
Other than my Mom and Rangamma the only person who comes to my house is my friend Maria. We were classmates and
benchmates at school. Though our careers took different directions after school, we remained close mainly due to Maria. I am
always this hot tempered, aggressive and foot-in-mouth girl, whereas Maria is smart, charming and speaks all the right words
at the right times. She makes me happy with her witty talk and affection. She works as a HR in a reputed corporate company
in Hyderabad and is the mother of a cute child. She visits me whenever she gets little time out of her hectic city life and brings
her kid whenever her hubby is too busy to babysit.
I always look forward to her visits and pour my heart out to her. She gives me right advices and it soothes my nerves. At times
she acts as bridge between my mom and me. Amazingly, I was always able to open up and accept my mistakes in front of her,
but never with my mom. Her last visit was four months ago and I miss her terribly.
Just before sleeping I called her and made her promise that she will visit me soon. I asked her to bring her son Chris this time.
He is such a delight to be around with and I want to show him the lotus pond and sugar cane fields situated just outside the
village. I can hear her husband, Sam, laughing in the background. My state of affairs and my grumbles are always a laughing
stock for him. Men are always the same. I muttered angrily before going to sleep.