Everything is fine now that everything is clear now. That's what Priya wanted to believe but there was a feeling in her chest. She wanted to get rid of it but she didn't know how to.
The heads decided to have lunch together and invited Priya to join but she did not want to have Lunch they insisted so she had to say yes. Priya found it awkward to understand why 40+ ages Uncles want to have lunch with her. They went to a restaurant and ordered. They also ordered wine and asked if Priya could drink.
Priya: I am not much fan of alcohol but I drink on occasion and being with you all is my honour so no less than an occasion so sure.
(I feel strange here) Priya thought.
All the men started to be frank with Priya.
Head Rakesh: Ah...you are really beautiful you got it from your mother, she was a beauty and such a hottie so is your big sis. Such a pity your brother-in-law was a jerk. Haha..ha.
Head Mohan: You are kind of lucky as with such an ugly face you got a beautiful wife. I was amused by your wedding how did she agree to marry you? Haha...ha.
Other heads started to laugh with Head Mohan and Head Rakesh got it that he said too much without thinking.
Priya felt nice when Head Mohan defended her Ma and Big Sis. Head Mohan is Priya's Ma cousin but she hasn't seen him in ages.
Mohan went out to receive a call. Priya chased after him because she wanted to talk to him in private. After Mohan finished talking he was about to go in but Priya called out for him and he noticed it.
Head Mohan: Priya what is it? Do you happen to need something?
Priya: Uh...Uncle, it's.
She hesitated
Head Mohan: If you are thinking about what that trash said ignore him, people like him are all around the place.
Priya: Oh yeah I know what you are trying to say but... I wanted to thank you for defending my family thank you.
Mohan stared at Priya with a poker face.
Priya: W-what is it? Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry.
Head Mohan: How can you apologize when you don't even know what you did wrong?
Priya: I'm sorry.
Head Mohan: Here you go again. Kid, I understand why you did not say anything to him to his face cause you were trying to be polite and respectful. You are representing your family but I was just thinking that did you forget I'm your family too so your family is also my family.
Priya: Yeah...Thank you. Uncle Gopi.
Head Mohan: Whoa you finally called me Uncle Gopi I feel so nostalgic. You have grown up huh? It's like just yesterday I was having a conversation with my Sis your ma that you are still a kid but now you seem to be grown up and also doing good.
Priya: Yes, Uncle thank you.
Head Mohan: I want to chat more but I'm leaving now as I was called. So do well kiddo and I hope to meet you again.
Priya: Oh ok Uncle, It would be my pleasure to meet you again.
Priya touches Mohan's feet to pay him respect as in Hindu tradition people do.
Mohan smiled and said while blessing her.
Head Mohan: Bless you, my child. May God always protect you and keep you happy.
Priya felt like it had been a long since she was blessed traditionally it made her happy and a bit relieved. She thought she should pay more attention towards her traditions and went to a Rahde Krishna temple. And went back to the hospital to finish her shift.
She was asked to work in the Emergency Department right after she came back. But she did not complain and started to do her work, she assisted in a few emergency operations and checked on patients. She didn't have the time to even check how late it was and it was already 12:30 at night. She drank coffee as she was asked to assist in more operations. At nearly 2 am she went to sleep and she slept in the hospital's doctor's chambers. ER, department doctors are always asked to be active as at any time they have to work so Priya decided to sleep at the hospital for a while until she got used to the Emergency Department. Priya woke up at 5 she knew it was still early but she was not able to get back to sleep. She asked the head maid Asha to bring her a change of clothes and took a Shower. She went to the hospital garden to have some fresh air and went to a quiet place. Priya sat down on the grass and took a long breath.
Priya: It's been so long since I last time came to this hide-out...
Priya heard some sounds and had a hunch that someone was watching her.
Priya: Well, you right there hiding behind the bushes came in front of me.
No One's come.
Priya: Want me to call security?
"NO. I'm coming." a kid answered. A kid in a patient's dress, hands in the sky and wearing a funny cap came out.
Priya: Why are your hands up? I said I had call to security, not the cops.
"How did you know I was there? Was I obvious?" the kid asked Priya.
Priya: Not it's just I... got experience to know when someone is looking at me. What's your name by the way?
Same: It's the Same. You are a ninja.
Priya: Ninja? And me? I'm not a ninja in this Doctor dress with a white coat you see? I'm a doctor here.
Same: But the other doctors were not able to find me when I hid from them.
Priya: They are a bit weak at hide and seek I guess. Hey, kid what happened to you you are a patient here.
Same: Oh I'm going to become a star soon in the sky.
Priya was shocked after listening to the kid.
Priya: What the. I mean what are you saying? What is your age?
The kid took off his cap and he was blad.
Same: I'm 11 years old. And I told the truth I heard people become stars after dying so will I.
Priya: Do you know what-
Before Priya could finish her sentence Sneha interpreted
Sneha: Same come here.
Before Priya could complete her sentence, Nurse Sneha came for the kid.
Sneha: Why do you keep hiding? It's your medicine time so come.
Same: Aww I wanted to play with Miss Ninja.
Sneha: Later, now come take your meds.
Same went inside to take his medicine but before going he asked Priya to play with him later. Priya asked Sneha what happened to the kid and what Priya was hoping for not to it was it. Sneha told Same got Cancer and it's AML acute myeloid leukaemia.
This leukaemia can cause bone and joint pain, fatigue, weakness, pale skin, bleeding or bruising, fever, weight loss, and other symptoms. Acute leukaemia can grow quickly, so it needs to be treated ( typically with chemotherapy) as soon as they are found. There is an estimated 50% to 80% of people with acute myeloid leukaemia achieve complete remission after treatment.
Priya: All of a sudden I realized again that being a Doctor is a very tough job. Emotions are not allowed huh?
Sneha: I can understand. I...still am not used to this job. How funny.
To be continued.