It was 10 PM. I was trying hard not to fall asleep but I have no clue when I dozed off. I was in my own world of dreams when suddenly the loud Nokia tune broke my deep sleep.
I woke up with a start and I knew it would be Monish….
Had it been someone else, I would have cursed him really bad for spoiling my sleep, but Monish was IMPORTANT… perhaps more important than sleep.
“Hello??”
I said in an absolutely sleepy voice.
“Hey sorry Rimsha… I thought you must be awake so thought of calling you…Its okay… Go to sleep. We can talk later”
“Hey its absolutely fine. Now I am awake… Say how’s life at your end?”
“Same ol’ life… Patients, plasters and surgical plates….”
“Ohhh… You still in the ward? You stay there itself??????” I asked in a puzzled tone.
“Ya kinda… I am a resident doctor…Basically I am from Ahmedabad… Where are you from???”
“Valsad… Heard of it???”
“Yeah of course…Been there too…”
There was an awkward silence for a while when suddenly Monish said
“Hey sorry I had to rush in the evening. My senior had come to call me.”
“Oh that’s absolutely fine Dr. Work comes always first…”
“By the way, I always forget to ask you… Are you an intern??”
“Yes… How did you know????”
“Hahaha… I have been spying you…”
“Seriously???? But why???” I was shocked.
“Oh God Rimsha… You get worried in little things… Remember you had given me your marksheet???”
“Shittt.. Yes… How did I forget… How did you manage the attestation?”
“It was easy … My friend’s dad is a doc. in Nadiad… So that’s how………”
I interrupted – “Ohhh you know what? I cannot thank you enough… I am really obliged”
“Really???? How about giving me a party????”
“You serious ?????”
“Obviously… I don’t joke about asking for a treat…”
“Ummmm…”
I hesitated for a few seconds.
Today when I look back, it really makes me think ‘Was it actually my second phone call conversation’…
“Rimsha… So gai????”
“No no… I was just wondering when would we both be free”
“Hahaha.. So damn true.. I hardly have time… We can meet up someday in the canteen… Are you studying for further studies or are you planning a clinic?”
Thank God… He changed the topic.
“I am studying for the post-graduation entrance exam…”
“Awesome…”
I did not let him finish what he was going to say
“Awesome??????? It is so damn toughhhh….. and the worst part is they can ask any damn thing… Even questions from your entrance exam…”
“Rimsha … Don’t worry… I can help you with studies too…”
“Oh wow… Now that’s what sounds AWESOME…”
“You planning to talk to me all night or what??? Now that you’ve already woken up….”
“No no Monish… Carry on… We’ll talk tomorrow… You also go to sleep…”
“Why not today??”
“Today??? Ummmmmmmmmm…”
“It is 1 AM Rimsha… It is already morning”….
“Shitttttt… Ya ya… we shall talk today…Sleep now… Thank you for calling. Bye Monish…”
“See you around, Rimsha…”
I hung up at 1:03 AM and my phone vibrated at 1:05 AM…
“Hey !!! It was nice talking to you… Good night Rimsha…”
