In the Crevices of Memory

Chapter 9

"What is the first thing to ask while visiting a patient?" Dr. Irfan threw the question at Sara. Their evening round had just started when he began brain-picking her.

"Start by asking him briefly and friendly about his reason to visit," she started, running quickly her mind over all that she remembered from her classes, "one of your first concern is to find out his occupation, since that's where most of the clues are about his medical history the reason behind the particular ailment, for example, someone who drives truck will more than likely have lung issues, some clues about his usual diet pattern and lifestyle also helps. Proceed to check his reports, if he has any. Then according to all that analysis, recommend some tests." She had said all that quickly and was a little breathless by the end and looked at Dr. Irfan's back expectantly.

He walked ahead of her, on of his hand in his pockets and the other would stray to his face from time to time, twisting his small mustache.

They were trudging on the long, pristine lobby. Past the doors to senior's offices, labs, or other private rooms. Only pausing as they reached General Ward, that's where her lessons of today were to commence. Also where the lobby ended.

Dr. Irfan was nodding while still looking ahead. "Good, either your college thought you well or you watched too much of medical thrillers. Either way, you are easier than most of my students." His grumbled in the end, making Sara chuckle.

It was her first day of being actually on duty. Yesterday was dedicated solely for introductions to the staff members and a tour to the hospital. The facilities here were way better than she had initially expected. Especially considering the web-design of this hospital while she had found this job. Which had been awful, and there had been no gallery of the actual site. She had expected a rundown hospital in the middle of a dirty village. This place was neither.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you." Dr. Irfan suddenly turned, "today is the day our mutual boss will arrive and you will get the chance to meet him. I suggest you make your first impression worthwhile." He lowered his voice conspiratorially.

Sara bobbed her head, hiding her smile. He just loved mentioning Dr. Haider as their mutual boss. Maybe because he used to be Dr. Haider's teacher? The irony of having your own pupil as your boss must have seemed really funny to him.

"I am really excited to meet him, and hope to impress him enough to make your reputation just stronger," she said that with mock dedication. Dr. Irfan had been pretty obvious about how much he was fretting over the fact that Dr. Haider would not like her performance and that would make Dr. Irfan look bad in front of his own pupil. A beloved one at that.

This man with the same brown hairs, square face and grey eyes had all but replaced Sara's Baba. And so soon at that. Cut out the mustache, and he looked exactly like her father too.

"Dr. Irfan... why do you live here in the dorms alone and not with your family?" she blurted out the question before she had had time to register or feel that she was being snoopy. The Doctor stopped and turned. Peering at her was not the usual cheery and happy-go-lucky Dr. Irfan, but a shade of sadness were clouded in his eyes. Just like Baba's would, whenever she mentioned Skardu.

"I used to live with them, then they both died in an accident." He said that simply. Turned, and started walking again. All in the space of a breath.

Sara didn't followed, kept looking at his back. He turned again, an eyebrow raised.

"Uh, I am sorry sir. I didn't knew."

His face split into a smile, a pained smile. "Why? Were you the one who killed them?" he tried to sound playful but failed. Then took a deep breath, shook his head, and said. "No child, there is nothing to be sorry about. That was just fate."