Mamta Kalia

or may be out of fear of death. May
be she was sleeping with a joyous smile
and he had just seen death that was
irritating him. She was not only sleeping
but smiling too, whereas she was there
on duty for him. He was sick and unable
to sleep. He had nothing to say. He
did not require anything but wanted to
disturb her in her sleep. He thought
twice but ultimately could not resist
himself.
“Nurse” — Pankaj called her. There
was total silence around, as if the world
was over. Even if a cockroach tried to
come out of earth one could listen or
feel the slipping away of soil erosion.
But she did not respond. he was irritated
further and cried back — ‘‘nurse thanni
kudu” (nurse, get me water)
The nurse woke up with a shock.
Probably another shock for her was to
hear Tamil from him. She looked at his
dry face. She was as fresh as when she
was asleep. She must be around twenty
five. She had covered herself with the
blouse and cloak. She had a white-cap.
He did not know how to name her dresscode.
Even Ritu Kumar or Manish
Malhotra may not be aware of this as
they do not work for nurses and nuns,
he thought.
She got up with ease. Filled half glass
of water from the jug, which was kept
on the table itself and came closer to
him. When she was handing over the
glass of water to him he looked into
her eyes. Instead of getting hold on the
glass, he got hold of her hands. As the
94 :: April-June 2010
glass was just half filled, water did not
spill out.
Pankaj immediately pushed away his
hand.
“You please have this pillow at your
hack and I will give you sips”— She
said in a normal voice. He thought that
he was behaving abnormally.
“No, I shall take it.”—He controlled
himself and took the glass from her hands.
As soon as he finished she took back
the empty glass and put it back on the
table. Then she turned, came back to
him and said— “Sir, do you want anything
more.”
He didn’t say a word but caught hold
of her hand.
“Sir, do you want anything more?”
—She repeated her question. She had
a balanced voice full with confidence.
“What is your name?”
“Nurse”
“I am not asking your profession”
“Sozen Franklin”—She surrendered.
She did not involve herself in further
discussion.
“Can’t you sit near me? Please bring
that wooden stool near my bed.” — He
pleaded.
“Doctors have advised you not to
talk much.” — she said.
“You just sit by my side, that will
give me solace and ultimately that will
be good for my heart.” — He was pleased.
He had tried to convince her.