The thing called life...

It was pleasant day. Holi had just marked the beginning of spring, after a long chilly winter season, the birds were singing in the verandah again, the sun was bright and warm; the clear blue sky with patches of white cotton like clouds made every heart sing and every face smile. Though things were not as good for the poor chap, he had to take his old man to the Pathology lab were the ultrasound had to be conducted, to check what was troubling the old fellow. On the doctors recommendations he took the patient to one of the most renowned pathology center. The long queue in the lobby at this early hour confirmed the popularity of the physician. Both father and son sat in the corner, both disturbed with the ongoing health issues of the silver locked fellow. They didn’t speak much; they hardly did before and were comfortable sitting quietly. There were three families in the waiting room. A Tibetan family, with an old man and his middle aged daughter, a woman with her teen son and a young couple. The receptionist was calling out names and the patients moved inside the lab where the ultrasounds were being done. Everyone seemed dull and worried, and why they shouldn't be, being at a doctor is not a reason to be happy about. The Tibetans were gloomy and were the first one to be called in. The old man had trouble walking and his daughter helped him in and onto the inspection bed. The middle aged woman went in next and came out more vexed. Though everyone seemed distressed at the lab, the young couple was an exception. They were Garhwali couple, chirpy, happy and beautiful. The man was average on his looks while the lady was incredibly beautiful. Like all newlyweds she wore bright red bangles, bright red sindoor, bright red lip color, bright red silk suit, and being fair herself she had pink face. She was the life at the doctor’s lobby. The lad couldn’t take his eyes off her, so did everyone else present there. They were called in next. Holding her husband’s hand she went inside. Now the lobby was dull and painful, it was exactly how a doctor’s waiting room should be like. The boy looked at the old man, his heart sank, how weak and feeble he had become. But they didn’t exchange a word. They sat next to each other. After 10 minutes the husband came out with the doctor. “There’s no heart beat.” The doctor said. The husband looked down, went inside and came out with his wife. Her big eyes filled with tears as big as pearls, her face turned red, unable to control her tears, she looked at her feet and hid her face in the dupatta. It was painful even to look at her. The husband sat next to her and while waiting for the reports. The receptionist handed over the report and the doctor said, “It will happen again, she has a condition…” as the doctor said this, she ran outside the premises and only thing we could hear was heart breaking loud cries.