After 3 months

8 months into my senior residency I could say, that my treatment plans, way of dealing with cases and most importantly handling my stress have changed a lot. Amogh was as usual being romantic with me whenever he got a chance. I walked around the ward looking after kids who were giggling or crying due to pain. I love to be part of this world where I can reduce pain of a child and be a fairy to them.

"Ah! My beautiful doctor is here!." Sam exclaimed as he side-hugged me. After Varna, he has been a close friend to me here. Dhruv too but he rarely talks.

"It's snowing here. Very strange, we are seeing it in September 1st week." He commented as we looked outside. Sam held me by my shoulder and rubbed it as I felt a cold shiver through my body. Heaters around the room made it possible for us to roam in our scrubs.

"So what are your plans for tonight? Let's go for a barbecue?." He asked. I was about to nod my head when I saw a pair of hands sneak around my waist from behind. As I turned around, Amogh pecked my lips and looked at Sam with anger.

I don't understand his possessiveness after 4 years of our marriage.

Sam left us alone and we both walked to his cabin.
" I am so restless. I need you." He whispered holding me against his door. Still being gentle not to hurt me.

" Amogh, I am on duty. I am doing a residency here. You can't just kiss me whenever you want. There are rules." I scolded him. He pouted, locked his room, and made me sit on his lap.

"Tomorrow I have to go to Mumbai." He announced as I scrunched my nose.

"Why?." I asked him.

"My dad's death anniversary." He replied not looking at me. My eyes widened I completely forgot about it. Moving out of his lap, I opened my phone to book tickets as well.

"You will not travel with this condition. It's ok if don't attend this time. Everyone knows you got into an accident. Just stay here and be healthy. For 4 days? Please.?" He requested and I sat back on the chair.

He got the call, leaving me alone. I wanted to accompany him but my leave extension can't be granted. Amogh has always been closed off when it came to Papa's death anniversary. For him, the trauma is a permanent marker. I walked out to meet my colleagues who teased me. I can't believe no one says a word when my husband behaves like a toddler. They are scared of my uncle and respect Amogh due to his fame and his dad's good work. Still, I asked him not to hold me close in public or talk with me. It is like abusing my power.

Maybe he felt the same after marrying me?

"Anagha! Come for a check-up." Akira called me. I waited for her to do tests and sat quietly not saying a word.

"You are fine now. I don't understand why your husband insists on getting checkups done. Are you both planning for a child? Go forward with it. Don't worry about your surgery or wound. Nothing will happen. " She voiced out as a blush spread through my cheeks.

Child?

We have not touched each other intimately till now.

"Thank you. I will let him know." I politely spoke moving out of her cabin. Approaching my ward, I looked inside to see beds filled with kids. It is going to be extremely difficult this week as major cases were lined up followed by my weekly assessment. Greeting kids with a smile, i continued my work. Sam and other doctors came for rounds, greeted me and smiled. They were polite since the moment i was admitted in this hospital and the crazy threat given by Dr Amogh that if I dont wake up within 72hrs he will file a case against this hospital and Doctors who treated on me.

"Anagha, this patient has been admitted in our hospital since 4 days, we planned c-section for her delivery. Be sure to be present ok? Clear your schedule in case she goes into labour." My head Dr Geeta Ma'am ordered. I looked at her fragile body, something in me knew that she was too young then the age mentioned on the chart. Sitting beside her, I checked her pulse, regular check up. Her mom had tears in her eyes whereas the girl had no emotions.

"What happened? Arent you well?" I asked her. She looked at me did not say a word.

"What is your actual age?" I questioned her. Her mom got scared and fidgeted her fingers. Smiling at me nervously she informed that her daughter is just 19 years old. My suspicious was right, girl was of now not 19yrs. Her face clearly shows how young she is!

"If you dont tell us correct age, we will not be able to give her medications or drugs during surgery. If dosage increases, there are chances that she or the baby might not survive. Do not hide from us." I warned. Her mom excused herself saying she needs to call someone and left the girl alone.

"Mitra is it?" I asked her. She nodded her head as yes.

"What is your age? Were you forced to have this child? Do you know it is illegal to get married before 18yrs let alone have a child?" I said.

"In our village, we get married by 15yrs, if not our goddess will get angry. We should give birth to a child before we turn 18yrs, if not our child will die." She explained. That means she is between 15-18yrs old. These bloody superstitions have ruined our country!

"You cant possibly believe all that right? Does your husband know what will happen if you get pregnant at this age? What is his age?" I asked her.

"He is 18yrs old. He fought with villagers about this but they threatened him about disowning us from the village. He has lots of farms, we cant shift somewhere." She voiced out. I got from there and noted down whatever she said. If she is underage, it is my responsibility to inform authorities and see that villagers get education regarding womens health.

"There was a women few years back. She gave birth after 18yrs of age. I heard from my parents that the baby as well as the parents died. Goddess got angry for not obeying her wishes." She said with fear.

"Did your goddess specify which gender you should give birth?" I asked her.

"We cant decide that but if we dont pray well, she will bless us with a girl child or handicapped one . It is all fate. We are destined to give birth to male child and prove that we are not sinned." She spoke making me go mad.

Is this what government has been doing all these years?

En-cash their blind believes into votes? Getting details about her village and her in laws village, i walked back to my head to inform about the strange case which might be common in India but not for me. She assured that strict action will be taken on the attendants and I should keep doing my duty as a doctor to save both mother and the child. Doctors who were involved in this case were informed about the conditions and were given strict warning not to approach her family members directly as it may hamper patient's mental health.

"Where did you find her?" One of my collegue asked as we sat down to have lunch.

"She is originally from a village near Dharmasala but got married to a guy from Vikramgad Thane district. Apparently her dad's bestfriend who used to work together in pune proposed this marriage. What is the use of being educated when you blindly follow rules of society without thinking about lives of others.?" I got frustrated.

"Anagha, be calm. We can only extend help up to certain level. We can't forcefully barge into their rooms to stop sex right??" One of my colleagues joked.

Does humanity and decency not exist together in a person?

I left my food and walked out of the canteen. I was already tired and bothered about that girl who had so many complications. I walked around the hospital trying to find Amogh. Finally, I found him treating someone in an emergency ward. He signaled me to wait and he did join me after the concerned doctor arrived at the scene.

"I was passing by when I saw this patient with bleeding on the head. Just wanted to check on him. What happened to you? You look very bothered and frustrated."He asked taking my hand. I did not protest his gesture rather felt happy that he was here. When I told him how a girl of merely 15 years who doesn't even know physical intimacy has complications due to early pregnancy.

"Anagha, we are no one to stop someone from committing a crime. We save lives and educate people about how to live healthily. We can't play the role of a judge, lawyer, teacher, counselor, or politician. No one will do their work perfectly, and some people manipulate others for their benefit. The world has become cruel since the time we were born and it will get more bad in the future. You informed the authorities, and they are legally taking action. Don't get upset." He said making me sit with him. I hummed not having much choice.

"By the way, not to sound like a jerk. Even 15 years old are making love. What about us? Do you plan to touch your husband in near future?" He questioned which made my cheeks burn.

"You are touching me." I said showing our interwined hands.

"You are impossible." He said shaking his head.

I remembered what Dr Akira said in the morning. We were too busy handling our insecurities and blaming time for playing a villain, we lost the most precious moments of our lives to something so trivial. Doesnt that make us a culprit of stealing each others happiness? Arent we same as those villagers who blindly follow what they believe in?

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I dont know why, I like the way this chapter turned out.

what do you think?