Dr. Shruti Sreedharan

Avantika takes out her phone from the pocket of her kurti. Shifting her gaze from the screen straight into the eyes of her patient and speaks in a bold voice, “if it’s out of respect that you are standing then I may remind you that I haven’t even received my bachelor’s completion certificate and you are here with a double masters’.” It took a while for Saarang to figure out the humour in those deep eyes as he was wondering when she checked his credentials. And as he recalled the detailed history taking by the junior doctors earlier in the…

The RMO enquired to Saarang if he was alright and within fractions Rehan leapt forward with a glass of water, as if he knew the exact diagnosis and remedy for the instant outbreak of air from lungs of his dear friend. Saarang slowly gulped a mouthful of water and utilized the time to gather himself from the shock of seeing the most awaited image of the past lengthy hours. Leave alone Saarang, even Rehan’s heart skipped a beat at the scene before his eyes. Dr. Harini continued, “So! Saarang this is Dr. Avantika, she’s a house surgeon here and she…

Along the mild cool breeze outside, Rehan’s mind was also sailing at ease. Though a bit excited by the definite decision made by his friend, Rehan was busy thinking about shifting from the hotel. Willfully pulling himself out of his thoughts, Rehan said, “bro! let’s go back and inform the professor so that he could forward the admission procedures.” Hearing that Saarang nodded, and the friends walked back to the hospital building, rather more definite and hopeful this time. As they reached the professor’s cabin, two of the medical students came out and looked at them inquisitively. Rehan spoke up,…

Air in the most exclusive chamber of the institution was still and calm. Persons present in the room irrespective of the hosts and the guests, had their gazes fixed on Rehan as he shot out the question straight at the senior most consultant. The professor smiled at Rehan and said, “I’m impressed that you have come straight to the point, young man! Actually, there are many things which act together in unison to cure any ailment, among which the patient’s trust and will plays a major role. I’m confident about my part, as per the signs seen, at the moment,…

A beautiful lawn with a perfectly sculptured statue of the black giant tusker, received the friends at the entrance of the hotel. Staff at the reception was extra polite and a smart lady draped in the traditional attire of the state lead their way to the room on the first floor. The baggage was also brought up, and informed that the lunch was ready to be served. After the steaming, traditional Kerala feast a good relaxing afternoon nap they decided to roam around in the lawn downstairs. While they were enjoying the evening breeze, Saarang noticed a girl dressed in…

The morning bells from the nearby Vishnu temple broke the monotonous narration by Saarang. He took out his smartphone to check the time. It was 4 am, the temple bells conveyed that it was the time for the deity to getoff all the previous day’s attire and to be bathed by the priest, to be adorned for the new day’s worship. This was a major ritual of the temple and people from all over the countryarrived in this small town to be a part of the worship. Even after this long sleepless night of journey across the world, Saarang felt…

The meetings and the policy terms and conditions with the government agencies were all getting streamlined and I was feeling hopeful again. But this dandruff of mine won’t just go. All kinds of antidandruff cosmetic treatments were going on side by side. But I had to remain extra conscious; to avoid those embarrassing moments during the official meets. Moreover, almost all official teams over there had a lady member, and these ladies are very particular about how well-groomed you are. Dandruff had become a nuisance, huge flakes scaled off when touched with the comb, and the itch was intolerable at…

No matter how weak you are at the moment, if your loved one sits before you despairingly, trying hard to pull on some courage, but stumbling over and over again in the trial, God knows from where on earth you suddenly start feeling strong and mighteous. Maybe it’s the feeling of responsibility, to keep your dear one comfortable, that grabs the credit. Especially when you are known among your peer to possess a lion’s heart, you will stand taller before your loved ones, guarding them against the stress-inducing stuff, ready to defend, like a ninja warrior. That’s human psychology. …

A Sunday morning, Saarang’s mother had gone for her regular temple visit. He was awake but hesitated to come out of the bed, lost in his thoughts. Suddenly, there was a knock on his bedroom door. He jumped out of his bed and opened the door. His dad stood there with a cup of morning coffee added with a soothing smile. Saarang never expected his father, right at his door, so early in the morning. His dad tilted his head a bit and enquired feebly; “May I?” Then only did Saarang realize that he stood with the doorway blocked. He…

He laid flat on his back, with his gaze fixed on the star-studded black velvet blanket that spread as a ceiling over the lands and oceans. Those tiny twinkling diamonds on the sky had always excited him, right from his toddlerhood. He remembered his mother telling that as a baby whenever he threw the worst of his tantrums, his Dad would grab him and rush out of the house to show his beloved piece of treasure the splendid night sky, and as a wonder, every time without fail, the baby would get lost into, maybe his starry dreams in the…