A piece of Amethyst

“Mr. Adhikary, touch the body…”- a heavy voice screamed through one end of the Anatomy Dissection Hall. I woke up from the day dreaming that I had failed to resist because of my homesick self. I tried to gather myself and neared the body, picked up the scalpel and started dissecting. Well, but I realized that I was called by a professor for the first time. I cared the least as I was desperate to leave the college once I get through the 2nd counseling in the MHCET. I was coming back to my individual room (something that I would miss if I managed to get through my counseling). I asked my friends about the voice and one replied that he was the most dreaded person in the campus. This was my first encounter with Dr. Samit Kumar Ghosh, Head of the Department of Anatomy, MGIMS. I took him like a Hitler. But again didn’t care- after all, scoring 185 in CET I was sure to take BJ Medical College, Pune. I longed for the counseling.

Meanwhile, like a good Bengali, Dr. Ghosh continued to be a major part in my life. He never let down a chance for scolding me. Even if I gave answers that my batch mates could barely think of, he remained “stone-faced”. He never praised for something good but enjoyed giving me the expectant look. He loved to expect. I hated it. I hated him. Yes, for the record, I hated Dr. Ghosh. But then, I loved going to his house. Mrs. Ghosh madam and her tasty Bengali cuisines made Sewagram close to home for me. (I never wanted Dr. Ghosh in the house though- always ready with some Anatomy questions.)

Weeks passed. The second and the third counseling got over. I never made through the counseling and got stuck up in Sewagram by just 1 mark. I came over it when my grandfather passed away which was again a big hit to me. All these times, Mrs. Ghosh madam was the one who took care of me. (The best part of me is my stomach- it handles all my emotions!) A great help and a constant support, Ghosh madam was an epitome of love and compassion.

I finished my first year. It was average marks. But second year meant no scolding by Dr. Ghosh and lesser tensions. I felt relieved. He was the Warden of our hostel though, with his cabin just in front of my room. Hence, did have to face some encounters. But it was Ok than waiting to get miserably scolded, and not knowing when! His expectations continued. He never took my side even in the “skirmishes” (his version) or “wars”(my version) with my batch mates. Again, for sure, I hated Dr. Ghosh.

It was my 2nd year. One morning, I came to know that Dr. Ghosh collapsed while taking a class. I said that it hardly mattered as far as I was concerned as I did not care what happened to him. Everyone said that he was taken to the ICU (a protocol for all professors, be it for a common cold). He was stable though. The day passed and I continued with the classes. After the class, I started going towards the hostel. I stopped and turned towards the Staff quarters. I went to the bunglow with its nameplate-Dr. S K Ghosh. I stopped in front of the small sign saying “Please Go Slow”, obeyed it and gave it a thought- Was I going to do that? Well, did not matter. I tried entering. My mentor who was a Professor of Medicine had come to visit Dr. Ghosh. He was about to leave. And the Head, Dept. of Dermatology was with him. I wished them and hesitated to go in. Ghosh madam told me to wait inside. I entered this second home of mine and found Dr. Ghosh sleeping in one of the couches. I quietly slipped in. Madam bid good-bye to the guests and came in. She woke Dr. Ghosh up and said “Rishi Eshechhe…” I wished sir and started speaking, “How are you sir?” A spontaneous reply came-“Leave me, how are your studies?” Sure, I hated this man! He could scold you even when he was in bed. I understood that he had a fever but did not want to cancel the 8 am Embryology class. He collapsed in the class because of “vaso-vagal shock” (I expected a question here and a subsequent scolding but it never happened. Luck!!!) I wished him the best of health and bid “good bye” As I came back, I wondered why I went there in the first place. I hated Dr. Ghosh but (the first but) only when he was healthy.

Dr. Ghosh retired a year later and there was a small party that was organized for him. Sure, as a warden he was good (does not reduce the hatred). I was asked to speak but I declined. So, the Asst. warden had to do all the speaking part. At the end he wanted some volunteers to speak for the outgoing warden. I do not know what happened. But, I rose up and started with the speech. Thanks to my parents and school teachers I am always good at speeches. I said the things that were true. How he was dreaded in the hostel and how he troubled students with his expectations. But soon I realized that these things were no longer to be with us. Dr. Ghosh was about to go away from us. Not that I hated him that much. But I never wanted him to go. I ended my short extempore speech. And there was a loud applause. Even today, the speech is considered as one of the best in the history of JN Boys’ Hostel, Sewagram. Well, now the most affirmative statement became a bit rhetorical- Did I hate Dr. Ghosh sir?

2 years later Dr. Ghosh came back to Sewagram. It was a small trip to say “hello” to all. Ghosh madam had passed away. But the man was as strong as he walked the hospital 2 years ago. I wished him and touched his feet. I was in my hectic Final year, did not want to connect with him again and I walked away without getting into much conversation. The next day, I met him when he was visiting the Dept. of Medicine. My hand reached my pocket. I always carried a lucky amethyst crystal with me (although my astrologers say it isn’t lucky but I loved the way amethyst looks- they are inspiring!) I took the crystal from my pocket. The violet amethyst rested on my palm, as I said “Just in case you remember us…” I said and handed over the crystal to Ghosh sir. He smiled and reluctantly took it. He embraced me. I thought what was happening? I thought about the scolding and now the embracing. Is this a dream? “I expect a lot from you. You are such a talented boy. Not only must the college but the whole university be proud of you.” I was relieved that things came to normal- Expectations…!!! He walked away. That night, as I went to sleep, I wondered about the day passed by. I gave one of the most dear objects to someone I considered I hated. I went back to the first few days of college and the way Dr. Ghosh ‘Hitler’ed me. I had an explanation for each act. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I wept for a person I loved.

I understood a new meaning of care from this person. Expectations, hatred and scolding were just a part of the bond we shared. Sometimes the best relations in life come from corners you least expect from. Sometimes the most affirmative sentences in life get negated. Like in organic chemistry, some bonds become stronger on addition of a catalyst. For me, it was a piece of amethyst.