EHSAAS (AR Version)
parts 1 &; 2: pg 1p;                     parts 31-32: pg 30
parts 3& 4: pg 4                                                  parts 33-36: pg 31
parts 5 & 6: pg 6                                                 parts 37-38: pg 35
parts 7 & 8: pg 9                                                 parts 39-40: pg 37
parts 9 & 10: pg 12                                            parts 41-42: pg 39
parts 11 & 12: pg 14                                         parts 43-46: pg 41
parts 13 & 14: pg 16                                         parts 47-48: pg 44
parts 15-18: pg 18                                            parts 49-50: pg 47
parts 19-22: pg 21                                           parts 51-54: pg 49
parts 23-24: pg 23                        
parts 25-26: pg 25
parts 27-28: pg 27
parts 29-30: pg 28
parts 55-56: pg 51
parts 57-end: pg 53
 
 
Hi folks,
 
In order to cheer all of you AR fans, I have dug out an old ff of mine and revised it for all AR fans. Hope you will like it and continue to comment as you always have.
 
EHSAAS
 New fan fic featuring our
favorite couple Armaan and Riddhima. This story is inspired by A.J Cronin's
"The Citadel" and Hindi movie, "Tere Mere Sapne". Of
course, I have modified it to suit our modern times and focus on A-R love story
rather than other details. I hope you like it.
PART 1:
LECTURE HALL AT SANJEEVANI MEDICAL COLLEGE:
HEAD OF SURGERY ADDRESSING THE SURGICAL RESIDENTS:
"I would like to welcome all the surgical residents to their final
year of training. As you all know, our medical college takes pride in training
the best physicians and surgeons in this country. As per tradition, all our
final year students have to spend one year training in an underserved area of
our state. This part of your training not only helps you hone your skills as a
surgeon, but serves the people of these smaller communities. This year, we have
selected some towns, where we have not sent our residents before. As a part of
your training, you will get to work with one of the local doctors and be paid a
monthly stipend of Rs 1000.00 per month. I know it sounds very meager, but as
you know you all are still learning, and we want you to get a taste of working
in a smaller and underserved community. I am sure you would all cherish this
experience and fondly remember this year in the years to come. Here is a list
of the postings for all of you. GOOD LUCK!"
"Yaar...maine suna hai, kayi shehron mein tho bijli bhi nahin
hoti......main aaj tak AC ke bina nahin raha.apni life mein....." Abhimanyu
Modi, a final year surgical resident complained. He was the son of a rich
doctor, who basically went to med school on his dad's insistence. He wanted his
son to take over his lucrative cosmetic surgery practice after his retirement.
"Abhimanyu! Aisa kar, apne saath ek generator bhi saath le
jaana......tere dad arrange kar denge....," Armaan Malik, his good friend
and colleague said sarcastically.
Armaan Malik came from a middle class background. His parents had died
when he was 14 years old. His sister, Keerti and brother-in-law, Shubhankar had
helped him get through high school and medical school. Keerti and Shubhankar
now lived in Bangalore, where Shubhankar was a software engineer at a
multinational company.
Both Armaan and Abhimanyu were popular in the campus, the former for
his good looks, intelligence and charming nature; the latter for his good looks
and fat bank balance.
Abhimanyu was a magnet for attractive young girls; he would rather
spend his time flirting with them than focusing on his work. He knew that no
one could stop him from graduating from this program, and he could join his dad
whenever he was ready to practice.
Armaan, on the other hand, was very ambitious and focused. He knew this
was his chance to prove his worth and make a name for himself. He was looking
forward to his posting at a nearby small town called Ramgarh. He always
imagined working in a small town, where his skills could make a difference to
the kind of care people received. He excelled as a physician and surgeon and
had always graduated at the top of his class. He knew a lot of his female
colleagues were interested in him, but he limited his interaction with them to
casual friendships. He did not want to get into a serious relationship, till he
was ready to settle down and most of all- FIND
THE RIGHT GIRL!
 
Armaan and Abhimanyu usually hung out with two other women, who they
knew since the early days of medical college, Muskaan and Sapna. Muskaan was
now training to become an obstetrician and Sapna, a radiologist. The four of them
still took time to hang out together and go out for dinner or movies once in a
while.
 
The four friends met at their favorite coffee shop before Armaan and Abhimanyu
left for their year-long assignments.
Muskaan was almost like a sister to Armaan, "Armaan.....tho tum ek
saal ke liye Ramgarh jaa rahe ho......hmm...kahin wahan koi gaaon ki gori na
mil jaaye?" she laughed as she knew Armaan liked women to be modern,
independent and well-educated.
"Gaaon ki gori kam se kam tum jaisi chaaloo tho nahin hogi,"
he punched Muskaan playfully
"Haan...par anpadh ganwaar tho ho sakti hai...." Muskaan
teased him back
"NO WAY! No anpadh ganwaars for me! Don't worry Muskaan, Ramarh
jaise sheher mein English bolne waali bhi mil jaaye na tho ganeemat hoga.....i
have my doubts....main ek saal ke baad jab wapas aaoonga, mere liye ek
ultramodern ladki tayyar rakhna...OK!"
"Abhimanyu...tera kya hoga kaaliya?" Armaan patted Abhimanyu's
back
 
Abhimanyu sat with his feet on the table and blew smoke whorls in the
air. He took another whiff of his cigarette and looked at the ceiling,
"don't worry yaar! Mere dad ne meri saza kam karwa di hai....mujhey sirf
teen mahine ek small town called Ferozpur mein kaam karna hoga.....the rest of
my time will be spent in London..."
 
"London?" Sapna had a puzzled look, "how did you manage
that?"
"Money...my dear money....dad donated 20 lakhs for the new
surgical wing...that's it.....money can buy anything...." Abhimanyu
replied proudly.
Armaan just grinned, "except
ethics.....self-respect......hard work....."
 
"OH C'mon Armaan! Not again....you need to go out in the real
world, and then you will realize.....dekhtey hain ek saal baad tere iraade kya
hote hain?" Abhimanyu scoffed at Armaan's self-righteous comments as
usual.
 
"OK guys...main chalta hoon....i need to pack, meri train kal
subah 6 baje ki hai....see you all in a year!" Armaan got up and hugged
all his friends
"Phone tho karte rehna....." Muskaan said tearfully
"yadi gaaon ki gori ne ijaazat de di tho...," Armaan pinched
her nose and they both laughed as he left.
 
RAMGARH TRAIN STATION:
 
Armaan arrived at the small, single platform train station and looked
around, "Dr Misra ne tho kaha tha koi mujhey lene aayega'..yahan tho koi
driver type aadmi dikh nahin raha'.lagta hai richshaw ya paidal hi jaana
padhega'.,"
 
" Dr. Malik 'Dr Malik!" Armaan turned around as he heard his
name. He was surprised to see a young, thin and attractive woman waving at him.
He went closer and saw a cheerful girl, dressed in a salwaar-kameez, with big
brown, but very expressive eyes, "Jee'main Dr Malik hoon..," he
introduced himself.
 
"Oh HI! I am Riddhima Gupta. I have come to pick you up."
Armaan was startled and thought, "lagta hai yeh bhi Ramgarh
ghoomney aayi hai'"
"Shall we?" Riddhima asked, flashing her innocent and cheerful
smile.
"Sure!" Armaan picked his bag and followed the young woman.
"Riddhima jee'kaisi hain? Kya haal hai madam?.....Aaj bacchon ko
school nahin bheja madam'..Namaste madam'.." a lot of people seemed to
know Riddhima well. They all smiled and greeted her respectfully.
 
"Lagta hai aap thode he dinon mein kaafi popular ho gayi
hain'" Armaan said
"Thode hi din? She was surprised by his question
"Nahin'mera matlab hai ki aap bhi tho ek visitor hai na
yahan?"
"Visitor? Nahin..nahin main tho issi sheher ki hoon'..paida bhi
yahin huyi thi aur maroongi bhi yahin''" Riddhima looked back and smiled
at him.
 
There was something very enchanting about her smile; Armaan found
himself staring at her lips and beautiful teeth intently.
Riddhima snapped her fingers, "Doctor sahib..kahan kho gaye?"
"Oh'kuch nahin'.I guess I figured you are a visitor
because'because'." Armaan hesitated
"I am an English teacher at the local elementary school'..I hope that
clears your confusion'," she laughed as she understood why he was so
intrigued.
Armaan was really surprised again when Riddhima unlocked the door to a
car, and let him in to the passenger seat.
She took his bag and put it into the trunk. He was amazed and just
stared at her.
Riddhima sat in the driver'seat and started the car, "tho aap soch
rahe the main aap ko taange mein lene aaoongi'..ab yahan Basanti ka raaj nahin
hai'..this is the 21 st century doctor, ab Ramgarh mein bhi cars zyaada aur
rickshaw-taange kam dikhte hain'.chalein?"
 
This girl was full of surprises! Armaan thought, "Muskaan'you need
to meet this gaaon ki gori!"
"Kuch kaha aapne?" Riddhima asked as she turned at the stop
sign.
"Nahin'.kuch nahin'tho aap English teacher hain?'hmm'.phir Dr Shashank
Misra ko kaise jaanti hain?" Armaan asked
"Wo mere maama hain''main waise tho school mein padhaati hoon, par
unke ghar aati jaati rehti hoon'wo akele hai na ab'..aur boodhe bhi ho gaye
hain'..I like to hang out with him'.he is happy that you will be working with
him'," Riddhima kept chatting and telling him about Dr Misra and his
practice.
Armaan was amused to see how chatty this English teacher was. He just
listened to her as she went on and on.
"Aap kuch bol nahin rahe doctor?" Riddhima finally asked
"Lagta hai Basanti tho chali gayi, par apni legacy chhod gayi
hai'.," Armaan laughed. Riddhima joined him and laughed aloud, "you
have a good sense of humor doctor!"
..to be continued'.
PART 2:
Riddhima drove through the crowded streets of Ramgarh effortlessly. She was
very familiar with every pothole and curve on the road.
"Arre'arre'watch out'aage ek bhains baithi hai!" Armaan warned her.
"Don't worry'..mujhey aadat hai'.mamaji ne car tho kayi saalon se le rakhi
hai, par unhey drive karne se darr lagta hai'..tabhi main hi chalaati hoon unki
gaadi'.aap bhi use kar sakte hain'.gaadi ghar par hi khadi rehti hai'.maamaji
ka clinic ghar par hi hai na'.unhe yadi kahin jaana hota hai tho wo abhi bhi rickshaw
hi bula lete hain'..kyonki wo drive karne se'," Riddhima rambled on
Armaan just nodded his head and rolled his eyes, "darrte hai na!" he
completed her sentence.
Riddhima turned a little red-faced from embarrassment, "sorry Dr Malik'..main
thoda zyaada bolti hoon'..," she looked at the visiting doctor from the
corner of her eyes and noticed a faint smile on his handsome face. He had
little stubble on his face from not having shaved today and she noticed that he
barely had any leg room for his tall legs-she thought, "yeh sach much
doctor hai kya? Mujhey tho actor jaisa lagta hai'."
Armaan glanced at her and caught her staring at him, "kya hua? Chup kaise
ho gayi aap?"
"wo'wo'kuch nahin'..main soch rahi thi ki aap kaam aaj se hi start karenge
ya aaj thoda rest karna chahenge?" Riddhima stuttered.
"Jaisa Dr Misra chaahe'." Armaan replied
They arrived at a cute little two-storey home surrounded by a tall concrete
fence. There was a small garden with beautiful flowers in front of the house.
The house looked old from outside and seemed like it had not been painted for
years. There were benches and chairs in the front patio-probably a waiting area
for the patients.
Armaan took out his bag from the trunk and followed Riddhima.
"Mamaji'mamaji'," Riddhima yelled as they walked in.
"Riddhima bitiyaa'..Doctor sahib abhi ek mareez dekh rahe hain'.," a
middle-aged lady came out and said.
"theek hai maasi'.maasi yeh Dr Armaan Malik hai'.yeh mamaji ke saath kaam
karenge'.," Riddhima introduced the visitor.
"Namaste!" Armaan said politely
"Jeete raho beta'..main yahan Dr Misra ki nurse hoon'..kuch bhi chahiye
tho bataana'.chalo Riddhima main chalti hoon, Doctor sahib ke saath Raghuram ke
ghar jaana hai'." The nurse said. Her name was Lovely and she had worked
with Dr Shashank Misra for the last 25 years. She had not undergone any formal
training to be a nurse, but her hands-on experience and dedication to Dr Misra
had trained her very well. No one could tell that she had never been to nursing
school.
"Yaad aaya Raghuram ki biwi ke baccha hone waala hai na?" Riddhima
remembered.
"Haan'.Dr Malik aap bhi chalenge?" Lovely asked
"Sure'par main ek surgeon hoon'..bacche paida nahin karta'." Armaan
hesitated at that suggestion.
Riddhima started laughing, "Dr Malik'..yahan aap sab kuch hain'.this is
not Mumbai'..aap surgeon bhi hai aur gynaecologist bhi hain'.."
Armaan took a big gulp and wondered, "yeh kaisi training hai? Main apni
surgical skills kahin kho na baithoon.."
"Aap chai peeyenge Dr Malik?" Riddhima asked.
"poonch kyon rahi hai'..banaade'.Dr Malik thak gaye honge'." Lovely
intervened
"Nahin main chai nahin peeta'." Armaan added.
Lovely and Riddhima laughed, "tho aap yahan survive kaise karenge?"
"Kyon? Chai ke bina bahut log survive kar lete hain.." Armaan was
puzzled at that comment.
"Nahin Dr Malik'..aap ko tho yahan din mein 10-10 baar chai peeni
padhegi'..aap jis ke ghar bhi jaayenge wahan yadi aapne chai nahin pee tho wo
bura maan jaayenge'.Ramgarh ke log mehmaanbaazi mein bahut vishwaas karte
hain'..yadi aapne kisi bhi cheez ke liye na keh diya na, tho wo rooth
jaayenge'." Lovely smiled and said.
"Oh really? Ok''par pehle aap mujhey mera room dikha deejiye, yeh bag
rakhna hai'." Armaan wanted to get away from these two talkative women
"Chaliye'.mere saath chaliye'" Riddhima led the way upstairs.
Armaan was pleased to see his room- it was small, but neat with a twin bed and
a desk in the corner, "Thanks Riddhima jee'"
"Riddhima jee?" she laughed out aloud, "aap mujhey sirf Riddhima
keh kar hi pukaariye'..main aap se choti hoon'..kuch chahiye tho mujhey awaaz
de dena'.main neeche hi hoon'."
Armaan smiled and nodded his head, "Thanks Riddhima!"
"You are welcome doctor!" she said cheerfully and disappeared.
Armaan freshened up and came downstairs to find a number of snacks and tea ready
in a kettle on the coffee table, "itni jaldi sab kaise prepare kar
liya?"
Lovely was still there, "Dr Malik aap yahan kuch din rahenge tho samajh
jaayenge ki Riddhima ko aap ek kaam bolo, par wo dus cheezein ek saath kar
degi'.wo hi sambhaalthi hai Dr Misra ka ghar'..unki patni kuch saal pehle hi
chal basi, tab se Riddhima hi unki sab kuch hai'."
"Oh really? Par Riddhima school mein teacher hai na?"
"Haan'.wo bhi karti hai''par aaj schools ki chutti hai'." Lovely
poured tea in a cup
" Hello Dr Malik! I am Dr Shashank Misra!" a tall, grey haired
gentleman walked in with a slight limp.
Armaan got up and shook his hand, 'Hello Dr Misra! It is my pleasure to meet
you.."
"Baitho'baitho'.aaj Riddhima bitiya ne kya banaaya hai hamare mehmaan ke
liye'.oh samose aur Jalebi?" Dr Misra's mouth watered
"Mamaji'aap ki sugar kya thi aaj?Hmm'..no jalebis for you'" Riddhima
walked in and brought a bowl of upma for Dr Misra, "aap ke liye yeh
hai'..jalebi ki taraf dekhiye bhi mat!"
"Uffo'.tu tho mujhey aise hi maar degi''.kabhie tho apne boodhe mama par
taras khaaya kar?" Dr Misra said dejectedly.
"Aap kitne mareejon pe taras khaate hain?" Riddhima fed Dr Misra the
upma with a spoon like a mother.
Armaan was amused to see the dynamics in this house. Looked like Dr Misra and Lovely
were both very dependent on this fragile looking petite girl.
"Dr Misra'..Raghuram ke ghar se bulaawa aaya hai'..daai keh rahi hai ki
doctor ki zaroorat hai''" Lovely came back in with a message
"chalo Dr Malik'.aapka first case'..jao tum Lovely ke saath chale
jao'..main kuch der aaram kar leta hoon'..aaj jodon mein zyaada taqleef ho rahi
hai'" Dr Misra slumped into his rocking chair.
"Main?" Armaan took a big gulp of the tea
"Haan''it should be straightforward Dr Malik'..Lovely sab sambhaal
legi'.."
Just as Armaan was mustering some courage to step out into the real world, a
man came running into the house, 'dr sahib'sr sahib'..mere bete ko bachaa lee
jiye'.uska pair tractor mein aa gaya hai'.."
Dr Misra jumped up from the chair, "chalo Lovely'..mere saath chalo'.aur Riddhima
tum Dr Malik ko Raghu ke ghar le jao'."
Armaan was baffled, "Aap? Aap chalengi mere saath? But you are not a
medical professional'"
Riddhima did not answer and went into the clinic. She came back with a bag and
few other supplies, "let's go Dr Malik!"
Armaan just followed her; he had no choice.
They arrived at a small house in the middle of a crowded neighborhood.
"aayo Riddhima beti'..shakuntala bahut dard mein hai'." Raghuram met
them at the door, "doctor sahib nahin aaye?" he was disappointed to
not see Dr Misra
"Yeh, Dr Malik hain'Mumbai se aaye hain'" Riddhima gestured at Armaan
"Namaste!" Armaan folded his hands politely
"Naya doctor? Bitiya badhe Dr sahib ko bula lo'.." Raghuram sounded
skeptical when he saw the young, inexperienced doctor.
"Tum fikr mat karo Raghu! Yeh desh ke sabse acche hospital se aaye
hain.." Riddhima reassured him and walked inside the dimly lit room.
Armaan was horrified to see a lady on a small bed, crying out in labor pains
with at least a dozen or so other women watching over her and giving her
advise.
The room was very dimly lit, "yahan batti nahin hai?" Armaan asked as
he took position to assess the pregnant woman
"Nahin dr sahib'..batti nahin hai'..kya lalten se kaam ho jaayega?" a
lady asked
"theek hai'..jo bhi ho.." Armaan put on his gloves and was shocked as
he felt the baby's head was ready to deliver.
"Riddhima! Give me some instruments'..the head is stuck!"
Armaan was not prepared for this precipitous delivery. His only experience with
pregnant women was his month long rotation in medical college and that too
under strict supervision of the best gynecologists in the country. His head
started spinning as he tried to recall his textbooks on what to do if the head
was stuck, "FORCEPS! Forceps Riddhima! Lekin do you know what they
are?"
Riddhima laid out a tray next to him with all types of instruments. He was
surprised that Riddhima was so calm and collected when he was panicking like a
novice.
She quietly gave Armaan the required instruments and helped him deliver the
baby effortlessly. Riddhima took the baby and left Armaan to stitch the lady up
where he had made an incision to aid with the delivery.
Armaan saw that the baby was still blue and not crying. Riddhima held the baby
upside down with his legs and patted the baby's back vigorously.
Armaan was horrified, 'RIDDHIMA! DON'T DO THAT! THAT IS NOT SAFE!"
Riddhima was surprised, as that was the most common way she had seen dr misra
and Lovely resuscitate any baby who was not crying. She gave him a quizzical
look, 'Why doctor? The baby is not breathing"
Armaan was grinding his teeth in anger, "THAT IS TOO OLD FASHIONED'YOU CAN
HARM THE BABY! THAT IS WHY I DID NOT WANT YOU TO COME WITH ME'.YOU ARE NOT A
MEDICAL PERSON!" The mother was bleeding profusely and Armaan could not
leave his place till he had finished stitching her up.
Riddhima was offended; she did not care for being reprimanded in front of so
many people and that too by this stranger. Fortunately, the baby took some deep
gasps and started turning pink to the relief of everyone in the room.
"Aaj tak mamaji aur Lovely maasi ne mujhey kabhie nahin toka'.maana main
dr ya nurse nahin hoon'..I am just helping out''who does he think he is? This
is not Mumbai'..he needs to learn how to work in these situations''pata nahin
kyon aaya hai!" Riddhima had tears in her eyes as she handed the baby to
the new mother and spoke to herself.
The family thanked Armaan and Riddhima; Raghuram was overjoyed to see a son,
"doctor sahib'..chai peekar tho jaaiye'.yeh leejiye mithai khaaiye'..arre
bhai logon yeh naye doctor sahib hain! In hone mujhey ek beta diya hai! Jai ho
doctor sahib ki!"
All the family members and visitors came and thanked Armaan. They lifted him up
on their shoulders and did a little dance.
"arre..arre'mujhey neeche utaar dee jiye'..maine tho kuch nahin
kiya'..ladka tho hona hi tha'.wo tho 9 mahine pehle hi ban gaya tha'." Armaan
got off their shoulders.
"Nahin'nahin doctor sahib'.yeh aapke haath ka jadoo hai'..ab aap sab
gharon mein baccha paida karne jaayenge'" one old man spoke.
Armaan could not believe his ears; how could people be so superstitious and
ignorant in the 21 st century!
He looked at Riddhima for answers, but she was packing the instruments and
purposely avoiding his gaze. She was still upset, "chaliye Dr Malik'.."
she said curtly.
On the way back, Riddhima drove silently. Armaan felt a little adrenaline rush
inside him after the whole delivery experience-he could not believe what had
just happened. He was dying to call Muskaan about his first real world
experience. He noticed that Riddhima was unusually quiet.
"Riddhima'.thanks for all your help'" he said softly
"Next time, find someone else to help you! Main ek teacher hoon, medical
professional nahin!" she said curtly
"Oh..yeh baat hai!'..Well Riddhima jo aap kar rahi thi wo galat tareeka
tha'..you could have harmed the baby'.babies can get brain hemorrhage like
that!" Armaan said angrily.
"How do I know? Mujhey aaj tak kisi ne bataaya thode hi hai'I just help
out'.I have no desire to be a dr or a nurse!" Riddhima replied back
angrily.
"Chote shehron mein yahi problem hai''no wonder there are so many quacks
in these places'." Armaan said arrogantly. Armaan was very proud of his
training at one of the premier institutes in India. He had worked with some of
the best doctors in the nation and they all had a slight condescending attitude
towards small town hospitals and doctors.
Riddhima tried to suppress her tears as they returned to Dr Misra's house.
Riddhima got off quickly and took all the supplies inside. Armaan followed her
without noticing what affect his words had on her.
He followed her into the clinic and saw that she was cleaning the instruments
and placing them in the little outdated autoclave for sterilization.
He went close to the autoclave and read the temperature gauge, "Yeh tho
theek kaam nahin karta'..kab se use kar rahe ho yeh autoclave?"
Riddhima continued to clean the instruments and refused to answer his
questions.
"Yeh kya kar rahe ho aap log? Is temperature mein tho kuch bhi sterilize
nahin hoga!" Armaan yelled again, but stopped short when he saw tears
rolling down Riddhima's tender cheeks. He felt really bad; he did not mean to
hurt her feelings, "Oh Riddhima'I am sorry'"
Riddhima finished loading the autoclave and left the clinic, maintaining a cold
silence.
Armaan kicked himself, "may be I was too harsh on her'..uski kya galti
hai'.she is doing what she has been taught''galti Dr Misra ki hai'.i must
apologise'."
Armaan looked for Riddhima everywhere, but finally found her in the kitchen.
He crossed his arms and observed her cutting the vegetables and making the
dough.
He came closer, "can I help?"
"It is not necessary'aap jaaiye'.i will call you when lunch is
ready," she replied coldly.
"Aap ne meri help ki, ab main bhi aapki help kar sakta hoon'." Armaan
lowered his head and looked into her tearful eyes.
Riddhima smiled a little, "pehle daant the hain phir aap aap kar ke
mujhsey baat karte hain'"
"OK'tho kya main TUMHARI help kar sakta hoon?" he smiled back
'to be continued'..
Hey di
