DOCTOR

With a pounding heart the young man opened the gate. While walking through the sand filled premises he felt a shiver in his legs like the waves of a violent ocean hitting the coast with ferocity he felt like something rushing to his head.

His throat went dry. Deep down in his heart he wished for a glass of water to quench his thirst. A beautiful concrete building with tiled verandah, the young man for sometime stood with anxiety lost in thoughts. He was sweating like anything and beads of sweat trickling down his face. After regaining some courage he switched on the calling bell on the wall. The roar of the bell he could hear with shock and embarrassment. He was waiting for the footsteps of somebody with a frightened look. The sound of the chappals moving up to the door, he sensed it while standing outside. Again he was sweating terribly. He felt like falling on the floor.

A middle-aged gentle man, the psychiatrist opened the door with a cool and pleasant face. Clad in a cream coloured shirt, brown slacks and a black framed spectacle. Sandal paste was seen on his forehead with tulsi leaves in between his ears.

Is the doctor here? The young man politely and wearily inquired.
“You are speaking to the doctor, my dear”. Doctor told him with a warm smile.
“I have come here to consult you.” The young man answered in a low tone.
“Please come inside”. Doctor invited him to the drawing room.
In the room behind a glass fitted table, the doctor slumped into a chair. There were two or three hard bound books relating to psychology and psychiatric treatment, a beautiful round paper weight with red flowers and a flower vase were resting on the table. But the young man couldn’t concentrate on these things.

“Be seated, dear young man” the doctor pointed towards a chair.
The young man sat.
The doctor was watching his trembling hands with a cool face. While sitting in his chair, he pressed on a switch fitted just behind the wall. The fan started to rotate speedily so as to comfort the young man.Actually he was badly in need of the cool breeze.
“Tell me, what is your problem my dear young man” the doctor looked at his face with slight curiosity.
“Am I mad doctor”. The young man was asking him in a frightful tone.
The doctor just smiled.
“You feel you are mad or somebody told you that you are mad”. Doctor again inquired.
“Another doctor who is a physician practising near Taj junction. The hospital’s name is Phoenix clinic. I don’t know whether you know him”.
“You are talking about doctor Thomas Jacob, I think” the doctor asked him calmly and with a smile.
Yes doctor, the same man.
As if he was hearing a joke of the year the doctor laughed, but suddenly held it back.
“For what purpose, dear, you went to him?”
“I was suffering from just a cold”.
The doctor again beamed a smile.
“One thing I am sure. You are not at all mad. Doctor Thomas Jacob is under my treatment for the last ten years. Therefore don’t be afraid and with a courageous face you may go. One more thing. Please don’t try to consult Doctor Thomas Jacob again.”

PS: Those who are suffering from cold will not go mad.