As I walked back to the hostel, I realized now that I know the main question for Pharmacology Internals, I have 7 glorious free days. The days that I have reserved to study Pharmacology is now free, which meant I am free to do whatever I want.
I had just managed to get a copy of Sydney Sheldon’s Memories of midnight. I was excited and was deliriously happy.
There was something about reading a book written by one of your favourite author. There is a sense of anticipation that eventually makes you want to be part of the story. Sydney sheldon knew how to capture my attention and make me feel as though I am part of the book. The thrill of being something that I wasn’t, even if it was only for a few hours was worth much more than wasting a few a hours to study and win the Gold medal.
I was crazy. I knew for sure.
The sensible part of me did consider studying Micro and Patho instead of reading a novel. It was the sensible thing to do.
But when did I ever do anything sensible?
Happy as a lark I walked back to my room.
I had achieved the things I set out to do this morning.
I gave the med cert.
Met Dr. Murthy.
Learned the Pharmacology main Question.
I also knew Dr. Bhatti was not going to be upset with me for skipping the morning rounds. He probably would think that I was doing last minute study, which I would be doing as soon as I finish the novel.
I opened the door to my room, folded my blanket ( I admonished myself for not being tidy), arranged all the books and folders neatly on my table, fluffed my pillow and lay down to read. I also kept Ramesh’s micro notes by the side of my bed, so just in case I wanted a break, I could read those notes.

May be an hour or two later I thought I heard the sound of a very familiar bike. I got up quickly from my bed and ran to my window. I looked at the bikes in front of the Boy’s hostel. I couldn’t see any RX 350 there.
I had to make sure.
I locked the door and ran to the canteen. There were few seniors in the canteen.
No students from my batch. Not surprising as all of them would be at the hospital attending the morning rounds.
It felt weird to sit in the canteen along with seniors who were busy discussing and studying. Most them are writing final MBBS and I could see the stress on their faces.
I knew how I must be appearing to them. Relaxed and calm and drinking a cup of tea three weeks before internals.
But I had no choice. I needed to know if he is back and if that meant I had to sit in the canteen all day, so be it.
I was conscious of Seniors watching me. Every person who walked in to the canteen stared at me as though I was some kind of weirdo. I knew sitting down in the canteen and wasting time would be considered sacrilegious by everyone.
I regretted not taking the novel with me.
I was so tempted to get up and look out of the canteen windows. I could probably see the bikes from the window. I just wanted to know so badly if he is back in the campus.
But there were seniors standing near the window.
Eventually my classmates came back from the hospital and the canteen was crowded. Everyone was busy finding a place to sit.
“You bunked the rounds again” Ramesh came and sat in front of me.
Was he stating a fact or questioning me? I wasn’t sure and I wasn’t interested.
Then I remembered his notes
“Thank you for highlighting the important facts” I told him
“So you read the notes”
“Yeah”
“Why are you so grouchy?”
“I am not”
“Do you want anything to eat?”
“No”
Ramesh ordered Masala Dosai.
“You are not going to the mess to eat?”
“Nah, I am tired of eating the same old food every time”
“oh”
“We had a Dextrocardia patient this morning” Ramesh spoke.
“Really? How old?”
“29 yrs old male patient”
“Situs inversus or just Dextrocardia?”
“You already know about dextrocardia?”
“Yeah”
“You saw the patient already?”
“No”
Ramesh was looking at me.
I knew where this was going. Everyone finds it difficult to accept if I knew more than them. It didn’t matter that I must have read it somewhere and have the ability to remember it. I never understood why no one can accept the fact that I was good in something.
“I will see you later” Without bothering to heat his reply, I got up and walked out. Arjun was standing outside the canteen and he saw me leaving.
“Hi” He spoke
I looked at him to see if he was ok? He actually said Hi? Did I hear it right. he was looking at me and smiling.
“Hi” I replied.