A Memorable Evening

Dr. Varun was alone in his Raghavpur home. On that day, there was no hurry to go to the clinic. He got up from the bed at 9 am. He watched the morning news on television, while sipping the coffee.

The police have arrested one person and booked the organisers of a concert in connection with the stampede on the Kozhikode beach on Sunday. 

He switched off the tv. This incident prompted him to recollect a similar incident that happened five years back.

Varun and Asha after marriage visited Goa for their honeymoon.  It was five in the evening, both were at Calangute beach enjoying the tides on the seashore.  Couples were in the midst of the tides and threw water on each other's faces. On that day, the beach was full of tourists, mostly foreigners. Some of them were on the shore and the rest were lying on the sand. There was a musical concert and advanced booking was done.

Suddenly, the power went off and there was a sign of heavy rain. The audience gathered in the concert out of fear, ran helter skelter to a safer place, which was just 300 metres away. The children and aged persons were suffering a lot.  In the meantime, the newly married couples separated in the crowd. Varun became alone and felt most uneasy in the absence of his wife Asha. He was very much worried about her safety. Varun didn't have an umbrella to protect himself. He was vigorously searching for her in the crowd. Varun became very much disappointed as he was unable to see her even after half an hour. He was virtually crying for her.

By the time he reached a safer place, he was too tired. On the way he fell down and his toe on the left foot was injured. The blood was flowing.  One of the tourists, who had a first aid kit observing his pain, rushed towards him, applied ointment on the bleeding part and wrapped it with the bandage. He left wishing him speedy recovery.

Varun was surprised to see his college mate Dr. Ajith in the makeshift hospital arranged by the local philanthropists. These guys had a confrontation a number of times in medical college. Both had loved the same beautiful girl Asha who was their classmate. The love story of these trios was gossip in the college canteen. This news reached  Chandra Mohan, principal of the college. He called all the three  students and warned them to concentrate only on studies, otherwise strict action including debarring from the college. 

Varun thought of approaching Ajith forgetting the previous bitterness with an intention to seek help from him. Ajith was too busy attending to patients mainly children and old age people. Like others, Varun was standing in the queue. Ajith recognised Varun and called him to sit beside him. Seeing his position, Ajit told him to change the dress inside and offered him coffee. 

"Varun, my good friend, where are you all these days?"

"Ajith, I wonder how you call me a good friend. I appreciate your change of attitude. You know I got married three days ago and visited this place on our honeymoon. Now my wife is missing in the commotion."

"I know, you married Asha. Don't worry. Whatever happened happened for the better. I am happy with my doctor wife Preeti. Let us forget the past and be like friends. Varun, what are you doing now? Don't worry. Police team is here and taking care of all the people who are missing. Your wife  would be traced out as quickly as possible."

"Ajith, soon after my MBBS degree, I opened 'Sanjeevini clinic' at Raghavpur. Asha also did her MBBS in the same year and joined me in the clinic."

"Congratulations! Wait, I will attend to all those who are suffering then I will explain to you how I changed my attitude?"

Police constable came along with the group of ladies.

"Sir, these are the ladies, who missed from the commotion and they need medical checkup."

They were asked to sit on the chairs. 

"Varun, can you recognise your beloved wife Asha in this group? " asked Ajith smilingly.

"Ajit, third from the right wearing a yellow designer dress, tilak on the forehead and having curly hair is my wife Asha."

Asha was happy and ran towards Varun and hugged him.

Varun and Asha helped Ajith for the treatment of remaining patients.

"Varun, I gave up the idea of loving Asha, after knowing her wish very well that she liked Varun and hated Ajith.  Your love blossomed with friendship. I salute your true love and wish you a happy married life."

Varun came out of the memories, when the door was repeatedly knocking.

"Come in, the door is open."

Asha returned from her parents house.

It was a memorable evening in the life of the doctor couple.