The paperweight

The paperweight!🧊

        This kind of stories  we often read in readers digest, newspapers or story books. However sometimes pleasant surprises do happen, even in our very own life.

       

        Last year, a young man visited my Out-Patient Department [ OPD ]. Actually I saw this well dressed gentleman sitting in the corner of my waiting room when I came to clinic after completing indoor patient's rounds. The attendant at the OPD conveyed the visitor's wish to meet me. I was a bit reluctant at first looking at the long list of waiting patients and a couple of surgeries scheduled in the afternoon.
   

       Nonetheless, I got some time between appointments and called this gentleman. He walked in with a vibrant smile and sat in front of me. There was some silence to start with, we both were observing each other and I had a feeling that I had seen him somewhere but my memory was once again deceiving me as usual.  He put his one hand in his pocket and slowly pulled out a small box. He gently opened it and there was this rusty looking old paper weight . It was puzzling - why someone will keep a old looking paperweight inside a very decorative box ?

      

       Eventually he started speaking, " Sir,  I am from a small town in interior Maharashtra, I had come to meet you 14 yrs before, I had completed an ITI course and was on lookout for a job for a few years. With a paltry dry non- irrigated land and responsibility of three young sisters and paralyzed father to look after I was in urgent need of the job. One day, I found an advertise in Lokmat newspaper about a job that was reserved for hearing impaired and mutes. I had learned of incidents where few of my college friends had got false certificates of deafness and secured jobs in the past. However the doctor who issued those certificates had since been transferred from the place and nowhere traceable. I desperately wanted the job, so sought your appointment back then as  I knew you because you had done surgery of my brother. However after testing me thoroughly  you outright rejected to issue any such certificate. With no money in pocket, hungry without breakfast and no chance of obtaining the certificate - I was frustrated, angry with tears rolling down my eyes. I begged you, then threatened you and even warned you that I will commit suicide if you didn't  issue the certificate.

You were unshaken , softly patted on my shoulder and asked me to sit  in the adjoining room. I remember you ordered breakfast for me and then gave a long counselling session. Although it did not completely convince me that time, but I agreed partially on few points you made. I accepted the fact that the job is meant for hearing impaired and mute and I don't have any right to hijack their job illegally. I understood that it was immoral and against professional ethics for you to prescribe such a certificate . I left the hospital heavy-hearted , while leaving I took the paperweight kept on your table. I didn't have any reason for doing what I did ".
     

       He continued, "For a few months, I worked on daily wages at construction sites and in a few months left for Mumbai. For a year got a job as electrician in a local company, and then an opportunity came my way to move to Canada. It was hard work , sincerity and commitment that helped me secure a job in a reputed company.  I sent money back home time to time, married off my sister's. My father passed away recently, but he was happy for me. Sir, I went to your hospital few days before in Latur , got your current address and here I am. This is the same paperweight of yours, I still wish to keep with me".
 

        He put his hand in other pocket and pulled out a brand new wrist watch and put it in the box.
   I was stunned but also amused !

      "Sir , 6 patients who have an appointment are waiting outside", called in the staff sister. 

       The young man put his visiting card on table , shook my hands confidently and took my permission to leave and left proudly !

       I lost my paperweight again ! 

      I sat still for a few moments, he was like an angel for me that left  huge amount of energy much needed - the type like in computer games helps counter the negativity that surrounds us in our day to day social life.

Dr Sudhir Halikar