Page 137 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

“Thank a million, doctor.”
Choki smiled up.
Rinchen could sit up and play. Sometimes, he would ask for anything he saw on TV and cried. So, I would scurry
out to the toyshop and return with cheap toys. Pleased, he would play with toys until he went to sleep.
On the forty-sixth day, Dr. Jacob said, “we will discharge the baby tomorrow. Bring him for the check-up.”
“Thank you,” I said. “When should we bring him for the check-up?”
“Weekly. You must take care of this catheter. There’s a risk of infection. And you must follow the medication
strictly.”
We nodded.
In the evening the next day, we carried Rinchen to our lodge.
A few days later, Choki said, “Maybe we should go to Chennai beaches.”
Ata Gelong said, “I will take you.”
I thought over it. “But it’s risky traveling around India. I find it unnecessary.”
“We would be safe with the driver,” said Ata Gelong.
“Don’t you think it’s safe to stay in the lodge?”
“Please, Apa,” said Choki.
“I assure you,” said Ata Gelong. “Everything would be fine. Well, we must reserve the car at the Travel Agent.”
“Since you insist.” I shuffled after him.
Ata Gelong reserved a car at Devaki Travels for two thousand rupees. “When should we start tomorrow?” he
asked.
The proprietor said, “You had better start early so you can return before nightfall.”
“6.30 am?” I asked.
He nodded. “Right time.”
The next morning, a car arrived to pick us. It was an ambassadorial car. The chauffeur was young and humble.
He seemed to know hell a lot about the tour of Chennai beaches. On the way, he stopped by a few Hindu temples.
Marina Beach was dotted with flamboyant boulevards. Sea ornaments were laid along the shoreline. Waves
crashed on the shore and the breeze refreshed me. I dragged Rinchen by his hands into the waves. The waves cooled
my feet as I had always wanted in the searing midday heat. “You can play here if you like,” I said.
Rinchen waded into the waves and babbled. He dragged me deeper into the waves.
“No, you will not go into the sand,” I said. “They are loose.”
But he guffawed and splashed the water with his legs.
Next, we drove to the other beach. There, Ata Gelong removed his shirt and waded deeper into the tidal waves.
He disappeared. After the waves rolled away back to the ocean, he crawled out. His teeth clattered.
“What happened?” I asked.
“I…I almost drowned.”
“What?”
“That was close!”
“If we stay anymore, you’re gonna put me in trouble,” I said.
“Let’s get going,” said Choki. “It’s already evening.”
We arrived at our lodge at nightfall.
We tipped the chauffeur with fifty rupees.
“That’s it?” he said.
“Sorry, we’re running short of expenditure,” I said. “Good night.”
In the next check-up, Dr. Jacob said, “We will remove the catheter.”
“Is it time to remove it, doctor?” I asked.
“It should remain there for another two months, but you must go back home now.”
“We can wait for that if that’s the case.”
“He should be fine. Bring him for the last check-up next week. If everything is okay, you can take the baby
home.”
“We can’t wait to go home now,” I said.
The next week, Dr. Jacob said, “The baby looks fine now. You can reserve your train for home.”
A gigantic grin spread across my face as I bowed to him. “We’re grateful to you and your team, doctor.”
He smiled and told his junior surgeon to remove the stitches. The junior surgeon took Rinchen to the minor OT
and removed the stitches.

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