Chapter - 19 (Destined To Be A Doctor) 

"Hello, May I speak to Bro Jishnu? " Anushka asked into the phone. 

"You're Anushka speaking, aren't you? I learnt from the 9 O'clock news that your result is out today. What's keeping you then? Share the good news." He quipped. 

"Bro Jishnu, I've done well. I secured 89 per cent. That's not anything to be excited about. What is, is my Maths marks. I find it hard to believe myself that I could score 80 per cent in Maths! It's all thanks to you. I really owe you a lot," Anushka found it difficult to control the excitement in her voice, inspite of herself. 

"Congratulations. That's great. You told me but for the Trigonometry part, you had done well, right? Now, 80 per cent will be handy in helping you opt for Science." He sounded genuinely happy for her. 

"Bro. Jishnu. Let me tell you once more what I told you several times earlier. I'm done with Maths for life. Good riddance! I'm happy that I won't have to study the horrid subject in my life again. So Science is just out of the question." She exclaimed. 

"I wouldn't be in such a hurry to take a rash decision if I were you, Anushka. There is no denying the impact of Science and Technology in the world we live in today. But I'm sure that your parents will help yoy make the right decision. Besides, you're lucky to have Akanksha as a sister." He halted briefly before continuing from where he left:

"You can study for Honours in Economics. Oh, that reminds me… How about your English Marks? You simply love that subject, don't you?" Jishnu asked remembering Anushka's fondness for English. In that respect, the sisters showed similar interests and tastes. 

" I won't go for the Science Stream, for all I know. But Economics will be a nice option. My first choice though, is definitely English or Journalism." Anushka concurred. 

The two talked for some time more before hanging up, Anushka thanked Jishnu again:

"Bro Jishnu, let me thank you again for making me take some interest in Maths. Without your guidance and help, I couldn't have fared well in the Boards. I owe you.. I owe you big time? "

"Do you? " Jishnu asked with the naughtiness of the days when he taught Anushka Maths back p

in his voice. "Doesn't it call for a treat then? " He asked rather mischievously. 

"Any time," Anushka replied and asked, " That reminds me, Bro, when are you coming down? Akanksha told me the night before that you are coming down home during The Pujas before your final semester. Is that correct? Please, please let me know beforehand. I promise to offer you the treat then… " Anushka concluded as they said their final "good byes".

Anushka sat up in bed for a long time as she recollected the first time Jishnu got invited to her house on her 14th birthday. Anushka hadn't performed well in the Annual Examination. Worried, her mother, Mrs. Sonia started looking for a Tutor as the previous tutor didn't prove to be of much help. Her parents requested Jishnu, a Standard XII student of CPS then, at Akanksha's suggestion, paving way for the friendship of a lifetime. 

Jishnu had been tutoring Anushka for a month or so when he was confronted by Mrs. Sonia near the entrance door as he was about to leave. It was towards the end of May. There was a languidness in the air, a feel-good quality that lured Mrs.Sonia into a happy frame of mind. She lovingly invited Jishnu to dinner the next day. Jishnu smiled back and asked, 

"What's so special about tomorrow, aunt? Is it Anushka's birthday? "

Mrs. Sonia, pleased with the boy's sharpness and intelligence, replied casually. 

"It's nothing like that, Jishnu. There is just a gathering. Some of their friends will be obviously there. We felt, dependiing on your availability, that you ought not to be left out as well. Please come, if you are free. " She requested earnestly. 

"Tomorrow is Monday. I've to submit the tutorials at Akash. I head straight to Anderson from there. I'll be back home by 7.30, if things go as per my plans. I think… . " He scratching his head and concluded, "I think I can make it to yours tomorrow, aunt."

Wishing her a quick "good night" then, Jishnu left The Banerjees. 

When she was back in the girls room, Akanksha was the one who wanted to know if Jishnu would come the next day. Her mother sat beside her on bed while Anushka was still arranging the books on the table. Mrs. Sonia next pulled Akanksha's head towards her and picking up a comb from the tool nearby, she started combing her elder daughter's hair. 

" You need to be more careful about your appearance, Akku. Hand me the rubber bands." Saying so, she had her daughter's hair done in two pony tails. 

"You look so cute, Akku. The mere mention of bro Jishnu's name always brings that special glow to your cheeks. Doesn't it?" She uttered very casually while Akanksha looked back at her sister in feigned annoyance. 

"He told me he's to go to Anderson for the swimming lessons. He'd try to make it up to ours in the evening." She told her daughters as she cleaned the comb off  the loose hairs stuck in between the teeth and wondered aloud:

"I didn't know the boy goes to Anderson to learn swimming! "

"He doesn't go there to learn swimming, Mom. He is a trainer. He teaches juniors like me how to swim." Anushka cut in. 

"God! What else does the boy do? Didn't you tell me last time Akku that he represented your school at The Under-17 Inter-School Cricket Championship? The boy is a wonder, " She said. Not one to miss out on the look that was exchanged between the two sisters, she spoke up hurriedly, "No really, I mean it."

"He is one heck of a talented young man, Ma. No wonder, girls like your elder, swoon over each other at the very sight of The Prince Charmer of CPS," Anushka said, coming and sitting beside her sister as all three of them broke into a friendly laughter. 

Jishnu on the night of Anushka's 14th birthday at The Mukherjees, was a smashing hit. What made it clear, not only to the friends gathered there but also to the sisters' parents, was that Jishnu was indeed a well-bread and helpful young man. 

Almost all the friends including Anurima and Sana, both of whom loved Anushka as a younger sister and had come to attend the party, were gone, Only a couple of friends including Jishnu, who lived near by, were still lingering behind, savouring the few eatables still left, shaking their legs to the loud music playing in the stereo system, pulling each other's legs, when Jishnu thanked the sisters for the 'enjoyable night'.

He was hurrying down the stairs when he saw Mrs. Sonia busy collecting the plates under the running tap in the sink. She turned her head back, hearing his footsteps on the stairs. She might not have held the pile of Chinese plates all too tightly as one slipped off her hands, hitting her on the right foot first before falling down on the floor and breaking into pieces. She turned away from the broken pieces to avoid any serious injuries or scenes. The poor lady walked over to the couch and sat down slowly, holding her right ankle in both hands. She was definitely in some sort of discomfiture or pain. It took Jishnu just a look at her face to realize that she must have sprained or twisted an ankle. 

It was Jishnu again, who brought the smile back on Mrs. Sonia's face after an hour by bandaging her foot that night, having applied some oinment all over it earlier. The care with which he did the job that night, left no doubt in Mrs. Sonia''s mind that the boy was destined to be a doctor.