COVID Diary: Footsteps at SM Dev Civil Hospital, writes Arunabha Bhattacharjee

July 14: Greeted with a smile from the SM Dev Civil Hospital Staff, nay, the covid warriors, I was handed over a packet of medicine, a bed-sheet and a pillow cover and asked to proceed to my designated seat No: 08 – a symbolic number for me, a number that rules me in more ways than one. Listlessly, as if in a trance, I proceeded towards my bed. Though I tried to put up a smile, yet, believe me, I was nervous-but I knew that God was kind enough in providing me a seat in S.M.Dev Civil Hospital, Silchar.

I remember the famous World Cup win after which the legendary Maradona referred to ‘Hands of God.’ In my case, it was our respected and beloved Rajdeep Da – (Hon’ble M.P, Silchar, Dr Rajdeep Roy). I called up Joydeep Roy, my childhood friend and classmate, and younger brother of Rajdeep Da and told him that since Civil Hospital Silchar was close to my home, I would mentally be comfortable there. Lo! The Hands of God – as I said – came to my aid.

This was the first time in my life that I had come to a Government Hospital, and believe me my notion and opinion about them was completely shattered. People like me and ‘us’ always ask – what is the government doing? What are the people’s representatives/ leaders doing? To them and to my own self- the alter ego- I would ask with folded arms to come and see, to witness the ‘Change.’ I take this opportunity to thank the Government and our leaders, believe me, from the core of my heart…..

Oh! Rambling…Muttering…Digression…Sorry, even my friends and colleagues in private circle tell me – Oh! Again your Literature…your Digression. Sorry, let’s come back to the front stage.

I took a look around and the moment I sat down in the bed my phone rang up..”Hello! I am Dr. Rajvardhan from Civil Hospital.” Very patiently he explained to me the medicines that I was supposed to take. I stared at the bed and the room for a long time – trying to come to terms with this new reality – My New ‘Home’- God knows for how long.

‘Home’, ‘Memory’ and ‘Identity ‘- loaded terms as they are in theoretical perspectives, at that point of time, over lapped each other. I assumed a new identity, an ostracized social identity. It was just when I took a deep breath and sat down in my bed – that my phone rang up again – ” Hello! Are you Raja Sir”, I said ” yes.” “Sir, I am Dr. Arpita, your student.” I was speechless, confused and couldn’t answer anything. Again, she spoke up ” Sir, I am Dr. Arpita, your student and is now posted in S.M.Dev Civil Hospital Silchar.” – Believe me, I felt like clapping my hands and jumping up. I remembered her to be my student. I remembered and started muttering …
….Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance…
(From the poem ‘Daffodils’ by William Wordsworth)
I felt, yes, I still exist, yes, I still can, yes, I will win the battle…..

Also Read: COVID Diary: My encounter with the virus, writes Arunabha Bhattacharjee

(Mrs. Moumita Gupta of way2barak was kind enough to ask me to share my thoughts. This made me to pen down my feelings for way2barak). Next episode on 15 July, 2020.

** Arunabha Bhattacharjee, is an Assistant Professor, Department of English, Radhamadhab College, Silchar. He tested COVID-19 positive on 12 July, 2020 and is now undergoing treatment at SM Dev Civil Hospital, Silchar. He is asymptomatic and his condition is stable.