OrthoDoc

"Sir, I want to talk with you! Where are you?" There was a sense of urgency in his voice

"What is it Tom? I am here at the OP. What happened?"

"Nothing sir. I want to meet you."

He was there in a minute. He looked tired. In the OR, he was a restless creature full of energy. Anytime I looked at him he was rushing to some place or busy at work. As a scrub nurse he was ready with the scalpel. But he was a little too quick for anybody’s comfort. I had noticed his unsteady and shaky hands at times, but he managed to mask them well with his agility and quickness. It was evident that at the moment he had been busy the whole day. He was not his usual self, though. The smile was not there for one thing and then his restlessness.

"Sir, I need your help. I don’t know how to say it."

"What is it? Go ahead and tell me." The impatience was becoming evident.

"I need money, sir." Then there was a pause. "They are suddenly asking for money. All these days it was fine …and now last moment. You know, I am leaving to Gulf. My visa is ready. It came in yesterday, so I am leaving. They are not paying …they are cutting." It all came out in a rush.

"The hospital is not paying you last month’s stipend?" It took me a while to understand.

 Most, almost all of the nurses, are working for the hospital under a contract. They get to work in the hospital, earn a stipend, stay in a hostel free of cost, have subsidized food. In turn they are educated in nursing. They have all completed their required courses but are still not competent. So they often, for practical on-the-spot exposure, work for less at some big hospital like ours. In return at completion of the two years of bonded work they are released with a certificate stating their work experience. Most of the nurses manage to get certificates of recommendations form the senior consultants with whom they worked. They also spend quite a bit on English courses. Then they apply to work in hospitals abroad. The most preferred places are USA, UK and the middle east countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE and so on.

"I completed my two year bond many months ago. I was applying here and there. I was not sure. Suddenly I got call. Visa is ready. I went to Delhi to collect it. I have to go there. Now the personnel dept. wants money." The words became less distinct. He stood crestfallen. "They are not giving my completion certificate." When he looked up to see my response, I could see tears in his eyes.

"How much money are they asking for, Tom?" I couldn’t take it anymore. "Don’t cry, Tom."

"Sir, all the hard work I did. I worked overtime so many times. I did so many duties. But last moment…." He broke off. "I don’t like asking for money like this. Its very difficult. I thought I could ask only ask Dr Pathak , he is not in his room. Then I thought about you. Please don’t think anything, sir" He was pleading hard.

"Tom!" I was searching for words to say myself. "The world is not fair at all times. Sometimes, we learn the hard way. probably they wanted a month’s notice. But they could have considered your past work. Does the Nursing Supdt. know about this?"

"But she won’t do anything. She said you settle with personnel dept."

"So you need 4000. I don’t have so much in my purse. I have to check in the bank. Come we will go and check in the ATM."

"Sorry sir! I don’t like doing this at all."

"Come on, Tom. Stop sobbing like this." I patted him on his back.

I managed to get 2000 from the ATM. I explained my inability to get the rest. Lets see if I can get it from Sandy or Rajesh. So I left him downstairs and hurried to the Men’s room to see if I could get some more. I knew they would be reluctant. I was wondering if I should put it to them as if I required the money. I decided to tell them the truth.

"Sandy, are you free? I need to ask you something."

"What?" His brows furrowed deep and he shook his head querying.

"Well …Tom is in a spot. You know he’s leaving for Saudi. He’s quitting. He needs money. They are not giving him the completion certificate unless he pays them a fine for leaving without notice. I was wondering if you could spare some money."

"I don’t have money on me, buddy. "He relaxed immediately. "But I will give you a word of advice. By the way how much is he asking you for?"

"4000. I managed some for him but not all of it." I deliberately hid the amount I had managed form the ATM. "I thought I will ask you and Rajesh for something. Can you…"

"I will tell you something. These people cannot be trusted." His tone was grave. "If you are giving him money then don’t expect it back. He will fly away for ever and never return. If at all you want to give him some money, give him a small amount and forget about it. I mean, explain to him nicely!"

"How much can you give?" I was livid and I wanted to be direct. But I didn’t show it. I didn’t come here for advice. I didn’t come to ask whether I should or not. I was in the mood for arguing, but then, Tom was waiting. I decided to give up.

"I don’t have any money on me, boss."

So that’s it. I scrambled down to meet Tom. I wondered if he had managed to find more.

"Sir, I met Dr Pathak. He returned. I explained my situation to him. He asked me to wait here. He said he will get the money for me. So I can return your 2000. I am happy sir. Thanks a lot." He returned my money.

"Ok Tom!" I took the money back. A small pause. I fished out a 500 and thrust it into his pocket. "Here Tom,. keep this. Buy  a new pair of shoes or a pair of trousers."

" No sir. I don’t want it." He was beaming. He had his problem solved. "Sir I won’t forget what you did for me. Give me your number."

That was about two months ago. There was a call yesterday from Tom. He was in Dubai. He was back to his same restless self eager to go to work. It was tough work but he said he was enjoying. We talked for  a while and then he hung up. I felt a warm feeling come over me.

Trust! I could not help feeling right about having trusted Tom.

Tags: Trust, orthodoc