Disclaimer: All characters in this episode are real. Any resemblance to anybody living or dead is purely intentional. However, names have been made weirder to protect their identities and me from getting beaten up. I have tried my best to keep it short - Apollo..jeese !! ,if I have strayed at times.
Scene I - Ominous signs
"Here he comes ..." said Bob "We were looking for you. Infact, I was just about to call you.." as I came walking down the aisle. Micky was there with her hands clasped tightly in prayer , talking to Bob. She had a horrible expression on her face. "What happenned? " I asked perplexed. "Did you know about Santhosh? " asked Bob . "Nope.." I remarked a bit surprised. "He complained of a chest pain !" Micky blasted out " But no need to worry!! We have called the 911 and they are here. They are taking him to the hospital !!". For a moment, I couldn't believe what I just heard. About 30 odd minutes back I had seen my roommate happy and healthy. And now "Chest Pain"...."911"..."Hospital". OMG!!
"Where is he? What happenned..But he was ok..I saw him an hour back !" now I pressed the panic button. "They have taken him down to the ambulance. They should be administering first aid. Might take him to the hospital if required..." said Bob and I could see a desperate supportive nodd from Micky. Amidst the Chaos, a small crowd had gathered there whispering, wondering...and I could hear some "How old is he? ".."Oh just 26 !!"......."But how come ..its too early.." . Bob was trying to pacify me that it might as well be a muscle pain, but I had gathered myself by then. The only thing that was bothering me was the fact that to my knowledge he never complained of any muscle pain. "I can drive you to the hospital. " suggested Bob as I stood there wondering "Hari, Prasad and Vasu have already left ..." he added.
Scene II - Ambulance
To my relief, I could see the ambulance parked outside as I ran downstairs with Bob. Vasu was there right in front. "What happenned?" I checked. "No Idea...I was at my seat when I heard about it...But seems its all ok..No need to worry..I saw him smiling when he was taken in." told Vasu. Now what the heck was that ? "Smiling...?? ". Trying to gather hints, I looked through the dark glasses of the blinking maniac motor infront of me. No way!!.... couldn't make out anything ... Just a few human silhouettes moving inside..!! Then at one instant..I think I saw that - a wave of the hand..? "Was that him ..., signalling at us ? " I thought... or may be a figment of my imagination !
Bob was trying to calm down the situation telling us that the ambulance was a self contained unit. It would have all medical equipments and if it's just a muscle pain, then the patient will be let out soon. Hari and Prasad too had appeared at the parking lot by then. As we stood there awaiting an almost certain let out....the driver sprang a surprise. He jumped in and drove the ambulance out of the parking lot !!
Scene III - At Bon Sacour's Hospital Emergency Ward
My hypothesis of the situation was getting more unconvincing and I was a bit worried ...more so because I couldn't get a glimpse of Santhosh and assess his condition myself. Hari and Bob had checked with the lady at the emergency reception. "Please have a seat . I'll let you know in another fifteen minutes" came the response. Prasad was answering a few calls on the phone.. "No that wont be required. We are still waiting. Let me see how things are. I'll call you back...." . Somebody had alerted Santhosh's employer and they were calling in to check if his parents back in India be informed. Now, that was the last thing you would want .. !!
Meanwhile, Hari explained how Santhosh had complained about a mild chest pain spreading to his arm. Both had gone down to the office First-Aid room to check the BP. Hari intelligently tested the manual sphygmomanometer first on himself and then on the patient. No luck !! Steady 120/80 for both. "We can try a digital meter at the nearby Walmart" suggested Hari. "Nope.. thats fine...!!" said a reluctant Santhosh with a grin "Lemme see If I can get somebody here who knows to operate this...". Hari had left him there ... and...The next thing he heard was 911.
As the wait continued, Prasad's cell was shrieking again..and he went out to answer the phone.. A couple of minutes later..he came back with something to cheer "Guys, it's Santhosh !! He 's all right...still under observation. The doctor has taken an X-ray and an ECG. They are waiting for the results !! " cried Prasad.
A big relief for us - poor souls !!
Scene IV - Missing Links
It took atleast 2 hrs before we could barge into his room. Mind you !! It was good to see him there - allright and Smiling... ! . "ECG - normal, BP/Pulse - Normal. It could be a chest wall pain, or a muscle strain" - thus came doctor's observation, as he handed over some documents on "Uncommon chest pain".
All of us were eager to know what had happenned....and we let the Hero of the Evening speak...and this was his side of the story :
He had approached Josephine, hopeful of finding somebody who could operate a BP meter (better than Hari). Josephine - She 's the all in all @ Owens&Minor ...anything you need..just run unto her. "There is a girl up in 3rd floor who's 'certified' to operate this. I'll get her. BTW, Micky can you find her extension please..." said Josephine. Micky stood there listenning !! Probably she just heard what she wanted to hear. She grabbed the phone and made a call...and then one more ..... - was that a three digit number ??
Minutes passed as Our hero stood there waiting... for BP girl to come. Now what was that...There were four men walking right towards him, dressed in blue uniforms. "What's happening? " he asked. "Its ok we'll take care.." said one as he drew an Oxygen mask !! "Please put on this..". "No I dont need this ..oomph..ompph.." he muttered as they forced it on him. "Don't worry the stretcher is coming !!" said the blue man. "What!! Stretcher? " thought our hero and..... then....before he even thought he could react... it was all over..!!
Scene V - The Real Attack
This is how the system works here... But the important thing is that some system exists ...and some other day that one phone call..'n all this fundu....would have saved a life ! That was our Moral of the day !
The whole episode was hilarious enough that Santhosh remained our hero for two more days. He was famous....! But fame cost him too much....Three days later a 1,800$ bill was sent across !! I know what you are about to do..no..don't...do not convert !
Now that can cause a real heart attack ...Mind you !!
