SHOCKING FINALE

 

Dr.M.C.Thomas  was eighty two. He was a Physician. He was committed. He was dedicated.  He was much in demand.  He was attending to his patients  in three hospitals in and around Muvattupuzha even at this age.

Twenty years ago, he had experienced an excruciating  pain radiating from his left shoulder down the left arm. Being a doctor helped. He understood it was a cardiac issue that called for immediate attention.  He advised his wife to call for 108 ambulance. The shift to the hospital was quick. That saved his life.

At the hospital, investigations revealed he had to be put through open  heart surgery for a bypass. The surgery was a success. But the recuperation took long. He had to quarrantine himself for three months to avoid the onset of any infection. Six months later, he was back to normal. He went on with life at the pace he had set himself upon, before the cardiac ailment visited him.

As time progressed, his son, Sachin Thomas, had migrated to Dublin, Ireland. He too was  a Physician.  After a few years,  Sachin fell in love with a lady doctor, Meera,  from Ernakulam. She was a general surgeon. The marriage took place at Muvattupuzha.

Life went on sedately at both Kavana, Muvattupuzha  and Ireland. There were intermittent visits to Dublin. Sachin and his family were home for three weeks every year.

Though Dr.Thomas’s wife, Sarayu, was a post graduate in Commerce, she had preferred to remain a home maker  as she felt two busy people in varied professions at home would not be conducive to a happy married life. Dr. Thomas never insisted that Sarayu should hunt for a job.

But he was adamant that Sarayu should have a social life of her own. He encouraged her to associate herself with all the activities at their Church. It was a great  advantage to her that she knew driving. In fact , the first thing Dr.Thomas did after their marriage was to teach Sarayu to drive. Sarayu was a good singer too. She enthralled the audience  with her singing in the programmes at the Church.

Though doctors had barred Dr.Thomas from drinks and alcohol ten years after he had undergone the open heart surgery, DrThomas never paid heed to that. He had gone on with his driving and his customery nightcaps. Sarayu never interfered even though she had her own reservations.

Dr.Thomas was a jolly good personality. He would help anyone in need. He was never avaricious. He was an active member of the Rotary Club, Muvattupuzha. In the past ten years there had been occasions when he was seriously ill. Though the doctors would suggest ICU care, he dissuaded them from doing that.

It was a Wednesday. Sarayu had been scheduled to perform at the Parish Hall of the St James Church at Perumbavoor  along with a group of singers from their church.  Dr. Thomas dropped her off at the KSRTC bus station at Muvattupuzha at around 9.00am for her onward journey.  It was a fifteen miniutes’ drive from their residence at Kavana.

Dr.Thomas, on the way back had stopped at the Indian Coffee House at Muvattupuzha for his breakfast. He had always relished their Puree Masala Coffee combination.

Back at his residence, he swiched on the TV for a while and read the newspapers. It was noon by then. Since Sarayu wouldn’t be back for lunch, Dr.Thomas had ordered Prawn noodles – his favourite – for lunch through Swiggy. It was delivered in time.  Though alone, Dr.Thomas did enjoy his lunch.

The lunch over, before  his siesta, he went over to the Kennel  to play with his dogs. He had loved them very much. They too had always loved their moments with him.

Dr.Thomas had an aquarium close to the Kennel. There were rare fishes  in it. He enjoyed to be with the fishes everyday after his lunch. He would talk to them. He did not refrain.

Nobody knew what happened afterwards.

When Sarayu returned, the front door was ajar. She stepped in. She couldn’t find Dr.Thomas anywhere in the house.

Then she found him sitting on a chair adjacent to the Kennel. His head was tilted backwards. It was scary. While one hand seemed caressing the pet dog, the other hand was pressing his chest.

Dr.M.C.Thomas was no longer alive.

He was dead.