A Job Offer

Sujata had come for the morning rounds starting her shift, when she saw Tapeshbabu sitting near Mr Mitter's bed. Mr Mitter was sleeping soundly, and Tapeshbabu was on the chair by his side, looking out of the window into nothing. He sensed Sujata as she came near the bed and smiled sadly. This was the best opportunity Sujata could get for a conversation.

"Can you tell when exactly he fell asleep? Because he'll need to take medicines on time."

"Oh yes.... About, two hours ago. I'll wake him. Don't worry."

"Alright, thank you. I've been relieved since you arrived here. Mr Mitter has come in some control!"

He laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry if he has troubled you a lot. Anyways, he is getting a discharge tomorrow, so you wouldn't be bothered more..."

"No problem. (Actually I did have a lot of problem, but anyways) Have you decided on his treatment after discharge?"

"We trust Dr Ghosh since a lot of years. I think we'll continue with what he suggests now."

"I see. "

Ask it, come on... 

"Uhh, Tapeshbabu, I'm really sorry if this question seems inappropriate right now, but... Looking at your names, I wanted to ask.... Was he... A detective?"

Tapeshbabu raised his eyebrows. "Pardon?"

" I mean, there's you now, these books that I read about..... N-never mind... Nothing."

"Books about who? Feluda?"

Now it was Sujata's turn to raise her eyebrows in shock.

"Yes!! I mean,..."

"Yeah, he's the same one."

"Feluda was real? I didn't even know that!... And you..."

"Yes, I understand... You're not the first person to ask me this... And yes, also I'm that Topshe who wrote it all."

"Ohhh!! I-I'm sorry once again, it's just that... I'm a.... HUGE fan.... "

"Yes, I see......By the way, You don't worry, I'll look after his medicines. You can go ahead."

Sujata realised she had been chatting here for too long now. "Y-yes sure..."

She looked at the sleeping Mr Mitter once again, carefully. He surely must have been good-looking in his young age. He surely must have been THE Feluda. He surely was THE Feluda!...

Sujata tried not to jump and smile around like a little girl every time she thought about this during the day.

At the end of the day when Sujata came in the ward for her last round, she found Dr Ghosh talking to Tapeshbabu and Mr Mitter near his bed. Dr Ghosh saw her and called out. 

"Arrey Sujata, good you came. I was going to call you."

"W-What happened sir?"

"Actually, you know Mr Mitter is going to get discharge tomorrow, but will need continued medical attention."

"Yes, sir."

"So, because you treated him and got along so well, I was thinking, if you could continue to give him treatment at his home for a few months..."

Sujata was so confused for a moment, that her mind went blank.

"Go to his place for giving treatment... But is it allowed sir? And, what about my shift?"

"You'll work under my private practice, so the hospital shouldn't have a problem as far as you complete your shifts, where I can help manage some of your timings."

"So, I have to do shifts plus this treatment?"

"Look Sujata, more experience is always good for new doctors. You end at 4 pm right, so you can go there and stay till 8, then come back. Besides, I could give you salary per week..."

Extra salary?! I could look after my own spending with that, and maybe also send some money home! But, I'll have to work even more hours... But, imagine, working at The Feluda's house!!...

She thought about it for some time, then finally accepted the offer.

Dr Ghosh and Tapeshbabu were happy, and Mr Mitter just sat there listening with his usual straight face.