My Adopted Mom

[ashuezy2]

Scene 2

A few days passed. My sickness was completely gone, but the real sickness "the loneliness" was still sitting in my chest, heavy and thick like the Nainital fog.

I was sitting in the verandah, watching the boats on Naini Lake, but not really seeing them. My real mom was inside, busy with her afternoon puja. She was there, but she wasn't.

My mind, however, was far away. It was on Mall Road, in a small clinic. My mind was on Dr. Anjali. Her smile. And... that feeling. The impossible, soft warmth of her chest when she had pulled my hand against her. It was a memory I replayed over and over, each time feeling a jolt. Her invitation to "come for a chat" felt less like a doctor's polite offer and more like a secret promise.
I finally found the (courage). I stood up, my legs feeling shaky. I told my mom I was going for a walk, my heart hammering against my ribs so hard I was afraid she would hear it.

The walk to Mall Road was a blur. What if she’s busy? What if she forgot? What will I say?
The clinic was almost empty. A grumpy-looking compounder (assistant) was at the front desk, writing in a big register. He looked up at me, annoyed. I nervously mumbled something about seeing the doctor... that she had... asked me to come. He looked like he was about to turn me away.
Then, I heard her voice from the inner room.

Dr. Anjali: Arey Vinod, who is it? Bhejo andar! (Send them in!)

My heart leapt. I pushed the door open slowly.
She was sitting at her big wooden desk. She looked up, and a huge, warm smile spread across her face. She looked so beautiful, it made my stomach do a flip. She said she was just thinking about me.

She remembered. She remembered I was lonely.
She got up and walked over to me, her presence filling the small room. She put the back of her hand on my forehead, just like a mom does. Her touch was cool and soft. No fever. Good.

But she said I still looked very (thin). She leaned in a little, her eyes searching mine, and asked if the main problem... the loneliness... was still there.
I just nodded, feeling a sudden, overwhelming shyness.
A playful, naughty glint appeared in her eyes. It was time, she said, for some "special medicine" for that.

I watched, frozen, as she walked to the room's door and locked it from the inside.
My eyes went wide. She saw my expression and laughed, a low, soft sound. It was just so that (idiot) Vinod didn't disturb our "special check-up," she explained.
She pointed to the patient bed in the corner. Come, sit here. And take off your shirt.
My mind stalled. But... I'm not sick.

Dr. Anjali: Chup! (Quiet!)

Her voice was soft but firm, and filled with that same teasing, playful tone. I am the doctor. You are malnourished, remember? I need to check if my naughty patient is eating properly or not.

My hands trembled as I slowly pulled my shirt over my head. I felt so (strange), so exposed. She came very close. I was instantly enveloped in her perfume. It was mogra (jasmine), sweet and intoxicating.
Her warm fingers started pressing on my chest, checking my ribs one by one.
Hmm. Still just bones.

She said I needed (heat), and a proper (diet). Her hand moved down from my chest to my stomach. She pinched my side, very playfully.
Hai Ram! Not even a little bit of charbi (fat) on you. You are just a sukha lakdi (dry stick).
I was blushing so hard I couldn’t move or speak. My skin was on fire where she’d touched me. She must have seen my red face. Her voice softened, "Ssshh. Don't worry."

Then she said the words that made my whole body buzz.
"Your new mom will take care of you."
She smiled, her eyes looking straight into mine. Now, I will give you the real medicine for your loneliness.
She put her hands on my shoulders and gently pulled my head forward.
It was not a normal hug. It was a full, tight embrace. My face was pressed directly between her big, soft breasts. It was the same place my hand had been, but this was a thousand times better. They were impossibly soft, incredibly warm, and I felt like I was sinking into her. I was drowning in her softness and her mogra scent.
I could barely breathe. I felt her whisper in my ear, her breath warm.

Dr. Anjali: Feel better now, my beta (son)? This is the best diet.
I was frozen, paralyzed by the feeling. I couldn't speak. I just nodded, my face still buried in her bosom.
She held me there for what felt like an eternity before slowly pulling back, though she kept her hands on my shoulders, holding me in place. She looked at me with a satisfied smile.

Dr. Anjali: Good boy. Now, you listen to me. You come here every two days. I will personally check if you are gaining weight or not. Samjhe? (Understand?)
My voice was shaky. "Yes, doctor-ji."
Dr. Anjali: Good. Now run along before my next patient comes. And haan...
As I fumbled with my shirt, my hands still trembling, she tapped my nose playfully.
Dr. Anjali: This is our little secret, okay?
She gave me a wink.
I unlocked the door and almost ran out of the room, my shirt half on.
My loneliness was gone. The fog in my chest had vanished. But a new, strange, hot feeling was starting in my whole body, and I was already counting the minutes until my next "check-up."