कृष्ण-धवल

The occasion of World No Tobacco Day (2022) reminded me of an experience many years back, but still fresh in my memory and right in front of my eyes. That of an open Heart Surgery. I had recently shifted to Mumbai from Pune. My immediate cousin had just become a Doctor via MBBS. His immediate uncle was a famous Cardiac surgeon in Mumbai and the country. And uncle's wife was a famed Anesthetist. As a result, her schedule was packed as she mostly assisted in heart surgeries that stretch to a few hours. Thanks to uncle and aunt, my cousin enjoyed the rare privilege of attending and observing major heart surgeries immediately after passing MBBS. I often used to pester my cousin to take me along for a surgery as I was super interested in a seeing a live body being cut and see a major surgery such as an open heart surgery. After constant pestering, he finally obliged and mustered the courage to request his aunt about allowing me with them for just one surgery. One fine day lady luck ...