After what seemed like eternity, my dentist removed the braces. But, I had to visit him one last time to get a retainer. It is a single stranded wire to keep your teeth in place, so that they don’t move back to the earlier shape. The dentist had taken my teeth impression and the retainer is prepared from it. So, here is the story of my supposed to be last dentist appointment.
My dentist is a consulting fellow. He visits this particular clinic once in a month. The dental clinic is quite far from my home. So, when I reached the clinic at 5 30 and I was told that the dentist was to arrive at 6 30; I thought it was better to wait than return. And in this clinic we are expected to give our prescription card at the reception which later is used to call you in.
After giving the card, I felt like the roaming the streets since I had an hour. When I came outside, I realized it had started pouring. Alas, I had forgotten to take an umbrella and also my jacket. The waiting room which is just a long corridor with a couple of hard wooden benches was not inviting. I even thought my classroom benches were better! In any case, I started watching the little droplets of water touch the earth nonchalantly. But after ten minutes, I needed a change. Since it was raining and I was pretty early, no patients arrived. Not that I intended to converse with them, but when you are waiting alone, it feels awkward.
After half an hour, my legs could no longer carry my head, limbs and other body parts. Even the hard benches looked comfortable now. At least, for another ten minutes. I took out the music player but I had forgotten to charge the batteries! I tried to yawn, but minutes before coming here I had got up from a deep slumber. Therefore, a nap and that too in these benches was not an option.
I saw a newspaper lying in a bench and fifteen minutes passed with ease. By now, the benches had started to get rigid and I longed for something tolerable. And, there was no eating point nearby. By God, I was hungry!
My watch read 6 15. Another fifteen minutes only. I started doing random things which I normally don’t do; as a matter of fact, nobody does. I counted the number of windows the corridor had. I also admired the great art in the cracks formed on the roof. I read all the notices that were put up. I made a note of spelling mistakes and planned to inform the receptionist, but then I entered into a spiritual state. I introspected that making mistakes is common. I even thought about the life after death!
Just then, people started entering the place. By this time, I longed for a stroll. So, I started walking in the corridor. I had expected the doctor to arrive by this time. But, I overheard the receptionist saying that the doctor would be a bit late! And in Indian sense, bit late can range from few minutes to hours together! This put me in a fix for I couldn’t go out, because I did not know when the doctor would arrive. Obviously, my condition worsened. Earlier I had a definite waiting period, but not now.
Once again my legs gave up. Adding to the dismay, number of people in the corridor had outnumbered the available seats! I involuntarily started observing people around me. The situation in dental clinic is quite different from that of a hospital. Here people are not sad; because they are sure they are not going to die! The little children who formed a majority of the patients had formed a small playground in the corridor! The early teenage girls had formed a group in a corner and I think a nice round of gossip was going on. There was nobody from my age group, how lonely! Others, who I guessed were parents, were passing judgments. I wondered why grown-ups always have to opine about everything.
Soon, the scene changed. The dentist’s assistant arrived. Smiles were exchanged. I don’t think I would have got a bigger smile if I had won a lottery! “At last” I said to myself. But, the doctor had gone for a cup of coffee; so said the assistant. Nonetheless, the doctor took the time I take to have a full meal to drink his coffee!!
At 10 minutes to 8 pm, the dentist arrived. A huge crowd formed near the door of the clinic. The strict receptionist announced she would allow the patients inside in the order she had collected the card. The shouts of “I came at 6 30”, “I came at 6 10”, “Let me in” and so on were aired.When the receptionist started calling the names, expectedly I was the first. After straightening my collar and giving a winning look, I stepped in.
The doctor asked the assistant to take out the retainer from his case the moment I entered, for he remembered my face. I duly told my name when the assistant asked. The assistant opened the big black case and started looking through it. After two minutes, he came back and announced “Sir, this fellow’s retainer is not in the case”. I swallowed a cuss word. But, the doctor managed a smile and gave the final verdict “Sorry mister, looks like my assistant forgot to pack your retainer. Never mind! I will give it next month. Next patient please”.
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