Chapter 19: Kannada
Kannada
I'm working at the hospital again today. It seems me and Yuki's relationship has been exposed, and I’m afraid of everyone’s staring…
The nurses at the outpatient clinic are the same as usual today, yet...
"Doctor! I heard! You're dating Dr. Kashiwagi, right? You’re very wise. Good eye. That's wonderful."
I never thought I would be praised here… So? What am i getting praised for? The outpatient nurse sighs as I wonder.
“Oh my God, doctor! You don't know the Kashiwagi Group… do you?”
I don't know anything about that!
“I'm sorry, but I haven't been in Japan in a long time. And I don't have that kind of "I'm going to make it in Japan" attitude. So I don't understand why they call it a group.”
The outpatient nurse stares at me, amazed.
“I see, then, doctor. Where is that polo shirt you're wearing under your lab coat from?"
“This one? I'm all about ease of wear. This is Unishiro. It's reasonably priced but durable.”
I say with a smug look on my face. She must have thought I was a brand lover.
All the nurses in the outpatient department let out a big sigh.
"Doctor. The largest shareholder of that company is the Kashiwagi Group.”
“The largest shareholder? What do you mean by that? Eee?! It’s that big a group!”
I say to the nurses who look at me with dismay.
"You mean everyone knew that.”
“Of course they do! On the contrary, I'm surprised that you don't know about it.”
I hear a pointed voice from behind me and turn around to find the head of the outpatient department there. When did they get here?
"I heard a lot of noise, so I came to check what all the fuss was about... So that’s what it's all about.
The head, with a dazed look on his face, says.
“Well, that's not important. Dr. Marc. Help. I was asked to come from the CKD outpatient department."
"Well, that's an unusual place to come from. Surely you see almost the same patients there…OK. Take care of the rest!”
I say, and head for the outpatient department.
"Ah! Dr. Marc. Good. Here, go get that patient from earlier."
The nurse brings a patient from the outpatient waiting room.
He takes out a tablet and types something on it. I recognize the letters.
I answered his question in his native language, "Kannada”.
“It's all right. I understand the language and script of your country,”
I tell him, who looked rather anxious. He must've been relieved to hear that. He smiles happily.
The CKD outpatient doctor asked me,
"What do you think? This data. Maybe he needs dialysis, but I want you to tell him this. There’s fluid in his lungs. He must be in pain. I'm amazed he made it this far."
I tell him that.
"Why did you put up with it until your kidneys started functioning so poorly? There's water in your lungs. Look here.”
He points his finger and says,
"In my home country, I had proper checkups. I was seeing the doctor and being careful myself. But I've been working a lot lately, and my meals became mostly junk..."
“I see. Dialysis here in Japan is the best in the world, although in your case, it'll only be a temporary treatment. You should stay here and get treated until the water is completely drained. If you eat right and get back to your original weight, that pain and lethargy will disappear. Besides, medical treatment in India is advanced. They can do organ transplants faster there, right?”
“That was the plan. I wasn’t in need of money, but I just came here to help an acquaintance with his work. And..."
He looks down shyly.
“I love the food in Japan!!! I just ate too much!"
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