It was the tourist season and almost all the table except for one two-seater were occupied. I took one of the chairs and was pondering over themenu already placed on the table when a beautiful lady strolled in and occupied the chair opposite me. I gave a cursory glance and found her to be beautiful enough to bring about another Clinton impeachment.
Shortly, the waiter came and to my surprised announced that they had special offers for couples. He then turned towards the lady and asked her if she would like to go thro the offers. She burst out laughing and mind you she was in tears when � a solid ten minutes later � her adrenaline had drained out.
Courtey the waiter we both struck a conversation which saw two cheese sandwiches washed down our throats with cups of tea. She was pening up with each passing minute; guess that is what all of us do, when our cup of woes is filled to the brim.
So much for our common interests, that we decided to take a stroll when on the street she said that she had a problem which had been bugging her for quite some time. I asked her if I could be of any help. Initially she refused but on my insistence she was moved a bit and blamed it all on her profession. She was a nurse at the ramakrishna Misson hospital in Nilgiris. I don�t know if that hospital exists now, but then it was very famous in this part of the country. She continued her saga � about an year ago she had nursed an old lady, a leukemia patient and just before her death the lady her handed her a small piece of paper.
My world froze and I did not hear what she said thereafter. Today the nurse is Mrs Gunamalai and I have never told her about Shalini.
