Specs Number

Aligarh Eye Centre, recently renamed Okhla Eye Centre, reminds people living in the Jamia Nagar of their association with Aligarh city, where Aligarh Muslim University, the almamater of many, is situated. It's touching to now a landmark hospital of the area, Al-Shifa Hospital. A month back when my wife was recuperating from post-Covid black fungus infection, I visited this eye clinic with her. We were waiting for our turn. Suddenly, a very old woman — frail and wrinkled — emerged from the doctor's room. She was livid and accusing the doctor of befooling her. Her allegation was that the doctor was not changing her specs number despite the fact that she is unable to see certain things. A young girl, who was accompanying her, was trying to calm her and convince her that she must return to home and come some other day. For a moment, she agreed and then again proceeded to argue with the doctor. This time, everyone remained silent. Then, one of the nurses and the girl grabbed her by her hand and took her to a corner. They offered her a glass of water and convinced her that as she could see the glass and the water in it, it meant her specks were allright. "Okay, okay," the old woman said this much. And then left the clinic with the young girl. Being ultra curious now, I asked the nurse who was the lady and what ails her. She said, "She had one sole son. She had raised him well after the early death of her husband. She used to care for him like a child even after the son was now father to five grown up kids. The girl accompanying her was her youngest granddaughter. Last month, Covid engulfed er son. No one in the family informed her that he was no more and he was sent to graveyard directly from the hospital. She now thinks that she is unable to see her son in the house because the number of her specks has to be changed and visits our clinic almost daily. It takes her around an hour or more to realise her loss and come to terms with grief. But, the next day, the love of the son returns. Poor lady!"