A scifi story with a twist… by Sambitt Dasppatnaik
2050 CE… in the not so future time
It was a cold winter morning following a whole night’s snow fall. The snowing had stopped for some time though. Aadarsh was looking at the hazy sky through the large glass window panes from the hospital canteen where he was seated near a window seat sipping on his herbal chai (tea). As he was looking at the weather outside, his eyes fell on a funeral proceeding going on in the open area outside the funeral house. People had put on their warm fur coats to attend the funeral. After staring at it blankly for some time, he continued to read the local digital newspaper on his tablet, but would time and again peep at the proceedings; especially whenever the priest would loudly read out the last rites after the dead body had been cremated using the incinerator.
Aadarsh was in his mid-sixties, but he had maintained his physique well. The anti-ageing rejuvenation herbal pills had worked well for him. He was keener on reading the ads involving good health by just popping up herbal pills, instead of the surgeries or long drawn procedures. He was an absolute risk-averse kind of a person. The natural remedies had caught up especially after the pandemic of the 2020’s when people had started looking for alternative therapies to improve their immunity and cure many ailments.
One advertisement read:
The wonder anti-ageing pill introduced by Dr. Tripathi… just one tablet… that’s all you need. No side effects.
Aadarsh swiped his fingers to turn the pages of the newspaper app on his digital device. Another ad popped up on his screen before he could read the next news article.
Rejuvenate your liver…Take a 1 month course of Livosyn… 100% natural.
Contact Dr. Tripathi 91-897-23-89781
He smiled looking at the familiar ads and closed the pop-up window to resume his reading. As he was going through the next news article, he could see a familiar looking tall dark gentle man entering the canteen from the corner of his eyes. He was well-dressed with a white medical coat on top. He walked straight to the counter to order some food.
“One sandwich with scrambled eggs.” He said at the counter.
The robot at the counter repeated the order in confirmation with a monotonous tone that sounded like machine, “One sandwich with scrambled eggs. Confirmed.”
The robot holographed a 3-dimensional image of the order in front of this man. The man took out his plastic card and swiped across the holographic image and the credit amount was instantly deducted from his bank account. As a matter of habit, he glanced at his digital watch to reaffirm the amount deducted, as it beeped the transaction confirmation message.
The man then looked around and then zeroed his view on Aadarsh and gave a gentle smile. Aadarsh smiled back in return. He then started walking towards Aadarsh. Finally, he stood in front of him and smiled again. He waited for a few minutes observing if Aadarsh would recognize him. Once he was sure he didn’t, he forwarded his hands in a hand-shaking gesture and introduced himself, “Dr. Tripathi”.
That’s when Aadarsh could relate with the familiar face he had been seeing in the news and various video ads. He got up in respect and shook hands in return and replied, “Aadarsh Dwivedi.”
They both took their seat. Aadarsh was excited. He was always fascinated by Dr. Tripathi and his work on the natural medicines and supplements.
He exclaimed, “I am so excited to meet you in person.”
Dr. Tripathi replied back, “Well I am just a normal human being in flesh and bone you see. Just that I am resurrecting the ancient art of natural medicines backed with scientific research.”
Aadarsh said, “Your simplicity and fundamental approach… and that’s what makes you so special.”
Dr. Tripathi smiled.
Aadarsh continued, “I have been following your work. You have helped in reversing any type of disease or ailment. So, what’s next?”
Dr. Tripathi said in a modest tone, “We are now working on natural herbs that can be taken along with food or beverages as supplements. So that you really don’t feel like taking a medicine at all and it still works. I am well on my way to conclude my clinical trials on memory loss as well. Results have been positive so far especially with patients who believe in our work and are in dire need of it.”
Aadarsh replied, “Well, there are a whole lot of people out there who need to revive their memories. I would really give you credit for that. The world needs you.”
Dr. Tripathi cleared his throat and replied, “Well there are many with traumatic conditions especially after the pandemic that lasted for several years in the 2020’s. We are dealing with that as well.”
Just then the robotic waiter interrupted their talk and placed the order in front of Dr. Tripathi.
Dr. Tripathi thanked the metal waiter and then looking at Aadarsh, asked, “Do you want to order anything else? I see you just finished your herbal chai.”
Aadarsh exclaimed, “Oh yes, another round of the herbal chai would do just fine. I am another potential candidate for you who goes the natural way.”
Dr. Tripathi ordered for another herbal chai for Aadarsh and took the bill on him.
Aadarsh’s chai arrived and they continued gossiping while consuming their ordered food and beverage. They were interrupted by the commotion of the dispersing crowd who had just attended the funeral.
Aadarsh said in a low tone, “Very unfortunate to see someone’s last rites going on.”
Dr. Tripathi looked at the direction where Aadarsh was looking at. He then turned towards Aadarsh and continued to observe him silently.
“So, whose funeral was it?” asked Aadarsh, especially because he had seen the entire funeral happening in front of him.
Dr. Tripathi replied controlling his emotions, “She was an old lady.”
Aadarsh replied, “That must have been a great loss for their family… it is especially difficult to take it all of a sudden.”
The two sat in silence for a minute or two. Dr. Tripathi was observing Aadarsh all this time but was careful not to let Aadarsh notice it.
Meanwhile, Aadarsh had already gulped his second round of the herbal chai.
Dr. Tripathi cleared his throat and replied, “Yes. It is always difficult for anyone of us to lose our dear or near ones.”
Aadarsh nodded. He then looked at Dr. Tripathi and asked, “So what is it you were mentioning earlier about the memory loss program?”
Dr. Tripathi looked straight at Aadarsh and said, “Well, our stage 3 clinical trials have shown good results.”
Aadarsh responded in affirmation, “That’s great. Your herbal medicines have always been a revolutionary idea.”
Dr. Tripathi replied with pride gleaming on his face, “Yeah. Old concept, new package with a well-researched scientific approach.”
He continued, “Our memory loss medication had to go through tons of clearances by the World Health Committee. The trials were more stringent than we thought as it relates to memory.”
Aadarsh exclaimed, “So how do you measure the success of the trials?”
Dr. Tripathi looked at Aadarsh and smiled. Aadarsh was listening with complete attention as this was of his interest as well.
Dr. Tripathi said, “We do all medical tests. Confirm that the persons receiving the medication are continuing to have normal medical reports. We then speak to the patients who had volunteered for the trials. You see, it’s like a boon to a certain section of our society. Especially, the older generation who had always been looking towards coming out of their traumatic experience during the pandemic.”
“So, when they approach us with their recent traumas, we also help them clear away from their earlier sufferings especially the ones they faced during the pandemic.”
Dr. Tripathi was careful to keep the discussion generic. He would have narrated this to several patients both before starting the treatment to give them the confidence and enroll them in the program and post treatment to give them reassurance.
They continued their discussion for some more time and finally parted their ways.
The next day morning, Aadarsh was listening to the usual morning news on his TV at his home. His heart was heavy. But he was glad he had been able to pass through the immediate shock of losing his wife. He was preparing, yet another cup of herbal chai to help him through the day. More servings helped him to forget the old traumas of unexpectedly losing his parents and siblings during the pandemic. He could, however, realize that he was getting addicted to the herbal chai. But he preferred the addiction compared to the excruciating pain he had been going through especially when his wife’s death had revived his old painful memories.
The news flashed yet another ad as mentioned by Dr. Tripathi during his previous day’s discussion with him:
Herbal chai for losing memory for a day or till the trauma lasts.
Just 1 cup works … Having more servings has no side effects as it is 100% herbal.
You can take it whenever you undergo a traumatic incident and stay in oblivion till the time passes out.
You can also reach out to us so you can plan it out in advance. For more details, contact Dr. Tripathi 91-897-23-89781.
Copyright © Sambitt Dasppatnaik. All rights reserved.
The story was first published in the magazine Authoropod, Jan 2023 edition. https://authoropod-magazine.vercel.app/#magazine
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