अध्याय : पंचम:
Third Person PoV
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27 February'24
Devrudra stood in the bustling hospital cafeteria, his keen eyes sweeping across the crowded room in search of a familiar face. It had been two days since the topic submissions, and the chosen students had already handed in their work. The board committee would soon begin the arduous task of selecting two topics from the submissions. Once shortlisted, it would be up to them, the team members, to cast their votes. The topic that emerged victorious would become the focus of their project.
Taking his tray laden with rice and chicken, he began the challenging task of finding an empty seat in a secluded corner. This was no easy feat. The cafeteria in the academic block was renowned for serving the best food, making it a bustling hub of activity. Nestled in one of its quieter sections were a few coveted tables, each with four chairs. Securing one of these spots was a Herculean task, as they were often claimed by couples eager to spend some quality time together.
As if fortune favored him, the usually crowded cafeteria was surprisingly less busy today. Even the secluded corners, often in high demand, had empty tables. he spotted Prashmita at one such table, deeply engrossed in her notes. A sense of relief washed over him. With a determined stride, he made my way over, carefully balancing his tray laden with food. Upon reaching her table, he gently cleared my throat to catch her attention and offered her a warm, inviting smile.
"Boste pari, Dr. Prashmita? jodi kichhu mone na koro!" Devrudra asked, his voice laced with genuine warmth and his smile effortlessly charming.
[Would it be alright if I joined you]
Prashmita looked up, her intense gaze softening slightly, though a veil of indifference still lingered in her eyes as she recognized Devrudra. A faint smile played at the corners of her lips "Of course, Dr. Devrudra," Her voice was indifferent—not as cold as an iceberg, but not as warm as the gentle winter sun, gesturing to the empty seat across from her. "Please, bosun."
[Have a seat]
He hesitated slightly, speaking to her casually, but her response was distant and unfamiliar. She addressed him as if he were a stranger, calling him "Apni."
He settled into the chair across from her, placing his tray on the table with a deliberate, casual motion. His mind raced, searching for a way to start a conversation that wouldn't seem too eager. The fact that he chose to sit with her, despite the many empty chairs around, betrayed a hint of desperation.
Gathering his courage, he initiated the conversation. "How are your preparations for the project going? You submitted a topic too, didn't you?" he asked gently, his voice tinged with curiosity and a touch of nervousness.
"I did," she replied, her voice calm and unruffled, as if the topic held no significance for her.
"Oh. Are you hopeful your topic will be selected?" he asked, attempting to infuse his voice with confidence, but a subtle tremor betrayed his uncertainty.
"I am neither eager nor indifferent. It may seem contradictory, but I genuinely don't mind either way. I had a topic to submit, so I did. It's up to the board now, whether they select it or discard it," she replied, her voice maintaining its unwavering detachment.
"oh!" he responded, his voice trailing off with each word, growing fainter as the conversation seemed to lose momentum. Yet, a spark of determination flickered within him. Summoning a renewed sense of courage, he resolved to keep the conversation going, refusing to let it dwindle.
"I've been meaning to discuss something with you," he began, his tone warm and conversational. "Recently, I've been observing some rather intriguing patterns in the scans I've been reviewing. They've sparked my curiosity, and I thought you might find them as fascinating as I do."
Prashmita's curiosity was visibly piqued as she lifted her gaze from her notes, her eyes reflecting a spark of intrigue. "Really? That sounds quite intriguing. What specific patterns have you been noticing?" she asked, her tone imbued with genuine interest and a hint of anticipation.
Devrudra leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a confidential murmur as though he were sharing an insider's secret. "I've been observing some unusual activity in the brain scans of patients suffering from chronic pain. It's quite fascinating—it's almost as though their brains are undergoing a form of self-rewiring, adapting in real-time to manage the persistent discomfort. The patterns are complex, suggesting a dynamic interplay between pain perception and neural adaptation."
Prashmita's eyes widened, a glimmer of excitement lighting up her expression. "That's absolutely fascinating," she remarked, her tone rich with intrigue. "Chronic pain can certainly induce neural plasticity, as the brain adapts to prolonged discomfort. But to witness such changes so vividly in the scans is remarkable. What, in your view, might be driving these alterations? Do you have any hypotheses about the underlying mechanisms or contributing factors?"
Devrudra shrugged, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered the complexity of the issue. "I can't say for certain," he admitted, his expression thoughtful and contemplative. "But I was hoping you might be able to offer some insight. Given your expertise in neurology, I thought you might have some theories or additional perspectives on what could be driving these intriguing patterns. Your input could be invaluable in understanding the full scope of these neural adaptations."
Prashmita smiled, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes as she replied, "Flattery might get you far, Dr. Devrudra, I'm no expert—just a student, really," She replied with a tone that was both modest and reflective, starting with a hint of teasing playfulness. It was as if she were acknowledging her own limitations while still striving to engage with him.
"But I assure you, the matter at hand is indeed quite intricate. Chronic pain can indeed provoke significant changes in the brain's structure and function. For example, the prefrontal cortex—often exhibits altered connectivity patterns in these patients. These alterations can affect not only how pain is processed but also how it impacts their emotional and cognitive states. It's a profound illustration of the brain's remarkable adaptability, but also of the challenges we face in managing such complex conditions."
Devrudra nodded, his expression reflecting deep contemplation as he absorbed her insights. "That makes a lot of sense," he said thoughtfully. "I've also been considering how emotional states might further influence these neurological changes. Specifically, I'm curious if there's a discernible correlation between patients' emotional health and the patterns we're observing in their brain scans. For instance, do you see a link between heightened levels of stress or anxiety and more pronounced neural adaptations? Understanding this connection could provide a more comprehensive picture of how chronic pain affects not just the brain's structure, but also its functional dynamics."
Prashmita's expression grew contemplative. "Absolutely. Emotions play a crucial role. Patients with higher levels of stress or depression often show more pronounced changes. It's a bit of a vicious cycle – pain leads to emotional distress, which then exacerbates the pain."
Devrudra leaned back in his chair, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of wonder and intellectual curiosity. "It's truly remarkable how interconnected everything is," he mused, his voice filled with admiration. "The interplay between radiology and neurology, between the mind and the body, underscores just how intricately these systems are woven together. It often feels like we're only beginning to scratch the surface of comprehending this complex web. Every new finding seems to open up more questions, revealing the profound depths of our understanding yet to be explored. The more we uncover, the more we realize the vast, intricate network we're only starting to grasp."
Prashmita nodded in agreement. "That's the beauty of medicine, isn't it? The more we learn, the more we realize how much we don't know. But it's also what keeps us going – the endless pursuit of knowledge."
Devrudra smiled, appreciating her perspective. "Exactly. And it's conversations like this that make it all worthwhile. Thanks for indulging my curiosity, Prashmita."
Prashmita laughed softly, a warm sound that cut through the cafeteria's din. "Anytime, Dr. Devrudra. It's always a pleasure to talk with someone who shares the same passion for discovery."
As their conversation delved deeper into the fascinating intersections of radiology and neurology, the cafeteria around them continued to hum with activity. The clinking of cutlery, the murmur of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter created a lively backdrop. Yet, within their corner of the bustling space, Devrudra and Prashmita remained absorbed in their discussion. Their voices, animated and engaged, seemed to create a bubble of focus amidst the surrounding commotion. They exchanged ideas and insights with a palpable enthusiasm, each revelation sparking new avenues of thought. In that moment, they were entirely immersed in their shared exploration of medical mysteries, momentarily detached from the ordinary world around them.
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Author's note
In this chapter many medical terms has been used , I would e giving a brief data about them, those who are interested can look upto them. Having said that, I consciously used medical terminology to make the story to be true to its setting, as its medical fiction , there would be instances where medical terms would get used.
Brain rewiring, also known as neuroplasticity, is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This process allows the brain to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and recover from injuries, thereby continuously reshaping its structure and function.
Prefrontal cortex—an area involved in executive functions and emotional regulation
In Bengali, "bosun" is a polite and formal way of saying "please sit" or "take a seat."
In Bengali, "apni" is a formal and respectful way to address someone. It translates to "you" in English, used to show respect or politeness, especially when speaking to someone older or of higher status.
In Bengali , "tumi", is a non formal way to address someone, usually often used to a person, whom you know well and have a good relationship with. It translates to "you" in English
Devrudra used verb associated with "tumi" which shows he is eager to build a new bond, where as Prashmita used verb associated with "apni", which reflects her indifference.
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