Love Cells.... - Kalai Selvi Arivalagan (free e books to read online .TXT) 📗

for the test.

After much struggle Mona succeeded in standardizing the PCR test and she found the strain that affected the liver and caused jaundice.

She did not come to the department for more than 15 days, and her guide asked her to hurry up and submit the synopsis as soon as possible. To forget whatever that had happened, she concentrated on her research project.

Sylvia always accompanied her and never left her alone. Mona came to the department early before anyone turned up and left the department early. Mona never stayed late and she planned her time in a way that did not collide with the timings of Richard and Mike.

To tell the truth, Mona felt literally scared at the sight of Mike.

Mike’s sarcastic smile and looks made her palpitate and she could not avoid feeling dizzy and weak whenever he threw a glance at her.

Richard also avoided Mona totally. The cold war that went on between them wished to prove that the other’s notion is not right.

The Indian beech trees around the campus looked rich with new leaves. Red colored tender leaves covered the whole tree. In the next ten days the trees will be full in bloom. Indian koels will start to sing from those trees. It will be really a treat to listen to the songs of the koels.

One afternoon, Sylvia and Mona sat listening to the love tunes of a male koel from the nearby beech tree.

“It is so sweet” Sylvia looked at Mona with a smile.

“Yes. Lovely.” Thousands of thoughts sparkled within Mona and she let out a sigh of grief.

“It is singing for me. A forlorn love song,” Mona murmured silently.

“Why do you think so? The male bird may be calling his lady love.” Sylvia replied.

“How good it will be if we can express like that bird” Mona added.

“Yes. You can. No one restrict you from doing so.” Sylvia answered back.

“Mona, have you checked the cell culture?” Dr. Vivian called her.

“Yes. Dr. I will check it out”, replying Mona started to move toward the cell culture lab.

It took another 45 minutes for Mona to check the growth of the cell culture. After switching on the UV light for ten minutes, Mona sterilized her hands and went to check the growth of the cells.

A surprise awaited her. The cells showed full growth. She can now start with the next level of her work, infect the cells with the virus and then feed the cells with antibiotics. If the antibiotics stopped the growth of the virus and allowed the cell replication again, the test will turn out to be a success.

“Syl, come here” Mona shouted with joy. The antibiotics had stopped the viral growth and the cells have started to grow again.

“Congrats. Mona you have succeeded.” Mona gave her a broad smile. Chapter 9

Sylvia searched her bag and took a piece of chocolate.

“Open your mouth.” Sylvia gave the chocolate to Mona. Both were feeling happy as it was a wonderful thing to happen in the life of a researcher.

Most of the research laboratories lacked the basic amenities and all the research scholars had to depend on the labs where they can find the facilities.

Sophisticated instruments are expensive to buy and to get funds for the purchase of instruments was always a lengthy procedure.

Mona was lucky to be in a lab that had sophisticated laboratory equipments. Usually getting the bio-chemicals needed for the sensitive tests took time. As Mona was working in an international collaborative project, her guide could get her the expensive chemicals easily.

The coming days looked bright for Mona. Blooming lilies welcomed her at the entrance of the Institute. The neem trees in the campus have also started to flower.

All the neem trees were covered with full bloom and the perfume from the neem flowers floated around the air.

The neem leaves or the flowers or the neem seeds are bitter to taste. Yet, they all had a cooling effect on the body.
****

Group of friends gathered around the counter at the university. Mona was there to submit her ‘Synopsis’. After she submitted her Synopsis, every one clapped their hands and wished her the best. Mona arranged for a small party at the nearby Aavin parlor to celebrate her submission. The Aavin parlor supplied ice cream, milkshakes and sweets.

Mona got flavored milk and ice cream for every one.

After enjoying the treat, Mona and her friends wanted to take a stroll at the Marina beach that was opposite to the university.

“Hi, what are your plans now,” Sylvia teased Mona.

“Just now I have submitted my synopsis. I must submit my thesis. Then only I can think about the next thing.”

Every one from the department came there to greet Mona, but Mike, Richard and others did not turn up for her submission. Though Mona felt hurt by this gesture, she tried to be cheerful and happy. Sylvia could feel this. Yet, she did not talk about that.

Walking on the sand was really an experience. The cool sea breeze touched every one and made every one feel happy.

Nature can give every one the best soothing experience. It can massage both our mind and body and help us feel healthy. The evening sea breeze did that and made Mona to forget the bitter experiences.

Holding their hands together every one got into the waves. Whenever big waves rolled in and made them completely drenched, every one screamed loudly.

Sitting at the shore, Sylvia watched Mona playing in the waves. Foaming waves of the sea reminded her of the incidents that happened in her life.

With a sigh, Sylvia looked at the horizon. She wished God must help Mona also to come out of all the troubles and be happy.

God had helped Sylvia to come out of all the troubles and move ahead. She wished the same thing to happen to Mona also. 

Chapter 10

Sylvia lost touch with Mona after her synopsis submission. Mona was busy writing her thesis. Her whole concentration was on writing her thesis and get out of the campus as soon as possible. Her visit to the campus made her feel low and depressed. The day for her PhD Viva came.

When Sylvia entered the department, every one was tense. She heard that Mona who came to attend the Viva in the Institute had gone home without informing anyone.

The panel members waited for her to start the Viva. Her guide called her home and found out that she was there. He requested her father to bring her to the department.

When Mona entered the department Richard was there along with his friends. Mike looked really like a devil to Mona. With a sarcastic smile he looked at her.

That smile shattered her nerves and Mona started to feel jittery. Sylvia understood her situation yet could not go and ask Mike and others why they made her feel so.

After successful completion of viva, Mona joined as a research assistant in a famous eye hospital. Sylvia could not see her often.

Mona’s friends who were still doing their research program at the Institute shared news about Mona with Sylvia.

Sylvia’s moods were not good. She could feel some uneasiness all the day around. Her right eye palpitated all the day around for more than six months. Sylvia predicted that as a bad omen and constantly prayed for her near and dear ones. In her heart she can feel something bad is going to happen.

One day when Sylvia rang up to Mona to talk, she refused to talk.

“Hi, Mona, how are you?”

“Hmm. Good” Mona replied in an indifferent tone. Sylvia could not guess what was going on in Mona’s mind at that time.

For more than fifteen minutes she was on the phone. But Mona did not reply even a single word.

“Ok. If you need any help, please call me. I will do any help you need.” With this promise Sylvia put down the receiver.

Sylvia asked her friends what has happened to Mona. Yet, she could not talk to them in detail as they were always busy or crowded with other people in the department.

Without knowing anything in detail, one morning when Sylvia turned up at the department, shocking news awaited her.

Richard with a grim face informed her that Mona committed suicide the day before in the evening and she was no more.

Sylvia could not suppress her tears. Palpitation in her right eye had stopped and she felt the whole world swirled around her.

Sylvia wanted to have a last glimpse of Mona. She accompanied other people in the lab and went to pay her last tributes to her friend.

Sylvia could see the pressure of last moments of death on Mona's face. Sylvia broke down and cried aloud along with Mona's mother. Sylvia could do only that. 

Imprint

Text: Kalai Selvi Arivalagan
Publication Date: 11-28-2009

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
My friend Mona, who left the world so early when so much was there to achieve for her.