"Scrolling Away My NEET Dreams" A Story of Addiction, Regret, and Redemption

Chapter 7: A Father’s Silent Battle

4:30 AM – Another Shift, Another Sacrifice

Rajeev Mittal adjusts his uniform in the hospital locker room, rubbing his tired eyes. He hasn’t slept properly in days, but rest isn’t a luxury he can afford.

His shift started late last night, and now, as the city begins to wake, he’s still here—running on tea and exhaustion.

A few of his colleagues are resting on benches, heads tilted back, snatching moments of sleep before their next rounds. He envies them. But he can’t stop.

"One more hour, then I can go home."

But he knows that’s a lie.

There’s always one more patient, one more emergency.

He sighs, splashes cold water on his face, and forces himself to keep going.

---

5:00 AM – The Pressure Never Ends

The emergency ward is chaotic—nurses rushing between beds, the beeping of monitors, the sharp scent of antiseptic.

Rajeev moves from patient to patient, adjusting IV drips, checking charts. His back aches, but he ignores it.

Then he hears the dreaded voice behind him.

> Supervisor: "Mittal! The emergency ward is a mess. Take care of it."

Rajeev wipes his forehead, feeling the sweat collecting.

> Rajeev: (Tiredly) "I just finished three rounds, sir—"

> Supervisor: (Coldly) "Did I ask for an excuse?"

The words are sharp, cutting.

Rajeev swallows his frustration. He’s been working here for years, but to them, he’s just another worker.

No respect. No appreciation. Just orders.

He doesn’t argue. He can’t afford to.

With a quiet nod, he turns back to his work.

---

7:00 AM – The Pain He Ignores

Rajeev walks past the ICU, his hands gripping the trolley tightly. His fingers tremble.

His blood sugar is acting up again. He knows it.

The dizziness, the weakness—it’s familiar. A warning.

"I’ll take my insulin when I get home."

But what if he collapses before that?

For a moment, he thinks about calling Ankita—asking her to book an appointment for him. She always reminds him to take care of himself.

But then he remembers—Debasish’s NEET is in two months. They can’t afford distractions.

They need every rupee for coaching fees, books, and mock tests. His son’s future is more important than a routine check-up.

So, he tightens his grip and keeps walking.

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8:30 AM – More Than Just a Job

Rajeev takes a brief break, sitting on the bench outside the hospital. The morning sun is harsh, but he barely feels it.

He watches patients entering the hospital, their families by their sides. The worry in their eyes is one he knows too well.

It reminds him of his own family—his wife, exhausted from extra shifts; Ankita, quietly sacrificing her dreams; and Debasish, drowning under the weight of expectations.

"We’ve given everything for our children’s future."

That thought keeps him going.

His stomach growls. He hasn’t eaten since last night. He should grab a bite before heading home.

But the thought of food makes him nauseous.

He checks his watch. One more hour, and he can leave.

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9:00 AM – The Father, Not the Patient

Rajeev finally leaves the hospital. The moment he steps out, the exhaustion crashes into him like a wave.

The thought of home, of resting even for a little while, is tempting.

But before anything else, he does the one thing that matters most.

He calls his son.

The phone rings twice before Debasish picks up.