He was recalling in the taxi how it all happened.
He was not feeling well for sometimes, thought that due to change of weather must have caught cold. He has been taking all cares against Corona. Regularly washing hand, seldom had he gone out but whenever he was out of his house, he had the newly acquired Puma brand mask on his face. He was careful to keep safe distance. His only weakness was sweet.
That day also he sneaked out of his house and headed for the neighborhood sweet shop. He ordered for Kamala bhog and hot kachori. He removed his mask and started eating his favourite items, he was eating slowly to prolong his good time with food. He was so much engrossed that forgot that he had spent considerable time at one place.
Satisfied Banerjee returned home with his mask duly on his face. His wife was worried but she being wife of more than 30 years guessed where he had been. He got a round of verbal lashing for his misdemeanor. He was diabetic as well.
By the evening time, he started getting irritating feeling in his throat. By night, he was not getting smell. He got in touch with his house physician next day who referred him to the government hospital by taking help of local thana.
Thus, Banerjee babu landed in the government hospital ward meant for corona patients. The bed allotted to him was in a corner by the side of a wall. He was feeling claustrophobic, requested authorities to shift him to another bed with all sides open. After a few days, he was shifted to another bed, which was at the center.
As per rule prevailing he left his mobile with his family consisting of wife and his two office going sons. He had no touch with his family during the stay. He was cured within 14 days, he was tested negative. He was released but was surprised to find none has come to receive him. He completed the release formalities and took a taxi for home.
He was surprised to see a big gathering in front of his two storied house. The gate was decorated with rajanigandha sticks. He wondered whether anybody had died in his absence. May be the tenant who occupies ground floor must have faced with some tragedy.
He opened the gate and was surprised to find his own picture with garland and flowers around it. His wife was crying. The atmosphere was somber.
“What has happened? Why are you displaying my picture with garlands of flower?”
“Oh! You are alive!” saying this his wife collapsed.
“But we brought your dead body from the hospital and carried out the cremation of your body in the electric furnace!” One of his sons said with surprise written all over his face..
Banerjee babu was stunned and sat down crestfallen.
One of the local leaders came forward to help in solving the ridiculous situation as he only coordinated his hospital admission.
Here is what exactly happened 10 days back.
When Banerjee babu switched his bed the same was not updated in the register. As such staff with all those PPE ,gloves etc were not in full gear of operation. Another patient let us call him Dutta was admitted and given bed vacated by Mr.Banerjee. Mr Dutta actually died, so as the register was not updated so it was Banerjee as per the record who was dead. The hospital staff wrapped the body head to toe in a white sheet and informed Mr.Banerjee’s family to take the body.
His sons and their friends collected the body, as it was a death by corona so they were not allowed to look at the face by removing the sheet. They straightaway took the body for cremation to a designated furnace for corona patient.
Now
Mr.Banerjee was holding his death certificate in hand and was looking at his garlanded picture. He was thanking his star that he was one of those lucky few who could attend his own funeral.He requested one of his sons bring something to eat. It being his funeral as per ritual his favourite items were cooked.
……..
The above incident is based on a real happening.
