malaria, an ode to

I returned from my month long vacation with good intent. I had a few bottles of Cutty Sark, a big book of crossword puzzles and two-and-a-half books that everybody wants me to read. Bombay suddenly didn't appear as big, smelly and dark as it normally does. Add to that the fact that I just got myself a new toy (the iPod touch), the prospects of an evening alone wasn't all that dreadful anymore.

Then Plasmodium Falciparum happened to me. Also known as, the bad malaria.

All it takes is a couple of mosquitoes to spread this rather aggressive strain of the disease. This one is known to affect the vital organs i.e. the liver, lungs, heart, kidneys and the cottage piano (the other organ that men keep fantasising about using, isn't apparently that vital).

I was immobile without food and drink and very high fever for three days before I had the sense to call a friend who took me for the tests. Post that I was shifted to my cousin's place, where I am being pampered. And I think I deserve it. Though I feel a lot better now, my blood reports are still not up to the mark. The doctor keeps glancing up from them and gives me an odd look that seems to say, "How come this one's still alive?"

The year just doesn't seem to end.

That's 'Off the Mark', one of my favourite cartoon strips by Mark Parisi. Introduced to me by someone special, not too long ago. I don't know where she is now.