Book Excerpt: The Way Home – A Soul-Searching Journey Through Chaos by Shalini Mullick
5 min read
Read an exclusive excerpt from Shalini Mullick’s latest book, The Way Home – A Soul-searching journey through chaos (Published by Readomania, 2024)
Anya loved the OR too. Choosing between Surgery and Emergency Medicine had been a tough call for her. She found the thrill of piecing together clues to make a diagnosis as interesting as solving a mystery; and this had tilted the scales in favour of her becoming an emergency physician. Still, she would sometimes feel nostalgic for the air of anticipation and dramatic vibe in the OR. The luminescent lights, glistening metal instruments in gleaming sterile trays and the rows of equipment made the OR a unique experience. Many of her teachers had used the term ‘Operation Theatre’ for the OR. It did seem more appropriate given how the place was a stage for the most difficult procedures. After all, each case was a performance, a symphony of actions of so many people, events, and things. No mat er how many rehearsals were done, it was the moment of truth when the patient was wheeled in. and there was no scope for retakes, edits, touch ups, or computerised imagery. It was as real as it could get. She began to scrub.
Inside the OR, Roy was sitting on a rotating stool in the corner, already scrubbed and gloved. he was again imagining himself on the football field; this time preparing for the clincher penalty shot. The crowd was cheering loudly, but the sound faded out. he saw only the ball and focussed on the goal post. That was the similarity between football and surgery. Both had an urgency about them and needed quick action. But the paradox was that the action could have the desired impact only if it had its roots in practise, analysis and strategising. What happened on the fields—and on the operating table—was a result of all that had been internalised during hours of practise. On the field, it had been just him and the ball. here, it was just him and the patient. nothing else counted. Time, tasks, thirst, troubles—all had to be left behind. Surgery demanded concentration and observation so intense that he could pick up warning signals from a silent patient; that he could be alerted to creating innovative solutions if they were needed. Each patient demanded—and deserved—perfection; mediocrity was not an option. The performance needed to be flawless. On the operating table, the scalpel needed to make a bold, unwavering, conf dent incision. And today—after months—he would be making that incision. he took a deep breath and surrendered himself to the only one that mattered in that moment—his young patient.
Excerpted with permission from the author, Shalini Mullick and the publisher, Readomania Publishing of The Way Home – A Soul-searching journey through chaos (April 2024)
About the Author
Shalini is a writer with a diverse portfolio spanning fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Her flash fictions, drabbles and stories have been featured on many online platforms. She was selected as Juggernaut Selects author for her e-single “Happily Divorced”. She was also one of the winners of the eShe short story contest. She has published 2 short stories each in the anthologies “Sharing Lipstick” and “Women.Mutiny”. One of her short stories was selected for publication in the anthology “Everything Changed After That”, which was unveiled at the Ananke Women in Literature Festival in 2021. Her work on many reputed platforms like eShe Magazine, Women’s Web, Eyra magazine and Incredible Women of India has been well received. She was awarded the Orange Flower Award for Short Fiction in 2022, and for writing on LGBTQ+ issues in 2021. She was also a finalist for the same award for writing on humour in 2021. She was also the winner of the #tellastoryinsixwords Challenge by Crossword bookstores and a judge for myWish4U talent contest organized by Smile Foundation. She has won the ‘Muse of The Month’ contest organized by Women’s Web on multiple occasions. Shalini empathizes with the challenges and unique situations that women are often confronted with and weaves this understanding in her writing. In her other avatar, she is a practicing doctor, specializing in respiratory pathology with many scientific research papers and textbook chapters to her credit. Medical Humanities is an area in which she has a keen interest, and her poetry has been published in reputed journals. She is copyeditor and on the Review board of the journal ‘Research and Humanities in Medical Education’. A late entrant to the world of writing, Shalini finds it takes her away from noise, and towards silence. It is also a good excuse to avoid hitting the gym; and stops her from helicopter parenting her teenage children. She is happiest in the company of books, chocolate and old hindi movie songs. Though she has beautiful memories of her years in Bangalore and has now put down roots in Gurgaon, she remains a Dilliwali at heart. Stars from the Borderless Sea is her first book. You can read more about her at http://www.shalinimullick.com
About the Book
Anya is grieving the loss of her beloved sister and is desperately in denial. Neel is consumed by the shame of not living up to the accomplishments of his overachieving parents. Roys’ Impostor Syndrome and a crushing heartbreak have depleted his self-confidence, making him give up his career as a surgeon. Seeking refuge from their inner demons, the three millennials flee to Goa, where they become friends. Will their friendship help the trio shed their demons and reclaim their life and happiness? Can this camaraderie give them the connection they need to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing? Or is it too little, too late? The Way Home is a relatable tale of bonding and self-discovery that will touch your heart.
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