Cold comfort

Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) has the rare distinction of being one of only two all-girl medical colleges in the world.

Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) has the rare distinction of being one of only two all-girl medical colleges in the world. That it is special we knew but the measure of this value was brought home to me in an experience while in the first year. Word had got around that the ‘big’ (read not college canteen/dhaba-style) restaurant across the road offered a special ice-cream christened ‘Lady Hardinge Special’. Our gang of eight had to indulge in this special dessert named after us. I remember being asked, “How much money should we carry?” and my casual answer, “Twenty bucks should be enough.” And off we went, eight vibrant, intelligent and enthusiastic young women. All sporting LHMC sweatshirts, we almost strode into the quiet restaurant.

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I regally placed the order, in a crisp and accented voice, “Eight Lady Hardinge Specials please.” Did I see a hint of laughter on the waiter’s face? I’ll never know. But I did pick up the list after he left to bring before my eyes those magical words ‘Lady Hardinge Special’. And as I almost glowed with pride, two little words next to the dessert made that glow effervesce quicker than spirit — ‘Lady Hardinge Special/My Darling’. Now who had dared to insert those last two words? It just was so patronising. But even as I pondered on the discomfort this caused, my reverie was shattered with eight shrieks in my ear, my face — “It’s Rs 85!” And, ahem, so it was.

In complete panic, we slashed the order to two servings. Resource crunch in college is one thing, at a restaurant quite another. The manager gave me such a crooked smile that I hate him even today.

When the dessert arrived, ah! it wasn’t just cold comfort. It was very delicious. Although when two servings have to be parted into eight, each of us managed just two spoonfuls.

On the way back to college, I rued my own foolishness on having undervalued the name Lady Hardinge. I realised that all of us are just like that Lady Hardinge Special — rich, cool, posh, costly and, of course, very very special.