Question

what did happen after the doctor's return

Answer 1

The doctor had treated the patient.

Answer 2

This is from the lesson "The snake and the mirror" by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.

   The Doctor had his meals in a restaurant and returned to his room. He heard some noise coming from above his room. He thought it to be the familiar sound of rats and so ignored it.

   He lied down, but was unable to sleep. So he spent time, sitting in his chair and dreaming about his future. He heard the noise again, and finally found that it was made by a snake. But, by that time, the snake had coiled up his left hand.