"Can you do that?", she asked all curiously.

Dr. Nelson laughed in his head hearing her innocent question and said,

"Well, since I am the doctor, so I guess I can decide if I want to meet a patient or not. That is pretty basic Akira."

"No No, I didn't mean in that way, I asked you because I had called your receptionist and she has given me an appointment after 23 days from today."

"She did?"

"Yep."

"Oh, that's why she has called", Dr. Nelson thought in his head and then said,

"Well don't worry about that, I can help to fix it. The timings in a day can vary depending on my OT (Operation Theatre) schedule but I guess the date can be squeezed in."

"Erm... the thing is ...", Akira said and then became all silent again.

"Isn't this the reason why you had called me for?"

"No, actually I wanted some other favor?"

Now Dr. Nelson was confused. Apart from appointment and addressing her queries, he wasn't sure how else he could help her. But with her one statement, she just tossed all his assumptions away.

"The thing is, I want Raymond to come and repeat his tests with you. I know you will say that Dr, Oshana has already done them and the same results would come and all. But my heart is not able to understand that fact. I am unable to accept any of the facts. I can't convince him to come here again and give the tests."

"Um... Akira I don't see how I can help with any of that."

"Only you can help me out here."

"And how would that be?"

"I want you to call Raymond and show your interest with his reports and request him to come for some random test name."

"Will he not think that I am trying to poach him away from Dr. Oshana? Have you pondered about this fact? And to be honest, the equipment and everything that we use in my hospital is the same as that used in the clinic where Dr. Oshana conducts all the test. So I am not sure if redoing the tests are going to help you out in any way. I understand that you have medical insurance and stuff, but still, this is a wastage of money in my opinion."

Akira heard him in silence, unable to decide, how to convince him, without telling the truth behind her intentions. She got lost in her thoughts, unable to decide, what to do and how to do.

"Akira !!!"

"Akira !!!"

"Are you there?"

"Erm... what would you have done if you would have been in my place? Would you not try to knock on every possible door? Would you not try to take every possible road even though you knew deep down that the destination was the same?"

Unable to gauge what she was trying to insinuate, Dr. Nelson stayed silent.

Sensing the silence creeping in between, Akira continued,

"Can you just help to do this for me? For my sake? I guess you can relate to my condition Dr. Nelson since ...."

"You read about her?", Dr. Nelson interrupted her and asked.

Biting her lip, Akira said,

"Yes"

"What do you expect from me Akira?"

"Can I trust you on this one?"

"Regarding what Akira?"

"I need the tests to be done without Dr. Oshana not knowing about it and I need you to convince Raymond in some way or the other in such a way that he doesn't go and tell Dr. Oshana about it. I know only you can do it."

Saying that very hopefully with her fingers crossed, she waited for his response.

"I guess I can, but later on if somehow Dr. Oshana gets to know about it then my equation with her will be spoiled and in our medical fraternity we usually try to avoid doing so as eventually at some point of time of the other, we need each other's help."

Hearing his words her heart sank all low.

All the hopes that she had pinned on him, seemed to disappear like fleeting clouds.

So mustering up her courage she decided to use her final weapon.

"Then what about me?"

"What about you Akira?"

"Will you be able to sleep peacefully thinking that you disappointed me? Will you be able to live with yourself knowing the fact that you spilled water over the last hope on which I was clinging upon?"

"Akira why are you telling all these things? Let's not get emotional here and think rationally for a moment about it. Then you will realize how flawed this request of yours is."

"You think I don't know?"

"I know it very well. But when it comes to the matter of my heart, rationality doesn't matter. Of all the people in the world, I thought you will understand. But looks like I was wrong."

And saying that she disconnected the call.

Two minutes later her phone buzzed with a call.

"Hello"

"I will do it !!!"