"What happened?"

"Huh !!!"

"Any good news? You seem really happy after reading the message on your phone."

Vikram asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice, and sensing that she said,

"Actually I had promoted a person from out team yesterday and he has sent me a thank you message. It was quite nice and touching."

"I see", Vikram said and continued with his noodles.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Akira smiled inside of her head and said,

"I wanted to tell you something Vikram. Actually, I have been meaning to tell you this since long. But somehow I just refrained myself."

"You know you do not have to hide behind all those layers with me Akira. Tell me what is there in your heart."

"The thing is... I really don't know how to put this into words, but I am really really grateful to you that you have been a part of my life. I mean, we did have a tumultuous past. Who doesn't? But still, you always stood next to me even knowing the fact that I always had someone else in my heart. That's something I know is not easy to do."

"Oh, come on Akira. You are belittling me by saying all these things."

"No Vikram. I mean it. You supported me through my difficult times. You supported not only me but also Mike and Katherine. I mean no one asked you to help, but you did. You were the rock to which we all clung on."

Then looking straight into his eyes she said,

"And I hope you will continue to be the steady rock in my life."

Saying that she smiled looking at him, even though her insides were revolting against her.

Vikram's heart was covered with warmth. Her words were like a blanket of love which covered him instantly.

He extended his hand and placed it on her hand on the table and said,

"I guess you know the answer to that. I am never ever going to leave you Akira. You have always been a constant in my life. Like always."

Akira smiled and pulled her hand out and said,

"Now let's continue digging in. I can't betray my stomach."

Saying that Akira picked her fork and then completely focussed on her Haka noodles.

----

It was around two o'clock and Akira had just returned to her office after completing her lunch with Vikram. Even before setting her foot into the lobby of her office, she called up Dr. Nelson.

"Hello, Akira !!!"

"Hello, Dr. Nelson"

"You said that we need to talk. About what do you want to talk Dr. Nelson?"

"Jaby, just Jaby Akira."

"Ah, my bad Jaby. Tell me what do you want to talk about?"

"Well I know that I am not yet close with you to be considered as a friend per se, but still it would be better if you could trust me and tell me what is going on rather than keeping me behind the shadows."

"Behind Shadows? What are you talking about Jaby?"

"You know it well Akira, what I mean. What is the thing that is going on? I know for sure that there is something about Dr. Oshana that you are trying to hide. First, you ask me if she has shared any reports of Raymond earlier with me. Second Raymond tells me that he is thankful for reviewing his reports. Don't you think these things are totally tangential?"

Akira took a deep breath and asked him very calmly.

"Ask me what you want to know."

"Ok first tell me why Raymond thinks that I have reviewed his report?"

"That's because Dr. Oshana has told him so. He wanted your opinion too but he never visited you because apparently you have already reviewed them and you have agreed with the course of treatment that Dr. Oshana had prescribed for him."

"What rubbish !!! I have never approved of any treatment or anything for Raymond."

"Well I know about that but Raymond doesn't because he has blind faith in Dr. Oshana."

"But why would she do such a thing. I mean I know she is talented and whatever medicines she would have given him must have been ok, but still why she would attach my agreement to that?"

"Well, maybe that's because you might not have recommended the same course of medicine and therapy for Raymond."

"What do you mean Akira? For fever, every doctor will prescribe an anti-pyretic. Maybe the medicine brand or the dosage might vary but that would be the maximum difference."

Akira's lips curved in a smile and she said.

"I know that Jaby. I am not talking about that difference."

"Then what are you talking about Akira. What is the difference?"

"What if she is trying to cure fever with the medicines of cancer? What if the patient thinks that he has cancer when actually he has just a bad fever?"