21

before taking a seat on the chair beside his bed and smiling warmly at him.

"So what are the plans for today?", he questioned curiously.

"Well, I've talked with Mrs. Saito about everything that has been happening, and it turns out that she agrees with what we're doing," she explained while leaning closer towards him and lowering her voice slightly as if she was trying to keep him from knowing what the plan really consisted of, "so we're going to give it another try tomorrow, after Mr. Bae's surgery and all."

"Oh", Awerkok replied casually while crossing his arms and watching intently as the nurse pulled up her sleeve slightly to reveal her watch before slipping it over her wrist. The doctor had told him the exact time of the operation and what it was for, but it was still hard for Awerkok to believe what the doctor had told him. Not only was Gid'on going to perform a surgery on his mother's arm, but he was also going to do it under anaesthesia, something Awerkok didn't understand at all.

"Is there something wrong with the timing of the operation?" he asked cautiously.

"The operation will begin at ten in the morning", the nurse explained quickly, "it would probably be more convenient to perform the surgery in the hospital rather than anywhere else...

Besides, they usually have patients that don't mind getting in their way during the process, especially if they're in the middle of a panic attack, so it'll be safer that way. Also, Mr Bae's injuries aren't anything that can't wait until morning..."

"But still, isn't that kind of risky?"

"Mr Saito, I assure you that everything is perfectly safe and that Mr Bae doesn't have to worry about the procedure. It's just going to be a couple of needles, a saline drip and blood tests, which won't require any major surgery," the nurse replied, "and I think you'll find that both Mr Bae and the doctor are both very calm and composed".

Awerkok stared at her blankly for a short while before shrugging dismissively and saying, "Ok then".

"Good evening, Miss. Nana!", called a male voice outside the room.

"Ah, yes! Mr Ouma!" replied Miss. Nana and stood up quickly. She turned toward Awerkok and gave him a slight bow. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting!"

"No, you didn't", answered Awerkok, "thank you for your visit earlier. Have a great evening"

"You too", she replied with another polite bow, and then left the room hurriedly.

Awerkok stared blankly after her and wondered where his boss could possibly be hiding at the moment.

After several minutes went by, Awerkok eventually noticed that some movement could be seen from the corner of his eye.

A man, wearing a lab coat that was completely white and a mask on his face, stepped through the door.

"Doctor Sato?", asked the man in an unusually quiet and cautious tone.

"Yes, Doctor Kuga?", answered the doctor.

"I'm Dr. Kuga. Is Mr Ouma available now?", he added politely, although he sounded a little uncertain.

"Of course he is", replied the doctor while standing up and gesturing with his head towards the door, indicating for the newcomer to follow him.

As the pair left the room, Awerkok could hear some footsteps coming down the corridor. When the footsteps came to a stop outside the door, there was a loud knocking sound.

"Come in!", said a familiar voice.

The man wearing a lab coat pushed the door open and let himself in. He closed the door quietly behind him and walked up to Awerkok's side with a wide grin.

"Hey man!", he exclaimed while giving a wave.

"Hi", greeted Awerkok with a nod and a smile while raising his brows questioningly at the newcomer.