Back to Alex's cabin.
"So that's why my dear friend is back. I never knew you could trade your precious nap time for something," Alex smirked, teasing Ben.
"Ahem!" Ben cleared his throat dramatically.
"Alex… buddy… you have to help me here."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
"You just tell me her cabin. You're in charge here, right?"
Alex shrugged. "Alright. Tell me her name."
Ben grinned. "It's Nidhi. Nidhi Parker."
Alex skimmed through the files on his desk.
His lips curled into a knowing smirk when he saw 'pediatrician', but he chose not to mention it, fully aware of how shamelessly his friend would try to woo her.
"It's cabin 2. And yeah… thank me later."
Ben stood up. "This fast?" He narrowed his eyes at Alex suspiciously.
"You're really helping me?"
Alex shrugged again. "You can go… or stay here. Your choice."
"I'm off!" Ben sprinted out of the cabin like a man on a mission.
Alex shook his head with a small smile. "Hah What a day."
Back to Nidhi and Ria.
"So… that's what happened," Nidhi finished with a shrug.
Ria nodded. "Good that you got the ride. At least you're not late."
"Okay, now your assigned room is cabin 2. Let's meet during the break."
"Okay, baby Ria," Nidhi sighed dramatically.
"I don't know which kid I'm supposed to treat in a military camp."
Ria chuckled and waved as she walked toward her own cabin.
The equipment was set up, and the medical checkup began officially.Soldiers lined up outside the first cabin for their vitals, while the different specialists, each assigned to their respective cabins, handled thorough examinations according to their departments.
All the doctors got busy except a few, like the OB/GYN and the pediatrician.
Nidhi was technically on a break since no patients had come for her yet. And no one have to.
Unexpectedly, there was a knock on her door.
"Huh?" She looked at the door, amused.
"Are there even any kids here?" she mumbled before calling out, "Come in."
Ben walked in without even glancing at the board above her cabin.
'Oh it's him…' Nidhi thought.
"How may I help you, sir?" Nidhi asked politely, gesturing for him to take a seat.
Ben sat down across from her and cleared his throat.
"I… I want to have a full-body checkup."
She stared at him, puzzled.
"Sorry, sir. I think you mistook this cabin for the next one. Please visit Cabin 3 for full - body checkups."
"No, no. Then it's fine. I don't need that. I… I'm here to diagnose… yeah, that's it," he said, fumbling.
Nidhi's confusion deepened. "Umm, sir, I can't do anything apart from checking vitals or handling emergencies. Please visit the respective specialists. I can help you locate them."
Ben frowned. "But why? Aren't you a doctor?"
Nidhi was starting to get irritated. "Yes, sir, I am. But I can't help you," she said, emphasising the words enough for it to scratch his ego.
His frown deepened. "What if I say I only want to be treated by you?"
That did it.
Through gritted teeth, Nidhi replied, "Then you'll have to die and be born again as a kid."
She pointed at the nameplate on her table: 'Nidhi Parker — Pediatrician'.
Realisation finally hit Ben. Embarrassed to the core, he slowly stood up with an awkward laugh.
"Hehe… you… you know, I was just joking."
"See you later. Bye!" he blurted and practically ran out of the room.
Nidhi laughed out. "That was funny."