Reyansh came back.
Just like he said he would.
Not late.
Not rushed.
Like it mattered.
Anaya noticed that first.
Not the way he entered.
Not the way he spoke to the nurse.
But the fact that—
He came back.
"You're awake."
His voice was the same.
Calm.
Steady.
But something about it felt… softer now.
"I didn't sleep much," she admitted, sitting up slightly.
He frowned immediately.
"Headache?"
She nodded.
He stepped closer without thinking.
Checking her temperature again.
Adjusting the pillow behind her.
Small things.
But constant.
Effortless.
"You should've rested properly," he said quietly.
She watched him for a moment.
"…you say that like you expected me to listen."
A faint hint of a smile.
He didn't respond to that.
Because—
He did.
He reached for the medicines, placing them beside her.
"Take these after food."
She nodded.
Then paused.
"…you came back."
This time—
She said it properly.
Not as a statement.
As a question.
Reyansh's hand stilled for a second.
"…I said I would."
Simple.
But something in his tone—
Wasn't.
Anaya looked at him quietly.
Because people said things all the time.
Promises.
Statements.
But they didn't always—
Come back.
"…still, you did."
He didn't answer that.
Because he didn't trust himself to.
Instead—
He changed the topic.
"Eat first."
She did.
Slowly.
Under his watchful eyes.
And somewhere between the silence—
Something shifted again.
Not awkward.
Not forced.
Just—
Comfortable.
Across the room—
Reyansh leaned back slightly in his chair.
Watching her.
Not like a doctor.
Not entirely.
And that's when it hit him.
He wasn't trying to stay distant anymore.
Not even unconsciously.
The thought came quietly.
But it stayed.
"…what am I doing?"
Because this—
This wasn't safe.
Not for him.
Not for her.
He had decided to keep his distance.
To protect whatever was left.
But now—
He was the one closing that distance.
Again.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"…you're doing it again."
Letting himself feel.
Letting himself stay.
Letting himself—
Hope.
And that scared him.
Because last time—
It had ended with her leaving.
Without a word.
Without looking back.
"…is this selfish?"
The question lingered.
Because he knew the truth.
He wasn't telling her everything.
He wasn't giving her the choice—
To decide with all the facts.
And yet—
He was staying.
Caring.
Getting closer.
"…am I betraying her?"
The thought hurt more than he expected.
Because if she found out later—
Would she look at him differently?
Would she—
Pull away?
His gaze shifted back to her.
And just like that—
Everything else faded.
Because she was there.
Right in front of him.
Not gone.
Not distant.
And his heart—
Wasn't ready to lose her again.
"…just this once."
The justification came quietly.
Weak.
But enough.
Across from him—
Anaya had been watching him too.
Not directly.
But enough to notice.
The way he stayed.
The way he checked on her.
The way he didn't rush out—
Even though he clearly had work.
"…why?"
The question came again.
But softer this time.
Not confused.
Just—
Curious.
Because this didn't feel like obligation.
Didn't feel like formality.
It felt—
Personal.
"…why am I okay with this?"
That was the bigger question.
Because she wasn't uncomfortable.
Not even a little.
In fact—
She felt…
Safe.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the spoon.
"…that's weird."
Because she didn't know him for long.
Didn't know much about him.
And yet—
Her heart didn't hesitate around him.
A faint warmth spread across her chest.
Unfamiliar.
But not unwelcome.
"…I like this."
The realization came suddenly.
And just as quickly—
Her cheeks warmed.
"…wait—what?"
She looked down immediately.
Avoiding his gaze.
Because that thought—
That feeling—
Was new.
Or maybe—
Not entirely.
Later that evening—
She was back home.
Wrapped in a blanket.
Her mother sitting beside her.
"So?" her mother asked casually.
Anaya blinked.
"So… what?"
Her mother gave her a look.
"Reyansh."
A pause.
Just a second.
But enough.
"…he's… good."
The answer came simple.
Too simple.
Her mother raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
Anaya hesitated.
Because "good" didn't explain it.
Didn't capture it.
"…he takes care," she added quietly.
Her mother smiled slightly.
"I can see that."
Another pause.
Then—
"Do you like him?"
The question landed softly.
But directly.
Anaya froze.
Her mind blank for a second.
Then—
That warmth again.
That same feeling.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the blanket.
"…maybe."
Too honest.
Too quick.
Her mother noticed the way her cheeks turned slightly pink.
And smiled.
"Maybe?" she teased.
Anaya looked away immediately.
"…Mumma."
But she didn't deny it.
Because somewhere—
Deep inside—
Something that had been buried for years—
Was waking up.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Without asking for permission.
And this time—
Neither of them was ready for what that meant.
A few days has passed as time kept moving forward while the questions lingered slowly, confusion remained subtly but still quiet peacefully.
The school felt different that day.
Busier.
Louder.
The annual medical camp had turned the usually calm corridors into something almost chaotic.
Students lined up.
Teachers coordinating.
Nurses moving in and out of classrooms.
And in the middle of it—
Reyansh.
Anaya noticed him before he noticed her.
Standing near the registration desk.
White coat.
Sleeves slightly rolled.
Focused.
Effortless.
"…he looks different here."
More in control.
More… himself.
She didn't realize she had been staring—
Until—
"Ma'am?"
A student's voice snapped her out of it.
"Sorry," she said quickly, looking away.
"…focus."
Across the hall—
Reyansh glanced up.
And found her.
Just like that.
Instantly.
Their eyes met for a second.
Nothing dramatic.
Just—
Recognition.
He gave a small nod.
Professional.
But his gaze lingered a second longer than necessary.
Anaya looked away first.
Her heartbeat slightly off.
"…why is this happening again?"
Later—
She was helping manage a line of students outside one of the classrooms.
"Next," she called softly.
The door opened.
And—
"There you are."
Her breath paused.
Just slightly.
Reyansh stood inside.
Clipboard in hand.
Looking at her like he had been expecting her.
"I'm working," she said, trying to keep her tone neutral.
"So am I."
A pause.
Then—
"…you look better."
The words were simple.
But the way he said them—
Noted.
Observed.
She nodded slightly.
"Thanks to you."
Another pause.
Something unspoken passed between them.
"Still taking your meds?" he asked.
She sighed lightly.
"Yes, doctor."
A faint hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
"Good."
A student interrupted them.
"Sir?"
Reyansh shifted instantly.
Back to professional.
"Come in."
But even as he turned away—
His attention didn't fully leave her.
Outside—
Anaya leaned slightly against the wall.
Exhaling.
"…this is getting weird."
"Or interesting?"
She turned.
And there stood—
Her colleague.
The same one.
Watching her with a knowing smile.
"…don't start," Anaya muttered.
"Oh, I'm definitely starting," her colleague grinned.
Anaya rolled her eyes.
"There's nothing to start."
"Really?" she raised a brow. "Because from what I see—"
She leaned slightly closer.
"He's been looking at you more than his patients."
Anaya's cheeks warmed instantly.
"That's not true."
"Hmm," her colleague hummed. "And the way he rushed here the other day?"
Anaya stiffened slightly.
"That was just—"
"Concern?" she finished. "Yeah. A lot of it."
Anaya didn't reply.
Because—
That part…
Was true.
Her colleague smiled knowingly.
"You sure this is just 'doctor-patient'?"
"…we're not—"
She stopped.
Because she didn't know how to define it.
And that—
Said enough.
Her colleague's smile widened.
"Exactly."
Before Anaya could respond—
The door opened again.
Reyansh stepped out.
His gaze flickered between them briefly.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing," Anaya said quickly.
Too quickly.
Her colleague smirked.
"Just asking her about you."
Silence.
Short.
But noticeable.
Reyansh's expression didn't change much.
But his attention—
Shifted.
Fully to Anaya.
"And?" he asked.
Her breath caught slightly.
"…and nothing."
A faint pause.
Then—
"Good," he said.
The word was simple.
But it carried something else.
Possessive?
Maybe.
Or maybe—
Just…
Certain.
Her colleague raised a brow.
Definitely noticing now.
"Doctor," she said teasingly, "you seem very involved."
Reyansh didn't react immediately.
Then—
"She fainted."
The answer came calm.
Direct.
"And I don't like my patients being careless."
Professional.
Perfect.
But Anaya knew—
That wasn't all.
Because the way he looked at her—
Wasn't just concern.
It was something deeper.
And for the first time—
She didn't look away.
Something in her chest tightened slightly.
Not uncomfortable.
Just—
Full.
Her colleague glanced between them again.
Then smiled to herself.
"…interesting."
And just like that—
The line between professional—
And personal—
Blurred even more.