One week later, a student doctor and two nurses were flown in by the Sunset Flying Doctors' helicopter. They accompanied one of the accident victims—the prominent figure—who was being transferred from Randi County Hospital to Sunset Hospital.
The patient required specialist care that Randi's doctors couldn't provide. At least, that's what everyone was told. In truth, he needed the expertise of the Sunset Hospital surgeon.
The nurses, enticed by better pay, had the option of joining the Sunset team.
Megyn, the student doctor, was only scheduled to stay three days before returning to Randi to complete her medical attachment.
They were welcomed by Mr. Hawi, who met them after the patient was comfortably admitted. After brief introductions, he invited them into his office and instructed his personal assistant to settle the nurses and the student doctor into their quarters and ensure they were comfortable.
Megyn knew Benjamin was affiliated with Sunset Hospital—and that Mr. Hawi, the CEO, was his father. The resemblance was unmistakable. At one point, she thought it was Benjamin speaking.
The voice stirred up a flood of memories, and her mind wandered, picturing what he might be doing so far away from her.
She quickly brought herself back to reality. It had been a week since she last heard from him. She told herself he must be busy catching up with studies overseas, which explained the silence.
She sent a message to his international number:
"Benj, you're so quiet!"
No reply came, even after an hour. Feeling restless, she showered and put on one of the blue dresses Benjamin had bought her—a comforting choice—and lay down to rest before dinner at the staff cafeteria.
There was a knock at the door.
She opened it—and froze. Then, overwhelmed, she fell into his chest, sobbing softly as his familiar scent enveloped her. She hadn't realized just how much she'd missed him.
Benjamin entered the room with her still in his arms and sat her gently on the only couch in the small bedsitter.
"Benjamin... I didn't expect to see you. How are you back so soon?"
He answered with a deep, lingering kiss. She kissed him back with equal passion. When they parted, he cupped her face in his hands and looked at her intensely.
"Good riddance, Princess. I'm so happy to see you."
"Tell me... did you come back from the UK just to see me?"
"If I had gone, I would've come back just to see you every week. But the truth is—I never went."
Megyn blinked in confusion. Her gaze clouded with doubt. "You never left? Then why have you been so silent? You have my number—you could've at least sent a text."
"I'll explain everything, Gazelle."
"I'm listening," she said flatly, hurt seeping through her voice.
"You must be wondering why I never resumed my studies… which, to be honest, I hadn't even started. You're probably thinking I'm a joke for keeping quiet about such a big decision. Or worse, that I didn't talk to you all week because I didn't care."
"Yes," she said slowly. "At first, I thought you were just busy with school. But after a few days… I was afraid. I thought maybe my dad's words had scared you off. That you were backing out. It's been a terrible week, Benjamin."
Then she added, "And right now… I think you're a buck head. And a probable liar."
Benjamin gave a slight nod. "I don't refute that title—for now. Just hear me out."
His voice was steady, his eyes locked onto hers. She noticed the sparkle in his eyes was dimmed. There was sadness instead. And something else—regret.
"Benjie…" she softened. "I'm sorry. I can see I've hurt you. Please… talk to me."
He exhaled deeply. "Do you remember the last time I called? That same day, I found out my mum is five months pregnant—with twins. It shook me. I needed time to think."
Megyn listened in silence.
"I kept asking myself: Do I really need a license to fly large planes? What would I even do with it? I already have a private pilot license. I fly our helicopters well. We even have a professional pilot employed. And I'm a qualified doctor. What more am I chasing?"
He paused, searching her eyes before continuing.
"My whole life, I've pursued one thing after another. But I never truly settled into any of it. Maybe because I was an only child. My parents were always busy chasing success. I could afford any course I wanted. I was planning to get my Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, then a master's in medicine, then come back home. But… everything changed."
His voice softened further. "Meeting you changed everything."
He reached for her hand.
"Princess, you made me see life differently. You helped me realize that I can still achieve great things—but I want to do it from here, at home. You gave me a new reason to live with purpose."
Megyn hadn't noticed the tears until she felt one drop. Benjamin gently wiped it away with a spotless white handkerchief.
"Benjie… I didn't know I had that kind of effect on you."
"We all reach that point where we question what we're chasing," he said. "This is my moment. And you helped me reach it."
"I understand," she said softly.
"Your love… it influences me more than you'll ever know. I used to think I had everything. But now I realize that relationships—our relationship—are the most important."
"It's only been two months since we met," she whispered.
"Yes. But I can't imagine my life with anyone else but you."
She leaned in and kissed him, then asked gently, "So tell me—why the silence this past week?"
"I didn't want to go back to London. But we'd already paid full tuition. We needed to find someone to take the spot."
He smiled. "Fortunately, we have a foundation that sponsors bright students—especially from Randi. There's a boy named George. He just finished secondary school with excellent results. Apparently, I'm his role model—he dreams of being a doctor and pilot, like me."
Megyn listened quietly, her expression urging him on.
"We arranged for him to take my place at the aviation college. He left yesterday and has already settled in, studying for his Private Pilot License."
"You didn't call because you were doing all that?"
"I needed to handle it all myself. So, yes, my week was so preoccupied. But more than that, I needed to explain everything to you in person. I didn't want to do it over a text or call. I hoped you'd understand."
Megyn's heart lightened. Her smile returned—broad and warm. Her dimples deepened, and the gap between her white teeth shone. She threw herself into his arms again, and he held her tight.
"Wait a minute, Benjamin Hawi. Did you organize this? Megyn loosened her grip and looked at him with squinted eyes.
"I couldn't help it. Besides your father scared me."
"You're a buck head," she said, playfully touching his neatly trimmed beard, "but you're my buck head. And whatever your offense is—I forgive you."
He grinned. "Thank you, my Gazelle."
"If you're the buck head, and I'm the doe head, then we're both gazelles. And someday, we'll have a bunch of gazelle-fawns we'll love dearly."
They both laughed heartily.
"And then," Megyn added, giggling, "we'll live in our little gazelle home, eating gazelle-fodder in the fields together."
Benjamin looked at her with joy and awe. This—this was the dream they shared. A life together, filled with love and a big family.
He kissed her forehead, the same way he had on their first real date, his gaze intense and sincere.
"I'll be back for you in one hour, Princess. Pack your things. I want you to meet my parents—and I'd like you to stay in one of our guest rooms while you're here. What do you say?"
Megyn nodded. "Well, you've met mine. It's only fair I meet yours. And honestly, staying in your guest house sounds better than being in the nurses' quarters."
He smiled, pecked the corner of her lips, and left without another word.
But she understood.