Adeeba lay in bed, surrounded by silence –
Her phone suddenly pinged, breaking the stillness.
She reached over to her nightstand, picking it up –
Three messages waited:
1. From Isha
2. An unknown number
3. From Ayub: "We need to talk about tonight.
Adeeba ignored the first two messages –
Her eyes locked onto Ayub's, heart skipping a gentle beat.
Memories flooded her mind like a tidal wave:
Flashback:
Last year of school... Adeeba and Ayub were inseparable –
Everyone assumed they were dating, but they shared a sibling-like bond.
Best friends since freshman year, their trust was unshakeable.
But then, Adeeba's world crumbled:
Her brother Raheem discovered their true relationship –
Slapped her, furious that people thought his sister was "involved" with a boy.
Raheem threatened to tell their strict parents unless Adeeba distanced herself from Ayub.
Fearful of ruining her life and future, Adeeba reluctantly agreed.
She cut ties with Ayub and their school friend circle –
A painful sacrifice to protect herself from Raheem's wrath.
But one day, Adeeba uncovered a sinister plot:
Classmate Shreya planned to frame Ayub by accusing him of misconduct
when he'd submit a school file to her. Adeeba intervened, getting the file from Ayub.
Before exposing Shreya, Adeeba panicked – remembering Raheem's threats:
She made up a story when Ayub confronted her about the missing file:
"Adeeba had moved on with new friends... and maybe someone special."
Days turned into weeks, Adeeba avoided Ayub –
Until he finally confronted her:
"Adeeba, what's going on? You've been distant. Is everything okay?
People say you've moved on... new friends, maybe even someone special?"
Adeeba's heart sank – this was her chance to cut ties completely.
She lied, trying to sound convincing:
"Yes, Ayub. I have moved on. New friends, new priorities... maybe someone special too."
Ayub looked hurt, but then his expression changed to confusion and anger –
Shreya's poison had clearly reached him.
He said, "So Shreya was right about you..."
Adeeba slapped him, panic and fear driving her words:
"You believe her?! You're with the wrong people, Ayub! Leave me alone!"
After that day, they never spoke again.
The flashback faded,
leaving Adeeba with a lingering sense of sadness.
A single tear rolled down her cheek –
She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand.
Just then, her phone rang, breaking the silence –
Hospital ID flashed on the screen: "St. Michael's Hospital - Neuro Dept."
Adeeba's expression turned professional as she answered –
"Dr. Adeeba Pathan speaking."
The voice on the other end was urgent –
"Doctor, we need you in OR 3. Critical neuro case. No super specialist available on night shift."
Adeeba's mind racing – she was close to becoming one herself!
Having cleared NEET-SS last year, she was merely 1 year away from super specialization in Neurosurgery.
She hummed in response – already thinking ahead –
"I'll be there in 20 minutes. Prepare OR 3 and patient files."
After ending the call, Adeeba swiftly got ready –
Scrubs, her long hair tucked neatly under a crisp white hijab, and a deep breath to focus her mind.
Then, she picked up her phone again –
Opened Ayub's message thread and typed a new one:
"Meet me at St. Michael's Hospital at 5 am. -A"
Glancing at the time – 11 pm –
Their meeting would be in exactly 6 hours, just before dawn.
With phone still in hand, Adeeba headed out to save a life,
her heart still tangled in thoughts of Ayub and their past.
Intense moment
Exhaling deeply, Adeeba sank into her chair in the cozy doctor's cabin –
Relieved the first surgery went smoothly, but aware another one loomed in 4 hours.
She peeled off her gloves, letting her hands relax for a moment before checking her phone.
Notifications awaited – one from Ayub (still marked "delivered" only, no response yet)
and a message thread from her best friend Isha:
Isha's message:
"How was dinner at Khan's?"
Adeeba typed a response:
"Why didn't you tell me Ayub Khan was THE Ayub from my school days?!"
Her eyes narrowed slightly, wondering how Isha missed this crucial connection.
Just as she hit send, her phone buzzed again –
Ayub's message status updated to "seen" and then:
A new message from Ayub: "Reached hospital entrance. Waiting."
Adeeba's fingers flew across her phone screen –
She typed a response to Ayub:
"Ask any nurse to direct you to my cabin, 2nd floor, Doctor's wing."
Sent.
Ayub's message status updated to "seen" immediately –
Adeeba assumed he was reading her instructions.
Minutes ticked by slowly – 2, then 3, then 4...
Suddenly, a soft knock on her cabin door broke the silence –
"Come in," Adeeba called out, heart beating slightly faster.
The door creaked open, and Ayub stood in the entrance –
His straight face revealed no emotions, but his eyes locked intensely onto hers.
Adeeba's grip on her phone tightened slightly as she gestured –
"Come in, Ayub. Close the door behind you."
Ayub obliged, his movements graceful yet guarded –
The door clicked shut, and they were alone.
The air was thick with unspoken words and unresolved past.
My heart skips a beat
Ayub's eyes never left hers –
"About last night, and about us... about the past, Adeeba."
His low, gentle tone belied the intensity of his gaze –
Adeeba felt like he could see right through her, into the secrets she'd kept hidden.
She swallowed hard, her heart racing with anticipation –
"Ayub, what are you talking about? There is no 'us'... was no 'us'."
Ayub took a step closer, his voice taking on a hint of sadness –
"Don't lie to me, Adeeba. Not after all these years. I know there was something between us before... before you pushed me away."
Adeeba's eyes dropped, her mind reeling back to that painful past –
How did Ayub still sense the connection they once shared?
She forced herself to meet his gaze again, trying to sound calm –
"What exactly do you think you know, Ayub?"
Ayub's response made her blood run cold –
"I know about the real reason you distanced yourself from me... and I think I know who was behind it."