Fahlada was reviewing patient files at the nurse station, still carrying the fatigue from a long meeting about the new branch. She looked up at Ros, who leaned casually against the counter.
"You look tired, Fahlada. Are you okay?" Ros asked, glancing at her boss.
"Yes," Fahlada replied, managing a small smile. "I just need to finish up today so I can get home early."
Ros tilted her head. "Long day, huh?"
Fahlada chuckled softly. "Very. But it's for the new branch, we're trying to get everything ready. How about you?"
"Busy, but… nothing I can't handle," Ros said, glancing at the line of patients.
Before Fahlada could respond, Bow appeared, seemingly heading toward the station. The moment she saw Ros, however, her steps faltered, and her expression changed to one of discomfort. She hesitated, then quickly turned and walked in the opposite direction, avoiding the station altogether.
Fahlada noticed the subtle shift; she felt a twinge of concern but didn't comment, keeping her focus on Ros.
"Is everything alright with you two?" Fahlada asked.
Ros let out a shaky sigh, her shoulders visibly tensing. Her gaze darted in the direction Bow had vanished. For a heartbeat, her mask of composure slipped.
"Uh-Hmmm… yep. Actually,… No."
Fahlada stopped what she was doing and leaned closer. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Ros hesitated, torn between confiding in Fahlada and not wanting to trouble her already busy boss. She finally shook her head, deciding to keep her worries to herself for now.
Fahlada frowned. She rarely involved herself in others' conflicts, but Earn's words nagged at her: 'Friendships need nurturing, too.'
Pushing aside her reservations, she softened her tone and asked,
"Want me to talk to her instead?"
Ros hesitated, weighing her options. "Not really… but since she's your friend, maybe you could, if you think it would help."
——
A short time later, away from the busy nurse station, Fahlada caught up with Bow near the quieter corridor by the staff lounge.
"Hey," Fahlada called, smiling. "You're avoiding me again, huh?"
Bow waved a hand nonchalantly. "Me? Avoiding you? Never! I was… uh… doing some top-secret doctor stuff. Very serious. Definitely not avoiding anyone."
Fahlada raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And that involves sneaking past me with a suspicious amount of sidesteps?"
Bow laughed, shrugging. "You know me, always dramatic. Can't help it. So… what's up? You look… bossy today. Trying to scold me?"
Fahlada smiled. "Maybe a little. But mostly I wanted to talk. About Ros."
Bow froze, her teasing grin faltering as nervousness crept into her voice.
"Oh… that. Uh… yeah. Well, you see… It's kind of complicated, you know?"
"Complicated, huh? That's new," Fahlada said, nudging her shoulder gently.
Bow rolled her eyes, finally dropping her playful act. With Fahlada showing concern like this, warmth and gratitude flickered across her face.
'Who wouldn't want to open up when she's giving her such special attention?'
"Alright, alright… It's just—she asked for some space. She feels I'm… too intimate with her whenever we're alone." Bow's face twisted with frustration and embarrassment as the words tumbled out.
"Say what?" Fahlada was confused, but Bow scratched the back of her neck, sensing the need to clarify, and continued.
"Basically, she wants to do the right thing first. Meet her parents before anything… You know, the intimate stuff. She wants to be sure, make sure she's ready emotionally."
Fahlada didn't say anything at first. The news surprised her since Ros and Bow had been together since her marriage to Earn; she had always assumed things were fine between them. Now, learning they were struggling with intimacy made her see Ros's avoidance in a new light. She reached out, touching Bow's arm lightly, empathy softening her stance.
"That makes sense. She cares about you, and she's being careful. It doesn't mean she doesn't want to be with you, it just means she wants to feel safe first."
Bow's shoulders relaxed, a relieved smile spreading across her face.
"Yeah… I guess. I want her to feel comfortable. I never want her to feel like I'm rushing her."
Fahlada listened quietly, letting her friend speak without interruption.
"But you know me," Bow added with a small shrug. "Parent meetings have never been my thing. I just want to be close to Ros, but I understand it's important to her… so I'm trying to respect her wishes."
Fahlada smiled, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Well, it's good to know you're actually serious about your relationship."
"Of course I am," Bow said, her voice firm—but a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
Fahlada smiled softly. "I can tell you are. And honestly, your patience is what matters most. Respecting what she needs will only bring you closer when she's ready."
Bow gave a small, grateful grin, her usual charm sparkling through.
"The wisdom of the great doctor is really something, huh?" she joked.
Fahlada crossed her arms and leveled a look at her that could have killed, but was very clear: 'Take this seriously, or else'.
Bow laughed nervously, holding up her hands. "What I mean is… You really spoke like someone with plenty of experience in… love now. Thanks, Fahlada. You're… pretty good at being the voice of reason today, you know that?"
Fahlada laughed softly. "Anytime. But talk to her about your feelings, too. Be honest"
Bow nodded, still smiling. "Alright. Deal. I'll try… really."
As Bow walked away, Fahlada returned to the nurse station, where Ros was waiting. She gave her a reassuring smile. "I talked to her," she said softly. "And you should too."
Ros nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Thank you… that helps more than you know."
——-
That night, Fahlada and Earn were lying in bed, the soft glow of the TV lighting their faces. Fahlada's phone lit up with a message. She picked it up and read it, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Bow:'Thank you, Ros, and I talked, we're okay now.'
Earn sat up, curiosity piqued. "What's that about?"
Fahlada shrugged casually. "Oh, I'm just being an angel today."
"Really? What have you done, my angel?" Earn asked, narrowing her eyes playfully.
Fahlada hesitated, then admitted, "I just helped Ros and Bow… they've been having, well… issues lately."
Earn blinked in surprise, realizing she hadn't kept up with that side of Fahlada's friends recently.
"Issues?"
Fahlada chuckled, shaking her head. "Nothing serious, but they're okay now. Can you believe they haven't… done the deed yet?"
"Really? I didn't realize Bow was taking things slow," Earn said with amusement.
"Yep," Fahlada replied with a teasing grin. "But Bow just respects Ros, so she's being patient… For now."
Earn's expression turned mock-serious. "Now that I think about it… so you don't respect me?" She tilted her head, recalling their own first time, and felt a small flutter in her belly—a reminder of the tiny life growing inside her.
"You made love to me the same day you proposed to be my girlfriend."
Fahlada froze for a heartbeat, then a sly smirk spread across her face.
"That's because I'd waited long enough… and then I just couldn't resist—especially when you looked at me like that."
Earn's lips twitched into a mischievous grin, though she gently placed a hand over her stomach, feeling a warmth of protection.
Leaning closer, Fahlada's voice dropped to a teasing whisper.
"Honestly… I wouldn't mind a repeat tonight."
Earn laughed softly, the sound mingling with a flutter of nerves.
"Then we'll take it slow," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I'm yours."
And with that, they melted into each other, hearts racing, minds tethered not just to desire but to the life they were building together again.