Fahlada moved briskly through the hospital corridors, her eyes fixed on the tablet in her hands. while her thoughts raced. 'If I move fast enough, maybe I won't have to see her.'
"Doc Fahlada," Nurse Ros called gently from behind her. "Doc Sinri just checked the vitals on 213."
"Okay," Fahlada replied curtly, eager to keep the conversation short to avoid being distracted from her goal.
Ros slowed, blinking at the sudden chill in her tone. "…Okay… then," she muttered under her breath.
From the nurse's station, whispers began to ripple.
"She's avoiding her again, isn't she?"
"Someone's transferring to the new branch. That's all I know…"
Fahlada said nothing, tuning them out as she made her way toward the doctor's lounge.
Moments later, Bow fell into step beside her.
"Dodging someone?" Bow asked, her tone teasing but kind.
"You're usually the one people try to avoid, not the other way around."
Fahlada gave her a look that screamed Don't start, then focused forward and continued walking.
"I'm just saying, you've been walking in zigzags all morning," Bow pointed out, smirking.
"Care to enlighten me?"
"You're imagining things again," Fahlada muttered flatly.
Bow didn't press further, but her gaze lingered on Fahlada as they entered their private doctors' lounge. Tan was already there, sipping milk tea. He looked up as they walked in, his usual calm betrayed by a glint of excitement in his eyes, and Bow offered him a knowing look.
Fahlada felt it immediately, the weight of their attention settling on her. The slight curl of Bow's mouth and the way Tan's eyes flicked between them said it all.
'Tan had already told Bow about what happened,' and now they were both waiting to see how she was handling things.
"Busy morning?" Tan asked casually.
"Always," Fahlada replied evenly, masking her weariness behind a polite half-smile. She moved to the counter and poured herself a cup of coffee. Behind her, Bow exchanged another glance with Tan; one of those silent conversations only old friends could have.
'They're planning to interrogate me again,' Fahlada thought, suppressing a sigh.
She turned, coffee in hand, and was about to take a seat when the glass door slid open.
"Doc Fahlada," Nurse Ros called, slightly out of breath. "The VIP patient in Room 315 from yesterday's excision developed post-op bleeding. We need you to assess right away; no one else is available."
'Perfect timing.'
"I'll be right there," Fahlada said quickly, grateful for the interruption. She was already halfway to the door before either of her friends could stop her.
"Let's catch up later instead," Fahlada added with a fleeting smile, brushing past Bow.
She stepped into the hallway beside Ros, only to nearly collide with someone coming around the corner.
"Sorry," they both said in unison.
Fahlada stiffened at the voice. 'Of course, it had to be her.'
"Tanya," she said before she could stop herself.
Tanya's eyes lifted slowly, meeting hers with a slight intensity. "Doc Thananusak…" she murmured, then quickly looked away.
Ros, clipboard in hand, glanced nervously between them, clearly aware she'd stepped into a moment she shouldn't have. Tanya had been approaching just as Fahlada stepped out.
Now the three of them stood outside the lounge. The hallway was thankfully empty; otherwise, it could have been the perfect setup for another rumor.
"Is that for Room 315?" Tanya asked, glancing at Ros's clipboard. Her tone was clipped and professional, cutting through the tension.
Ros nodded at once, lips drawn into a tight line. She looked toward Fahlada, who was watching her in a steady, serious way.
"I'll take care of it," Tanya responded, taking the clipboard. She offered a brief, respectful bow toward both women, then turned and walked away, her perfume lingering faintly in the corridor.
Fahlada exhaled quietly and, instead of returning to the lounge, she moved in the opposite direction, while Ros froze for a moment, caught between deciding which doctor to follow or returning to her post.
Through the lounge's glass wall, Ros noticed Bow and Tan watching the entire exchange. She frowned, muttered something under her breath, and finally turned toward the nurse station, letting the tension behind her go unresolved.
Inside, Bow tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing with amusement.
"I think my girlfriend just cursed me," Bow remarked, smirking at Ros's obvious discomfort.
Tan chuckled lightly. "It's not your imagination, she did curse you!"
They both laughed, and then Tan added, "Well, at least now she knows what it's like to be stuck between two unpredictable forces."
Bow's grin widened. "Exactly. Poor thing looks like she doesn't know which way to run."
"Well, you didn't help matters either," Tan said, shaking his head but still smiling.
Bow shrugged playfully. "What? I'm just enjoying the view."
Tan laughed slightly. "Good luck explaining that to Ros later," he remarked. "Though… I'm concerned about Fahlada."
"Should we follow her?" Bow asked.
"No, that's not necessary. For now…" Tan replied, sliding back into his chair to finish his drink.
"I guess from that view we can summarize that Fahlada hasn't talked to Tanya yet," Bow said slowly. "Still avoiding her… but her face looked lighter today. So things are probably better with Earn, correct?"
"Correct." Tan agreed with a thumbs up.
"Good. At least that part's moving in the right direction," Bow said, giving Tan a curious side‑eye. "Anyway, any update on… You know?"
"Not much," Tan replied. "I'm still checking— Actually, let's not talk about it here. There's a rumor I want to share with you."
A moment later, Ros returned and dropped into the seat beside Bow, letting out a small sigh as if she'd just walked into a new episode of the drama she'd been following. She shot Bow a sharp glance, a hint of irritation in her eyes.
Bow noticed and offered a small, apologetic smile, raising her hands slightly as if to say, 'Please don't be mad.'
Ros clicked her tongue, nudged Bow's knee with hers, and then casually grabbed Bow's coffee to take a sip, as if claiming it was her right.
"I think Fahlada and Tanya fought," Ros said offhandedly.
Bow and Tan both turned toward her at once, giving her the kind of look that didn't need words to say obviously.
Ros blinked, glancing between them. "What? You already know?"
Bow arched a brow and exchanged a knowing glance with Tan. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, as if debating whether to let Ros in on what they knew until Tan gave a subtle nod of approval.
Leaning closer, Bow lowered her voice, her tone dipping into playful secrecy.
"Come on," she murmured, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Let's take this to the rooftop."
Ros perked up instantly, eyes bright with curiosity. Tan just shook his head, finishing the last of his tea before standing. "Here we go again," he muttered under his breath, but followed them anyway.
Minutes later, the three of them were on the rooftop, away from curious ears. Between sips of coffee and the city's hum below, Bow and Tan told Ros about Tanya and Fahlada, and the argument with Earn that followed.
"I can't believe that happened just a few days ago. She was talking to Earn this morning, she sounded so happy…" Ros murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Was she drunk when it happened with Tanya?" Ros glanced between Tan and Bow, searching their faces for answers.
"I asked the same thing," Tan replied, his tone weary. "She didn't say it outright… but I don't think so."
Ros exhaled shakily, then crossed her arms, thinking.
"Well… maybe that's a good thing?"
"Now that I think about it, maybe it is. If Lada had been drunk, it could've been worse." Bow added as she looked at Tan for confirmation.
"I agree," Ros said. "She might not have been able to stop herself."
Tan turned toward them, frowning. "Hey, don't defend her. What she did was still wrong."
"I know… But still…" Bow answered, her voice calm but firm.
Tan let out a long breath. "I get your point, but Fahlada became careless. She didn't even think about how it might look. There's CCTV in that office, and if we hadn't deleted that footage, it could've ruined everything. Not just her marriage. The hospital, too."
Ros's eyes widened. "You're kidding? That's not like her. How?"
Bow pressed his lips together, the weight of it settling in."Calling it careless is generous. It's pure luck we found it before anyone else."
"Luck won't spare her from the consequences," Tan muttered. "And Tanya… she's dangerous in a way Fahlada's other admirers never even came close to."
He looked away, sighing. "Do either of you know much about that woman?"
Ros thought for a moment. "I always believed she was harmless. I heard she came from a broken family, raised by her aunt, who treated her like her own daughter."
Bow arched an eyebrow. "Wow, you really keep up with the gossip, huh?"
"Hey! It's not gossip," Ros protested, "She was open about it. Well, not to me directly, but one of the nurses told me. Tanya's friendly and bubbly even. She kind of reminds me of Earn…"
Ros stopped when Tan glared at her a little, like saying, 'She's not like Earn.'
"Sorry, I meant that her personality is somewhat similar, I don't think I have to elaborate on that… hehe," Ros explained with a sly smile.
Tan gave a faint nod. "Fine. But something still doesn't feel right."
"What do you mean? Is this about Tanya—or about Fahlada?" Bow asked.
"Both," Tan said quietly. "First of all, I never imagined Fahlada would let that woman get that close. I warned her many times, and I thought…" His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened with concern.
"I don't think it's that simple, Tan," Bow said softly and touched Tan's shoulder. "When you're starved for attention and appreciation, as Fahlada has been lately, you find yourself drawn in, even if you know it's a mistake. You end up seeking what you're missing, sometimes unconsciously, which motivates risky choices whether you mean to or not."
Tan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe. But she's still at fault; she should've known better. I just feel bad for Earn. Even if nothing happened… it doesn't feel right. If it were you, would you have done the same?"
Bow's brows furrowed as she looked at Ros, who waited quietly for her answer. She hesitated, her gaze drifting, as though searching for the right words. Part of her wanted to glare at Tan for throwing that question at her so suddenly, but she couldn't, not when she'd asked the same question herself after finding out what happened to Earn and Fahlada.
"Truth is, I don't know," she finally said. "They've been through so much, and no one deserves to be put in that kind of situation. When you're drowning, you cling to whatever helps you breathe, even if it's the wrong thing. I'm not justifying it… But I can understand how someone might slip."
Ros met her gaze, unflinching, and said, "I know relationships can be complicated, but letting someone else fill a space that belongs to you and your partner is still a betrayal, no matter how you look at it."
Bow didn't look away. She just nodded slightly, accepting the truth in Ros's words. She wanted to say, 'I will never do that,' but seeing what happened to Fahlada and Earned, it was hard to imagine.
Tan shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. He ran a hand through his hair and said, "This is Fahlada. It still doesn't seem real."
"A lot can change in a person," Bow said quietly. Her gaze drifted toward the sky for a moment.
"You know, I always thought Tanya was very kind. That's why it never bothered me to get in between her and Fahlada… because I never imagined she'd try something like that."
She paused, swallowing hard as she recalled the memory. Tan and Ros looked at her to continue.
"I remember once, during that big emergency shift, the major accident night. Tanya was everywhere: checking charts, helping residents, running supplies without being told. I was impressed. She was top of her batch after all, hardworking, and genuinely caring—or so it seemed. But…" Her voice dropped when she said,
"I guess you'll never really know what's going on in someone's head."
Tan looked at her curiously. "You think this is about money?"
"Wait… what?" Bow brows knitted, "How does that even come from that story?"
"What if she plans to use Fahlada to climb up the ranks of the hospital? It happens all the time." Ros added in suspicion.
Bow groaned softly. "Okay, both of you need to stop watching soap operas."
Their laughter briefly softened the tense atmosphere on the rooftop, easing the mood for a moment. Then Tan clicked her fingers, a spark lighting in his eyes. "You know that rumor I mentioned earlier? Apparently, Tanya was caught with a male doctor in one of the closed rooms. I think she's been playing the same game before—using people to get what she wants."
Ros tilted her head, frowning. "That was quite a long time ago, and nothing ever came of it. But if it's true, it explains a lot… though it's still just a rumor. We don't really know her intentions for sure."
Tan leaned back, his expression serious. "Maybe. But patterns like that rarely appear out of nowhere. I just don't want Fahlada to get caught in it."
Bow was silent for a moment, thinking hard. Tan noticed and prompted, "Care to share your thoughts?"
"Not sure if this is related," Bow began, "but just a few weeks ago, there was this middle-aged man who wouldn't stop complaining—some skin issue that no one could seem to appease. He even asked for the director, threatening to go to the media. Thankfully, Tanya stepped in and handled it really well. She calmed him down before things got out of hand."
She let out a small sigh, shaking her head as she recalled the moment. "I'm not sure what started it, but if that situation had gone wrong, it could've caused serious trouble for the hospital—especially for Fahlada's department. Tanya managed it better than most would've."
"Oh, I remember that," Ros said, nodding. "Someone helped her out that day—another doctor, I think. Can't remember who, though." She noticed Tan was about to say something, but cut him off. "Don't worry, it wasn't the same male doctor you mentioned. It was a female."
Ros paused, eyes narrowing slightly as she thought back. "Although that same patient has been coming in and out of the hospital since then. Quite a handful, if you ask me."
Bow frowned. "Why would you say that? Was there a complication?"
"I don't know," Ros replied, lowering her voice. "But he always insisted on Tanya. Said she was the only one who really knew what she was doing."
The two women exchanged a look, curiosity flickering between them as if trying to piece something together.
Tan, who had been quiet until then, leaned forward with a half-smirk. "You both sound like you're complimenting her a lot. Did she catch your hearts?
Ros crossed her arms. "No one said that. We're just talking about what we've seen."
Bow nodded. "Exactly. Whatever's going on, I'd rather rely on facts, not rumors."
Tan chuckled softly, leaning back against his chair. "Fair enough. But sometimes rumors start because there's a bit of truth in them."
Bow rolled her eyes and smacked his shoulder lightly. "I get your point about Tanya—I just feel like… there's more to it than that."
Tan nodded slowly, his shoulders slumping. "I think so too. That's why I've been trying to figure things out since that night at the office. Tanya—she was off. Different. Like she was on something."
Bow leaned forward, brows knitting. "That's true. I noticed it too."
"Anything happen at the party? They may be involved in drugs?" he asked, tone casual but eyes quietly probing.
Ros scrunched her nose, thinking for a moment. "Nothing that I remember," she said finally. "I left early — had a morning shift, remember? Plus…" Her lips curved into a grin as she glanced at Bow. "Someone wanted to be babied."
Bow smirked, crossing her arms. "And you didn't complain," she shot back.
Tan hid a faint grin behind his cup, but the lightness didn't last. Bow's posture straightened as she shifted gears.
"So," Bow asked, "how's the CCTV review coming along?"
"How? How did you get access?" Ros cut in, surprised, looking at Tan.
Tan's expression darkened. "Nothing useful yet. I'm trying to check the other cameras, but it's tricky. After the incident in my department, IT provided me with temporary admin access so I could view the footage. They know Fahlada and I are friends, so no one questioned it… and apparently they've been too lazy to remove it. But, it only covers the main corridors and our offices—not the private wards or admin areas."
Bow's jaw tightened slightly, her tone losing its warmth. "Then maybe we should hire someone — a professional. Someone who can dig deeper. Maybe even look into Tanya."
Ros blinked. "Wait, isn't that a little too much?"
"Nothing's too much when it comes to our friends," Tan replied before Bow could speak. "I'd do the same for you if Bow ever—"
Bow swatted him on the arm before the sentence could even form.
"Watch it," she warned, though amusement flickered in her eyes.
Tan didn't get to finish, but he chuckled under his breath, but as the sound faded, his mind drifted back to what kept him awake at night. Deleting that one file doesn't mean it's really gone. Security footage passed through too many systems, too many hands. Someone could've copied it.
The thought sat heavy in his chest, one he didn't dare share.
"Why not ask Doctor Wisanu? He has access around here, remember?" Ros suggested after a moment.
Tan looked up sharply. "I don't want to involve him—unless we really need to."
"I think you should," Bow countered, her tone firm.
"I just told you no!" Tan snapped, more sharply than he intended.
Bow didn't flinch. "If we're going to get to the bottom of this, we need to do everything we can—and the sooner, the better."
Tan and Ros exchanged a glance but said nothing more. Bow took the silence as agreement.
"Here's the plan," she continued briskly. "Ros, try to find information about that patient and the doctor who helped Tanya that day."
"Why?" Ros asked, confused.
Before Bow could answer, her phone buzzed with a message. Her expression shifted. "Emergency surgery," she said quickly. "No more questions for now."
She turned to Tan. "And you—do whatever it takes to gain access to the CCTV."
Tan looked like he wanted to protest, but his phone vibrated at the same time. Bow and Ros both noticed.
"Being doctors has its perks," Ros said with a faint smile, "but definitely more work."
The three of them shared a quiet laugh before the sound of sirens in the distance pulled them back to reality. The sun was beginning to set, painting the rooftop in soft crimson hues. Below them, the city lights began to flicker awake—while above, the real story was only just beginning.
___
Fahlada was gathering her things, ready to leave for the day, when a soft knock sounded at her office door. Before she could respond, the door creaked open.
She looked up and met the eyes of the one person she'd been trying to avoid, but there was no escaping her this time.
Tanya stood in the doorway, shoulders drawn tight. Her hesitation showed in the way her hand gripped the doorframe, but she swallowed hard, forcing herself to stand a little straighter.
"Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
For a long second, Fahlada didn't answer. Her mind stalled, then started racing.
'Tan told me not to be alone with her. Not again.'
The memory of his warning replayed sharply in her head. Not in private, and definitely not in your office. And the CCTV, she'd forgotten about that night.
She almost smacked her forehead out of frustration as she remembered that moment but stopped herself, exhaling instead. None of it mattered right now. Tanya was still standing there, waiting.
Fahlada's eyes flicked to her, to the way Tanya's fingers twisted around the strap of her ID badge, to how she couldn't seem to meet her gaze for long.
Tanya's eyes darted briefly to the familiar couch, the same one where their late-night shifts had often ended in laughter, exhaustion, and understanding. Her gaze lingered there, then moved to the wall, the one that still held the memory of that almost-moment between them, the one she'd never quite let go of.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Fahlada's voice cut through first, calm but firm.
"Just wait for me outside."
The words landed softly, but they carried an unspoken line Tanya knew better than to cross.
For a moment, Tanya stood still, as if hoping Fahlada might change her mind. But she didn't. With a small nod, Tanya stepped back and quietly closed the door behind her.
Fahlada stepped out of her office a few minutes later, the faint click of her heels echoing down the nearly empty hallway.
'It's time to face it—and to end whatever this is', she thought, releasing a slow, weary sigh.
As she turned the corner, her steps faltered. Tanya was there, waiting by the railing near the window. Her arms were loosely crossed, a stance that tried to look calm but could not hide the tension underneath.
Fahlada's mind raced, searching for words that might break the silence. '
About that night…' or 'How are you?' Or maybe even 'Congratulations on your residency?'
None of them felt right. None of them could undo what had already happened.
But for a brief moment, as she continued to stare at her, Tanya looked almost like the girl she remembered from their early days—the one who made her laugh during overnight shifts, who knew her coffee order without asking.
The very person who once felt safe to be around. But not anymore.
Fahlada stopped a few steps away, her heels clicking softly against the hallway floor. "What is it you want to talk about?" she asked, voice steady, though her heart thudded in her chest. She already had an inkling of the answer.
Tanya turned toward her, lips parting as if words might come and fail. She looked down briefly, then met Fahlada's eyes. "About that night… I—" She faltered, her hand brushing against the railing. "I need to explain."
Fahlada's expression remained calm, controlled. "There's nothing to explain. We're fine." She kept her tone even, careful not to sound cold. She wanted to end this before anyone could see them and start another rumor.
"We're not fine… Fahlada. Not for me." Tanya said, moving closer, testing the space between them.
Fahlada's eyes sharpened at the sound of her name. A flicker of ease, hurt, and disbelief passed through her. She felt herself bracing for what was coming.
"I… I didn't mean for it to happen like that. I wasn't thinking straight—I just…"
Fahlada raised a hand, stopping her gently.
"Tanya, please. We both know what that was. Nothing more. You were drunk, emotional, and I was confused. Let's not make it bigger than it is."
Tanya shook her head, biting her lip. "It's not that simple… I… I need you to know there's a reason I—"
"Maybe it's not simple for you, or it's hard for you to understand," Fahlada said, cutting her off, but her fingers trembled faintly, betraying the effort it took to stay composed.
"I'm married. I cannot afford another misunderstanding. Nothing happened between us anyway…"
Tanya tried to respond, but her thoughts tangled, words slipping away before they could form. Her face held a mix of guilt and determination—like she'd rehearsed this moment a hundred times, yet still didn't know how to say what needed to be said.
Fahlada didn't wait. "I heard you've requested to be moved to the new branch," she said, her tone firm, almost cold.
"What? I never—" Tanya began, but Fahlada interrupted, wanting to wrap up the conversation before it went any further.
"I'll see to it that it's approved. We should continue to avoid each other. That's final."
Fahlada turned to walk away.
But Tanya reached out, grabbing her arm.
Fahlada pulled away instantly, her eyes flashing. "What are you doing? If someone sees us…"
Tanya opened her mouth, hesitated, then closed it. There was something more she wanted to say, but Fahlada's guarded expression shut her down. Anything she said now could only make things worse.
Just then, someone came down the hallway, balancing a a box while pushing a small medical cart.
"Doctor Yongchayut?" Tanya murmured.
As the intern stepped closer, the clipboard slipped from her hands, sending papers tumbling across the floor.
Both Fahlada and Tanya bent down to gather them. Their hands brushed, but Tanya jerked away immediately, whispering, "Sorry…"
Fahlada ignored it, her focus on carefully collecting the scattered papers.
"Thank you," Jira said, flustered. She hesitated, glancing between them, clearly aware she'd walked in on something delicate. "What are you two doing in this hallway?"
Tanya's lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze briefly flicking to Fahlada, but she didn't give anything away. She stood stiffly and kept her emotions carefully contained.
Fahlada straightened, smoothing her white coat, her tone firm but polite.
"Just discussing some work from earlier. You should get going, Jira."
Jira nodded quickly and left, muttering an apology as she hurried down the hallway. Fahlada exhaled lightly, but before she could turn, Tanya grabbed her hand again, this time more firmly, her eyes searching Fahlada's. Once they were out of sight of anyone else, Tanya whispered,
"I just wanted you to know… I'm sorry. For that night. For making things difficult. I never wanted you to look at me the way you did."
Silent tears slid down Tanya's cheeks. Fahlada's fingers tightened briefly around hers. For a heartbeat, Fahlada almost gave in, almost reached out to comfort her. But reason hit her like cold air. 'No. You can't.'
She stepped back instead, putting back the space between them.
Tanya's vulnerability made her chest ache. Fahlada looked at her young, trembling, still trying to hold herself together, and in that moment, she understood what she truly felt.
She did care for her. Deeply, but not in the way Tanya had hoped. She cared for her like someone she wanted to nurture, to see grow.
Tanya had been a bright light during long, exhausting shifts, a reminder of warmth when her own marriage felt cold. And in her loneliness, Fahlada had let that comfort drift into something it shouldn't have. She had known Tanya's feelings and ignored them. Worse, she had let them feed a void she didn't want to admit existed.
'I'll tell Earn once I get home,' she decided. 'She deserves to know.'
When she looked back, Tanya was still waiting with red pleading eyes.
"That's fine, Tanya," Fahlada said quietly. "You don't have to say sorry. It's my fault too—for not setting boundaries. I knew your feelings, and I let it go too far. Let's just forget it happened…"
"I don't want to forget!" Tanya blurted out.
Fahlada blinked, startled.
"If you tell me to go away, I will. If you want to fire me, I'll accept it." Tanya's voice cracked, her words trembling between guilt and desperation.
"I'm sorry. Don't get me wrong, I know my place, and it won't happen again. I just… don't want to pretend it meant nothing. Knowing that you care, even a little, that's enough for me."
Fahlada said nothing.
Tanya let out a shaky breath, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You can slap me if you want. Maybe that'll make it easier."
Fahlada took a slow step forward, her eyes fixed on Tanya.
Tanya stiffened and closed her eyes, bracing herself.
But instead of slapping her, Fahlada reached out and flicked her gently on the forehead.
Tanya blinked, startled.
Fahlada's gaze softened. "Don't say things like that again," she murmured. "You're better than this, Tanya."
And as Tanya's tears returned, Fahlada felt a sting of guilt. She realized how cruel she had been, not in what she said, but in how she had let things get this far.
She hated herself a little for it.
Tanya's breath caught from the flick, more from surprise than pain.
It reminded her of their usual teasing moments, those fleeting times when warmth used to exist between them. A small, broken laugh escaped her.
"You really know how to make everything hurt and heal at the same time, don't you?"
Fahlada didn't respond. She only watched with her eyes tracing the way Tanya's composure cracked and rebuilt itself in seconds.
Tanya wiped at her face, her smile trembling.
"I know you'll never feel the same way I did, Fahlada, and I'm happy regardless. I know how much you loved Earn—the way you talk about her, even the smallest things that remind you of her. Sometimes, I used to think… I wish someone would love me like that." She let out a shaky breath.
"Earn is a very lucky woman…"
Her voice broke, but she steadied herself. "Still, I'm glad I got to feel something like this, even for a little while. You made me believe that caring for someone, even without expecting anything back can still mean something."
She hesitated then, her tone softening, carrying something she hadn't dared say before. "I just wish you knew… it wasn't only about me."
Fahlada's brows drew together slightly. "What do you mean?"
Tanya shook her head quickly, looking away. "Nothing. Just… forget I said that." She tried to laugh, but it came out thin, unconvincing. "I'm rambling again."
Fahlada took a small step closer, her voice gentle but firm. "Tanya…"
Tanya lifted her gaze, eyes glistening. "Please don't ask," she whispered. "You've already done enough for me. Thank you for everything."
The words struck Fahlada harder than she expected. She wanted to ask, to understand but Tanya's expression told her she wouldn't get an answer tonight.
"I'll stay out of your way," Tanya added softly. "I'll do my job, and I'll make you proud, even if you never look at me again the same way."
She forced a small, shaky smile. "That's the least I can do, right? To prove that you weren't wrong to believe in me… even if you never meant to."
Fahlada stood there, silent, feeling that dull unease she couldn't name, like something important had just slipped past her.
Tanya took a slow step back, wiping her tears again. "Thank you," she murmured, her tone fragile but full of resolve. "For being kind, even when I didn't deserve it."
Then she turned, her voice barely above a whisper. "Goodnight, Dr. Thananusak…"
Fahlada didn't say anything and just watched her leave, the rhythmic echo of Tanya's steps fading down the hall.
Something in her gut twisted, not because of guilt, or confusion, but because she knew that wasn't the last of it.
And as the scent of Tanya's perfume lingered, Fahlada realized she didn't just feel sorry for her.
She was worried.
___
That evening, warmth returned to the air.
The smell of stir-fried basil and jasmine rice drifted from the kitchen, mixing with the soft melody playing from Earn's phone. Light laughter floated through the house as Tofu played across the floor, tail wagging, chasing the new toy Earn had brought home with Susi.
When Fahlada stepped inside, the weight from the hospital still clung to her shoulders—but the moment she saw Earn's face, it began to fade.
Earn turned to her instantly. "You won't believe how today went!" she said, her voice full of energy, cheeks pink from cooking.
Fahlada smiled, loosening her tie as she walked closer with the phone in her hand.
"I can tell it was a good day just from that tone."
"The director—Klaharn Buathong? He's amazing," Earn gushed. "He wants me for this specific role. He said the script was written with someone like me in mind!"
Fahlada's eyes softened. "That's wonderful, love. I'm proud of you."
Earn beamed. "He wants us to meet again soon—maybe even do a few private rehearsals. He said it helps him get a feel for my interpretation."
Fahlada tilted her head slightly, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she set the phone down and stepped closer, sliding both hands around Earn's hips in a light hug.
"Private rehearsals, huh?"
Earn laughed and caressed Fahlada's shoulder a little, catching the undertone.
"Don't worry—Susi's coming too."
Before Fahlada could respond, her phone buzzed on the counter. The name Tanya flashed across the screen.
Earn's smile faltered for a second.
Without hesitation, Fahlada reached over, silenced the phone, and placed it face down.
Then she turned back with a softer expression. "Now, tell me more about this role. It sounds like it's really special."
That eased Earn's shoulders. "It is special. It makes me feel alive again," she said as she moved back to continue stirring the cooking, "It's been so long since I felt this inspired."
Fahlada stepped behind her and slipped her arms around her waist, resting her chin gently on Earn's shoulder. "You deserve to feel that way. You've waited long enough."
Earn leaned back against her, smiling. "We should celebrate. Let's invite everyone—Tan, Ingfah… maybe even Rati. Like the old days."
Fahlada chuckled softly. "That sounds perfect. We'll make it happen."
Earn turned back to cooking, still glowing. "Let me just finish this and prepare the table so we can eat first, I hope you're hungry cause I cooked a lot," she said over her shoulder.
"Ohhh, I'm always hungry…" Fahlada teased with a hidden meaning and kissed Earn lightly on the cheek.
Earn laughed softly, stirring the pan. "You'll have to wait till after dinner for that kind of hunger," she teased, glancing over her shoulder.
Just then, Tofu trotted over, tail wagging, as if to interrupt whatever came next.
"See? Even he agrees—food comes first," Earn said with a grin.
Fahlada crouched down as Tofu came bounding toward her, tail wagging furiously.
"Hey, handsome boy," she murmured, scratching behind his ears. "Did you miss me? You've been helping Mommy cook, huh?"
Tofu barked softly and nudged her hand, and Fahlada laughed a little as she rubbed his head, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Were you protecting mommy like I told you? Because you're a good boy…"
She straightened slowly, glancing toward Earn, who was humming along with the music, moving lightly between the counter and the table.
Fahlada opened her mouth to tell her about Tanya. But then Earn laughed when Tofu nudged her leg, her voice bright and genuine, filling the room with warmth.
Fahlada hesitated, her breath catching just slightly before she smiled to herself.
'Maybe… Not tonight.'
She couldn't bring herself to dim that happiness.