HER POV**
I hear Alex's voice.
"Baby? Baby?"
He gently shakes my hand.
"Riya, what happened? Where are you lost?"
I look at him and smile.
"No… nothing. I was just thinking."
He stops the car in front of a luxury restaurant. The lights glow warmly, elegant and inviting.
Alex steps out first, then opens my door and offers his hand.
"Let's go."
I smile and nod.
"Yes, let's go."
Seeing his smile, I forget the strange fear that had been lingering inside me ever since I helped that man at the hospital.
"So," he asks softly, "what would you like to eat today, my sweetheart?"
"Mmm… I don't know," I laugh. "This is my favorite restaurant. I like everything here."
Then I tilt my head playfully.
"But if I have to choose… I really love dumplings, so I'll have those."
I look at him with a cute expression.
He pulls me a little closer, smiling.
"Don't be cute. You know I can't control myself when you do that, baby."
His hand rests lightly on my lower back.
"Let's go inside," he says.
I nod.
"I want tonight to be our best date," he whispers near my ear I smile me too. As we walk inside the restaurant, soft music fills the air. Crystal lights reflect off polished floors. Everything looks perfect—too perfect.
Alex pulls out my chair and I sit down, thanking him with a smile.
Yet my mind isn't fully here.
For a second—just a second—I feel it again.
That strange weight in my chest.
The memory of cold eyes… steady eyes… watching without blinking.
Why am I thinking about him now?
I shake my head lightly.
"Riya," Alex says, smiling, "you okay?"
"Yes," I reply quickly. "I'm fine."
The waiter arrives. We order.
Alex talks about his day, his plans, our future—words that should make me feel safe.
And they do.
Mostly.
But somewhere deep inside, something feels… unsettled.
I wrap my fingers around my glass. "Mmm… Alex, I need to use the washroom. I'll be right back," I say softly.
He nods.
I walk toward the washroom but instead sit down at a small side table near the wall. I take a deep breath, pressing my fingers together.
What's wrong with me?
Why do I feel like this?
I stand up and look at my reflection in the mirror.
It was just an accident.
He was just my patient.
Then why does my chest feel so heavy?
The way he looked at me…
He was in pain, bleeding—yet his eyes were different.
Cold.
Sharp.
Terrifying.
Those eyes didn't belong to a helpless man.
They made me shiver.
"Riya?" I suddenly hear Alex's voice from outside.
I flinch.
"I'm coming, Alex," I reply quickly.
I splash water on my face, take another deep breath, and open the door.
"Hi," I say, forcing a smile.
He looks at me carefully.
"What happened? You don't look okay. Is something wrong?"
"I just… don't feel well," I admit, my eyes tired. "Maybe it's because of the hospital."
Alex's expression softens.
"Then let's go home, baby. It's okay. We can come back on a date some other time. It's not a big deal, alright?"
I smile faintly and nod.
"Okay."
We leave the restaurant and sit in the car. The entire ride is quiet.
Too quiet.
I stare out the window, my mind stuck on the same thought.
Why do I feel like this?
The car stops.
"We're here," Alex says gently. "Your house."
I blink.
"Huh?"
"You're home," he repeats. "Are you sure you're okay? If something's bothering you, you can tell me."
"No… it's nothing," I say softly. "I think I'm just very tired."
I step out of the car without even saying goodbye properly and walk inside.
I rush to my room, lock the door, and collapse onto my bed. My chest rises and falls as I take deep breaths.
Just then, my phone buzzes.
A notification—from the hospital.
I open the message.
Ma'am, the patient from earlier—Rishabh Malhotra—is recovering well. He is stable now. Tomorrow is his final check-up, which will be done by you. Please make sure to arrive on time.
Good night. See you tomorrow.
—Hospital Staff
"…Okay," I reply quietly.
I place the phone aside.
I don't even realize when my eyes close.
And sleep takes me—And sleep takes me—but it isn't the peaceful rest I craved.
The air around me suddenly turns ice-cold. I'm no longer in my room. I'm standing in a long, endless hospital corridor. The lights are flickering, buzzing with a sound that makes my head ache.
Step. Step. Step.
I hear footsteps behind me—heavy, dominant, and steady. My heart hammers against my ribs. I try to run, but my feet feel like lead, stuck to the cold, sterile floor.
'Where are you going, Riya?'
That voice. It's deep, like velvet dipped in gravel. I slowly turn around, and there he is. Rishabh. He isn't in a hospital gown anymore. He's wearing a sharp, midnight-black suit. His bandages are gone, but his eyes—those terrifying, soul- Brown eyes—are fixed on me.
He moves closer, his shadow swallowing me whole. He reaches out, his cold fingers grazing my neck. I want to scream, but no sound comes out.
'You saved me,' he whispers, his breath hot against my ear. 'Now, you belong to me.'
I gasp, my eyes flying open as I bolt upright in bed. My t-shirt is soaked in sweat, and my room is silent, bathed in the pale moonlight. It was just a dream. Only a dream. But as I look at my trembling hands, I can still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin
I go to the washroom and wash my face, trying to calm myself down. Then I return to my room and lie down on the bed.
Before I realize it, my eyes close again.
The next day, I wake up suddenly and grab my phone.
"Oh shit… so many missed calls from the hospital."
Panic rushes through me.
I run to the bathroom, take a quick shower, and get dressed in a hurry. Grabbing my bag, I rush out of the house and head straight to the hospital. I run through the hospital corridors, my heart pounding against my ribs. As I reach the VIP floor, the atmosphere feels heavy, almost suffocating. But I stop front of the door I take a deep breath I open the door I look at him "Oh… so you're smiling," I says softly.
"Hm, good. That means you're fine now."
"Dr. Riya," I said
"Hello, Mr…?" I waves me hand slightly in front of his face.
"I'm talking to you."I said
"Hi, Dr…?" He respond
"Riya. I'm Dr. Riya," I says calmly.
"I did your check-up."
He nod.
"You're fine now. You'll be discharged by evening," I continues.
"Please call your family and inform them. We try to find your family number but we can't find out"
He look at me again, carefully this time.
"Okay… take care," I say.
I gives a polite nod and leaves the room.
Why did he look at me like that? It wasn't normal. It wasn't the look of someone weak… or injured It felt deliberate. As if he was memorizing me. I tell myself to calm down. He was just a patient. An accident case.So why does my chest tighten every time I remember his eyes? I want his discharge to be done quickly. I want this to end. A strange thought crosses my mind—Should I tell Alex? No.
How do I even explain this fear without sounding crazy? Fear without a reason… without proof. I swallow hard. Maybe I'm imagining things. Maybe I'm just tired. But deep down, I know one thing—The way he looked at me… wasn't the way someone looks before leaving. It was the way someone looks before returning