Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter

The hospital never truly slept. Even in the quietest hours of the night, its corridors pulsed with life—nurses moving swiftly between rooms, doctors catching fleeting moments of rest before the next emergency, and families waiting in nervous anticipation.

Dr. Aarav Kapoor had long grown accustomed to this rhythm. A dedicated physician, he had spent years within these walls, watching lives change in a single breath. His shift had ended over an hour ago, but he lingered, as he often did, making sure his patients were stable before leaving.

He had just stepped out of the ICU when he noticed her.

A woman sat alone in the waiting area, her posture stiff, her hands clasped together tightly in her lap. Long, dark hair fell loosely over her shoulders, partially obscuring her face as she stared at the floor, unmoving.

Aarav had seen many emotions play out in these hallways—relief, grief, exhaustion—but something about her stillness intrigued him. She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t pacing. She simply sat there, lost in thoughts he couldn’t read.

He hesitated for a moment, then walked toward her.

"Are you waiting for someone?" His voice was gentle, careful not to startle her.

She looked up, her dark brown eyes meeting his. There was no panic in them, no immediate distress—just quiet, contained worry.

"My father," she said after a pause. "He’s in surgery."

Aarav nodded. He had a feeling that was the case. "Dr. Rao is operating?"

She gave a small nod. "They say he’s the best."

"He is," Aarav reassured her. "If anyone can get your father through this, it’s him."

She exhaled, her fingers unclenching slightly. "I hope so."

Aarav pulled out the chair beside her and sat down, maintaining a respectful distance. "You’ve been waiting long?"

"Three hours," she murmured, her voice betraying her exhaustion. "Feels like forever."

"Waiting always does," Aarav agreed. "But sometimes, hope is the best medicine we have."

She turned her head slightly, studying him. "You’re a doctor?"

"Aarav Kapoor," he confirmed, offering a small smile. "Cardiologist. And you?"

"Meera Verma."

Her name settled in his mind, rolling off his tongue before he could stop himself. "Meera. That’s a beautiful name."

A faint smile crossed her lips, barely there before vanishing. "Thanks."

A silence stretched between them—not awkward, but thoughtful. The sounds of the hospital carried on around them, but in this little bubble, it was just the two of them, two strangers connected by a moment neither had expected.

"Do you want some tea?" Aarav offered suddenly.

Meera looked at him, surprised. "Tea?"

He shrugged. "The hospital cafeteria isn’t great, but their chai is decent. And you look like you could use something warm."

She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. Tea sounds nice."

Together, they made their way to the small cafeteria, where the air smelled of masala chai and late-night conversations. Aarav poured two cups, sliding one toward her.

Meera wrapped her hands around the cup, letting its warmth seep into her skin. "Are you always this kind to strangers?"

Aarav chuckled. "Only the ones who look like they need someone to sit with."

She looked at him for a long moment, as if searching for something in his expression. Then, finally, she spoke, her voice softer than before.

"Thank you, Aarav."

For now, they were just two people sharing tea in a hospital cafeteria. Neither knew how deeply their lives were about to intertwine.

This was just the beginning.

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