The small ice cream shop near Sami's apartment glowed warmly in the evening light. Soft yellow lamps hung above the tables, and the glass freezer displayed rows of colorful ice cream tubs.
Sami and Vaani sat near the window.
Vaani was happily eating chocolate ice cream, swinging her legs under the chair.
"You always bring me to the best places," she said between bites.
"That's because you only approve of expensive desserts," Sami replied calmly.
"Not true," she said with a grin. "I also like cake."
But suddenly her smile faded.
She coughed.
Once.
Then again.
The cough grew harsher.
Sami leaned forward immediately.
"Vaani?"
She covered her mouth, trying to stop it.
"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" Sami said, already standing. "Come on, get up. We're going to the hospital."
Vaani waved her hand quickly.
"No, no… relax. I'm okay," she insisted. "Please don't take me to the hospital."
Sami looked unconvinced.
"Just get me some medicine," she said. "It happens sometimes."
He sighed.
"Fine. But if it gets worse, we're going straight to the hospital."
They left the shop and crossed the street.
A bright medical store stood on the corner, its glass windows glowing white against the dark street.
Sami parked the car near the entrance.
Vaani stayed by the car, pulling her light sweater tighter.
"You go," she said. "I'll wait here."
"Don't move," Sami replied.
"Yes, boss," she teased.
Sami pushed the glass door open and stepped inside.
The pharmacy smelled faintly of antiseptic and mint.
Shelves of medicine lined the walls, and a fluorescent light hummed softly above the counter.
But the calm atmosphere was broken by a raised voice.
A girl was arguing with the pharmacist.
"I already told you," the pharmacist said impatiently. "You can't take all of these together."
"I know what I'm doing," the girl replied, her voice strained. "Just give me the medicine."
Sami slowed slightly when he heard the voice.
The girl stood with her back partly turned.
She was wearing a yellow and white striped dress, with a dark jacket thrown loosely over it. Her hair was tied back quickly, a few strands falling around her face.
The pharmacist sighed and finally handed her a paper bag.
"Fine. But don't come back saying I didn't warn you."
The girl grabbed the bag quickly.
"Thank you."
She turned—
And almost collided with Sami.
The sudden movement made the bag slip from her hands.
Boxes and blister packs scattered across the floor.
"Sorry," she said quickly, crouching down to gather them.
Sami bent slightly to help.
That's when he saw her face.
"Leena?"
She froze for a moment.
Then slowly looked up.
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
But she quickly looked away again, focusing on picking up the medicine.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't see you."
Sami picked up one of the boxes and handed it to her.
"You're buying a lot of medicine," he said quietly.
Leena avoided his eyes.
"Just bad migraines," she said gently.
Her voice sounded rushed.
Then she added quickly,
"And… I'm sorry for bothering you last night. Thank you for helping me."
She took the last packet from the floor and stood up.
Before Sami could say anything else, she walked toward the door.
"Leena—"
But she was already outside.
Leena stepped out of the pharmacy and stopped near the entrance.
She quickly pushed all the medicine into her bag.
Across the parking space, Vaani stood beside the car.
She looked at Leena with curiosity.
"Oh hey," Vaani said suddenly. "We meet again."
Leena looked at her, confused.
"I'm sorry… I don't remember you."
Vaani laughed lightly.
"That night. The party. We left in Sami's car together."
Leena paused.
Then made a small face of recognition.
"Oh… yeah. Sorry."
But the smile didn't reach her eyes.
"I really have to go," she added quickly.
And before Vaani could say anything else, Leena turned and walked away down the street.
Fast.
Almost like she didn't want to stay another second.
A moment later, Sami walked out of the pharmacy with a small medicine bag for Vaani.
He looked around.
Leena was already disappearing at the corner of the street.
Vaani looked at him.
"Oh, I met the girl from that night," she said casually. "But she didn't recognize me."
Sami watched the empty street where Leena had just been.
His expression turned thoughtful.
"She's gone," he said quietly.
But something about the way she looked—
The pale face.
The rushed voice.
The pile of medicine—
Stayed in his mind long after she disappeared.
The car ride back was quieter.
Vaani leaned against the window, her earlier coughing gone, the city lights sliding across the glass in blurred streaks.
Sami kept one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting near the gear. His expression had returned to its usual calm, but his mind wasn't entirely on the road.
Leena.
The pale face.
The handful of medicines.
The way she rushed away.
He pushed the thought aside and turned into the gated driveway of Vaani's house.
The large iron gate opened automatically.
He stopped the car just outside the entrance steps.
Vaani unbuckled her seatbelt but didn't open the door immediately.
"Come inside," she said suddenly. "We can watch a movie."
Sami shook his head.
"Not tonight."
"Why not?" she insisted. "You're already here."
"Vaani."
She turned toward him fully now.
"Please?"
He gave her a tired smile.
"Don't force me."
She sighed dramatically.
"You always say that."
"Next time," he said.
"You promise?"
Sami lifted one eyebrow slightly.
"That depends on the movie."
Vaani laughed and finally opened the door.
"Fine. Next time you don't get to choose the ice cream."
She stepped out and leaned back toward the window.
"Good night, Sami."
"Good night."
She waved before running up the steps toward the house.
The door opened before she even rang the bell, and she disappeared inside.
Sami waited a moment longer before driving away.
The city felt quieter by the time he reached his apartment building.
He parked in his usual spot and stepped out of the car.
The hallway upstairs was silent.
Only the soft hum of the building lights filled the space.
Sami walked down the corridor.
Then stopped.
Leena's door.
Closed.
Just like in the morning.
He stood there for a moment.
Too many thoughts crossed his mind at once.
Last night.
Her sudden visit.
The way she looked in the pharmacy.
Was she still sick?
Did she actually have migraines… or was it something worse?
His hand almost lifted toward the door.
Just to knock.
Just to ask if she was okay.
But after a second, he dropped his hand back to his side.
"This isn't my problem," he murmured quietly.
He unlocked his own door and stepped inside.
The apartment welcomed him with the same stillness as always.
Controlled.
Orderly.
Safe.
Sami loosened his tie and set his phone on the counter.
But even as he moved through his routine, his mind kept drifting back to the same place.
The apartment next door.
And the girl who kept appearing in his life like a question he couldn't answer.