One fine day.
Ria was sitting inside her cabin, staring at her phone and waiting for a message.
"It's been a whole day. No call… no message," she mumbled, anxiety tightening her chest.
"Did something happen?" Her fingers started fidgeting on their own.
"Ugh! Don't think nonsense, Ria!" she scolded herself.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence from the open door.
"What nonsense is that?"
Ria's head snapped toward the voice, instantly recognizing it.
Alex stood at the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. Ria's lips curved into a soft smile, and a knowing smirk tugged at his own lips as he caught her reaction.
He walked toward her with steady, unhurried steps.
"Where were you? I couldn't reach you since yesterday," Ria asked in her worry laced tone.
Alex's smirk deepened.
"Why? You missed me?" he teased in a low voice, dangerously close now. Too close.
She tilted her head back to meet his eyes, her cheeks warming at his words.
"Of course, yes. You're my friend," she said quickly, turning her face away to hide the blush.
He chuckled.
"Stop doing that," she said, swatting his arm playfully.
She expected another teasing remark, but instead, he winced. In pain.
Her smile vanished. That's when she noticed the blood slowly dripping from his jacket sleeve.
"Oh my God! What is this?" She froze for a second, shocked, but quickly regained control.
"Sit here, Xander. Let me check."
He obeyed without a word.
Ria helped him remove the jacket and immediately put on her gloves and mask. She cleaned the blood carefully with cotton and antiseptic.
Her eyes widened in horror.
"There's a bullet," she whispered.
Alex nodded.
"Are you insane! This is serious. I need to take you to OT," she said, turning to call a nurse.
But he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back toward him.
"No. Do it here. It was a confidential mission. No outsiders should know," he said firmly.
She swallowed hard, nodded, and continued treating him inside her cabin. She didn't say another word and simply treated him. He kept staring at her the whole time, but she never once looked back, clearly avoiding his eyes.
He sighed. "It was an urgent mission."
She continued her work in silence, lips sealed.
"Hey, it's just a minor injury."
Again, nothing.
She ignored him royally and finished dressing his wound after removing the bullet.
Thankfully, it had only grazed the outer muscle and hadn't pierced deeper.
"Hey, at least look at me." His persistence didn't waver.
He gently held her chin, making her face him.
"Look at me," he whispered, soft, but a command. She obeyed.
Her hazel eyes lifted to meet his, glassy with unshed tears. She looked like she was seconds away from crying.
"How can you be so careless?" she whispered. "What if something had happened to you?" Her voice broke, her frown deepening.
His heart clenched at the sight of her sadness. He hated it. Knowing he was the reason she looked like this made him want to go back in time and kill those terrorists, twice, before they even lifted a gun at him.
"Ria, please don't be sad," he murmured, pulling her into his arms.
"See? I'm all good. Alive and kicking."
He tried to lighten the mood, and it worked. She let out a small chuckle, hugging him back.
After a while, Ria slipped back into doctor mode.
"Take this one three times a day. It'll help with the pain," she said while prescribing the medicine.
"And this, don't you dare miss it. The antibiotics will prevent infection."
She continued explaining, and all the while he just smiled at her.
He couldn't stop thinking about the progress he had made. They called themselves friends, yet here they were acting like a couple married for a century. She definitely liked him.
Her care… the worry on her face… it was written all over her. Now, only proposing remained and he was very sure she'd accept.
She flicked his forehead.
"Ouch!"
"Down to earth, Mr. General."
"Yeah yeah, doctor ma'am."
Both giggled.
She sighed softly. "Just… be careful. Okay?" Almost a plea.
"Yes. For you," he replied instantly, making her blush and look away.
A sudden knock interrupted their moment.
"Come in," she said, quickly pulling his jacket over his arm.
A nurse burst inside, flustered.
"Doctor Zaria, emergency!"
Ria shot up immediately. "Xander, take rest. Sorry, I have to go. I can't accompany you."
He shook his head. "It's okay. Go. I'll wait here for you."
She nodded once and rushed out.