Ziana woke up before her alarm.
For a moment, she stared at the ceiling of her small apartment, trying to remember why her mind felt restless.
Then it came back.
The lounge.
The conversation.
Maleek.
She sat up slowly and rubbed her eyes.
"Great," she muttered.
Her phone buzzed beside her.
6:10 a.m.
Her shift at Haven Hospital started in less than two hours.
Ziana pushed the thoughts away and climbed out of bed.
Today was important.
It was the first day of her surgical rotation, and the interns were meeting their supervising surgeon.
She quickly showered, tied her hair into a neat bun, and changed into clean blue scrubs.
While putting on her shoes, the memory of last night returned again.
Maleek's calm voice.
His confident smile.
The way he had said her name.
Ziana shook her head.
Focus.
That man was just a stranger at a bar.
Nothing more.
The morning traffic in Juba was already busy when she arrived at the hospital.
Ambulances moved quickly through the entrance while nurses hurried across the parking lot.
Inside the hospital, the familiar smell of antiseptic filled the air.
Ziana walked straight to the interns' locker room.
Her friend Ajak was already there, tying her hair.
"You're early," Ajak said.
"Couldn't sleep," Ziana replied.
Ajak smirked.
"First surgical rotation nerves?"
"Something like that."
Ajak laughed softly.
"Well, whoever the supervising surgeon is, I hope they're not one of those scary ones."
Ziana grabbed her notebook.
"Scary?"
"You know," Ajak said dramatically, lowering her voice. "The ones who stare at you like you're about to ruin their surgery."
Ziana chuckled.
"I'm sure it won't be that bad."
But deep down, she felt a strange tension she couldn't explain.
Soon the interns gathered in the hallway outside the surgical ward.
Everyone stood quietly, waiting.
This moment mattered.
Their supervising surgeon would control their schedule, their training, and sometimes even their future careers.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway.
The interns straightened immediately.
The hospital director appeared first.
Behind him walked a tall man wearing a crisp white coat.
Ziana was looking down at her notebook when the director began speaking.
"Good morning, everyone."
She looked up.
And froze.
Standing in front of the group was Maleek.
Dr. Maleek Chol.
Her heart stopped for a second.
No.
This could not be happening.
The director continued.
"This is Dr. Maleek Chol, one of our best general surgeons. He will supervise your surgical rotation this month."
Ziana felt heat rush to her face.
Maleek stood calmly beside the director, his expression professional and unreadable.
But when his eyes moved across the group, they paused for just a second on her.
A very small smile touched the corner of his mouth.
Ziana quickly looked down at her notebook.
This was bad.
Very bad.
After the director left, Maleek stepped forward.
The room fell completely silent.
His voice was calm and firm.
"Surgery is not a place for mistakes," he said.
The interns listened carefully.
"Patients trust us with their lives. That means discipline, focus, and respect for the work."
His eyes slowly scanned the group.
"During this rotation, I expect all of you to give your best effort."
Ziana tried not to look up.
But she could feel his presence.
Strong.
Controlled.
Too close.
Then suddenly his voice called her name.
"Ziana."
Her head lifted immediately.
"Yes, doctor?"
Maleek looked directly at her.
"What are the three main symptoms of appendicitis?"
Ziana blinked in surprise.
Thankfully she had studied the case earlier.
"Abdominal pain, nausea, and fever," she answered.
Maleek nodded once.
"Correct."
A few interns glanced at her with curiosity.
Maleek continued speaking to the group.
"We will begin rounds now."
The interns followed him through the surgical ward.
Machines beeped softly beside hospital beds while nurses moved quickly between patients.
Maleek explained each case with calm confidence.
Ziana tried to focus on his words.
But her mind kept replaying last night.
The lounge.
His smile.
The way he had leaned closer to her.
Suddenly Maleek slowed his steps until he was walking beside her.
Without looking directly at her, he spoke quietly.
"You look surprised."
Ziana kept her eyes forward.
"You didn't tell me you were my supervisor."
His voice remained calm.
"You didn't ask."
She frowned slightly.
"That feels like important information."
Maleek chuckled softly.
"Yes," he admitted.
"It probably was."
They stopped walking as he addressed the group again.
"There will be an emergency surgery this afternoon," he said.
The interns exchanged nervous looks.
An emergency surgery was a big deal for them.
Maleek looked around slowly.
Then his eyes stopped on Ziana.
"You," he said.
Ziana blinked.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Her heart skipped.
"You'll assist."
The other interns stared at her with surprise.
Ziana swallowed and nodded.
"Yes, doctor."
Maleek gave a small approving nod.
Then he turned back to the group.
"Prepare yourselves. Surgery begins at two."
The interns began whispering excitedly.
But Ziana stood completely still.
Because she suddenly realized something.
Last night, Maleek Chol had just been a stranger at a bar.
But today…
He was the surgeon responsible for her training.
Her future.
And possibly the most dangerous distraction she had ever met.
And something told her this internship was about to become much more complicated.