She laughed it off with a genuine, effortless smile, the kind that made something stir quietly in me, drawing a small smile to my own lips before I even realized it. We slipped into easy conversation after that, words flowing softly between us like a shared secret. But as more patients began to arrive, reality gently tugged at me. As much as I longed to stay, to steal a few more moments in her presence, I knew it wouldn't be right. Staying any longer might seem inappropriate, and the last thing I wanted was to leave her with the wrong impression. So, I buried that quiet desire, stood up with reluctant grace, and gave her a small wave. "See ya," I murmured, almost under my breath, as if saying it too loudly might make the moment more final than I was ready for, and then walked away, carrying her smile with me.
I walked slowly to my car, the gravel crunching beneath my feet, and retrieved a cigarette from the dashboard. Lighting it with a flick of my lighter, I took a deep drag and exhaled a plume of smoke into the cool air. My eyes settled on the medic camp across from me, its white tents glowing faintly under the dim light, a quiet contrast to the chaos they were meant to serve. The moment I closed my eyes, her face flashed before me, smiling, radiant, haunting. It was as if my mind couldn't function without her image etched into every thought. A crooked smile crept across my face, uncontrollable, like a reflex wired into my bones. I grabbed my phone with shaky fingers, already knowing what I was looking for. Her photos. Dozens of them. Hundreds, maybe. I opened them one by one, each picture pulling me deeper into the gravity of her. I stared, unblinking, studying every detail, her eyes, her lips, the curve of her cheek. I smiled at the screen like a madman, completely consumed, unable to tell the difference anymore between love and obsession. It was her, always her. And I didn't want to escape it.
Just as I was slipping deeper into that trance, completely absorbed in her images, my phone buzzed in my hand, breaking the spell. A call. The name on the screen barely registered as I let out a low hum in response, lifting the phone to my ear with a distracted nod. With a heavy sigh, I slid the key into the ignition and started the car, the engine rumbling to life beneath me. Reality was pulling me back to the road, back to the meeting I had no choice but to attend today. (Time skip after the medical camp ended)
Elaina's pov:
The medical camp I had been working on so meticulously, pouring in so much of my time and energy, came to an end as swiftly and silently as a passing breeze. Just like that, it was over , no grand farewell, no dramatic conclusion. Now, here I am, back at the café where I work part-time. The day had been unusually slow, with only a handful of customers, leaving me with nothing but the quiet hum of the machines and my own wandering thoughts for company. I found myself growing restless, almost melancholic, as I thought back to the days of the camp , the rush, the purpose, the people.
Lost in thought, I was suddenly pulled back to the present by the familiar ping of a notification. I instinctively reached for my phone, not expecting much, but when I saw the name Asher light up on the screen, a smile spread across my face before I even realized it. It had been two weeks since we met during the camp. I honestly didn't think I would hear from him again once everything wrapped up. So many people come and go during these short-term projects names blur, faces fade. But Asher hadn't forgotten. He had texted. A simple message, maybe, but to me, it meant something more. It meant he remembered, that the connection we made in those fleeting days of shared work and laughter wasn't just a passing moment. He was still there, still choosing to be part of my world, even after the camp had ended. And in that quiet moment, with the café half-empty and the soft clinking of cups in the background, I felt something warm and unexpectedly comforting, friendship I assume.
Asher: Hey Elaina.
Elaina: Hello Asher!
Asher: Am I disturbing you? If not, wassup?
Elaina: oh nah, Am in the café working part time, only few customers, so no problem. Asher: Oh, which café?
Elaina: "Bear choco café"
Asher: wait, that one?? I am nearby, Mind if I join in?
Elaina: Oh! great, That would be fantastic!
Asher: Oh alright.
The moment our conversation ended, a small smile lingered on my face. I couldn't help but feel a flicker of happiness, Asher had actually decided to come. He's a good guy, no doubt about that, but there's something about him that always keeps me guessing. He's reserved, almost rigid at times. Jokes are rare from him, and when they do come, they catch me completely off guard—dry, unexpected, and oddly charming. It's like watching an introvert trying to step out of his shell, carefully, awkwardly, but sincerely. And somehow, I find that utterly adorable. Still lost in thought, I stretched my arms and glanced at the clock. 6 p.m. Two more hours until closing. The café was quiet, the soft hum of the espresso machine blending with the faint music in the background. Part of me was nervous. Part of me was... looking forward to seeing him. About ten minutes later, I heard the soft chime of the front door opening. Instinctively, I called out, "Welcome!" without looking up. "Thank you," came a voice—calm, low, unmistakably familiar.
I turned toward the entrance, and there he was. Asher. Standing in the doorway, one hand tucked casually into his coat pocket. His dark hair was neatly combed back, not a strand out of place, and the long coat he wore fit him almost too perfectly—structured, sharp, just like him. His eyes met mine with that usual unreadable expression, intense but calm. He gave a small wave, almost reluctant but genuine. I blinked, a little caught off guard, then smiled—big and instinctive—as I waved back. "Heyy! Come, sit here!" I stepped out from behind the counter just slightly and motioned to the seat in front of me, near the bar. He nodded once and made his way over without a word, his movements composed, like someone who never lets their guard drop. And yet, here he was. Coming to see me.