đź©ş Chapter 2: The Name Etched in the Heart
It was already 8 in the morning, but Anaya still hadn't been able to sleep.
Her mind kept going back and stopping at that same ICU scene—that blood-soaked man... his deep eyes... and those strange words of his—
"Are you going to save me... or ruin my life...?"
Anaya closed her eyes, but it was as if his voice was still echoing in her ears.
"He's just a patient..." she reasoned with herself. "I'm overthinking this unnecessarily."
But her heart just wouldn't listen.
Around 12 in the afternoon…
Anaya reached the hospital again. She had an evening shift today, but she arrived a little early.
Why?
Perhaps even she didn't know.
As soon as she neared the ICU, her steps automatically slowed down.
She slowly looked inside through the glass...
Kabir was conscious now.
He was half-sitting on the bed, an IV drip attached to his hand. There were still faint signs of injuries on his face, but his presence was looking even more powerful now.
The doctor was asking him something, but Kabir was only giving short and direct answers.
As if he didn't want to talk much at all.
Anaya took a deep breath and walked inside.
"Good afternoon," she said in a professional tone.
Kabir's gaze immediately fixed on her.
Those same eyes... that same intensity...
As if he recognized her.
"You..." Kabir said softly.
Anaya froze for a second.
"I'm... Nurse Anaya," she tried to act normal.
A faint smile appeared on Kabir's lips.
"Nice name," he said.
Anaya looked away. "How are you feeling?"
"Alive... for now," Kabir replied with a hint of sarcasm.
The doctor intervened, "Mr. Kabir, you need to rest."
"I'm fine," Kabir answered bluntly.
There was so much authority in his voice that silence fell over the room for a moment.
After a while…
The doctor left.
Only Anaya and Kabir remained in the room.
Anaya started checking his BP.
Kabir was watching her without blinking.
"What is the problem?" Anaya asked, irritated.
"I'm looking..." Kabir said calmly.
"At what?"
"At you."
Anaya's hand stopped for a second.
"You are a patient. Behave yourself," she said in a strict tone.
Kabir chuckled softly.
"Are you always this serious?"
Anaya didn't answer.
But her heartbeat had quickened.
"Why do you work here?" Kabir asked suddenly.
Anaya looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Meaning... you're so intelligent and strong... you could have chosen another life."
Anaya gave a faint smile, but there was pain in it.
"Not everyone has a choice, Mr. Kabir."
Kabir's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Interesting..." he murmured.
Just then, the ICU door opened again.
This time a stylish girl walked in—high heels, branded clothes, and attitude.
"Finally!" she said in a loud tone.
"Kabir, you're here and no one even informed me?"
Anaya got a little confused.
Kabir's expression changed instantly.
"Riya... what are you doing here?" he asked with a bit of irritation.
"Of course I'd come! You are my—" she stopped, then looked at Anaya.
There was a bit of jealousy in her gaze.
"Who is she?" Riya asked directly.
Anaya said in a professional tone, "I am his nurse."
Riya looked her up and down.
"Hmm... a nurse," she said somewhat sarcastically.
Kabir said with a hint of anger, "Riya, behave."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.
Anaya closed the file and said, "I'll be outside. Call me if you need anything."
As soon as she stepped out, she felt a strange heaviness.
Why?
She couldn't understand it herself.
Standing outside the ICU, Anaya looked inside one more time.
Kabir was talking to Riya... but his gaze kept returning to Anaya.
As if his story wasn't over yet.
As if this was just the beginning.
Anaya said softly to herself—
"I'll have to stay away from him..."
But she had absolutely no idea...
That staying away from some connections isn't that easy.
And Kabir Malhotra...
Wasn't just a name...
He was a storm...
That was going to change everything in her life.
To be continued…