An Innocent Crush ✓

38 | Late night walk.

Around nine at night, after Kiara finished sorting her things at the hospital, she stepped outside and took a deep breath as she strolled down the street. As she was walking, she noticed a figure trailing behind her.

She started feeling a bit scared, Kiara somehow gathered her courage and glanced over her shoulder. It turned out to be Dhruv, wearing a gentle smile. "Hello there," greeted Dhruv, prompting Kiara to face him completely.

Witnessing Dhruv's smile sparked a desire in her to smile back, despite her reluctance. Unable to resist, a wide grin lit up her face. "Haven't you left yet, sir?" she inquired.

Dhruv shook his head, "No, I was waiting for you. We are neighbors, so I thought why not walk together? Plus, it's getting late, and I’m scared of walking alone at night…” he said, smiling softly at her.

Kiara knew that Dhruv was joking. She took a deep breath and shook her head. "You're talking as if you're a little kid," she said, a slight smile on her face.

Dhruv moved a bit closer to her side, as they started walking. "Do grown-ups not fear the dark? Maybe you don't, but I do fear it a lot," he said, looking ahead at the road.

"By the way, did you forgive me?" Dhruv asked. Kiara stayed quiet for a moment. She glanced slowly towards Dhruv and said softly, "It wasn't your fault to forgive. I just got a bit emotional..." Her voice was so faint that Dhruv couldn't quite hear her properly.

"You forgave me? Wow, maybe today is my lucky day," he said, a small sweet smile gracing his face.

Kiara nodded and looked towards him. "What were you discussing with the patient's mother? And why did she suddenly start crying?" Kiara asked, and Dhruv responded with a sad smile.

Dhruv noticed the solemn expression on Kiara's face as she inquired about his conversation with the patient's mother. Her question brought back a flood of emotions.

"She was telling me about her daughter's struggles," Dhruv began, his voice carrying a tinge of sadness. "The patient, she... she had been enduring domestic abuse for a while. The family was aware but didn't know the severity until today."

“The mother was overwhelmed by guilt for not being able to protect her daughter, for not realizing the extent of her suffering sooner. I assured her it wasn't her fault, that they were here now and taking the right steps to ensure her daughter's safety." He continued.

As they walked, the weight of the situation lingered between them. Dhruv glanced at Kiara, noticing the empathy and compassion reflecting in her eyes.

"I don't understand why people behave this way. A girl leaves her own home, leaves everything behind, to build a new home with someone else. She is considered to be Goddess Lakshmi, right? So why is she treated in such a manner?” she whispered, her voice trembling a little.

Kiara's eyes started glistening with tears. Dhruv couldn't help but smile sadly at her. “You're a pure soul, Kiara... You don't understand how selfish this world is…”

Kiara nodded her head and wiped the tears off her face before glancing at Dhruv, who was already staring at her, “I'm sorry for ignoring you, sir… I was a bit angry,” she admitted, her voice soft and vulnerable.

Dhruv let out a soft chuckle, “angry? Why is that?” He asked, tilting his head a little. Kiara shoot him a glare, “you literally forgot about everyone after going to America, you didn't even call—”

“I'm sorry about that, I… I was too focused on becoming a doctor and returning back to yo… India,” Dhruv said.

Kiara nodded again in understanding, “Did you make any girlfriends while staying there?” Kiara asked out of curiosity, her eyes fixed on Dhruv's tense jawline.

“I didn't… I told you, I was too busy,” he answered, glancing back at her. Kiara released the breath she had been holding.

“Oh…”

“Did you make any boyfriends?” Dhruv asked.

“I wished I had, but no, I was deeply engrossed in my studies…” she replied, a wide grin lighting up her face. Dhruv chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

“It's amazing... seeing how the Kiara who used to struggle is now so dedicated, huh…”

Kiara giggled, “well, I'm still a little lazy…”

“And crazy.” He added.

His heart was filled with pure happiness being so close to her, wishing this moment would last forever, not wanting their special time together to end, hoping their apartments would take a little longer to arrive.

He couldn't help but notice the delicate flutter of her eyelashes against her cheeks as she blinked, the way her hair danced in the breeze, the rosy hue gracing her cheeks, and the gentle curve of her lips into a soft smile.

He found himself lost in admiration, watching her kissable lips. He immediately snapped out of his reverie with a shy blush spreading from his ears to his cheeks and neck. "Oh my… fuck…" he murmured, quietly cursing as he rubbed his left ear, feeling the warmth rising within him.

'Why the hell am I getting excited?' he thought.

"Are you okay, sir?" Kiara's voice brimmed with concern upon seeing him flushed and breathless. Reacting instinctively, she took his wrist to check his pulse, which raced beneath her touch.

Kiara was so focused on the task that she didn't realize their proximity, and Dhruv found himself drawn in by the scent of jasmine from her hair, creating a delightful yet distracting sensation.

“I… I'm good…”

“Are you sure? We can head back to the hospital if you want…” Kiara gently suggested, her gaze lifting to meet his. In that moment, she became acutely aware of their closeness, feeling as though a mere inch forward might lead to an accidental kiss.

“I…I'm fine, really…” Dhruv whispered.

“Alright..” Kiara breathed.