Twisted Love

02|The Unexpected Encounter

The days following the meeting were a blur of thoughts and emotions for me. My parents had been delighted by how well everything had gone. They couldn't stop talking about Vikram-how polite he was, how well-spoken, and, most importantly, how he had such a stable career. "He's such a good match for you, Anika," my mother had said, practically glowing with pride. "I can see that he's someone who will take care of you."

I had smiled weakly, trying to hide the storm of emotions raging inside me. There was a connection, yes, but was it enough? Was that spark real, or was it just the nervous energy of two strangers meeting for the first time? What was I really feeling? Was I ready for this life?

For the first time in my life, I felt torn between my love for my family and their traditional expectations and the nagging voice inside me that told me-maybe, just maybe-I needed to follow my own heart.

A few days later, I was walking down the narrow corridor of my school, a folder of lesson plans clutched in my hands. My mind was occupied with thoughts of my family's excitement over Vikram. But as I rounded the corner near the school's playground, I was brought back to the present by a loud cry-a familiar voice that instantly made my heart race.

"Ma'am! Ma'am!"

I turned in alarm. One of my students, Arun, a lively and energetic 10-year-old, was clutching his leg, tears streaming down his face. He had tripped over a ball, his knee skinned and bleeding. Before I could react, another voice interrupted my thoughts.

"What happened?" A deep, calm voice asked, laced with concern.

I turned sharply and found myself staring at none other than Vikram. He was standing just a few feet away, having apparently come to the school to check on some medical supplies that his hospital had donated. The moment his eyes met mine, my breath caught in my chest-I hadn't expected to see him again so soon, let alone in such an unexpected circumstance.

"Vikram?" I blurted, my voice a mix of surprise and relief.

"Anika" he asked, his brows furrowed with concern as he crouched beside Arun. "What happened to him?"

It took me a second to compose myself, to shake off the surprise of seeing him here. "He tripped while playing... His knee's hurt pretty bad."

Vikram nodded, his movements steady and deliberate, and began examining Arun's injury with the professionalism of a seasoned doctor. I stood by, watching him work, my heart pounding in my chest. Seeing him here, kneeling on the ground with such focused care, stirred something inside me. There was a quiet authority in his presence that I hadn't noticed before-a blend of strength and tenderness that made my stomach flutter.

As he cleaned and bandaged Arun's wound, Vikram spoke softly to the boy, his voice warm and reassuring. "You'll be okay. I'm going to put a little antiseptic, but you'll be fine, alright?"

Arun sniffled and nodded. "Thank you, sir."

I couldn't take my eyes off Vikram. His hands moved with such confidence and care, and the way he spoke-calm and steady, yet comforting-made me feel strangely safe. My heart fluttered again when he glanced up at me, a small, reassuring smile playing on his lips. His presence filled the space in a way that was almost... commanding, yet so gentle.

"He's fine now," Vikram said, standing up and wiping his hands with a cloth I had offered. His voice had that same grounded warmth that seemed to settle everything around him. "Just needs to rest it for a while, maybe ice it later. I'll leave some antiseptic for you, Anika, and you can keep an eye on him."

"Thank you," I murmured, my voice softer than I intended. "I didn't expect to see you here today. I mean, I wasn't sure..." I trailed off, unsure how to finish my sentence.

He smiled again, a small, knowing smile that made my cheeks warm. "Well, it's not every day I get called to help out at a school. But I'm glad I was here. You've got quite a handful with Arun, huh?"

I laughed softly, the sound surprising even me. "He's a handful, but he's a good kid."

We stood in silence for a moment, the hum of the playground filling the space between us. I felt strangely at ease, even as my stomach flipped nervously. Vikram had a way of filling the silence without making it feel awkward-a quiet confidence that was both intimidating and comforting.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "Well, I should probably get going. I'm supposed to meet my colleague about a case. But it was good to see you again, Anika."

"It was good to see you too," I replied, feeling a strange mix of warmth and nervousness flood my chest. "And thank you, again, for helping Arun."

He nodded, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer than necessary before he turned to leave. As he walked away, I couldn't help but watch him. There was something about the way he carried himself-so assured, so grounded-that made my heart skip a beat. The seriousness of his profession, the gentle way he had handled Arun, and the quiet authority in his voice-it all left me feeling... drawn to him.

And as I stood there, clutching the antiseptic he had handed me, I realized that the flutter in my stomach hadn't gone away. If anything, it had only grown stronger.