Aisha's POV
The night air grew colder as the door to the room was knocked softly. Julien and I exchanged glances before I stood up and opened it slowly. A teenage boy stood in the doorway, thin and with tousled hair, beads of sweat on his forehead. He looked nervous, but the glint in his eyes showed a bravery I admired.“Excuse me… I’m Dimas, Mrs. I’m the third child of Mrs. Narti,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry for coming late. I heard from the neighbors that you were taken to the hospital.”I quickly invited Dimas in. Ratna was still asleep on the small mattress in the corner, her face a bit pale but her breathing more stable. Dimas walked slowly and sat beside his sister, gently touching Ratna’s hand. “Thank you, Doctor… for saving my mom,” he said, bowing his head.I gave a thin smile, though my heart felt full. “I’m just doing my job, Dimas. But you need to take good care of your sister now. Ratna must be very scared.”Dimas nodded, tAisha's POV I looked at Julien, who had come all the way just to bring me dinner. “You... didn’t have to go through the trouble of coming here.” Julien shrugged. “But I wanted to. And I’m hungry too. So, win-win.” I nodded slightly, not having the energy to argue. “Okay,” I finally said.We walked together to my office. In the comfortable silence, there were only the sounds of footsteps and the rustling of the paper bags. Upon entering, I immediately dropped into the chair, removed my medical mask, and rested my head back. Julien opened one of the bags and pulled out two warm food containers. The aroma of creamy soup and toasted bread filled the room, making my stomach rumble softly. “I know your taste isn’t too complicated,” he said as he placed the food on my desk. “So I chose mushroom soup and cheese bread. And cappuccino. I remember you love this.” I looked at him gratefully. “Julien... thank you. Really.” He smiled and sat
Aisha's POV My steps felt light yet nervous as I entered the hospital. The familiar scent of antiseptic greeted me, reminding me that I was back in the real world of responsibilities and a busy schedule. I walked towards my office, trying to focus on today’s agenda, but someone’s footsteps beside me quickly matched my pace.“Doctor Aisha!” That cheerful voice made me turn. I smiled as I saw Dita, the nurse and my friend at this hospital. Her hair was neatly braided as usual, and her friendly smile made me feel a bit more relaxed. “Hi, Dita. Good morning,” I replied as I continued walking. “You just got back from Indonesia, right? How was it there?” Dita immediately bombarded me with curious expressions. I let out a small sigh and laughed softly. “It was good. Quite exhausting, but everything went smoothly. We found a great location for the clinic.” “Wow, cool! I see you’re really serious about that project,” she said, impressed.
Aisha's POV Mornings in Paris always come with the aroma of toast and the sound of chirping birds from behind the window. But this morning felt different. My heart raced faster than usual, and not because I was returning to work at the hospital after a long trip. It was for one reason that filled my stomach with butterflies.Julien would be picking me up this morning.I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my reflection in the vanity mirror. My hair was freshly dried, still a bit frizzy and messy from the cold air. I picked up a comb, trying to tame the unruly strands, but my mind had already drifted far since I opened my eyes this morning.Since the incident by the river… since the kiss that happened amidst laughter and sunlight… something had changed. Not just between us, but also within me. Julien was no longer just a project partner. He occupied my thoughts like a shadow that lingered, slipping into the silence, making me smile unconsciously.
Aisha's POV “I’m glad we went there,” I finally said. “It wasn’t just a work trip. I feel like I found something that was missing.”Julien looked at me intently. “Me too. More than I could have imagined.”A meaningful silence hung between us. In his gaze, I could feel all the unspoken emotions. The small moments in the village, the laughter, and the warmth we shared had changed everything.“It’s like a part of me has been filled again,” I continued, trying to explain my feelings. “A comfort that’s hard to describe.”“Same for me,” he replied, his voice soft. “We’ve experienced something special.”We held each other’s gaze, and I felt warmth spreading within. All doubts and fears seemed to disappear, replaced by hope and certainty.My hand was already on the doorknob, but I hadn’t turned it yet.“I’ll go in first, okay?” I said softly, almost whispering.Julien nodded, but his eyes didn’t leave me. “Aisha?”
Aisha's POV The Paris sky greeted us with gray clouds and a cold breeze that tickled our cheeks. So different from the warm air of the village we had just left. I took a deep breath, the familiar airport aroma felt suffocating—a mix of exhaustion, longing, and the reality that we were back to our old routines.The atmosphere in the airport was bustling, announcements and hurried footsteps reminding me of a busy life. Yet, in my heart, I still felt the warmth of the moments we shared in the village. All the dreams and hopes we planted there felt much more real compared to the hustle and bustle here.“Are you starting to miss the village?” Julien asked, looking at me with a gentle smile.“Yes,” I replied, missing the simple and warm atmosphere we left behind. “I hope everything is going well there.”We walked toward the pickup area, and I couldn’t help but recall the laughter and togetherness we had. “We have to go back,” I said, hoping.
Aisha's POV Every burst of laughter blended with the sounds of nature around us. The chirping of birds and the rustling of the wind seemed to celebrate our moments of happiness. Each step we took felt lighter, as if the burdens that had weighed on my heart began to fade away.“If we could record the village chief’s voice like that, we could make a comedy film,” I said, laughing, imagining how funny that would be if it actually happened.Julien laughed, nodding in agreement. “Yes, and we could invite all the villagers to watch it. They would surely enjoy it.”In that moment, all the doubts and fears that had haunted me seemed to vanish. Every glance, every smile carried a meaning that didn’t need to be explained with words.“I feel like we’re creating something special,” I said, looking at him with hope.“So do I,” Julien replied, his eyes bright. “This is more than just a clinic; it’s about building a supportive community.”