All Chapters of After Five Years: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Aisha's POVToday, Julien and I agreed to meet at a small café near the Seine. He said he wanted to discuss the progress of the clinic proposal, but for some reason, I felt it wasn’t just about work. The way he smiled, the way he looked at me with his warm brown eyes, made my heart skip a beat.I shook my head slightly, laughing at myself. “Aisha, don’t be dramatic,” I muttered while sipping my coffee.At the hospital, the morning went as usual. I checked on several patients, listened to their complaints, and occasionally stole a moment to read Rika's emails about potential donors. But my mind kept drifting to Julien—his head tilted slightly as he listened to me speak, or his soft but genuine laughter. I lightly slapped my cheek. Focus, Aisha.By the afternoon, I arrived at the café first. A table in the corner with a view of the Seine felt perfect for a relaxed atmosphere. I ordered a latte, gazing at the shimmering water under the sunlight. Soon, Julien arrived, carrying a thin fold

Aisha's POV Morning arrived gently, breaking the silence of the night still lingering behind the window curtains. Sunlight slowly crept in, filtering through the gray drapes and touching my face, still warm from the blanket. The phone alarm rang softly from the bedside table, a classic tone that had become part of my morning routine for years. I opened my eyes slowly, took a deep breath, and then sat up in bed. The tea from last night still sat in the mug, its aroma faded, but for some reason, its presence felt familiar. I reached for my phone. The screen lit up with one new message. From: Sean 07:14 [Aisha, I hope you’re doing well. I know you might be busy, but I really want to talk, even if just for a moment. I’ll be waiting for your response.] My fingers gripped the phone tighter than necessary. For a moment, my eyes stared at the message, flat with no emotions flooding i

Aisha's POV Julien nodded, but it seemed he was still reluctant to leave. “You know, Aisha, I appreciate our collaboration. It’s not just about work, I feel we’re also building a good relationship.”His words caught me off guard. “I feel that way too, Julien. Maybe we can schedule some time to discuss the proposal further and... other things,” I said, trying to express my desire to get closer.“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Let’s do it. I want to hear more about your ideas,” he replied, a sparkle in his eyes that made me feel more excited.As he stepped back, I felt a pleasant uncertainty. “See you later, Aisha. Have a nice day,” he said before turning away.“See you, Julien. Hope you have a nice day too,” I replied, though in my heart, I wished this moment wouldn’t end.Julien walked towards the door, then glanced back for a moment before leaving. “Oh, don’t forget to take breaks too. You stay up too late.”I hel

Aisha's POV “Great! Remember, communication is important. If anything is bothering you, don’t hesitate to share,” I said, encouraging him to feel comfortable opening up.After the examination was complete, I left his room feeling satisfied. Caring for heart patients was not an easy task, but every small step toward recovery was a victory. And I was grateful to be part of their journey.As I exited the last room, I stood for a moment in the hallway, looking out the large window at the end of the corridor. Sunlight began to stream through the glass, warming my face. It felt refreshing, as if giving me new energy to get through the long day ahead.I took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air fill my lungs. The day had just begun, and there was still much to accomplish. With every breath, I was determined to focus my mind on the tasks ahead.One thing I was sure of, I would not let my toxic past interfere with my steps today. Every bitter mem

Aisha's POV For now, I just wanted to be Aisha, focused on my work, with the dream clinic I was building. My self-confidence was starting to grow, and I felt more prepared to face the challenges ahead.Additionally, there was a warm feeling beginning to grow in my heart, connected to someone who was slowly making me feel safe again. Perhaps all of this was part of the process of moving forward, letting go of the burdens of the past, and embracing new possibilities.As Dita and I walked back toward the elevator to the inpatient floor, the atmosphere in the corridor still felt ordinary. We both carried the remnants of our light conversation from the café, but many things lingered in our minds. I glanced at my watch, thinking about quickly organizing a follow-up schedule for my patients, when suddenly...DING!The emergency alert from my hospital phone rang loudly. I immediately stopped in my tracks and answered the call from the internal number