The days had begun to blur together for Srishti, filled with long hours at the hospital, calls from home, and the occasional messages from Sahil, who seemed to be pulling back slightly. After the tension between them, things weren't quite the same. She missed him more than ever, but each call left her feeling as if something was left unsaid.

One evening, after a particularly exhausting shift, Srishti found herself lingering a bit longer than usual with the children in the pediatric ward. She was finishing up some paperwork when she spotted Chris in the corridor, deep in conversation with a nurse. Srishti had been trying to avoid him, feeling awkward around him after their tense first meetings, but today, he caught her eye and approached with a nod.

"You're staying late," he remarked.

She shrugged. "It's hard to leave sometimes... the kids here, they really know how to keep you grounded."

Chris's gaze softened, something she hadn't seen before. "That's true. You're good with them."

Srishti blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected praise from him. "Thanks," she replied, a bit self-conscious. "It's rewarding, seeing them smile. Sometimes I think they help me more than I help them."

Chris tilted his head, studying her as if he hadn't quite expected that answer. "I can see that. Not everyone has that kind of empathy."

The conversation might have ended there, but Srishti felt compelled to ask, "Is that why you chose trauma care?"

Chris's expression shifted slightly, his eyes becoming distant. "In a way. I've... had my reasons." He didn't elaborate, but there was a weight to his words that Srishti sensed was rooted in something personal.

They stood in silence for a moment, but it wasn't uncomfortable. She was beginning to see Chris in a new light, sensing a complexity and vulnerability beneath the rigid exterior.

The next day, Srishti found herself helping with a complicated case that left her emotionally drained. As she was heading out of the hospital, her mind on autopilot, she missed a step in the stairwell and twisted her ankle. Wincing in pain, she tried to walk it off but knew it was more than a minor sprain. Limping, she made her way out to the bus stop, hoping she could make it home without too much trouble.

As she waited, biting her lip to hold back the discomfort, a familiar voice spoke behind her. "Are you planning to limp all the way home?"

She turned to find Chris standing there, a mix of exasperation and concern on his face. "I'm fine," she insisted, though it was obvious she was anything but.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Being stubborn again are we, Dr Srishti? Let's just make it easy for both of us alright. Tell me your address and I'll drop you to your home."

Reluctantly, Srishti accepted, realizing that walking on her own might make things worse. She climbed into his car, grateful for the reprieve from her throbbing ankle. As she buckled up, Chris asked, "Where do you live?"

"Uh, it's on Maple Lane. Near the Richmond park," she replied, giving him the full address.

A brief flicker of recognition crossed his face. "I know the area. I live nearby," he admitted.

"Oh," Srishti said, feeling oddly flustered but unable to think of a response. The air between them felt heavy, like neither quite knew what to say. For all their previous tension, this silence was new—a strange, almost comfortable kind of awkwardness.

They drove in silence, and before long, Srishti's exhaustion started to creep up on her. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she found herself dozing off, lulled by the hum of the car and the warmth of the seat.

A slight jolt made her blink awake, and she realized with a start that they were pulling into a driveway. Srishti looked around, feeling confused. "Um, this isn't my place..."

Chris glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow. "I know. It's mine." He paused, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he watched realization dawn on her face. "You live next door."

Srishti's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the familiar surroundings. "You mean... you're my neighbor?"

Chris nodded, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Seems so."

She let out a disbelieving laugh, feeling a strange mix of amusement and embarrassment. "Of all the people..."

Chris's smirk softened into something almost kind. "Small world, huh?"

Srishti chuckled, still in mild disbelief. "I guess so."

He got out and came around to help her. She tried to brush him off, but he simply ignored her protests, steadying her until she was standing on her own. She looked up at him, intending to say thank you, but found herself momentarily caught by the sincerity in his gaze.

"Take it easy on that ankle," he said quietly, his voice softer than usual.

"Thanks," she murmured, surprised by his unexpected kindness.

They stood there for a moment longer, caught in a silence that felt somehow more comfortable than before. Then, with a small nod, Chris stepped back, letting her make her way up to her aunt's door.

As she hobbled up the steps, Srishti couldn't help glancing back once. Chris was still standing there, hands in his pockets, watching to make sure she got inside safely. She gave him a small wave, and he returned it before turning to head into his own house.

As the door closed behind her, Srishti let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The day had taken a surprising turn, and she found herself feeling a little less unsettled, and a little more intrigued by her enigmatic neighbor.

***

After the emotionally exhausting day, Srishti settled into bed with her ankle propped up and a bag of ice resting on it. The dull throb served as a reminder of her clumsy moment in the stairwell, and though she felt a little foolish, she couldn't help but smile when she thought about the unexpected ride home. It turned out that Chris—the serious, guarded trauma specialist—was her next-door neighbor. The irony wasn't lost on her; she'd spent so much time trying to avoid him, only to find out he lived mere steps away.

Her phone buzzed, lighting up with Sahil's name. She'd been meaning to call him back and was relieved he'd called first. She answered, a tired but genuine smile in her voice.

"Hey, stranger," she greeted him, trying to sound lighthearted despite the soreness in her ankle. "Miss me?"

Sahil chuckled, though she could hear an edge of tension in his laughter. "Depends. Were you planning to actually tell me why you've been MIA? Or do I have to hire a private investigator?"

"Ha, ha," Srishti replied, rolling her eyes. "It's been busy, okay? Hospital shifts are no joke, and today I had a little accident."

"Accident?" His voice immediately sharpened with concern. "Srishti, are you alright? What happened?"

"It's nothing too bad," she reassured him, her tone gentle to ease his worry. "I twisted my ankle on the stairs. Just a little misstep. I'm fine, really."

He let out a long sigh, clearly not convinced. "And you didn't think to call and tell me? You know I'd have been on the next flight if it was anything serious."

"I didn't want to worry you. Plus, I had a bit of an unexpected savior," she said, smiling to herself.

"Wait... 'savior'?" he echoed, clearly puzzled. "Who?"

Srishti hesitated, unsure how he'd react. "You remember that doctor I mentioned... the one I couldn't seem to escape?"

"Oh, the trauma doctor with the attitude? Don't tell me you had to work with him again today," Sahil groaned.

"Actually... it's a bit more complicated," she admitted. "Turns out, he's my next-door neighbor."

There was silence on the other end before Sahil burst out laughing. "Wait, wait—are you serious? You're neighbors?"

"I know, it's ridiculous, right?" Srishti said, laughing with him. "I didn't know either until today. He happened to see me waiting for the bus with my bum ankle and offered me a ride. That's how I found out."

Sahil's laughter faded, replaced by a faint tension. "And... you accepted the ride?"

"Well, yes," she replied slowly, sensing a shift in his tone. "It would have been a long, painful walk otherwise. Besides, he's not as unbearable as I first thought."

"Seems like you're spending a lot of time around him lately," Sahil commented, his voice light but with a hint of something beneath it.

Srishti chuckled, hoping to dispel the awkwardness. "Only because I have to, remember? I swear, half of it's just by chance."

"Hmm," Sahil murmured. "Well, just... be careful around him, alright?"

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sahil, you sound like an overprotective dad. It's just my neighbor."

"I know, I know," he said, laughing to brush it off, though there was still a hint of tension. "Just looking out for you. It's a habit."

There was a silence that lingered for a few seconds too long, and she sensed that he was holding something back.

"So..." she said softly, trying to draw him out, "any other advice for me, Mr. Overprotective?"

Sahil chuckled, though it sounded strained. "Nothing new. Just... don't forget about your old friend over here."

"As if I could," she replied warmly. "You're still the one I call at the end of the day, aren't you?"

Sahil's voice softened. "Yeah... I guess I am."

Another pause. Srishti could feel something unsaid in his tone, something unspoken yet almost tangible. It was unlike Sahil to hold back, but she sensed there was more to his protective comments than he was admitting.

"Hey, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?" she ventured gently, sensing the hesitation on his end.

He sighed, as though deciding whether to share. "Srishti... you've been a big part of my life for so long. Sometimes I think... well, that maybe we'll always be close, no matter what."

"Of course we will," she replied, a little confused but touched by his words. "I can't imagine it any other way."

He chuckled softly, but she could hear the bittersweet edge in his tone. "Yeah... me neither. Just don't get too attached to this Dr. Neighbor, alright? He doesn't know how lucky he is."

Srishti blinked, surprised at the hint of jealousy in his words. "Sahil, are you... jealous?"

He hesitated for a moment before brushing it off with a laugh. "Me? Jealous?" He quickly turned serious again. "I just... I want you to be happy. That's all."

Her heart softened, but before she could respond, he cleared his throat. "Anyway, take care of that ankle, okay? And don't go climbing any stairs without me to catch you."

"Deal," she replied with a laugh. "And hey... thanks. For everything."

As they hung up, Srishti sat back, her heart racing a little. She couldn't help but replay the conversation in her head, wondering if Sahil had meant more than he was willing to say. And as she closed her eyes, she found herself drifting off with his words lingering in her mind, feeling closer to him despite the miles between them.

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