Tia chatting away above.

ALIA

Alia glanced at her watch as she listened for Tia's pulse through the stethoscope, quickly documenting the blood pressure values on her patient records. The steady rhythm was reassuring, a testament to the successful repair of her atrial septal defect years ago.

Alia removed the stethoscope and smiled at her patient, "Your blood pressure looks good, Tia. How have you been feeling lately?"

Tia shrugged, sweeping her dark tresses over one shoulder, "Not bad, I guess. The usual shortness of breath when I overdo it, but nothing new."

"Any palpitations or chest pain?"

"Nope, all the same," she replied, then hesitated; "Unlike my brother's love life, apparently."

Alia's hand froze mid-sentence as she looked up, meeting Tia's knowing gaze, "Oh. Well, um, that's great for him?"

Her lips quirked into a half-smile, "Come on, Alia. I know you've been seeing my brother. He's been different lately– happier."

Alia felt her cheeks warm, "Tia, I don't think it's appropriate for me to discuss–"

"It's okay," Tia interrupted gently, her eyes growing distant; "I'm just glad he's found someone."

Setting down her pen, Alia gave Tia her full attention, "Is everything alright?"

She sighed, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, "I just... I wanted you to understand why he can be so... difficult sometimes."

Alia leaned back in her chair, meeting Tia's concerned gaze as she encouraged gently, "Go on."

"Did he tell you our father killed himself?"

Alia's heart sank as she listened to Tia recount the details of her father's death in a trembling voice. The young woman's face remained worryingly blank as she stated the facts of his death with a strange sort of detachment. When it came to discussing Trevor, however, all that emotion came seeping back as her eyes widened with a mixture of fear and sorrow.

Pausing at the blunt admission, Alia only spoke after gathering her emotions, "He never told me about that and if it's too difficult, neither do you."

Wearing a sardonic smile, Tia snorted, "It's really not. I was a baby when it happened so I barely remember anything... but bhaiya was old enough to remember it all. He was only twelve years old but he stepped up. He worked multiple odd jobs while still finding time to attend school and never once complained about any of it."

She paused, swallowing hard, "He's the best big brother but that experience... it changed him."

It was starting to make sense. Trevor never really had the opportunity to be a child, feeling obligated to shoulder everyone's burdens. Alia thought of his carefully constructed façade, the falsely carefree demeanour he wore and his reluctance to open up.

She nodded along as Tia continued, "He's always been so lonely, so focused on making sure I'm okay. I think... I think he's afraid to let anyone get too close. Afraid they'll leave like our mother did or that he'll break like our father did."

It felt as if something was squeezing Alia's heart as her chest tightened at the thought of those dark thoughts crossing Trevor's mind. She thought of her recent dates with him, picturing the guarded look she sometimes saw in his eyes and the way he would pull back just when she thought they were connecting.

She quietly asked, "Is that something you struggle with as well?"

When Tia's voice tightened with old pain, she silently reached out to clasp the young woman's hand, "Not really, but that's because Trevor never let me feel their absence. Of course, I don't blame my father for taking his life. If my partner just up and left with her lover one day, I likely wouldn't survive it either. So in my head, he died from heartache and not the bullet in his head."

"I see," Alia said softly; "Thank you for telling me, Tia."

"It's just... bhaiya's always trying to be perfect. As if that would somehow prove he's worthy of love. It makes him defensive sometimes and he takes on way too much responsibility."

She nodded slowly, processing this information, "I appreciate you trusting me with this, Tia."

Tia gave her a small hopeful smile, "You know, he really likes you. I can tell. So I guess I just wanted to ask you to be patient with him."

Squeezing her hand, Alia promised, "I will."

With a hint of mischief in her eyes, Tia grinned, "Just don't tell him I said anything. Doctor-patient confidentiality and all that, right?"

Alia chuckled, picking up her stethoscope, "Right. Now let's listen to that beautiful heart of yours, shall we?"

She placed the diaphragm of her stethoscope against Tia's chest, "Deep breath in."

As Alia quickly finished the remainder of Tia's health checks, her mind wandered to Trevor as she made a silent vow to give him the time and understanding he needed to let his guard down. She hoped that with time and care, his emotional scars might heal.

By the end of the day, Alia found herself longing to see Trevor again and as if sensing her intention, his name lit up on her phone screen. She should've been embarrassed at the squeal she let out in her excitement while scrambling to pick up his call. Settling into her chair, she cradled the phone against her ear as his smooth voice filled the space around her.

Once again, Alia found herself giggling and kicking her feet as Trevor brightened her day. They were in the midst of a playful argument, a familiar dance they both enjoyed, when he proposed meeting up again this evening.

"I don't know, grumpy," she said, trying to sound stern despite the smile creeping onto her face; "I have an early morning tomorrow so I really should get some rest."

"Ah, come on, kanthari," he coaxed, his tone laced with persuasion; "It's been a long week and you deserve a break. Besides, I promise I'll make it worth your while."

Alia chuckled, feeling a flutter in her chest. Trevor had a way of making her feel like she was the only person in the world when he spoke to her like that.

"Hmm," she teased, prolonging the suspense, "What makes you think I'd be interested in going out with a man who debates for a living? I'd never win an argument!"

He laughed, the sound warm and inviting, "Well, for one, I'm not just any man. I'm your man. And two, I promise not to give you the last word."

"When did I say that you're my man?"

"You didn't but I'm saying it now."

"You're on thin ice, counsellor," she warned, though her voice betrayed her amusement.

"Thin ice is where I do my best work. Don't tell me you're not secretly looking forward to seeing me?"

She paused, letting the silence hang for a moment before responding, her voice barely above a whisper, "Maybe."

"Ha, I knew it! What time should I pick you up?"

"I'm nearly done at work so maybe around two hours?"

"I'll be waiting at your doorstep."

As they hung up, Alia couldn't help the wide smile stretching across her face. For once in her life, she had someone who truly saw her and didn't falter at what they found. Regardless of her insecurities and imperfections, Trevor remained at her side without fail. He might be dark and complicated but when it came to her heart, things were always simple. She had tried and tried to repress those feelings but there was no denying it now. She loved him.

Glancing at the clock, Alia estimated at least an hour's worth of documentation left. She rotated her shoulders, already stiff from the day, and adjusted her posture before refocusing on the task at hand. As the minutes trickled by, words blurred together into a monotonous stream of medical jargon. Finally completing the last document, Alia rushed home to freshen up but barely had enough time before she heard the doorbell ring. Hoping she didn't look as exhausted as she felt, she grabbed her purse and headed for the door, the thought of Trevor and a glass of wine propelling her forward.

Arms tucked into his pockets, he smirked, "Hey, beautiful."

She stood on her tiptoes to peck his lips, "Hey, yourself."

Instantly, Alia felt the tension melt away as Trevor grabbed her hand and spun her around, making her grin uncontrollably. The city lights seemed to catch on his dark hair, highlighting the sharp angles of his face. God, he looked good. Tonight, he had traded his usual casual wear for a tailored blazer that broadened his already impressive shoulders. It was a deep midnight blue that brought out the warmth in his eyes. He moved with an easy confidence, the kind of natural grace that always made her heart skip a beat. Even the way he adjusted his cuffs spoke of a man that knew exactly who he was and what he wanted. Suave. That was the only word for it. Not in a cheesy trying-too-hard way but in a way that was utterly effortless.

As Trevor interlaced their fingers and tugged Alia outside towards his car, he stopped to open her door. Their eyes met and his lips curved into that familiar lopsided grin. It was a smile that always felt like it was just for her, a secret shared between them.

"Looking forward to our date?" he asked, his voice low and smooth as it sent shivers down her spine.

"Definitely," she breathed, unable to look away.

In that moment, standing there on the sidewalk with the city buzzing around them, Alia knew Trevor was the one. The love of her life. She had always fallen hard and fast but something about him felt right.

Bucking her seatbelt in for her, Trevor brushed her cheek with his lips, "To surviving another day."

"To surviving another day," she echoed, her eyes sparkling.

Arriving at the Italian restaurant, the aroma of garlic and tomatoes filled the air and for a moment, all was right in the world. The warm glow of the candlelight flickered across the polished wooden table, casting soft shadows on the walls of the quaint restaurant. Alia sat across from Trevor, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her wine glass as he lounged back in his chair with an effortless confidence.

His smirk was as sharp as the cut of his jawline and his eyes glinted with mischief as he leaned forward, "You know," he began, his voice low and teasing; "if you keep being this sweet, they might start charging you extra for dessert. I'm pretty sure kindness like yours is a rare commodity."

She laughed softly, shaking her head, "And if you keep flirting like that, I'll have to be charged extra for customer service. Is there a surcharge for charm?"

"Charm?," he raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence; "I thought I was just being honest. You're fucking sunshine wrapped in silk, kanthari. It's almost unfair to the rest of us mortals."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the blush creeping up her cheeks, "You're impossible," she said, though her tone belied how much she enjoyed his attention.

Trevor tilted his head, studying Alia for a moment before his grin softened into something more genuine.

"But seriously," he said, his voice dropping an octave; "don't you ever get tired of it? Always putting others first? Being the one everyone leans on?"

Smile faltering slightly as Alia looked down at her plate, she pushed a piece of ravioli around with her fork before answering, "Sometimes," she admitted quietly; "But it's who I am. I can't just... stop caring about people."

Reaching across the table, Trevor gently took Alia's hand in his. His touch was warm but firm, grounding her in that moment.

"I get it," he said softly; "But you deserve someone who cares about you just as much."

She met his gaze then and, for a moment, the playful banter between them melted away, leaving something raw and unspoken in its place, "And what about you?," she asked, her voice barely above a whisper; "Do you ever get tired of pretending everything's so easy? Like nothing ever gets to you?"

Leaning back in his chair, Trevor swirled the wine in his glass before taking a slow sip. His smirk returned but it didn't quite reach his eyes this time.

"Touché," he murmured; "Maybe we both have our masks."

Alia tilted her head slightly, studying him and softly murmuring, "You don't have to wear yours with me."

He chuckled, but there was a hint of vulnerability in it now, "Careful," he warned playfully, though his tone was tinged with something deeper; "You keep talking like that, and I might actually believe you."

They sat in silence for a moment after that, the hum of conversation and clinking dishes around them fading into the background. It was Trevor who broke it first, flashing Alia another grin as he picked up his fork.

"So," he said lightly, steering them back into safer waters; "how about we split dessert? I promise not to charm my way into getting the bigger half."

She laughed again– bright and genuine this time, and shook her head, "Deal," she said with mock-seriousness; "But only if you promise not to flirt with the waiter when they bring it over."

He placed a hand over his heart as if wounded by the accusation, "Me? Flirt? Never."

They both laughed then, their voices mingling with the warm atmosphere of the restaurant as they continued their dance of words. Their conversations playful on the surface but always hinting at something deeper beneath. For all their differences– the lightness in Alia that so often left her vulnerable and the darkness in Trevor that he wielded like a weapon, they fit together in a way that neither could quite explain. And maybe that was enough for now.