ENIGMA

Fears

Ruhani stepped out of the washroom, adjusting the sleeves of the suit, still feeling uneasy about the morning’s confrontation. Her fingers fidgeted nervously with the fabric as she eyed Advik, who was waiting for her by the doorway, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice laced with impatience. "I need to go home. I have to change properly and—"

Advik cut her off before she could finish, his voice cold and matter-of-fact. "We’re not going home yet. I need to check you up."

Ruhani blinked, confusion mixing with a rising sense of panic. "Check me up? Why?" Her voice grew sharper, the tension in her posture returning.

"Because of the pain you'r...," Advik responded calmly, though his gaze was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Ruhani’s heart skipped a beat as memories of the previous night flooded back—her stomach cramps, the way she had tried to hide it from him. "I don’t need a check-up!" she exclaimed, taking a step back, her eyes widening. "I’m fine now. I just need to go home. I’ll book a cab and—"

"You’re not going anywhere," Advik interrupted, his voice turning steely. He stepped closer, his presence looming over her. "We’re going to the clinic, and I’ll run a few tests. I need a blood sample, and we’ll see what else is necessary."

Ruhani’s pulse raced, panic seeping into her every word. "No! I’m not going to any clinic!" she protested, her voice rising with fear. "I don’t need any tests! I’m fine, I told you. I’m going home. Now!" She turned, grabbing her phone to book a ride, her hands shaking.

But Advik wasn’t having it. He stepped forward, blocking her path with an imposing stance. "Ruhi, I said no." His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable edge to it. "You’re not going home, and you’re not booking a cab. You’ve been hiding this pain for too long now."

Ruhani’s breath quickened as she tried to push past him, her panic mounting. "I’m not doing this!" she snapped, her voice filled with desperation. "I don’t want any tests, and you can’t make me! I just want to go home!"

Advik’s eyes darkened with frustration. He took a step forward, his voice low and controlled, but with a dangerous intensity. "You’re not leaving. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll do it myself."

Ruhani shook her head wildly, backing away from him, her eyes wide with fear. "No, no, no! You’re not touching me with needles! I’m not going to let you do anything!" Her words came out in a frenzied rush as she clutched her phone tighter, her back hitting the wall as she tried to find an escape.

Advik’s patience was wearing thin. His eyes locked on hers, unyielding. "I’m a doctor  I know what’s best for you, and right now, you need to calm down.I don’t want to see you suffer silently, and you can’t lie to me about your condition. I know you better than that."

Her heart pounded in her chest, fear mixing with frustration. "I’m not going with you!" she repeated, her voice trembling but defiant. "I don’t need your tests!"

Advik’s expression hardened. "I’ll get the blood sample right here. It’s either at the clinic or here. You choose."

Ruhani’s breath caught in her throat as her panic surged. "No, no!" she pleaded, her voice desperate. "Please don’t! I don’t want any tests, I don’t want needles—"

"You’re not giving me a choice," Advik’s voice was chillingly calm, yet commanding. "You need this check-up, Ruhi. Your health comes first, whether you like it or not."

Her panic spiraled as she backed further into the corner of the room. "Please!" she cried, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes. "I don’t want this! I’m fine, I swear, just let me go home!"