Healers Of The Hills

Chapter 5

ʜᴇʟʟᴏ ᴍᴀɴꜱʜᴀ'ꜱ
ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 4 ᴏꜰ ʙᴏᴏᴋ. ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪᴛ..
ɢɪᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʙᴏx
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Vivaan sat there for a few more minutes, quietly watching Kiana as she slept. The soft glow of the desk lamp created a warm halo around her, making her look even more delicate. He sighed, realizing how long she must have been sitting there, waiting for him while he worked.

He gently rose from his chair, careful not to make too much noise, and walked over to her. As he stood beside her, a wave of tenderness swept through him. He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to disturb the rare moment of peace she seemed to be enjoying. But he knew she couldn't stay here all night.

Bending down slightly, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch soft and careful. "Kiana..." he whispered, his voice low and filled with warmth. "Wake up."

She stirred slightly but didn't fully wake. He smiled at her sleepy expression, and with a little more firmness, he called her again, "Kiana, it's time to go."

Her eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep. She blinked, her gaze unfocused at first, but then slowly realizing where she was. Embarrassment flashed across her face as she sat up straight, running a hand through her hair, trying to compose herself.

"I-sorry, I must've dozed off," she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep. She glanced around, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she realized she had fallen asleep in Vivaan's office.

Vivaan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "It's alright, Dr. Grover. You've had a long day. You should go to your room and get some proper sleep."

Kiana looked at him, still groggy, and nodded. But there was something in his voice-gentle, almost protective-that made her pause for a second. She could feel his gaze on her, the usual teasing glint replaced with something softer, something she couldn't quite place.

She stood up slowly, trying to shake off the sleep. "I didn't mean to fall asleep here," she said, her voice quieter now.

Vivaan smiled, stepping back to give her space. "I know. But you need rest. Go to your room, Kiana. Sleep properly."

His use of her first name, without the usual formality, sent a soft warmth spreading through her chest. There was something different in the way he said it, like a whisper of something more, something unspoken.

She looked up at him, and for a brief moment, their eyes met-his dark and intent, hers still clouded with the remnants of sleep. The air between them seemed to shift, the weight of their usual banter replaced with something far gentler.

"I will," she said softly, her lips curving into a small, tired smile. "Thank you, Dr. Vivaan."

He smiled back, watching her as she made her way to the door, but before she could leave, he called out softly, "Kiana?"

She turned, her hand on the door, her eyes meeting his again.

"Sweet dreams," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, the warmth in his words wrapping around her like a quiet embrace.

Kiana's smile widened just a little, her heart fluttering at his words. "Goodnight, Dr. Vivaan."

And with that, she slipped out of his office, leaving Vivaan standing there, the sound of her soft footsteps echoing down the quiet corridor as he watched her disappear into the night.
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The evening had settled in, casting a warm glow through the hospital corridors as Dr. Zyaan's team got absorbed in their duties. Zara, Eshaan, and Arya were stationed nearby, focused on their patients, while Zyaan was busy reviewing a patient's chart at the nurse's station.