Stranger to Stranger

MEDICAL BOOK - 2

♡ When Tanya got home, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t truly know Dr. Arav. Yet, there was something about him—his reactions, his little bursts of anger—that felt oddly familiar. Why did his expressions remind her so much of Arav? And why was she so comfortable around him when they’d only met twice? For a moment, Tanya wondered, Could he really be the same Arav? She decided that next time, she’d subtly ask him about the past and see if he’d reveal anything.

♡ On the other hand, Arav also felt a strange familiarity with her. She reminded him of the Tanya he once knew. He decided that when he saw her again, he’d try to find a way to confirm it—maybe bring up something only the real Tanya would understand.

♡ The next day, when they met, Arav immediately apologized for all the misunderstandings, promising to be more careful with his words. Tanya smiled, apologizing as well for reacting so strongly. “I can never seem to control my anger,” she confessed, “I end up saying things I don’t mean, hurting people close to me, and then regretting it later. I’m sorry.”

■ Tanya said these words deliberately—they were exactly what she used to tell Arav after every fight or outburst—and she wanted to see how Dr. Arav would react.

♡ Hearing her say this, Arav was taken aback. How could she say those exact words? He didn’t respond but silently wondered, Could she really be the same Tanya? They continued talking about the book project for a while, each lost in thought.

♡ Then, after a pause, Arav asked, “Can I ask you a personal question?”

Tanya nodded, and he asked, “Do you think a boy and a girl can really be just friends? And…do you think teenage love is real?” He hesitated. “I mean, you’re a writer. What’s your take on love?”

Tanya replied thoughtfully, “In my opinion, yes, a boy and a girl can just be friends. As for teenage love…” She looked away. “I don’t believe in it. At that age, neither person is mature, and when misunderstandings break things apart, it hurts deeply. When someone leaves, the questions that remain unanswered haunt you forever. I don’t trust love at all. I hate love stories, especially those about teenage love. And I really despise people who leave without hearing me out, assuming they know the whole story.”

♡ Tanya’s voice softened, her gaze distant. She hadn’t realized how much of her true feelings about Arav had slipped out. Arav, listening to her, felt a surge of certainty—she had to be the same Tanya. But he still needed proof, still worried that maybe he was just reading too much into this.

♡ As she left, Tanya was troubled. Do I still love Arav? she wondered. Why did hearing about teenage love make me think of him? Though she still hated the idea of love, she couldn’t bring herself to hate Arav. Why, even after all these years, does he stop me from moving on?

♡ Meanwhile, Arav couldn’t shake his sense of certainty. Destiny must be playing with me, he thought. Just when I think she might really be my Tanya, she pulls back. He resolved that if he didn’t find out the truth at tomorrow’s conference, he wouldn’t let himself see her again. But deep down, he knew his heart would keep whispering that she was the Tanya he had once loved.

♡ Now, the question looms: Will the conference finally reveal the truth? Or will they part ways without realizing who they truly are to each other? And if they recognize each other, will they dare to reconnect after everything?