Wicked Desires

chapter 26

Kriya glanced around the room, her pulse quickening as she noticed the lingering stares. It wasn't the usual friendly acknowledgment she was used to; these gazes felt sharp, almost invasive, as if they were peeling back layers of her soul.

Her palms grew clammy as she set her bag on the desk and casually draped her stethoscope around her neck. The clock on the wall confirmed she wasn't even late today, so what could possibly be drawing so much attention?

Adjusting her coat, she forced a small smile at a passing colleague, but even they gave her a strange, almost pitying look. Her mind raced—had she unknowingly done something wrong? Or was this about something she wasn't yet aware of?

It felt as though every eye in the room carried judgment, whispering silently behind her back. The weight of it all settled heavily on her chest as she tried to shake the uneasy feeling creeping into her thoughts. What had she missed?

Pushing aside the unsettling feeling, Kriya straightened her shoulders and decided to focus on her work. A day off had already put her behind, and with no replacement available to cover her responsibilities, she knew she couldn't afford to let her thoughts distract her any further.

Grabbing her clipboard, she scanned the list of patients for the day. It was a packed schedule, as expected. Her first case was a young boy complaining of recurring migraines.

As she stepped into the consultation room, she greeted the boy and his mother warmly, masking her earlier discomfort with a professional smile. She listened intently as the mother described his symptoms, occasionally glancing at the boy to gauge his reaction.

"How long has this been happening?" Kriya asked gently, making notes on her clipboard.

"Almost a month now," the mother replied, worry etched on her face.

Kriya nodded, her mind already piecing together possibilities. "Let's run a few tests to be sure. Meanwhile, I'll prescribe something to manage the pain."

Her calm demeanour seemed to ease the mother's tension, and Kriya felt a small sense of accomplishment as she moved on to her next patient.

By midday, her energy was waning, but her determination to keep going pushed her forward. A middle-aged man with a severe chest infection was next on her list. As she reviewed his X-rays and prescribed the necessary medication, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. The trust her patients placed in her reminded her why she had chosen this path, despite how overwhelming it could sometimes be.

Throughout the day, Kriya found herself repeatedly glancing at her colleagues, wondering if the earlier awkwardness had been a figment of her imagination. But every time she looked up, there was someone watching her—a fleeting glance here, a hushed whisper there. It was enough to make her skin crawl, but she kept her focus on her patients.

By the time the clock struck five, Kriya was emotionally and physically drained. She leaned against her desk for a moment, exhaling deeply. The stares, the whispers—they had been relentless. And yet, her patients had made it worthwhile.

As Kriya made her way to her desk, she began gathering her belongings, eager to finally call it a day. Just as she slung her bag over her shoulder and turned to leave, she noticed Xavier standing in the doorway, his expression tense and unreadable. His brows were furrowed, and his jaw was clenched as if he were holding back words.

Kriya tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "What's with the face? You look like you're in dire need of a laxative," she quipped, her tone laced with casual sarcasm as she tried to diffuse whatever strange mood he was in.