BEYOND UNFINISHED✔️

Chapter 5. When Fire Met Kindness

Anaya's POV

Finally, I was done for the day. After attending back-to-back patients, exhaustion clung to my bones. What a day—it felt like it had stretched for years. I glanced at the time, sighed, and hurried to the washroom attached to my cabin to freshen up. I applied a thin layer of eyeliner and dabbed on my favorite lip balm. I had dinner plans with Abhi, and tonight, I wanted to look decent—after all, he was a public figure, a well-known man.

Just then, my phone rang from the cabin desk. I rushed out to answer it. Abhi's voice came through the line before I could even say hello.

"Come out, I'm waiting."

"Wait, I'm coming," I replied, grabbing my bag. I locked my cabin and bid my assistant goodbye.

As I exited the hospital, I waved goodnight to Mr. Smith at the reception and scanned the parking lot for Abhi's car. But it was nowhere in sight. I called him again.

Before the line connected, someone screamed behind me.

"Boo!"

"AAAH!" I screamed, jumping in panic. Whirling around, I saw that donkey Abhi, clutching his stomach and laughing like a devil.

"HAHAHA... Dora, look at your face! Hahaha..."

I glared at him with full force.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. You nearly gave me a heart attack, idiot."

He was still laughing, making faces. I rolled my eyes and turned to walk off, determined to leave him behind. But before I could take a step, he jumped in front of me, holding his ears in mock apology.

"Sorry, my little Dora... it won't happen again, I swear."
He looked at me with so much adoration, I couldn't stay mad.

"Okay... now let's go or I'll just walk home," I muttered, melting like I always do.
How can I not? He's my Abhi.

In the car, we chatted about work and our day. It's always easy with him. No judgments, no filters—just us. He likes me the way I am.

But as we pulled up to the restaurant, my confidence took a nosedive.

The place screamed luxury—polished marble floors, golden lighting, sleek cars, elegant dresses. I stepped out, feeling utterly underdressed in my faded jeans, short top with a shrug, and Converse shoes.

I looked at the women around—every one of them dressed like models or actresses, gliding around in expensive clothes. Yes, I've attended fancy parties with Mom and Papa before, but they're high-profile. Me? I'm just... simple. A doctor who brings lives into this world. I don't belong here.

Idiot, Anaya. Of course Abhi would choose a place like this. He's famous. What were you thinking?

I looked up at the sky and silently begged,
"God, send a fairy. Magically change my clothes, please."

Abhi saw my face and immediately turned to me.

"Dora, if you're not comfortable here, we can go somewhere else. But let me tell you something—you're way more beautiful than any girl here. You know why?"

I shook my head, not wanting to interrupt.

"Because you're... you. Smart. Kind. Honest. You never pretend to be someone else. That's what makes my Dora special. That's why I lo—like you."

He smiled at me, eyes soft.

This man... he knows me better than anyone. That's why he's special.