Scene 1: Unspoken MorningsLocation: Mobile Field Base – Dawn
The sky was a bruised mix of lavender and fire as the sun rose over the sleepy camp. Hana stepped out of her tent wrapped in a navy shawl, eyes red from a sleepless night. The scent of chai and damp soil filled the air.
Across the field, Ayaan stood shirtless, water dripping from his hair after a bucket shower, his dog tags glinting. He caught her looking.
"Morning, Doctor.""You're up early.""War zones don't come with snooze buttons."
Their banter was light, but beneath it, threads of tension and longing stitched the air between them.
As she turned to go, he called out.
"Hana… you're still wearing my ring."
She paused, looked down at the chain around her neck where his ring still hung beside her hospital ID.
"I forgot it was there," she lied.
They both knew she hadn't.
Scene 2: A Fire RekindledLocation: Abandoned Classroom Turned Clinic – Afternoon
They worked side by side through the day. Treating fevered villagers. Cleaning wounds. Restocking medicine. The air was thick with heat, but their silence was heavier.
At one point, their hands brushed over a medical tray. She froze. He didn't move.
"I've tried to forget you," she whispered. "Tried to hate you."
"And I've tried to let you go," he replied softly. "But I never could."
She turned to face him. Inches apart. The walls of the classroom felt smaller, the silence more intimate.
"I don't want to fall again, Ayaan," she said. "Not if you'll walk away when things get hard."
He touched her wrist gently. "Then don't fall. Just stay."
And just like that—she did.
Scene 3: Shadows on the HorizonLocation: Nearby Village – Dusk
While returning from a medicine delivery, they heard gunshots in the distance.
Ayaan's smile disappeared.
"Get back to the base," he said sharply."I'm not leaving you.""This isn't a choice, Hana."
Before she could argue, two motorcycles sped past with masked riders—guns slung on their backs. Not bandits. Trained fighters.
Ayaan pulled her into the cover of the trees, hand gripping his holster.
"Who are they?" she asked, breath shallow."People I hoped were gone. This isn't just a healing mission anymore."
And suddenly, the mission that was meant to rebuild… might just start a new war.
To be continued…