The soft hum of the hospital lights buzzed above her. White sheets. The gentle beeping of a heart monitor. The smell of antiseptic.
Elena slowly opened her eyes.
A blur. Then shapes. Then the ceiling.
She was alive.
Her body ached, but her spirit was intact.
Qis sat in the corner, asleep in a stiff plastic chair. A soft blanket draped over her shoulders. Safe. Unharmed.
Elena turned her face slightly to the side.
Zain wasn't there.
She sighed… not in frustration, but in relief… and maybe something else.
Her lips didn't move, but her heart whispered:
"Thank you, Zain."
No one heard it. Only she did.
Later that day, she was discharged.
Nothing broken — just bruises and exhaustion.
Outside the hospital, the sun was low and golden, casting a soft glow over the city.
Zain stood by the car, his figure calm and composed. He opened the door for her, saying nothing.
The ride was quiet.
But not awkward.
Just… calm.
The kind of quiet that speaks volumes.
As they passed a row of shops, Elena suddenly tapped his arm.
"Zain… can you stop there?"
Zain blinked. "There? That shop?"
"Yes. Please."
He parked.
She didn't explain.
Just opened the door and walked in.
Zain watched her disappear into a small electronics store.
He leaned back in his seat, confused… until the door opened again and Elena stepped back in, her fingers holding a small paper bag.
She sat silently.
Then slowly turned to him, pulling something from the bag.
A phone.
Brand new.
She extended it to him.
Zain stared, unsure.
"What's this?"
Elena didn't answer immediately.
She looked down at her fingers. Then up again.
Her voice was soft.
"So I can call you next time. So… you're not alone again."
Zain was speechless.
He took it gently from her hand, his fingertips brushing hers.
That was the first time he looked directly into her eyes — and didn't look away.
And neither did she.
For a second too long, their eyes stayed locked.
Something unspoken passed between them — something that needed no words, no names.
The air grew quiet. The city around them faded.
Only the faint sound of their breathing filled the car.
Then Elena blinked and turned away, breaking the moment.
Zain cleared his throat.
"Thank you… really."
Elena only nodded, her heart racing again.
The hotel entrance glowed under the night sky.
Zain parked.
He walked Elena to the lift. The lights flickered softly. No one else was around.
When the doors opened, she stepped in — but turned back to look at him.
"Good night, Zain," she said.
Zain smiled. "Good night."
She entered the room and closed the door behind her — but didn't move.
She leaned gently against it, her eyes closed.
Her hand pressed over her chest.
Her heartbeat raced, just like it did when Zain appeared earlier… just like it did when he looked into her soul.
She remembered everything.The fear.The rescue.The strength in his arms.The way he didn't say much — but was always there.
Tears welled in her eyes.
But they didn't fall.
Outside, the night deepened.
Zain walked back to the car.
He wasn't surprised there was no room booked for him.
He smiled bitterly.
"Figures…"
Qis had mentioned earlier that his name wasn't yet in the system. Her father hired him directly — off the books.
No one thought to prepare a room.
He didn't mind.
The seat folded back easily.
The night air was humid, but bearable.
Then came the mosquitos.
He swatted a few away, muttered curses under his breath.
Still, he pulled his jacket tighter and closed his eyes.
Not every hero sleeps on silk sheets.
Sometimes, they sleep with mosquito bites… and the quiet memory of a woman's gaze echoing in their heart.
As he drifted to sleep, a single thought whispered in his mind:
"She gave me a phone."
And somehow…That meant everything.