The soldier girl slowly came to her senses while still lying on the bed, a faint groan escaping her lips. The sound caught both Anshika and Om's attention, and their eyes immediately turned toward her. She was trying to sit up, struggling through the pain. Seeing this, Anshika rushed to her side and helped her sit, then glanced at Om. He gave a small nod with a calm smile, and Anshika turned back to the girl, her voice soft.
"Are you feeling okay now?"
This time, the girl seemed calm. There was no sign of the violent reaction she had shown earlier when Om had touched her.
"Did… did you save me?"
she asked, looking straight at Anshika. Her wounds had healed, but she was still weak, still far from stable.
"No… um, this is Dr. Om. He saved you."
Anshika said, gesturing toward him.
The girl looked at Om for a couple of seconds, then quietly said, "Thank you," before getting up from the bed as if she were about to leave.
Anshika was stunned by her reaction. Om, however, looked completely unfazed, as if he already knew what she would do.
Seeing the girl limping forward, Anshika quickly moved to support her.
"Look, you're not fully recovered yet. You need to rest."
But the girl didn't respond. She just kept moving.
Om, still standing where he was, spoke in a flat tone,
"Hey, soldier… where do you think you're going?"
The girl stopped and looked at him, surprised.
"How do you know I'm a soldier?"
"Your clothes. Your wounds. And… your ID card."
Om said, pointing with his eyes toward the ID card lying on the table.
"That still doesn't answer my question."
She paused for a moment, then spoke without looking at him,
"I don't have a home… or anywhere to go. I don't even know where I'll end up. But I don't want to be a burden on you. I'll repay the cost of my treatment somehow… soon."
Her voice was steady, but distant. Anshika couldn't understand it—Om had saved her life, yet she spoke as if she owed nothing but money. Then it clicked. That's how soldiers were trained—less talk, no attachment.
Om walked toward the window, his back to them.
"Well… I do need an assistant at my clinic. If you take the job, you can stay here."
Both Anshika and the girl froze.
The girl looked at him, hesitant.
"W-what… really? Me?"
At that moment, Om pulled the curtains open. A soft red glow filled the room. Anshika turned and saw the sun rising—morning was just moments away.
"I won't pay much. Around twenty to twenty-five thousand a month. If things go well, we'll increase it later. So… what do you say?"
Om glanced at Anshika. She understood instantly—this wasn't just a job offer, he was trying to help her. She smiled at him, and he returned it before looking back at the girl, waiting.
"Sir… from today, my life is yours. Even if you don't pay me, I'll still work for you. You saved my life. Let me do something in return… anything."
She said, looking down at the floor.
The words made both Anshika and Om slightly uncomfortable, but they chose to ignore it.
"Well, for now… your job is to stay here and recover. That's all."
Om said with a light smile, glancing at Anshika.
They had barely continued talking when suddenly, a loud voice screamed from outside the clinic—
"OM AHUJA! OPEN THE DOOOOR!"
All three of them jumped at the sound. Both Om and Anshika recognized that voice instantly.
Om rushed toward the door, but the moment he reached it—
BANG!
The door flew open and slammed straight into his face.
Anshika and the soldier girl both gasped in concern.
"Doctor Om, are you okay?!"
they both spoke at the same time—then froze as their eyes met.
The soldier girl looked surprised, while Anshika shot her a sharp, almost jealous glance.
Just then, Seema stormed inside, fuming,
"Om! Where are you?! Get in front of me right now, you shameless idiot!"
Om stood up, rubbing his nose, clearly annoyed.
"Seema, what are you doing here this early? Are you sick or something? And do you ever watch where you're going?!"
Seema crossed her arms, glaring at him.
"You're the one who's sick! Tell me where my friend Anshika is! Uncle said she came here last night, and since then she hasn't answered a single call. What did you do to her? I never thought you'd take advantage of an innocent girl like this. Where did you hide her? Do you even know how worried everyone is?! Tell me right now, or you're done for!"
"Have you lost your mind, Seemu? I'm right here! What nonsense are you saying?"
Anshika stepped beside Om.
The moment Seema saw her, she rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
"Oh my God, Anshika! Thank God you're okay. I was so worried, baby."
"But why did you come here so early?"
Anshika asked, gently pulling away.
Om and the soldier girl watched silently.
"Are you serious? You forgot? We're supposed to go to the Jade Jewelry function at Balloon Gambling Palace today! Dad got us passes. And you know this time, the winner gets to open a special Japanese Jade-stone!"
She paused, then narrowed her eyes at Om.
"But what are you doing here? This guy didn't do anything to you, right?"
Anshika sighed and quickly explained everything. By the time she finished, Seema visibly relaxed.
"But babe… I can't go today,"
Anshika said hesitantly.
"There's an important company meeting I have to attend. I'm really sorry."
"Oh come on, yaar… so I'm supposed to go alone now?"
Seema pouted like a child.
"Of course not, babe…"
Anshika said, then looked at Om with a small smile.
"I think Om should go with you. Who knows, he might find something useful there."
She then gave Seema a subtle signal with her eyes.
Seema instantly got it.
"Perfect! Om, we're leaving right now. Let's go."
She grabbed his hand and started dragging him.
"Hey—wait! What am I even supposed to do there?"
Om protested.
"Shut up and just come with me."
"Okay, okay! Give me two minutes!"
He pulled himself free, walked over to the soldier girl, and said something quietly to her.
"We'll hear your story when I get back. Take care of the clinic… and yourself."
With that, Anshika walked toward her car with a teasing smile, while Seema dragged a very confused Om into her car.
And just like that—
they were gone.