Are you okay?
As Gowthami reached for the book, the chair beneath her wobbled dangerously. She felt a sudden lurch and a moment of weightlessness as she began to fall. Panic surged through her, and she instinctively closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable impact with the floor.
But instead of the hard ground, she felt a strong arm catch her mid-fall. There was a brief, disorienting moment as she realized she wasn't falling alone. Rajeev had sprinted across the room and intercepted her descent. The force of her fall, combined with Rajeev's momentum, sent them both tumbling to the ground.
They landed with a thud, Rajeev on his back and Gowthami sprawled across him. The breath was knocked out of her, and she blinked rapidly, disoriented and trying to process what had just happened.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Gowthami could feel Rajeev's chest rising and falling beneath her, their bodies pressed closely together. Her heart skipped a beat, and she could hear his heartbeat quicken in response. It was the first time Rajeev had ever held a girl this close, and the sensation of her warmth against him was both exhilarating and overwhelming.
Rajeev swallowed hard, his breath catching in his throat as he looked up into Gowthami's eyes. Her face was just an inch away from his, close enough to see every detail of her features—the curve of her lips, the softness of her skin, the depth of her eyes. He was mesmerized, unable to tear his gaze away.
Gowthami, too, was acutely aware of their closeness. She could feel the strength of his arms around her, the firmness of his body beneath hers. It was a sensation unlike any she had experienced before, sending a shiver down her spine. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps, and she found herself equally captivated by the intensity in Rajeev's eyes.
They remained in that position, neither moving, caught in a moment that felt both eternal and fleeting. The sounds of the hospital faded away, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of shared intimacy. Rajeev's hand was still wrapped around her waist, his touch gentle yet firm, as if he were afraid to let go.
Finally, the spell was broken by the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway. Rajeev blinked, his face flushing with sudden realization. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, still hesitant to move and break the connection.
Gowthami nodded slowly, her own cheeks tinged with pink. "I think so," she replied softly, her voice trembling slightly. "Thank you for catching me."
With great effort, Rajeev gently shifted Gowthami to the side and sat up, still holding her steady until he was sure she was alright. He then helped her to her feet, his hands lingering for a moment longer than necessary.
"I should have been more careful," Gowthami said, her eyes downcast, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude.
"No, it's my fault," Rajeev insisted, his voice firm yet kind. "I should have been paying more attention. I'm just glad you're not hurt."
They stood there for a moment, awkwardly close yet hesitant to move apart. The charged atmosphere between them was undeniable, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had formed in that brief, intense moment.
"Why don't we sit down and take a look at the book together?" Rajeev suggested, his voice breaking the tension but filled with warmth.
Gowthami nodded, grateful for the distraction. As they settled into a comfortable seating area, their earlier closeness left a lingering sense of connection, one that neither could easily forget. The journal lay open before them, but their thoughts remained on the unexpected intimacy they had just shared, and the unspoken feelings it had stirred within their hearts.