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I could see her cheeks turn a slight shade of red, an expression she hadn't even shown Ethan.
"Thank you…Ian," she said as she hugged herself. "Feels good to know someone thinks one of my old dreams are still valid."
"It's never too late," I said. "You could always switch."
"I think I've gotten attached to medicine to a point it isn't a problem," she said. "But thank you still."
"Take it as thanks for the cookies and yoghurt," I said with a smile.
She smiled back and turned to leave. As I watched her walk away, I felt at peace.
****
I left the office earlier to get ready for my, Ethan's, date with her after work hours. I didn't put much thought into my outfit. I looked presentable. As for my hair, I got it wet and tussled it with my hands to get the image of a messy yet sexy mane. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt like I was slowly becoming a different version of myself - one I never knew.
I was losing my sense of identity and only used this face because it was the available one that made me able to talk to her properly. But wasn't that just an illusion I fed myself? Earlier that day, she and I had talked extensively. She was even comfortable with telling me her struggles. Plus, she wasn't offended when I spoke my mind to her. She didn't even seem to mind what had happened the last time in my office.
Maybe, she wanted to end things with Ethan? I dismissed the thoughts and tried to focus on my date.
****
I picked her up from the hospital. I knew I had already seen the outfit she wore but this was Ethan's first time to see it.
"Do you show up to work looking all beautiful like that?" I asked as I held the door open for her.
"Of course," she said as she whipped her hair before getting into the vehicle.
I smiled and closed the door.
"How was work today?" she asked as I started the vehicle.
"Swimmingly as usual," I replied and started to drive, "What about you?"
"It was a fulfilling day," she said. "Your brother taught me a lesson."
"Should I be worried?" I asked.
"What? No," she replied. "He just said what had been on my mind."
"Understandable. He does that sometimes. People would take offence, so if he offended you…"
"That's the thing, I wasn't even offended," she replied. "He's a good guy."
My hands tightened on the steering wheel. I'm him.
"So where's the observatory? I already have a name in mind for my star," she said. "How does Nathan sound?"
"Nathan?"
"It's a little cringe and corny, but it's a play on both our names."
"Oh, I get it now," I chuckled. "For a talented person as yourself, you suck at naming things."
"Oh hush," she sucked her teeth and focused outside the window. "Ethan, can I hold your hand while you drive?"
"Sure," I agreed and opened my palm.
She held it. Her hands were so small and soft. If I tightened my grip around her hand, I was sure I would have broken her hand. It felt nice.
