Author's POV
A soft breeze filtered through the hospital room's open window, carrying the faint scent of antiseptic and fresh air.
The girl sat on the bed, her delicate fingers resting lightly on her palm, but her mind was far away-lost in a place neither time nor words could reach. Her eyes were blank, staring at the faint scars tracing her skin, remnants of pain she hadn't fully processed yet.
The quiet was undisturbed until Siya walked in, her presence as light as a whisper. Without a word, she climbed onto the bed and settled beside her, taking the girl's hand in her own. Her touch was warm, grounding.
A moment passed, then another. Siya pulled out a marker, uncapping it with her teeth before pressing the tip against the girl's wrist. Slowly, carefully, she began to draw.
The girl blinked, momentarily pulled from her thoughts by the strange sensation. She tapped Siya's shoulder, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows in silent question, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Siya glanced up, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'm drawing stars around your scars."
A quiet hush settled between them. The girl's chest tightened, not in pain, but in something unfamiliar-something warm. Her eyes softened as she looked down at Siya's work. Tiny, imperfect stars surrounded the marks on her skin, turning them into constellations.
For the first time in a long while, the scars didn't feel ugly. They felt... like something more.
Siya placed the marker beside her and turned to look at the girl, a bright smile lighting up her face. "Beautiful, na?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
The girl glanced down at the tiny stars adorning her scars. For a moment, she simply stared, as if trying to absorb the warmth hidden within those simple lines. Then, slowly-almost hesitantly-she nodded. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, one that hadn't appeared in a long, long time.
Siya's eyes sparkled at the sight, her happiness evident. Taking both of the girl's hands in hers, she hopped down from the bed and tugged gently. "Come on, stand up."
The girl obeyed, slipping off the bed and reaching for her slippers. As always, she assumed Siya was taking her for a walk-a routine they had established to ensure her recovery. But before she could wear them, Siya placed a hand over hers, stopping her.
"Wait... We're not going on a walk today," Siya announced, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
The girl frowned slightly and grabbed a notepad from the bedside table, scribbling a quick question: "Then? What else?"
Siya grinned, rocking on her heels. "Yesterday, I couldn't take you for a walk, so today we're going to have a special fun walk"
The girl blinked, then scribbled another question, her eyes now laced with curiosity. "How?"
Siya's grin widened. "Dance. Let's do a couple dance."
The girl's eyebrows shot up as she hastily wrote, "But we aren't a couple, and I don't want to dance."
Siya let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing her arms. "Oh, come on! You have to dance-no ifs or buts."
Then, with a teasing smirk, she added, "And about the 'couple' issue... you know, I'm interested in girls, and I like you soooo much, Dove." She gave a playful wink.
The girl's eyes widened like saucers, her expression frozen in pure shock. She took a step back, shaking her head rapidly, as if trying to process what she just heard.
Siya burst into laughter, holding her stomach as she watched the girl's flustered reaction.
Blinking in confusion, the girl tilted her head and stared at her, unsure whether to be offended or relieved.
"I'm sorry, Dove, but you looked so cute-so adorably innocent," Siya managed between giggles.
Then, wiping a fake tear from the corner of her eye, she added, "Don't worry, I'm straight and only interested in men."
The girl let out a deep breath, realizing she had been holding it in her moment of shock.
"Actually, not men-just one man," Siya corrected herself, a soft, dreamy look flashing across her face. "I already have a boyfriend. So, don't worry."
The girl nodded, finally relaxing a bit as she took a step closer to Siya.
Siya leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a great secret. "You know... one more thing-he's hot and innocent at the same time."
The girl gave a quick nod before awkwardly looking away, unsure how to respond to that.
Siya chuckled at her reaction. "Alright, enough talking-let's dance!" she announced, clapping her hands together.
Quién eres tú
Dónde has estado
He removido cielo y tierra, y no te encontré
Y llegas hoy
Tan de repente
Y das sentido a toda mi vida con tu querer
Na main samjha, na main jaana
Jo bhi tumne mujhse kaha hai, Señorita
Magar phir bhi, na jaane kyun
Mujhe sun ke accha laga hai, Señorita
The girl stood there, silently playing with her fingers, her gaze lowered as if unsure of what was about to happen. Siya, on the other hand, was already in action-tying her hair into a high ponytail and rolling up her sleeves, determination shining in her eyes.
With an encouraging smile, she stepped forward, taking the girl's hands in hers.placing one of her hands gently rested on her shoulder, while the other intertwined their fingers. Then, in one smooth motion, Siya slid her hand around the girl's waist, pulling her just a little closer.
"Relax and enjoy the moment, Dove," she whispered with a reassuring nod.
The girl hesitated only for a second before nodding back, allowing herself to be led.
No desvies la mirada
Quédate cerca de mí
Mujhko baahon mein tum ghero
Samjhi na, Señorita?
Chahat ke do pal bhi mil paayein
Duniya mein ye bhi kam hai kya?
Do pal ko to aao, kho jaayein
Bhoole hum hota gham hai kya, Señorita
Suno, suno, Señorita, kehte hain hum kya
As the song filled the room, its rhythm pulsing through the air, they began swaying from left to right, their movements slow and synchronized at first. But as the music's energy intensified, so did their steps-turning from gentle motions into a playful, dynamic dance.
Siya twirled the girl, laughter bubbling between them as they spun and pulled each other back, their feet tapping to the beat effortlessly. The girl, hesitant at first, quickly found herself caught in the rhythm, her movements becoming freer, lighter-almost as if she was letting go of the weight she had been carrying.
Jamás podré interpretar
El sentido de las palabras que me dedicas
Pero el calor
De tu mirar
Me hace sentir como la más bella señorita
Nigaahon ne, nigaahon se
Kahi armaanon ki dastaan hai, Señorita
Ye chahat ki, mohabbat ki
Saari duniya mein ek hi zubaan hai, Señorita
Mujhse ab nazar na phero
Aao paas tum mere
Mujhko baahon mein tum ghero
Samjhi na, Señorita?
Chahat ke do pal bhi mil paayein
Duniya mein ye bhi kam hai kya?
Do pal ko to aao, kho jaayein
Bhoole hum hota gham hai kya, Señorita
Suno, suno, Señorita, kehte hain hum kya
Jo bhi pal beeta
Hey, Señorita
Har pal tumne hai dil jeeta
Bas itni si to baat hai
They stepped forward and back, their feet gliding across the hospital room floor as Siya effortlessly incorporated salsa steps into their routine. She led with playful confidence, dipping the girl slightly before twirling her again, making the fabric of her hospital gown flare slightly. The girl's eyes widened in surprise but then softened into pure joy as she followed along, her movements flowing naturally.
For the first time in a long while, she wasn't thinking-wasn't overanalyzing, wasn't trapped in memories. She was just here-in this moment, with Siya.
No desvies la mirada
Quédate cerca de mí
Mujhko baahon mein tum ghero
Samjhi na, Señorita?
Chahat ke do pal bhi mil paayein
Duniya mein ye bhi kam hai kya?
Do pal ko to aao, kho jaayein
Bhoole hum hota gham hai kya
Chahat ke do pal bhi mil paayein
Duniya mein ye bhi kam hai kya?
Do pal ko to aao, kho jaayein
Bhoole hum hota gham hai kya
Their laughter echoed through the room as the final beats of the song approached. With one last spin, Siya pulled the girl close, both of them slightly breathless, as they tried to catch their breath.
Siya was the first to break the silence. She threw her head back and exclaimed dramatically, "OMGGGG... Dove, you're an amazing dancer! Like, seriously-where were you hiding this talent?"
The girl's cheeks flushed with a soft pink hue, a rare sight that made Siya's heart warm. Embarrassed, she quickly covered her face with her hands, shaking her head as if to deny the compliment.
Siya laughed, reaching out to gently pry her hands away. "Oh, no, no, you don't get to hide now. I saw that. You had fun, didn't you?"
The girl hesitated, but then, slowly-so subtly it was almost imperceptible at first-she nodded.
Siya grinned, ruffling her hair. "I knew it! My little Dove is a star in disguise."
Siya glanced at the girl, who was quietly savoring each moment. Her shoulders weren't as tensed, her face wasn't as guarded. She looked... at peace.
Siya's heart swelled.
Maybe, just maybe, the stars she had drawn weren't just on her skin. Maybe they were beginning to shine inside her too.
Before the moment could stretch on any longer, a sudden knock on the door broke their bubble.
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