Chapter 1: First Encounters
Cora, a simple and cheerful girl from a small town, had never expected to fall for someone like Aaron—a top student who cared about nothing but his studies. But love doesn't follow logic, does it?
Their first meeting was in the exam hall during their 10th standard. Cora sat there, lost in thought, wondering who her deskmate would be. Suddenly, Aaron arrived.
"Is your roll number 2?" he asked.
Cora, momentarily stunned, nodded. "Yes."
Aaron sat beside her, completely focused on the exam. But Cora? She kept stealing glances at him, her heart racing.
"What are you doing, Cora? Focus on your exam!" she scolded herself.
After that day, something changed. She started noticing him more and more, watching him from a distance, finding joy in his mere presence. Before she knew it, six months had passed.
Then came Sariya—a new girl in Cora's extra classes. Sariya also liked Aaron. A wave of unease settled over Cora. What if Aaron likes her too?
She confided in her best friend, who reassured her, "Aaron is too good for Sariya. She doesn't even exist in his world."
Cora sighed, trying to believe it.
One day, her eyes met Aaron's—just for 0.001 seconds—but it was enough to make her heart swell with happiness. However, things soon took a turn. As the final exams approached, Aaron stopped attending school.
Worried, Cora gathered the courage to ask their teacher, "Sir, why isn't Aaron coming?"
"He's unwell," the teacher replied.
When Aaron returned, their seating arrangement had changed. He now sat with his best friend, leaving Cora feeling abandoned.
On the last day of school, she decided to confess her feelings through a letter. But fate had other plans—she never got the chance to give it to him.
And then, the final blow.
Cora saw Aaron giving flowers to Sariya. Her heart shattered. Without a word, she ran away.
Chapter 2: A New Beginning
With school over, Cora stepped into a new phase of life. She met new people, but happiness still eluded her. Aaron's absence lingered in her heart.
That was when Covey entered her life—a boy who, despite her cold demeanor, refused to leave her side.
At first, Cora paid little attention to him, but Covey's warmth slowly started healing her.
"Thanks, Covey," she said one day. "I don't know how, but your friendship has helped me."
Covey chuckled. "What are you saying, Cora? No thanks in friendship. Just stay with me, and you'll be fine."
His best friend, Riki, watched them closely. "You like her, don't you?" he asked Covey one day.
"N-no… I don't!" Covey stammered, but his friends knew the truth.
"Don't tell her anything," Covey pleaded. "She's just started to heal. I don't want to hurt her again."
His friends nodded. "Don't worry, bro. We won't say a word."
Years passed, and both Cora and Covey got into the same university. Together, they completed their medical degrees and became doctors.
Just when Cora thought she had left her past behind, fate intervened once more.
Chapter 3: The Past Returns
One day, Cora was rushing to work, running late. She called out, "Hold the lift! Hold the lift!"
Someone held the elevator door open for her. Covey was inside too.
"Thanks," Cora said, stepping in without looking.
But when she turned to see the person who had helped her, her world came crashing down.
It was Aaron.
Her breath hitched. Her body froze. She couldn't hear anything—just the sound of her own racing heartbeat.
Covey noticed. "Cora? What's wrong?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She didn't respond.
Covey, now alarmed, grabbed her arms. "Cora! Talk to me!"
Barely able to speak, she muttered, "N-nothing… Covey, I need to get off here."
"But our cabin is upstairs—why are you getting off here?" Covey asked, confused.
Without answering, she rushed out of the lift. Covey, worried, ran after her.
"Cora! Stop! What's wrong? Talk to me!"
Cora kept walking, tears streaming down her face.
"Cora, please!" Covey begged.
Finally, she broke down. "Do you know what happened to me in the past?"
Covey hesitated. "No… I never asked because I didn't want to bring up painful memories. But if you're ready to tell me, I'm here."
Through her tears, she whispered, "The one who held the lift… was Aaron."
Covey clenched his fists. "That guy? He's our new senior doctor?"
Cora nodded. "Covey, what do I do? I… I feel like crying just by looking at him."
Covey placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. If he ever tries to hurt you again, I'm here."
Meanwhile, from a distance, Aaron watched them—Cora, crying in Covey's arms.
Something in his heart twisted.
And without saying a word, he walked away.