Aanya moved before she woke.
Her fingers shifted against the blanket.
Then her head turned slightly toward the pillow.
Sagnik noticed immediately.
He didn't say anything.
He simply waited.
A few seconds later, her eyes opened.
She stared ahead without focus.
Then blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Her gaze slowly found him.
For a moment, she just looked at him.
Then her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why are you sitting there?"
Sagnik smiled.
"Good morning to you too."
Aanya blinked again.
Then seemed to remember.
The couch.
The bed.
The night before.
Her expression softened.
"Morning."
"Morning."
She pushed herself up slightly.
Then looked around.
"What time is it?"
"Almost nine."
Her eyes widened.
"Nine?"
"Yes."
"I slept that long?"
"You needed it."
She rubbed her face.
"I don't remember falling asleep."
"You weren't exactly conscious when you did."
She gave him a sleepy glare.
"Don't make fun of me."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"A little."
She smiled despite herself.
Then noticed something.
"You've been awake?"
"For a while."
"How long?"
"Long enough."
She looked suspicious.
"What were you doing?"
"Nothing."
"That's a lie."
"I was sitting."
"Why?"
He shrugged.
"You were comfortable."
Aanya stared at him.
Then looked away.
A small smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
She pulled the blanket around herself for another moment before finally getting up.
Her hair was slightly messy.
She tried to fix it with her fingers.
It didn't help.
Sagnik watched her attempt it.
"You're making it worse."
She stopped.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Say that again."
"No."
"Smart."
She walked toward the bathroom.
Then stopped halfway.
She turned around.
"Sagnik?"
"Hmm?"
"Did you sleep properly?"
"Yeah."
She looked at him carefully.
"Really?"
"Really."
She seemed satisfied.
"Okay."
Then she disappeared into the bathroom.
Sagnik waited until he heard the tap turn on.
Only then did his expression change.
The surgery.
He glanced toward the clock.
Then toward the closed bathroom door.
He didn't want to bring it up the moment she woke.
Not when she had just come out of the first truly peaceful sleep she'd had in weeks.
So he waited.
A little later, the three of them were sitting around the table, Aditi had also joined them, she had brought breakfast.
Aanya was eating slowly, still looking slightly sleepy.
Sagnik sat beside her.
For a while, the conversation remained ordinary.
Aditi complained about how badly she had slept.
Aanya laughed at her.
Sagnik made some comment that earned him an immediate glare from both of them.
The morning continued.
Normal.
Almost.
Then Aditi put her spoon down.
She looked at Aanya.
"Hey."
Aanya looked up.
"What?"
Aditi hesitated.
Then glanced briefly at Sagnik.
He already knew.
"We need to go see your physician today."
Aanya's expression changed slightly.
She knew immediately what she meant.
"The surgery?"
Aditi nodded.
"Yes."
Aanya looked down at her plate.
For a few seconds, she said nothing.
Then quietly:
"Right."
Sagnik didn't interrupt.
Aditi continued.
"Our exams are over now. There's no reason to keep waiting."
Aanya nodded slowly.
"I know."
She wasn't frightened.
Not yet.
Just thoughtful.
She pushed her spoon around her plate.
"Will they do the scans again?"
"Probably."
"To check the inflammation?"
"Yes."
Aanya nodded.
Sagnik finally spoke.
"We'll go together."
She looked at him.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
A pause.
"I'm still coming."
Aanya held his gaze for a moment.
Then smiled faintly.
"Okay."
Aditi leaned back.
"After breakfast."
Aanya nodded.
"After breakfast."
And just like that, the day had acquired its first appointment.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing frightening yet.
Just something that had been waiting quietly in the background.
Something they could no longer postpone.
Aanya took another bite of breakfast.
Then looked at Sagnik.
"Can we get coffee afterward?"
He smiled.
"Obviously."
Aditi shook her head.
"You two are unbelievable."
Aanya laughed.
And for a little while longer—
The surgery remained just a word.