The night was supposed to be simple.
Ziana Juan only wanted one drink.
After three exhausting weeks at Juba Teaching Hospital, her body felt like it had forgotten what rest was. Being a surgical intern meant long shifts, sleepless nights, and constant pressure not to make mistakes.
Tonight was her first free evening.
So she decided to go out.
The lounge near the Nile was busy when she arrived. Music played softly in the background while people talked and laughed around small tables.
Outside, the warm night air of Juba drifted through the open windows.
Ziana stepped inside slowly.
Her heels clicked against the wooden floor as she walked to the bar.
One drink, she reminded herself.
Then she would go home.
She ordered something light and leaned against the counter.
That was when she felt it.
The strange feeling that someone was watching her.
Ziana glanced across the room.
And she saw him.
He stood near the far end of the bar, leaning casually against the counter like he belonged there.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Dressed in a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
He looked calm. Too calm.
But it wasn't his height or posture that caught her attention.
It was his eyes.
Sharp.
Observant.
And they were already on her.
Ziana quickly looked away and took a sip of her drink.
It was just a stranger, she told herself.
Still… something about him made her nervous.
Or maybe curious.
A moment later, a deep voice spoke beside her.
"Long day?"
Ziana turned.
The same man was standing next to her now.
Up close, he looked even more intimidating. His jaw was sharp, and his expression carried a quiet confidence that made people listen.
Ziana raised an eyebrow.
"Do I look tired?"
He smiled slightly.
"Only a little."
She laughed softly.
"That's honest."
He studied her for a moment.
"You work at the hospital."
Ziana blinked.
"How did you know?"
He nodded toward her hands.
"You still have the mark from your gloves."
She glanced down and realized he was right.
"Smart observation," she said.
"I notice things."
He extended his hand.
"I'm Maleek."
Ziana hesitated for a moment before shaking it.
His grip was warm and steady.
"Ziana," she said.
For a second, neither of them let go.
Maleek's eyes searched her face carefully.
"Ziana Juan," he said.
Her eyes widened immediately.
"How do you know my full name?"
Maleek took a slow sip of his drink before answering.
"We met two days ago."
Ziana frowned.
"I think I would remember."
"You were standing in Operating Room Four," he continued calmly. "Holding a tray of surgical tools."
Her memory flashed instantly.
The surgery.
The stressful moment when she almost dropped the instruments.
The surgeon who had calmly guided the team.
The one she barely looked at because she was too nervous.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"You're the surgeon."
Maleek nodded once.
"General surgery."
Ziana groaned softly and covered her face for a second.
"You saw that?"
"I saw everything."
She laughed nervously.
"That was embarrassing."
Maleek shook his head slightly.
"No."
She looked at him again.
"No?"
"You were nervous," he said. "But you didn't panic."
His voice softened slightly.
"That's what matters."
Ziana felt strangely proud hearing that.
But she crossed her arms anyway.
"So you followed me here just to say that?"
Maleek leaned slightly closer.
The faint smell of soap and hospital disinfectant surrounded him.
"No," he said quietly.
"I came because I was curious."
"Curious about what?"
His eyes dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her face.
"About you."
Ziana's heart skipped.
She should leave.
She definitely should leave.
But somehow her feet stayed exactly where they were.
Maleek tilted his head slightly.
"Tell me something."
"What?"
"Are you always this brave?"
Ziana shrugged.
"Depends."
"On what?"
"Who I'm talking to."
His smile grew wider.
"I like that answer."
The music faded into the background as people moved around them.
For a moment, it felt like the room had become quieter.
Then Maleek leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice.
"You know something interesting?"
"What?"
"Interns are not supposed to drink with their senior surgeons."
Ziana blinked.
"So you're admitting this is a bad idea?"
He nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"Then why are you still here?"
Maleek's voice dropped into a soft whisper.
"Because some bad ideas are worth the risk."
Ziana stared at him for a moment.
Her heart beat faster than it should have.
Tonight was supposed to be simple.
One drink.
A quiet evening.
Instead, she had just met the one man she absolutely should not get involved with.
Her senior surgeon.
And somehow…
She had the strange feeling that this night was only the beginning of something dangerous.