19

The Next Day

"Dr. Knox, your treatment methods are beyond me... One day, you're dragging patients to remote villages, and the next, you're rummaging through the forest for herbs, even though you're a specialist." Elsa pushed aside plants and bushes as they walked.

"I told you not to come," Knox said, helping her move through the dense greenery.

"I wanted to see this jungle for myself. Besides, you're not like those boring psychiatrists," she teased.

"Should I take that as a compliment?" Knox grinned.

"Well, I’ve never said it to anyone else."

"And what about Joseph?" His tone carried an irritating edge.

"He’s... different from everyone. Beautiful and unique."

"Where did you see him?" Knox raised an eyebrow, still cutting through the underbrush.

"My eyes have seen him. I can swear I've never seen such an eye color before. He must be gorgeous."

"Isn't he from another world? Like a fairy-tale prince?" Knox mocked.

"Are you kidding?"

"Absolutely," Knox chuckled, and Elsa rolled her eyes.

While Knox ventured into a cave for herbs, Elsa sat outside, her feet aching. She leaned against a tree, lulled by the breeze and birds' songs, and drifted into a deep sleep.

Suddenly, she awoke with a strange sensation. A figure stood by a distant tree, shrouded in shadows. His face was turned away, but he seemed to know she was awake.

"Anna?" His voice was hauntingly familiar.

"My life is empty without you. I'll be back soon. Will you wait for me?" he asked, his face still hidden, a faint light glowing behind him.

Elsa nodded. He pulled his hood up, obscuring his face even more.

"Joseph?" she whispered, reaching out to touch him. But as her hand brushed against him, he dissolved into smoke and vanished. Elsa startled, chasing after him, but then she woke up abruptly.

"Was that a dream?" she murmured, looking around. Joseph was nowhere to be found.

"I could wait for you forever, Joseph," she whispered, the dream vivid in her mind. The night grew darker, and Knox had not returned. She ventured into the cave, calling out for him.

"Knox, where are you?" she shouted, her voice echoing off the cave walls. As she moved deeper, the darkness seemed to close in, and her footsteps grew uncertain.

Suddenly, she felt a presence nearby. Turning off her flashlight, Elsa tried to peer into the shadows, her heart racing. She took a step back, slipping on loose stones, and fell hard, twisting her ankle.

"Are you here?" Knox's voice cut through the silence. He rushed over when he saw her on the ground.

"Yes, I was looking for you... Why did you take so long?" she said, relieved to see him.

"What happened?" he asked, noticing her distress.

"I think I twisted my ankle. It really hurts," she replied, her voice trembling. Knox helped her up and guided her out of the cave.

"We need to get out of here fast. This forest isn’t safe at night," Knox said, scanning their surroundings with a serious look.

"But my ankle..." Elsa winced.

"Let me check." Knox knelt down, gently examining her foot. "So, did you find Joseph, or are you still waiting?" he asked, trying to distract her from the pain.

"You know, I saw Joseph today," Elsa said dreamily.

"In the wild?" Knox asked, twisting her foot slightly to fix the sprain.

"No, in a dream. It felt so real. He asked me to wait for him," she replied, oblivious to Knox's actions.

Knox chuckled softly. "Maybe true love finds you when you're not even looking."

Elsa glanced up at him, something in his tone catching her off guard. "I didn’t want to fall in love, Knox... but now I have to find Joseph," she said with newfound determination.

"And what about those who lose love before they even find it?" Knox's eyes sparkled with a hidden emotion.

"You sound like an expert, not a psychiatrist." Elsa smiled.

"I am, too," he replied proudly, standing up. "Let’s go now."

"But my ankle..." Elsa pointed to her foot.

"It’s fine now," Knox reassured her.

"Really?" She gingerly moved her foot, surprised that the pain was gone. "Wow... that’s incredible! I didn’t even notice."

"You were too busy thinking about Joseph," Knox teased.

Elsa grinned. "I don’t believe in magic, but do you?"

"No, but love can be pretty magical," Knox murmured under his breath, barely loud enough for her to hear.

"Well, when we get back, you should add ‘Love Expert’ to your clinic’s sign," Elsa joked as they continued walking through the forest. The trees and plants seemed to listen to their conversation, their voices gradually blending into the quiet night.

"I used to dread these trips, but now, I actually enjoy them." Elsa laughed as they reached the train station. "It’s kind of fun."

"Everyone’s losing their mind today," Knox said, stifling a laugh.

"Hmm..." Elsa glanced at the people around her, lost in thought.

"Can I say we’re good friends now?" Knox asked as they boarded the train.

"Yeah, you’re in my good book," Elsa replied with a smile.

"Goodbye," she said, waving as she walked away. Knox stood there, watching her until she disappeared from view, a sense of longing in his heart.

Destiny had brought them together, but it also separated them. Elsa’s heart belonged to Joseph, while Knox's heart was left yearning for her. If love weren’t blind, would Elsa still love Joseph? Would Knox have fallen for Elsa? The answers hung in the air as they parted ways, each carrying a love that might never be returned.