THE HACKING HEARTS.

Anushka smiled softly to herself, her eyes fixed on the glowing screens before her. Mark's efforts had paid off; the screens clearly displayed his precise location. She leaned back in her chair, satisfaction spreading through her. But the moment of triumph was fleeting.

A sharp, stabbing pain suddenly tore through her lower abdomen, yanking her back to reality. Her smile faltered, replaced by a grimace as her muscles contracted violently. She gasped, her breath catching in her throat as the pain intensified. Wrapping her arms tightly around her waist, she tried to ease the ache, but it was relentless. Her knees buckled, her legs threatening to give way beneath her.

"Not now... not at this time," she groaned, her voice trembling. She forced herself to stand, gripping the edge of the desk for support. With trembling hands, she slid her laptop into her bag, each movement labored and deliberate. Every step toward the door felt like an uphill battle. "Shhh... AHH," she hissed, the pain surging with each agonizing step.

Reaching the elevator felt like an eternity. As it descended, her thoughts raced. Where am I even going? How will I get home? Her flat was a good 30 minutes away, and she didn't have a car. Despite having enough money to buy one, she'd always dismissed it as unnecessary. Now, the regret gnawed at her.

She considered calling her mom, but quickly dismissed the idea. Her mom was miles away, and calling her would only spark unnecessary worry—and a lecture. Linda or Rena? No, they wouldn't be much help either. As the elevator doors opened, she sighed in relief, though her movements remained slow and labored.

At the reception desk, Janice spotted her immediately. Concern flashed across her face as she hurried over. "That look... I know it all too well," Janice said, offering a steadying hand. "Come on, let me help you."

Grateful, Anushka allowed Janice to guide her to a couch near the glass wall. She sank into it, her body trembling from the exertion.

"I'll be right back," Janice said, dashing toward the cafeterias near the elevator. Moments later, she returned, clutching two small hot water bottles. "Here, hold these against your stomach. They'll help," she said, tucking them under Anushka's hoodie.

"Thanks," Anushka murmured, her voice faint but sincere.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?" Janice asked, her brows furrowed with concern.

Anushka shook her head. "No, I just need some rest. I'll be fine after that."

"My place is just a few blocks from here. You could crash there if you need to," Janice offered.

"Thanks, but I'll just get an Uber to my flat," Anushka replied, her tone resolute.

Janice nodded, quickly arranging for an Uber. Minutes later, it pulled up outside the third checkpoint. Supporting Anushka, she helped her to the car.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Janice asked, her voice laced with worry.

"I will. Don't worry about me," Anushka assured her with a faint smile as she settled into the backseat.

"Okay, take care then," Janice said, stepping back and waving as the car pulled away.

The vehicle glided through the checkpoints and onto the main road, carrying Anushka away from the office. Exhaustion and relief washed over her as she leaned back, clutching the warm water bottles against her abdomen, silently willing the pain to subside.

The journey felt like an eternity. Anushka was consumed by pain, each moment dragging longer than the last as she willed herself to get home. When the Uber finally pulled up outside her flat, she was met with yet another challenge—her building's lack of an elevator.

Taking a deep breath, she began the climb, her steps slow and deliberate. Thankfully, the sharpest pangs of pain had eased, giving her just enough strength to push forward.

On the second floor, she reached her door, fumbling with the keys as a voice called out.

"Hi," her neighbor greeted warmly.

"Hello," she replied, her voice strained but polite.

"Back early today. Is something wrong?" he asked, his concern evident.

"Not really," she admitted softly, guilt flashing across her face.

"Alright. Take care," he said before retreating into his apartment.

Anushka managed to get into her own room, immediately heading for her bed. She dropped her backpack to the floor, stripped off her pants and hoodie, and collapsed under the blanket in just a tank top and nickers, curling into herself.

The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by her labored breathing—until her phone chimed. Groaning, she reached down for her pants and pulled the phone from the pocket.

Her eyes widened as she read the email. "No…" she muttered. BYTEWAVE had sent another assignment, and the deadline was just seven hours away. It was a scanning job—routine, but one that required her full focus.

Anushka clenched her jaw, torn between her condition and the urgency of the task. Her body protested any effort, yet she couldn't risk failing the assignment. Desperate, she considered her options. There was only one person she could trust with something like this.

"Bixby," she murmured weakly, "call Aloof Mark."

The call connected almost instantly.

"Hello," Mark answered, his voice steady.

"Mark, I need your help," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can you come over to my place?"

"Ok Send me your address I'll be right there," he replied without hesitation.

"Bixby, send my location to Aloof Mark," she instructed before letting the phone drop from her hand.

****

Anushka lay curled up under the blanket, her pale face peeking out as she clutched her stomach.

A soft knock broke the silence.

"Ruhi, it's me," Mark called from the other side of the door. "Are you okay?"

"Just come in," she croaked, her voice muffled by the blanket.

Mark stepped inside and paused, his gaze sweeping over the room until it landed on her frail figure. Concern clouded his face as he closed the door behind him.

"You look terrible," he said bluntly. "What's going on?"

"Forget about me," she muttered, waving a weak hand toward her phone on the floor. "The assignment. It's urgent."

Mark frowned, clearly torn. "You need rest. I'll handle this, but only if you promise to tell me if the pain gets worse."

She nodded faintly, and he retrieved the phone, moving to her desk. As he set up the scanning software, her soft groans pulled his attention back to the bed.

Mark hesitated before pulling out his phone and texting Emily.

Mark: At a friend's place. She's in pain. What can I do to help with cramps?

Emily: Friend? Or "girlfriend❤️"?

Mark: Just help me, Emily. She's clearly suffering.

Emily: Fine. Warm compress on her lower abdomen. It'll ease the pain.

Mark set his phone aside and went to the small kitchenette. He heated water, found a clean cloth, and carefully prepared a warm compress.

When he returned, Anushka was still curled up, her body tense with discomfort.

"Ruhi," he said softly, kneeling by her bedside. "Emily suggested this. Let me help you."

She shook her head weakly. "I'm fine… don't bother."

"You're clearly not fine," he countered. "Stop being stubborn."

Before she could protest further, he gently pulled back the blanket, his hands steady despite the slight flush rising to his cheeks.

He got quite embarrassed on seeing she was on just nickers and tank top. However he got composed.

Placing the warm cloth on her abdomen, he watched as she flinched at first but then relaxed, her breathing evening out.

"This… actually helps," she admitted, her voice tinged with relief.

"Good," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Now rest. I'll handle the assignment."