The Only Exception

10. Ugliest Emotion

Ruya smiled, a little sheepish. "You didn't need to—"

"Yes, I did."

Adem stepped in after them, his posture stiff. "I, uh... I panicked. When the hospital called."

Ruya looked at him, saw the guilt in his eyes, and said nothing — but her expression softened.

Then she turned back to Asi and waved her good hand. "I didn't want to freak you out. Especially at night. You need rest."

"Oh, don't speak nonsense," Asi said, hugging her again, tighter this time. "What the hell happened?"

Ruya leaned her head back on the pillow and groaned. "Ugh, it's stupid. I went back to the storage room because someone forgot to log in the company chargers and you know how weird the tech guys get about that, so I climbed up the old ladder to check—didn't know it was broken—and then next thing I know I'm face-down on the floor."

"Oh my God, Ru." Asi reached for her hand.

"I know," Ruya said. "It was very dramatic. A shelf tipped, I nearly took out the emergency extinguisher. But I'm fine now. Painkillers are delightful."

Alaz finally stepped forward from where he'd been watching silently.

"Well," he said dryly, "are we talking your version of 'fine,' or an actual, doctor-confirmed version?"

Ruya smiled for real now. "Ah, Alaz. I'm healed already."

"Of course you are."

"Thank you for coming," she added, genuinely.

"Get better soon, Ruya," he said, and she nodded.

Adem stepped a little closer. "Are you sure you're okay?"

She nodded. "Yes. Just waiting on the x-rays and they'll let me go. I'll be annoying again by tomorrow morning, promise."

Alaz glanced at his phone. "Did Yaman find out?"

Ruya's smile faltered.

"Actually..." she began, eyes darting between them, "we kind of broke up."

The room stilled.

"What?" Asi, Alaz, and Adem said at the same time.

Ruya shrugged with one shoulder. "It happened this morning. Before work. It was... overdue."

Asi looked at her, heart twisting. "Ruu..."

Adem coughed to hide the amused grin forming at the edge of his mouth.

"I'm okay," Ruya said firmly. "Don't worry. And Alaz, please don't call him. It'll just be awkward and weird. He doesn't need to know I got attacked by a ladder."

Alaz nodded slowly. "Alright."

Then, to shift the mood, he asked, "What do you want to drink? I'll go to the canteen."

Ruya blinked. "Oh. I—uh—orange juice?"

"Adem?" Alaz asked.

"I'll come with you," Adem said quickly. "I need some air."

They both turned to leave, and just before they stepped out, Alaz looked back at Asi and asked softly, "Just water, right?"

Asi met his gaze.

He remembered. Of course he remembered — she never drank anything but water after 11 p.m.

Her heart gave a stupid, aching squeeze.

She nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

And then they were gone.

Asi pulled the chair closer to Ruya's bedside, brushing some curls away from her face.