Episode 3
1001 Words
Karla tapped her pen against the edge of her desk , pretending to take notes while stealing glances at the front of the classroom .
Dr. Christopher Hale - substitute professor for the OB-GYN rotation - was explaining the physiological changes during pregnancy , but Karla was far too distracted by his voice to focus on the diagram of a dilated cervix .
He spoke with the kind of confidence that made you forget he wasn't a full-time professor . With neatly rolled sleeves , a disarming smirk , and a knack for making even hormone fluctuations sound seductive , he had unintentionally become the whispered obsession of half of the med school .
When the lecture ended , Karla gathered her things slowly , hoping to catch his eye. Just as she zipped her bag , he glanced up from his tablet and smiled .
" Ms. Smith ," he said , his voice low and teasing ,
" Are you planning to live here in the lecture hall ? "
Karla blinked . " Oh - just soaking it all in. "
" Obstetrics can have that effect , " he said , lips curling .
" Everything about it is ... transformative . "
She smiled, then hesitated . " You mentioned that podcast about maternal ethics last class . What was it called again ? "
" ' The Womb Room ' I'll DM you the link . "
A casual line . A casual offer . But the pulse of excitement she felt wasn't casual at all .
Later that evening , a new notification popped up om Karla's phone .
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@doc.hale started following you
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Her stomach flipped .
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She tapped on his profile . His bio was clinical and clean :
MD OB-GYN .
Visiting faculty .
' Well Rach , my opinion matters- as I know the uterus '
He seems to be a fan of friends , like the iconic line from Rachel's ' No uterus , No opinion ' reference was there .
But his feed tells a lot of different stories , which don't match his appearance .
Photos of him holding a model pelvis with the caption : Not the weirdest first date prop I've used .
A mirror selfie in the scrubs locker room, messy hair and smirk : OB-GYN : CATCHING BABIES AND FEELINGS .
A shot of him on hospital rounds with coffee in hand : Strong coffee . Strong uterus .
Karla rolled her eyes , smiling. Who knew a uterus joke could make her blush ?
She tapped " Followed Back . "
Within minutes , a DM arrived .
Christopher Hale :
Podcast link as promised . Also, I expect your next post to be educational . Maybe pelvic model unboxing ?
Karla giggled , typing quickly .
Karla Smith :
Only if you promise to rate it like a YouTube influencer . 10/10 , would dilate again
Christopher Hale :
Don't tempt me . I have a brand to protect .
The messages didn't stop .
What began with the occasional academic links turned into memes , reaction gifs , and sarcastic commentary on hospital politics . They bonded over their mutual hatred for early morning clinicals and a shared gulity pleasure: medical dramas .
One night , Karla posted a selfie in her pajamas , surrounded by textbooks , captioned : Studying fertility but losing mine slowly. Send help .
He replied with a laughing emoji , then quickly followed with :
Christopher Hale :
You'll make an amazing OB someday . Assuming the books don't kill you first .
She replied , heart racing .
Karla Smith :
You always know how to make me feel seen . Even when it's through a screen .
Christopher Hale :
Some people take years to connect . You ? One seminar and I was done for .
They kept their conversations digital during the day , but in person , the chemistry was impossible to hide . He would pass her in the hallway and brush his fingers lightly across her elbow . Nothing that would raise alarms . Just enough to make her heart stutter .
One afternoon in the simulation lab , Karla stayed behind to finish a fetal monitoring case .
Christopher walked in, pretending surprise . " You again "?
She smiled . " I'm just here for the fake babies ."
He chuckled. " Aren't we all? ''
She caught his eye then - really looked. There was warmth there. Mischied. And something unspoken.
He stepped closer, looked down at the monitor.
" You interpreted that deceleration curve wrong, by the way.''
She laughed. " Great, so I'm failing and embarrassing myself. "
" No. You're doing better than you think." His voice softened. " That's why I notice."
She didn't move. Neither did he.
Moments later, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, and the moment broke.
" I have a meeting," he said quickly, stepping back.
" Don't let the mannequin deliver without me."
That night, she posted a photo: a close-up of the fetal monitor screen with scribbled notes in the background. The caption read: When the lines blur and the heart skips.... literally.
She didn't tag him. But she didn't have to.
He responded minutes
Christopher Hale reacted with “heart eyes”
Christopher Hale:
Nice caption. Thought you were only poetic under pressure.
Karla Smith :
Only when someone interesting is watching .
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The sweetness was still blooming. There were no sharp edges yet , just an undercurrent of something real . Every like , every message was a petal unfolding . Neither of them said it aloud, but it was obvious .
Something was beginning .
Something more than messages and glances .
Something that could very easily unravel
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- Writer
