Double check the date, double check the chocolate, double check the box. Fareeha repeated to herself, going down a list to make sure nothing went wrong. It took her much longer than the recipe said to make the chocolates, adding onto her nerves.
Double check the date, February 14th, Valentine's day. Double check the chocolate, all in place, not broken or jostled. Double check the box, a clean, sharp sweets box, held together by a small ribbon.
Go give it to her.
Fareeha hesitated on the last step. Her stomach twisted itself and her throat felt unused, a sure sign that her voice would crack if she were to explain or greet the doctor. She shifted her feet, not even making it out her room when the nerves came back, bringing questions. Would she like the chocolates? Would she accept them? My feelings?
The Captain bit her lip at the internal battle. She was highly decorated, had fought many dangerous foes, and yet the most dangerous foe was the one beating in her own chest.
"I-I..."
Her voice did crack. A little practice wouldn't hurt.
"I…" Fareeha cleared her throat, clicking her feet together. "Hello Dr. Ziegler." Was that too formal? She had asked me to call her… "Hello Angela… I..."
She sighed.
"I...brought you some chocolates? Would she know what they are for? She's a smart woman but..." A very intelligent woman who had yet to figure out Fareeha's source of awkwardness.
"...I brought you some chocolates! For… Valentine's day..." Fareeha groaned and shook her head. You are an Amari! Just go in there and talk to her, like a normal person.
Fareeha straightened her back, forgoing the literal slump she was just in, before opening her door.
And seeing Angela Ziegler with a hand raised to knock and the other behind her back.
"O-oh! Fareeha!" Angela quickly recovered with a smile, lowering her hand to wave. "I was...wondering if we could head to the gym together?"
It felt like a bolt of lightning just hit right in front of her. Amazed, and not believing that such a perfect world exists, Fareeha placed the chocolates in Angela's outstretched hand before closing the door.
...I'm an idiot, aren't I? Heat rose to her face as the nerves from before crashed down on top of her embarrassment. That really just happened.
A knock on the door made her realize what she actually did.
"Uh, Fareeha? Would you mind opening your door?"
Allah have mercy on me, because Mercy is going to have none.