Her heart drops like a stone at Abhi's words. She hadn't even considered telling her family about them...about their relationship. The thought of it fills her with dread and fear. "No," she whispers, shaking her head vigorously. "We can't tell them."

She buries her face in his chest, hiding behind the safety of his embrace as she struggles to control the panic rising up within her. "Please, Abhi," she begs quietly, "please don't make me do that."

It takes Nurse Anna a moment to collect herself enough to respond. When she finally speaks, her voice is little more than a whisper. "Because...because they wouldn't understand," she says, her words tumbling out in a rush of emotion. "They would never accept me being with someone like you...they would only see the differences between us."

She pauses, taking a shuddering breath before continuing. "And even if they did...I don't know if I could handle the pressure.