Yesterday, 12:19 PM
Chapter 45: Fever & Unspoken Pull
Nikitha turned toward Jay and froze.
His body was radiating heat. She gently touched his forehead — it was burning.
“Jay…” she whispered, shaking him lightly. “Jay, wake up.”
He groaned, eyes half-open, clearly disoriented.
His body was too hot. She somehow managed to get him sitting up, speaking softly to him until he became slightly coherent.
“You have a high fever,” she said, worry clear in her voice. “Come lets go to hospital.”
Jay was too weak to walk. She helped him wrap his arm around her shoulder and half-carried him to the car. She hadn’t seen him with a fever in years. This was the first time, and he felt heavier than ever. The drive to the hospital was tense, her mind racing with guilt and concern.
At the hospital, the doctor ran some quick tests and confirmed it was likely a viral fever, possibly from contaminated water.
“Only home-cooked food, light diet, and complete bed rest for at least a week,” the doctor advised.
“Avoid outside food completely.”
Nikitha nodded, a bitter laugh echoing inside her head.
Even when I decide to quit him, the situations keep pulling me back.
Jay was in no state to speak.
The drive back home was mentally exhausting for her.
She kept glancing at him, her heart aching with a complicated mix of care and confusion.
She asked to herself: Why does it feel like the universe doesn’t want me to walk away?
When they reached home, she helped him lie down on the bed, wrapping him with a warm bedsheet. Minutes later, the medicine and injection made him drowsy, and he fell into a deep sleep.
Nikitha couldn’t sleep. She lay beside him, staring at the ceiling, thinking how situations kept pushing her toward him despite everything.
Bored and restless, she picked up her phone. There were several unread messages from Tharun.
Tharun (9:45 PM): Had a great time walking with you on the beach today. You looked peaceful.
Tharun (10:20 PM): That anklet suits you perfectly. Hope you’re smiling right now.
Tharun (11:00 PM): Good night, my love. Sleep well. Can’t stop thinking about our talk.
Tharun (11:10AM): Still awake? Just wanted to say I’m really happy we’re taking things slow. Miss you already.
at 11.20 PM She replied briefly:
Nikitha: I’ll be on leave tomorrow. Jay is not well.
Tharun called her instantly. Nikitha panicked.
She doesnt want to disturb Jay,
She carefully moved upstairs so as not to wake Jay and answered in a husky, low voice.
“What, Tharun? At this time?” she whispered.
Tharun let out a big laugh on the other end.
“What’s with your husky voice? Like someone talking secretly,” he teased. “I remember my college days. I used to talk to Mithra over the phone. We both spoke in husky voices so our parents wouldn’t hear. After years, maybe 3 years ago, I got a friend at the Calicut office. She was married and very flirty. Whenever we got a break, she used to flirt with me. She was my senior. You know, I was young, just out of college. Mithra was busy and not in touch. What would I do? I was tempted. I called her at midnight to flirt. She used to speak with me in that husky voice, all bold… she was literally cheating her husband, hahaha.”
Nikitha listened quietly, without any judgment or joy. Her mind was half with Jay.
She wasn’t in a state to realize he was casually comparing her to cheating wives.
Tharun continued, his tone softening, “But today is different.
I have a married woman in place of love, not just flirt or something… I love you, Nikki.”
The words hit her. It was the first time he had said it so directly.
A strange feeling stirred in her chest.
Nikitha replied carefully, “Thanks…Tharun... but things are different here. Jay is sick.
The doctor said he needs bed rest and medication for at least 3 days.
Im already felt like stuffed inside my head..
I fear I won’t be able to help him if I come to the office.”
Tharun paused. “Wait, what do you have to do for him when he is sick?”
How is he related to you?
wont his wife take care of him?
Nikitha realized her blunt slip.
She quickly searched for a lie.. she finally said after a pause.... “I’m helping his wife.
I mean She called me. She’s also an abroad working person like my husband.”
Tharun sounded surprised. “Wow, what an unexpected coincidence… So you two are in the same house? How did all this happen? I mean…”
Nikitha said, “Trust me, its just i'm helping her (she lied).”
Tharun: I trust you baby , but see he is a man after all" you seems to be in his house..
after a pause
He asked, “Shall I come to help? I mean, he is a man after all.
Look how he took Anjali casually in the office. I fear for you…”
Nikitha said, “I know him. No worries. Just informing you I’ll be on leave today.” I have been with him for years. Like His wife is not around most times like my husband (another life)
Tharun: with a laugh... may be he is gay then.. let me be frank, if he didnt do anything for years staying so close, i doubt if he would be gay, may be to show of he partnered with Anjali to lie..
Nikitha irritated and said, stop joking, its bad to speak about others.
Tharun: No darlng, i was just making fun, because you are most beautiful and sexy women i have seen , if he ignored you and choose Anjali he must be blined or Gay who pretends to be straight before anyone.
Nikitha was not clearly enjoying this, she said, lets not speak about other so bad. I dont like it. If you called me about sudden leave, this is it. and i dont need yuor help, let me help my friend and her husband. after all he is a friend to you too? you two had planned to get me in your team
Tharun smiles, then fine helping a friend is not an issue, anyway, here is my suggestion, take care of him. a friendly help but dont take full leave.
Tharun suggested, “Come to the office after noon. Cooking and helping him… full day leave for both of you might send a wrong message at the office.”
Nikitha thought for a second and said, “Then okay, I’ll come in the noon.”
They kept the phone down.
But Tharun got a doubt. These arrangements between them looked strange… far from believable.
Nikitha turned toward Jay and froze.
His body was radiating heat. She gently touched his forehead — it was burning.
“Jay…” she whispered, shaking him lightly. “Jay, wake up.”
He groaned, eyes half-open, clearly disoriented.
His body was too hot. She somehow managed to get him sitting up, speaking softly to him until he became slightly coherent.
“You have a high fever,” she said, worry clear in her voice. “Come lets go to hospital.”
Jay was too weak to walk. She helped him wrap his arm around her shoulder and half-carried him to the car. She hadn’t seen him with a fever in years. This was the first time, and he felt heavier than ever. The drive to the hospital was tense, her mind racing with guilt and concern.
At the hospital, the doctor ran some quick tests and confirmed it was likely a viral fever, possibly from contaminated water.
“Only home-cooked food, light diet, and complete bed rest for at least a week,” the doctor advised.
“Avoid outside food completely.”
Nikitha nodded, a bitter laugh echoing inside her head.
Even when I decide to quit him, the situations keep pulling me back.
Jay was in no state to speak.
The drive back home was mentally exhausting for her.
She kept glancing at him, her heart aching with a complicated mix of care and confusion.
She asked to herself: Why does it feel like the universe doesn’t want me to walk away?
When they reached home, she helped him lie down on the bed, wrapping him with a warm bedsheet. Minutes later, the medicine and injection made him drowsy, and he fell into a deep sleep.
Nikitha couldn’t sleep. She lay beside him, staring at the ceiling, thinking how situations kept pushing her toward him despite everything.
Bored and restless, she picked up her phone. There were several unread messages from Tharun.
Tharun (9:45 PM): Had a great time walking with you on the beach today. You looked peaceful.
Tharun (10:20 PM): That anklet suits you perfectly. Hope you’re smiling right now.
Tharun (11:00 PM): Good night, my love. Sleep well. Can’t stop thinking about our talk.
Tharun (11:10AM): Still awake? Just wanted to say I’m really happy we’re taking things slow. Miss you already.
at 11.20 PM She replied briefly:
Nikitha: I’ll be on leave tomorrow. Jay is not well.
Tharun called her instantly. Nikitha panicked.
She doesnt want to disturb Jay,
She carefully moved upstairs so as not to wake Jay and answered in a husky, low voice.
“What, Tharun? At this time?” she whispered.
Tharun let out a big laugh on the other end.
“What’s with your husky voice? Like someone talking secretly,” he teased. “I remember my college days. I used to talk to Mithra over the phone. We both spoke in husky voices so our parents wouldn’t hear. After years, maybe 3 years ago, I got a friend at the Calicut office. She was married and very flirty. Whenever we got a break, she used to flirt with me. She was my senior. You know, I was young, just out of college. Mithra was busy and not in touch. What would I do? I was tempted. I called her at midnight to flirt. She used to speak with me in that husky voice, all bold… she was literally cheating her husband, hahaha.”
Nikitha listened quietly, without any judgment or joy. Her mind was half with Jay.
She wasn’t in a state to realize he was casually comparing her to cheating wives.
Tharun continued, his tone softening, “But today is different.
I have a married woman in place of love, not just flirt or something… I love you, Nikki.”
The words hit her. It was the first time he had said it so directly.
A strange feeling stirred in her chest.
Nikitha replied carefully, “Thanks…Tharun... but things are different here. Jay is sick.
The doctor said he needs bed rest and medication for at least 3 days.
Im already felt like stuffed inside my head..
I fear I won’t be able to help him if I come to the office.”
Tharun paused. “Wait, what do you have to do for him when he is sick?”
How is he related to you?
wont his wife take care of him?
Nikitha realized her blunt slip.
She quickly searched for a lie.. she finally said after a pause.... “I’m helping his wife.
I mean She called me. She’s also an abroad working person like my husband.”
Tharun sounded surprised. “Wow, what an unexpected coincidence… So you two are in the same house? How did all this happen? I mean…”
Nikitha said, “Trust me, its just i'm helping her (she lied).”
Tharun: I trust you baby , but see he is a man after all" you seems to be in his house..
after a pause
He asked, “Shall I come to help? I mean, he is a man after all.
Look how he took Anjali casually in the office. I fear for you…”
Nikitha said, “I know him. No worries. Just informing you I’ll be on leave today.” I have been with him for years. Like His wife is not around most times like my husband (another life)
Tharun: with a laugh... may be he is gay then.. let me be frank, if he didnt do anything for years staying so close, i doubt if he would be gay, may be to show of he partnered with Anjali to lie..
Nikitha irritated and said, stop joking, its bad to speak about others.
Tharun: No darlng, i was just making fun, because you are most beautiful and sexy women i have seen , if he ignored you and choose Anjali he must be blined or Gay who pretends to be straight before anyone.
Nikitha was not clearly enjoying this, she said, lets not speak about other so bad. I dont like it. If you called me about sudden leave, this is it. and i dont need yuor help, let me help my friend and her husband. after all he is a friend to you too? you two had planned to get me in your team
Tharun smiles, then fine helping a friend is not an issue, anyway, here is my suggestion, take care of him. a friendly help but dont take full leave.
Tharun suggested, “Come to the office after noon. Cooking and helping him… full day leave for both of you might send a wrong message at the office.”
Nikitha thought for a second and said, “Then okay, I’ll come in the noon.”
They kept the phone down.
But Tharun got a doubt. These arrangements between them looked strange… far from believable.
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