Chapter 4: Fevers, Flashbacks & Frustration

Of course, that very night, I came down with a fever. My body burned, the AC whirred uselessly, sweat making my hair stick to my neck.

The door creaked open. I barely registered it, thinking it was a dream. Arjun appeared, fresh from the shower, the scent of mint and his soap overwhelming me.

He hovered in the doorway, towel around his neck. I frowned, pushed him away. “I don’t need you to take care of me.”

He stiffened. “Then who should take care of you?” His words were heavy, like he was scolding a stubborn child.

“Bas karo na, take your medicine and you’ll feel better.” He pressed the pills into my hand, his fingers lingering. His cool fingertip brushed my lips, then his hand clenched at his side.

For a second, I forgot my fever, forgot my anger. Staring at my lips, his breathing grew heavier, eyes darkened. My pulse fluttered, but I looked away, pretending to sleep.

“All right, you can leave now.” I mumbled into my pillow.

Half-asleep, I heard the shower running. The hiss of water was strangely comforting, like distant monsoon rain.

When I woke again, my body was tangled in his arms, bedsheet twisted around us. I didn’t move, just listened to his heartbeat thumping against my back. His warmth seeped into my skin, banishing the fever chill. I breathed deeply, pretending to be asleep.

There was a clear abnormality at my thigh. I blushed, feeling him pressed against me. His breath brushed my ear as he checked my forehead. “Still a bit hot. Looks like the fever hasn’t completely gone.”

I snapped awake. That’s because you made it hotter, I thought, but didn’t say it. I wriggled out of his arms, annoyed at my own body’s reaction.

He caught my waist as I tried to push him away, grip strong. His rough fingertip brushed against me—I let out a muffled moan, hating how easily he undid me.

“Priya.” He called my name, deep and hoarse, magnetic. “Should we give it a try?”

He asked so quietly, afraid I’d disappear if he spoke too loud. But I wasn’t going to make it easy for him now.

Normally, I would have melted, but after last night, I was put off. This move felt like a slap followed by a sweet date. Charity.

Just after being sick, my body was tired. I turned him down, face cold. “I can’t handle it.”

He instantly turned pale, breath shaky. He didn’t argue, just listened, hand dropping away.

When I turned over, he was staring at me deeply, a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth. That sad, crooked smile was somehow worse than any fight.

“It’s my problem. I don’t blame you.”

I snorted. “At least he knows,” I muttered, rolling away.

“But in the future, don’t get so carried away, okay? It’s not good for your body to have a fever.”

His voice was gentle, apologetic. I rolled my eyes, but part of me softened.

Arjun lowered his eyes, hiding his feelings. After speaking, he got up, pulling clothes from the wardrobe for me. He usually wore silk bathrobes, but today just a towel around his waist. Muscles rippled as he moved. I couldn’t help but stare—old habits.

He handed me the clothes. I changed right in front of him, daring him to look. As usual, he turned away.

But I didn’t know that as soon as I left, Arjun went into my bathroom and lingered there for a long time, face buried in my pillow, breathing me in. But I wasn’t there to see it.