“Levi, how are you feeling now?” Priya asked, as she saw Levi pale and burning with fever.
For the past two days, she had suddenly suffered from the fever, and damn, it wasn’t getting any better. Her fever was only getting worse, making Levi look like she was going to die.
While that may sound like an exaggeration of the situation, it was true that every hour she was fainting, and it was becoming more severe each time it happened.
“I’m feeling a little okay,” Levi replied with difficulty, trying to smile, but failing miserably without a doubt.
“If you’re feeling better, then why does your face look way worse than before?” Rish chimed in, his face looking stressed, showing the deep concern he had for his sister.
“Because… I have a fever. I’m not going to miss the World Cup because of it, so stop with these hypertensive reactions, Rish.”
He groaned. “Now it seems like your situation is getting better since you start having the energy to fight, which seems like a positive thing.” He chuckled.
Only he knew how much he was holding back, seeing his sister suffering so much.
He had seen her ill before, but not to this extreme level, which was quite scary.
Even though their Mom was a healer and dad was a doctor, giving Levi the best treatment, he was still iffy about her health.
And why wouldn’t he be? When she was losing consciousness like it was an hourly job she got paid for.
Priya smiled as she saw the banter between Levi and Rish. She took the towel and started cleaning Levi’s sweaty forehead.
“I’m sorry, Priya, because of me, you have to be tirelessly doing this,” Levi said, feeling a bit selfish due to how Priya was taking care of her without any rest.
Like others were doing too, but Priya was making sure she stayed with her most of the time, which made her a bit emotional.
“You don’t have to be sorry. You’re my cousin, and you treat me like your own sister. How can I not treat you better when you treat me best?” Priya answered, her hands effortlessly cleaning Levi’s neck and forehead.
She couldn’t count how many times Levi had apologised for this, which she didn’t have to, because Priya knew Levi would have been doing the same if it were her who was ill.
So why couldn’t she do it? And it wasn’t needed for Levi to be apologetic or stressed about it. Isn’t this what families do?
“I’m telling you, Levi, you’re getting closer to Priya. I’m jealous,” Rish made a face jokingly.
Seeing how Levi and Priya both looked too serious, and that wasn’t cutting it.
“You don’t have to be, though,” Levi softly chuckled. “I like her more.”
“Wow, the audacity! Even looking like this, you dare to admit this, Levi? You traitor! We spent our entire childhood together, and now you’re telling me you like Priya more,” Rish exclaimed, sounding more butthurt.
“You know she loves you, right?” Priya chimed in.
“Tsk… Tsk… you’re no fun, Priya. I know she likes me, but she loves you more now,” Rish shook his head.
Levi’s eyes softened as she looked at her brother. Despite her weakened state, she could still see the love and concern in his eyes. “Rish, you know you’re my favourite brother,” she said with a weak smile.
“I’m your one and only brother,” Rish shot back, trying to lighten the mood, though the worry in his eyes remained.
Priya looked between the siblings, her heart warming at their bond. “Okay, enough of this sibling rivalry. Levi, you need to rest. Maya said you need plenty of fluids and sleep.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Levi mumbled, closing her eyes briefly as another wave of exhaustion washed over her. “But now I don’t need more rest.”
Priya and Rish exchanged a glance.
“We’ll see about that,” Priya said gently, not wanting to argue with Levi, on rest knowing she will soon again sleep, due to her situation.
“Yeah, and if you don’t get better soon, I’ll just have to eat your favourite things, without you,” Rish teased, earning a faint glare from Levi.
“I’ll get better,” Levi insisted. “You’ll see.”
As the night wore on, Priya stayed by Levi’s side, refreshing the towel on her forehead and ensuring she drank plenty of water. Rish took turns watching over her, neither of them willing to leave her alone for a moment.
Despite the jokes and the attempts to lighten the mood, the fear of something seriously happening to Levi hung heavy in the air. They both know how serious the situation was, even if they tried not to show it.
In the early hours of the morning, Levi’s fever finally seemed to break. Her breathing became steadier, and the colour slowly returned to her cheeks. Rish and Priya watched over her, their worry starting to ease.
“She’s going to be okay,” Priya whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
Rish nodded, his eyes never leaving his sister. “Yeah, she is.”
“How is she doing?” Maya asked, coming in to check Levi’s temperature.
She wanted to be there beside her daughter, never having left Levi or Rish alone during their illnesses before, but due to current circumstances, she couldn’t be with her this time.
Despite this, she was glad that Priya and Rish were taking good care of Levi.
“Her fever has decreased, and she’s sleeping better than before,” Priya said.
Maya sighed in relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank goodness. You’ve both done a wonderful job looking after her.”
Rish smiled wearily. “We just want her to get better, Mom. It’s been tough seeing her like this.”
Maya nodded, her eyes full of gratitude. “I know it has, and I’m so proud of you both. Your dad and I have been worried sick, but knowing she has you two here gives us some peace.”
Priya looked at Levi, who seemed to be resting more comfortably now. “She’s strong. She’ll get through this.”
Maya walked over and gently brushed a strand of hair from Levi’s face, her touch tender and full of love. “Yes, she will. Especially with all the love and care she’s receiving.”
“So why is she getting a fever though? Did you get any information about it?” Rish questioned.
“Maybe her wolf is trying to regain consciousness.”