As Ouahib arrives in town , carrying the weight of a family that has weathered hardships, including parental separation, and the lingering echoes of a once vibrant home, he embarks on a new beginning, yearning for a different chapter.
In contrast...
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There is a throbbing pain in my head and I feel extremely cold. My body is shivering, so I tighten my grip around Aaliyah to feel her warmth more.
She stirs and turns around. I realise that I've tightened my grip too much on her delicate body and loosen it again.
But I'm still cold, thus I nuzzle into her neck to feel the warmth, "Ouahib," she murmurs slowly and I hum. I feel my teeth clashing with each other, due to the cold. Her hand comes to my cheeks and suddenly her hand flies to my forehead.
"OUAHIB!" She shrieks, this time my name is loud and clear in my senses and I try opening my eyes. "You're burning with fever!" Aaliyah exclaims after tapping both her hands against my forehead and face.
I groan pulling her closer to at least feel less cold, "But, I feel cold," I whisper, somehow not able to talk louder. My voice resonates in my head, making it difficult for me to speak.
"Come on, let's get you to our room and feed you some medicines," Aaliyah declares and pulls my arm. "Liyati, I don't feel like standing up," I admit, feeling every bone of my body protesting against what my wife just said.
"I know, baby, but please try and I'll help you. It won't get better here," she pleads and I open my eyes, initially being blended by the brightness of the morning sun.
I rub my eyes and realise that we slept in the tent. That was intended, but my mind is fogged and I first have to get a clear understanding of what's wrong with my body.
Aaliyah proceeds to link my arm around her neck and tries pulling me up. She fails, so I enforce my body up and try standing on my feet with her help. After a few failed attempts we manage to stand side by side and Liyah leads the way, towards the exit of the tent.
I try to not put my weight on Aaliyah but the pain in my head is making it nearly impossible to even walk, in this condition.
With great effort, we reach the bedroom and Aaliyah makes me lay on the bed, covering my body with the duvet and running towards the closet with extra bedsheets to grab another one.
She adds the duvet and I feel the weight of the duvet, but no warmth. I close my eyes momentarily and open them again to be met with Aaliyah's concerned gaze.
She sits on the edge of the bed and caresses my cheeks, "I'll go find some painkiller and something for your fever, okay?" She says, her eyes, telling me that she is so worried.
I take my hand from under the duvet and hold hers, which is on my cheek. "Don't worry habibti, I'll be completely fine, after sometime." I assure her and she nods.
Another set of silent seconds pass by, until she kisses my forehead and turns around to leave. Most probably to bring the medicine.
I curl up, bringing my knees as close as possible to my stomach and hope to get rid of the hammering pain in my head and the shivering, which is making me shake internally.
