Aouboom/Tanfang (Short stories)

Feverish Fang (TanFang)

ACHOO

He stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before letting out another loud sneeze. What a terrible start.

Fang woke up with an intense headache and swollen nose, 1st day of winter and he is already sick. Good thing he doesn't have any important class to attend otherwise it would be a hell for him. He winced in pain, his head throbbing painfully.

He needs to get up from the bed but his body feels very heavy and his vision is foggy. Unable to properly make out what lies in front of him. He groaned, his throat dry and scratchy, and attempted to sit up, only to be met with a sudden wave of dizziness that sent him collapsing back onto the bed.

Fang's hand blindly reached for his phone on the nightstand, fumbling and nearly knocking it off before managing to grab it. His eyes were watery, burning because of the fever. Upon unlocking he immediately pressed contact and Tan's name was on the top. His fingers hovering above his number contemplating.

He was about to dial when the flashback on last night came into his view.

Tan has a presentation today.

He has been working on it for weeks, making prototypes and report files.

Tan worked too hard on the presentation. If Fang calls him now he will rush out without any hesitation but that means all his efforts for the project will be in vain.

No, Fang would never want that. Don't want to be the reason for Tan's academic fall.

He scrolled through his contacts stopping at Phum's number. Without much thought he dialled his number, bringing the device near his ear. Within 2 rings he picked up.

"Hello" Phum's voice was hoarse, almost as if he just woke up.

"H-hello, Phum" came out as a whisper, he had a sore throat too.

Great. Everything hurts, as if his body doesn't want Fang to live today. He can hear him shifting and shuffling on the bed.

"What's wrong? You sound sick. How? Do you want me to come over? Where is Tan?" too many questions at once. He feels more stressed than before. Maybe he shouldn't have contacted him either.

"I've got a fever," Fang muttered, his voice trailing off as he tried to catch his breath. "Can you... drop off some meds? You're on your way to uni, right?"

"Phi, why didn't you call Tan? He'd-"

"Don't," Fang interrupted sharply, though his tone lacked its usual bite. "Don't tell him. He's busy with his presentation. Just... don't, okay?"

"But Phi, He should know about it." He sighed, and kept quiet. Knowing Phum will get the sign and just listen to him.

Phum hesitated on the other end, clearly conflicted. "Fang, you're burning up, aren't you? You sound terrible."

"I'll be fine, Just do as I say. Okay?Listen to me for once." Fang insisted, though his voice cracked halfway through. "Just drop the meds at the door."

"Okay Phi,I'll be there soon," Phum said defeatingly before hanging up.

Fang let the phone slip from his hand, landing softly on the bed beside him. He closed his eyes, the fever pulling him into a restless haze. As much as he hated asking for help, the thought of enduring this alone was too much, even for him.

But no matter how miserable he felt, the last thing he wanted was for Tan to worry. Fang would rather suffer in silence than be the reason Tan's hard work was derailed.