Shadows Of The Stumps

Heaven Restored

Morning sunlight spilled through the thin hotel curtains, warming the edge of the bed where Meera lay sprawled, half tangled in the blanket. Her nose was red, her cheeks flushed, hair an absolute disaster. The soft groan she let out could've belonged to a grumpy five-year-old rather than a grown woman.

Rahul leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her with a helpless laugh tugging at his mouth.

"Good morning to you too, Miss Drama Queen," he said.

Meera cracked one eye open, glared weakly, and mumbled through a sniffle, "I'm dying."

Rahul chuckled, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You have a fever, Meeru. Not the bubonic plague."

She groaned again, turning to bury her face in the pillow. "Same thing."

He tried to brush her hair away from her face, but she swatted at his hand with a feeble "Don't touch me."

Rahul shook his head, amused. "You were all brave and stubborn last night, and now look at you-red nose, grumpy face, and dramatic sighs. Perfect."

"Shut up," she grumbled, sniffing loudly.

He laughed softly, leaning down as if to kiss her forehead, but she squeaked, "Nope! Abhi thik hue ho! Don't want your germs back!"

Rahul sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, half-exasperated, half-smiling. "You're unbelievable."

"Thanks," she muttered, already curling up again.

"No, no," Rahul said, standing up and yanking the blanket off her gently. "Up. Go freshen up before you turn into an actual lump. And no-" he pointed a warning finger as she blinked sleepily-"no sleeping in the bathroom this time."

Meera, still bundled in her nightshirt, stared at him with exaggerated betrayal. "That was one time, and I was meditating."

Rahul snorted. "You were snoring into a towel. Not exactly spiritual."

She huffed, dragging herself to her feet, muttering under her breath about annoying brothers and fevers and unfair mornings.

As she shuffled toward the bathroom, Rahul called room service, ordering a light breakfast. "Two soups, some toast, and hot chocolate," he said into the phone. "Make one strong-she'll fight me otherwise."

When he hung up, he smiled to himself, shaking his head. Even sick and sulking, Meera made the room feel alive again.

He looked toward the bathroom door, hearing her faint sneeze followed by a small, muffled "I hate life."

Rahul grinned. "Love you too, kid," he murmured under his breath, as the kettle clicked to a boil and the morning settled into warmth.

___________

Rahul was halfway through recounting the whole "Meera-is-a-menace" saga to Athiya when Meera stumbled out of the room, hair dripping wet, sweatshirt sleeves half rolled, and nose slightly pink. Athiya gasped the second she saw her through the video screen.

"Pagal! You have fever and you still went to shower?"

Meera mumbled, rubbing her eyes, "I... accidentally turned it on."

Rahul looked at her, then at Athiya, and burst out laughing. "Accidentally turned it on? And you sent this idiot to take care of me, Athiya?"

Athiya smirked, pushing her hair back. "Oh please, just admit it-you're perfectly fine because she took care of you. Don't go acting all strong and emotionally unavailable again. We all know who tucked whom in last night."

Rahul groaned, "You're unbelievable," but he was smiling as he said it.

Athiya grinned wider. "I know. And by the way-don't think I didn't notice that glow on both your faces. Peace treaties look good on you two."