Always Is Not Forever (Breaking Myself - Part II)

17. The One Where I Damage His Car

"Kabir, we're getting late!" I called, washing my breakfast plate.

I frowned at the soap tumbling down the surface, surprised by Kabir's behavior of not coming out of his room early. He hadn't even gone to GYM today, stayed in his room and woke up when I had knocked on his door.

Swirling, I gawked at his untouched breakfast and sighed. Looks like I would be missing my first lecture of the day.

Drying the plate with the cloth, I placed it inside the cabinet and covered his breakfast plate.

Worried, I was about to retreat to his room when he wobbled inside the kitchen. His head bent down, bag slung over his shoulder and tired actions. He gave a stare to his breakfast and asked, "Let's go. I'm not hungry. Your lectures start early."

Dropping the cloth, I trudged to his side and asked, "Are you okay? You don't seem fine."

"Just a bit tired. Slept late." He blinked his eyes rapidly. "My shoulders are aching." He sat on the kitchen stool and leaned his head on the slab, moaning in pain. Tensed, I placed my hand on his forehead, cursed at the hotness wrapping my hand.

"You have a fever." I settled next to him, helping him to drop the bag on the floor. "Do you have a thermometer?" He shook his head, covering his eyes with his hands. "I warned you to switch off the AC at nights. You never listen to me. Now see what has happened. You don't care about yourself, do you? What will happen if you switch off the AC after the room gets chilled? Huh, Kabir, I'm so angry at you."

"Alina," He mumbled quietly, chuckling. "I love you, I love your voice too but right now, please stay quiet, my head is aching."

"Oh." I stared at him for a couple of seconds, took in the sweat resting on his forehead. "No going to college. Come on."

"Alina-"

"In this semester, we've made only five holidays and it's ending. Nothing will happen. Come." I caught his hand, tugging him to his room. "I will call your workplace and inform you're not in the position to come." With tired movements, he stood up, allowed me to take him to his room and made him sit on the chair while I switched on the AC, took his nightwear out and told him to change. "Change."

"But-"

"You're sweating. Jeans must be uncomfortable."

He nodded weakly but smirked. "Help me."

I shook my head, scowling at him. "Your flirting nature never change."

"One can try, but I'm not going to the bathroom. I'm changing here. My body aches. If you want, you can leave." I shook my head instantly, scared of leaving him in the situation when he couldn't even open his shirt with the shivering hands. Dodging his attempts, I unbuttoned his shirt, helped him wear the nightshirt and nodded at his jeans. Turning, I busied myself with taking the blanket out of the closet, and when I had turned, his gaze had turned hazy and he was trying to soothe the pain in his muscles.

"Come." I made him lay on the bed and rested the blanket till his torso. "I need to get the medicines and thermometer. Will you be fine for some minutes?"

He nodded, his breath shallow and uneven. "Go to the near chemist. Not far away. Take my wallet. It's at the back of my jeans."

"You and your money problems. Just rest. Stop thinking." Brushing his wet hair from the forehead, I sighed. "Do you want to see a doctor?"

"Medicines will do."

"No moving until I'm back. Just stay here, okay? Do you need something?"

He tipped his lips from the side. "Never took care of a sick person?" I shook my head. "I'll be fine, Alina. Go to college. Don't miss your lectures. Exams are near."