That evening when Priya went home, she saw Kishen sitting on the swing with his face down. He looked very sad and she knew why. She went to him while thinking of what to say to make him feel better.
“Kishen, I know how you must be feeling now. But don’t worry, Fazeera just sprained her ankle. It’s not very serious so she’ll be all better in no time!” Priya explained. She glanced at Kishen who did not even move a muscle.
Priya sighed and continued “She’ll only be unable to come to school for a week, after that, it’s back to normal again.” She shot him a faint smile.
Kishen didn’t even look up. “Oh,” he gestured, indicating that he has processed whatever Priya mentioned.
“But she will have to miss her exams,” he continued.
“Yes, but this is only a monthly test. It’s not a big deal anyway,” she said, trying to comfort her younger brother.
“Yes, I know, not a big thing for us. But for her father, he is very strict with them, you know,” insisted Kishen.
“Well, you could go visit her. It might make her feel better,” considered Priya.
Kishen looked up at her with his eyes filled with horror. He shook his head and mumbled. “What?” asked Priya.
“Oh…um...nothing. I have some homework to do,” answered Kishen and he quickly ran upstairs. Priya felt suspicious about his behaviour but she had a lot on her mind too.
As she walked up the steps to her room, she could hear her mom coughing terribly and vomiting. She became worried so she went to check on her mom. When she went into the room, she could see her mom at the bathroom sink, vomiting out blood. She quickly called her dad, who came running upstairs into the room.
“Priya, take the towel from outside,” shouted her father. Priya ran outside to the towel stand to get it. She quickly handed it over to the father. Then, she ran downstairs to get a glass of warm water.
After giving her mom some medication, and helping her get into bed, Priya went to take her shower and started studying for her exams she had the next day. But her mind kept drifting off to her mom.
The next day, Priya got up early and took a shower. When she came out of the bathroom, she wondered why Kishen has not come up yet. He would normally be waiting outside for his turn to use the bathroom. Priya put on her bath robe and went to check on him.
When she went into his room, he was still sleeping soundly on his bed. Priya looked at the clock and it showed 6.30am. School starts at 7.15am! If Kishen doesn’t wake up now, they will surely be late for school.
Priya went to him and patted his body. Before she could call him to wake up, she felt his body warmer than usual. She touched him softly on his forehead, and it was very warm. She went downstairs to inform her mom.
“Amma, I think Kishen is having fever,” said Priya to her mom.
“What? Really?” asked Ms. Shanti. Priya nodded.
“No wonder. Yesterday he looked very pale,” she added. “I’ll bring him to the clinic later today,”
“Are you okay today, ma?” asked Priya feeling very concerned.
“I’m fine honey. Don’t worry about me. Just get dressed,” her mom replied as she prepared breakfast.
Priya then went upstairs to get ready for school. When she came down, her dad was already there waiting for her. “Good morning appa,” she greeted.
“Good morning. Are you ready to go?” he asked. “Yes, let me just take my bag,” she answered while walking toward the couch to get it.
"Eh, where’s Kishen?” he asked.
“He’s not feeling well. I think he’s having fever. Amma said she will take him to the clinic later,” Priya answered.
“Okay so let’s go, if not you’re going to be late for school,” said Mr. Ramesh as he started his car.
