Riki looked up from her phone when she noticed Niko come in. Summer days had been getting hotter and that day, after joining Niko's morning class, Riki showered and holed herself in the bedroom to finish work. On the other hand, Niko stayed outside and even went for his usual jog on the building's roof top.
The heat from the sun was beginning to become unbearable just before noon and the concrete of the roof top absorbed most of it since there was hardly any shade up there. Niko noticed that he became dizzy as soon as he stepped out of the door that lead to the roof top. He thought that it was just probably the change in temperature from the cooler indoors to the hot outdoors (although it was warmer in the hallways and stairwells of the condo). He had planned to jog at least 10 rounds like he normally did but noticed that he was getting more exhausted as he tried to push on with the third round. He was now sweating profusely and no matter how much water he drank, he felt like it wasn't enough. When he could hardly take a few steps at the beginning of the fourth round, he decided to go in and sat at the top of the steps that lead to the elevators back to the units below. He was dizzy and hot. He noticed that his sweat didn't seem to get absorbed much by his towel. He staggered to get back to his apartment and barged into the bedroom.
That's when Riki noticed him. Niko looked 'different' so she threw her phone on the bed and immediately followed Niko to the bathroom and found him dry heaving over the sink. She rubbed his back to assist him while trying to help him peel off his very wet t-shirt. She took another towel to wipe his sweaty body and noticed that his skin was cool and clammy.
When Niko was able to vomit, he said that he felt a little better although he looked weak and pale. Riki asked him what happened but he spoke very little and complained of a headache. She managed to get him into the shower where she turned on the tap and peeled the rest of his clothes off.
When Niko's color seemed to go back to normal, she invited him back to the bedroom and let him lay down in bed. She elevated his feet on some pillows and got the electric fan to help cool him down. She also applied ice packs on his armpits, neck, and groin.
Riki had always been curious about medical-related programs that she remembered something similar that happened in one of the shows she watched. At the beginning of the lockdown, her cousin also called her to help spread word about online consultations and a small satellite hospital near their area. After getting in touch with Dominic, her cousin, Riki made the call to the satellite hospital and got to speak to a doctor who advised Riki on what to do.
"...but from what you've mentioned, you seemed to have managed everything well. Just keep him cool and hydrated. If you can give him oral-rehydration salts or kahit na gatorade, better. Basta iwas muna a caffeinated drinks..." The doctor said as she checked on Niko. "His blood pressure most likely dropped sa sobrang init. Ikaw rin, try to keep yourself cool and always hydrated. Ibang klase din kasi yung panahon ngayon." The good thing about this ambulatory hospital was that they had a full medical staff who did house calls.
"Thank you, doc"
---
When Niko looked much better and was resting well in the bedroom, Riki cleaned up in the bathroom and got ready for bed. She looked at her phone and saw that she had a ton of messages and missed calls from Ina.
