Till The End

Chapter 53 - Malady

I let go of all my negative thoughts by the time we reach near our travel bus. But... my body is shivering way too much. Actually it has been shivering all while and now it's increasing. I don't know why. I am feeling chills all down my body. "What happened?" Jim comes near with concern visible in his eyes as he sees me shaking.

"I don't know". He places his hand on my temple, "You're having fever", huh? I didn't expect this. "We should see a doctor right now."

"That's not needed. I'll take some paracetamols once we reach our inn. It's just a slight fever. Maybe because of staying into the cold water."

"Whatever be it. You are having a high fever", his voice is strict this time and I know he's not gonna listen to me. "Take off your jacket, it's all wet", well, his one's wet too, though kind of waterproof but it still feels cold. He helps me taking it off and I'm left in my sweat shirt only, luckily it didn't get wet. Jim brings a shawl from Emi and wraps it around me, Emi always carries this black and white striped shawl in her backpack. "I already talked to Mr. Lee that I'm taking you to the hospital", he informs and stops a cab, which we get into. "I don't need a doctor. It's just a usual fever I get often", as we are inside the cab. I can't deny my body is falling weak.

"Often?"

"I mean, it's just casual", I guess I shouldn't have said this. It's true, my body remains warm most often, but it's not something to worry about I think. "We should tell the doctor about this".

"Ookayy", my body's still shivering as I am clinging my hands on my chest crossing them tight. After driving to the nearest hospital I am assigned to a General Physician. As we enter inside the cabin of Mr. Joseph Price as the name reads in his id, I see a middle ages man with rectangular rimless glasses and subtle brown beard over his face. "Hello. Please sit down", he warmly welcomes and I take the seat in front while Jim sits beside me on the black chair after he helps me sit down. I detail the problem and it's weird that he's seeming a bit bewildered. "You get fever most often?"

"Yeah. I mean, almost." But what's the problem with this and I see the clear sign of tension stressing upon Jim's face and so is the doctors'.

"I need to check your blood pressure", Joseph stands up from his chair and makes me lie down on the patient bed beside the wall near his table. After he's done, "Your pressure is low. Is it always like this?"

"Most often", I simply reply since my blood pressure actually remains low.

"There's also some rashes on her back", Jim informs from over the shoulder of the doctor as I see him sitting on the chair facing us. He remembers! Joseph turns at Jim and then faces me, "Show me the rashes", I take of the shawl and slightly raise down the back part of my sweatshirt upon stretching it." For a bit, doctor turns silent and then returns back to his chair after which I get down from the bed putting on the shawl and take my place. "Is it something serious?" Jim asks upon seeing the visible rays of stress on Joseph's face. "N..no. No. I'll prescribe some medicines for your fever but I want you to do some tests. It's important".

"What tests? And why?" I ask upon failing to realize it's importance.

"It's important. Just for some assurance that everything's fine or not", he's not saying directly.

"Assurance for what? What happened to her? And what are the rashesh for?", Jim lifts up a bit as he forwards his body near the table a bit further.

"Nothing to worry. Just do the test. A blood test will do the work".

"But we're leaving tomorrow", I inform as I guess it'll take time for the reports to come.

"Leaving where?"

"Virginia. We're here for a tour". I clarify.

"Ohh. Then I would suggest you do the test in Virginia. Do a bit hurry, I mean, just do it upon reaching. I will write it down for you with the prescription", he gets busy in jotting down the necessities.

"Is everything alright?" Jim asks again and I can clearly say that there's something bothering him.

"Don't worry. Everything's fine. Just some check up. That's it", Joseph forces a smile? Okay, no I guess. It's just a pretty fever, nothing much. But.. well no more but. It's nothing serious I guess. After he hands us the prescription with the details of the blood test, "The medicines will help you to get over the fever and here, I mentioned about the test. Just show it to a general physician to your nearest hospital in Virginia and get the test done. Well, take my visiting card and after the reports arrive, do let me know for once", he smiles as he passes the card. "Sure", Jim assures, but I wonder why Joseph want to know about my blood reports. I mean, isn't it just for a routine check up! Well, a considerate doctor indeed. "Take care".

"Thank you", we both warmly bid a goodbye after which we head to the pharmacy and collect the medicines. I see, Jim's a bit lost. "What happened?"

"We'll do the test as soon as we reach Virginia", he's getting stressed.

"Come one. That's nothing serious. He said, just a routine check up", I try to pacify.

"Still. I don't want any doubt", he sounds strict this time.

"Okay robo", I pout dramatically to cheer up the mood. "You need to eat something before taking the medicine. Lunch time's almost over now, you must be hungry", he leads me the way to the hospital canteen. After I sit on the chair of a round table at a corner Jim goes for bringing the food and soon returns with two bowls of hot chicken soup and 2 cups of greek yogurt. "You need to have this", he says after placing the tray in front of us on the table and insists me. "You could have bought something else for yourself".

"I'm okay with this", he replies with a warm smile and don't know why I'm feeling lucky all on a sudden. These cute little gestures are the ones which matters the most.

(A/NI took pretty long this time. But I made up for it, right? Coz I published 3 chaps altogether. I would love to know your precious views. )