Chapter 92 - Memories Of The Fox (Part 3) (1/2)
[Music Recommendation: ”Soffia La Notte” by Fabrizio Paterlini - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~
[Please note: We're still in Verrill's POV - still reminiscing his memories with Hora]
The moment I realized she was sick… it was as if my whole world stopped. My heart started to sting and I started blaming myself for how stupid I was that I didn't even notice it earlier! My body trembled in fear. I didn't want anything to happen to her. Screw all my plans! What mattered most was to have her checked by a doctor and rest.
”What's wrong? Why do you look like you saw a ghost?” she asked, unaware of how sick she was. She was burning hot for goodness' sake!
”Hora! Are you alright?”
”Huh? What do you mean? I am alright.”
”You're burning up!” I exclaimed in my worry. Then, I walked nearer and touched her forehead. Damn it! She's having a fever and it's really high!
”I-I'm burning up?”
”Yes! You have a fever. You need to rest immediately! The guest rooms are full right now, but you can use my room for the meantime. I'll call for the family doctor to check on you. Come, let's go there, quick.”
”B-but I'm fine. I don't feel anything wrong.”
Tsk. She's saying that but her legs were trembling. Seeing her like that just hurt me more. I caught her by the shoulders to help her stand up.
”You're not fine at all. Don't tell me you've been enduring it all this time?”
My voice turned scary. I was angry at how she's not taking care of herself.
”Hmf! I really didn't notice it. I was fine a few moments ago.”
”Urghhh, this won't do.”
”Hey, are you listening to me?”
”You can't walk, can you?”
”What? I can! I—”
Not caring about her buts, I lifted her up in my arms.
”Hey! Put me down, you—I can still walk. I'm not injured.”
”You're staggering like a newly born lamb and you say you're fine.”
”Okay. Maybe I'm not but I can still walk. Please put me down.”
”No!”
At that moment, I didn't care if she hated me or thought lowly of me. What mattered was that she got treated asap. And so, I carried her inside all the way to my room, and laid her on my bed. She must have been really exhausted seeing how she fell asleep as soon as I laid her down.
After that, I quickly called for the family doctor. While waiting, I felt restless so I tried to remember first aid measures that I read or saw somewhere.
And so, I got some towels and filled a basin with cold water. I dipped the towel into the bowl and wrung it before placing it on her forehead. With another wet towel, I carefully wiped her face and neck, since she was sweating so much. I also wiped her arms and her feet—after I removed her shoes. If I could, I would have wiped her body too but she'd hate that.
Later on, the doctor arrived and checked her. She told me it was fever due to over fatigue and gave me some medicines she could take, along with instructions. Other than that, she just needed plenty of rest.