Flu & Flight of Fancies - OS

Shivaj Sekhar was late for work. In all these years., he had been employed he had never once been late for work. However, this morning a sore throat, an annoying headache and an overall tiredness, caused him to oversleep, making him late. He even dismissed his wife's concerned looks and told her., there's nothing to worry., its just a bout of tiredness….which in turn made her feed him a generous helping of breakfast.

An hour into his work day, his head continued to pound, his throat continued to burn, and his body started to feel a bit achy. Dismissing the achiness as just a matter of sleeping wrong, Shiv continued to plough through his day. He still had reports to review and to document. Sometimes he really hated the administrative part of his job.

Throughout the rest of the morning, he was unable to shake the headache and the sneezing. Usually when he would get a headache it meant he was dehydrated, but no amount of water could keep his head from throbbing. It is now a full blown migraine causing double vision making it difficult to finish the reports.

It is time for a pain reliever.

Shiv never liked taking anything that would impair his mind, but he was getting desperate as the pain in his head seemed to radiate throughout his body. He rummaged in his desk and found the pain reliever tablets., that he kept handy just in case. An hour passed after taking one tablet and it didn't seem to do anything except make his stomach hurt.

By noon, the throbbing in his head subsided a bit, but his eyes are now sensitive to the light and are protesting to stay closed with every blink.

If I could just take a break for ten minutes, I'll feel better, he thought.

He laid his exhausted head on his desk and fell asleep.

" SIR…?"

Someone is still calling him, sounding as if they were speaking to him through a long tunnel. He ignored it, as he wasn't ready to wake up.

"Sir…Sir…Kya Hua…Sir…?..Uthiye..!"

The shrillness of the voice and the heavy footfalls entering his office made the pounding in his head return. It didn't help that this person is now vigorously shaking him, trying to wake him up.

A cold, shaky hand is now on his forehead.

"Sir…Aapka badan jal raha hai…Bahot high fever hai shayad…!"

It is Bheem Singh. He sounded frantic, but Shiv couldn't figure out why? He'd only been asleep for ten minutes.

"Shhh, Bheem Singh..!" - Shiv yawned, keeping his eyes closed and his head still on the desk. "Its only Headache..!"

"Sir…ghanta – 2 baj gaya…Aur aapne lunch bhi nahi kiya.., Aur aapko high fever hai…Aapne mujhe kyon nahi bulaaya..?" – Bheem Singh enquired.

Shiv thought about the question for a moment.

"Wasn't hungry. ..Idhar itna., thand kyon hai..?" Shiv questioned, shivering a bit even in his full suit.

"Sir..aapko ghar jaake rest karna chahiye…aapko high fever hai..!",

Shiv slowly lifted his head and opened his eyes.

The brightness of this office stung his eyes.

"I'm fine. Besides, I can't go home. I have to finish this report."

" Sir…aap please Ghar chale jayiye…Yeh report jitna ho sake., mein sambhaal loonga..!"

"I'm fine, really," - Shiv tiredly assured. As he got up from his desk, the pressure in his head caused him to sway to the side a bit forcing Bheem Singh to steady him by gripping him at the elbow.

"Mein aapko Ghar leke jaa raha hoon ., Aur Ajee ko bhi inform kartha hoon..!" -

There was such finality in Bheem's voice ., Shiv didn't feel like arguing. He didn't feel like doing much of anything, but sleep .

However., he could just say – "Nahi Bheem Singh., Ajee ko kuch mat kehna., un necessarily pareshaan ho jaayengi…Mein Ghar jaake ek paracetamol leke., so jaunga…Shaam tak theek hoga..!"

He turned to get his laptop bag, but Bheem Singh already had it carrying for him.

Theek Hai…Sir..Chaliye., Mein aapko Ghar chod deta hoon.."

As they approached entrance of CH ., Bheem Singh bade Good Bye and returned. On his way back., he had informed Anandi of his Sir's condition.

Shiv was too tired to remember how he got from his office to CH. He was just thankful to be home. He walked to the bedroom and collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep.

Shiv slowly started waking up from a most bizarre dream.

He dreamt he was at work, and nothing seemed to go right for him. For instance, in the dream he had the worst headache and it wouldn't go away no matter what he did. He couldn't concentrate on his work because the pain in his head and his body was so bad.

He kept trying to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt like lead. He was still quite tired and wasn't in a real hurry to get out of bed, so he rolled over onto his side. His body and his head seemed to protest. Every muscle ached at the simplest movement.

Wait, Shiv thought. Why am I still so achy if it was just a dream? Why does my head hurt so badly?

And then he remembered. It wasn't a dream at all. It was some time back.

He opened his eyes fully to find the curtains drawn in the bedroom. His eyes protested as the low light only made his headache worse. He could blurrily see the sunlight trying to seep through the gaps of thick material forming strips of bright light into his room. He was thankful the curtains were drawn as he didn't think his sensitive eyes could have handled the bright sunlight.

He rolled over onto his back and slowly sat up. As his world came into focus, so did the prettiest sight walking into his bedroom.

"Aap Uth gaye…ab kaisa lag raha hai aapko…?"

It was Anandi, entering the room with a tray with some bowls., tumblers and bits of flannel.

"Anandi ?" - Shiv croaked, not recognizing his own voice. "Time kya hua…aur aap itna jaldi ghar mein..?"

"Arre…Aapka gala bahut hi kharab hai..," Anandi said sympathetically. She placed the tray on the side table . "Bahut dard bhi hotha hoga naa..?"

"Haan… I guess." - Shiv shrugged and then winced as the achiness in his shoulders screamed in protest.

Bahut Head ache ho raha hai..aur body ache bhi ..!"

"Koi baath nahi..Meine khada ready kiya…par pehle…aapka fever kitna hai., dekhne dijiye..!"

Anandi sat on his bed facing him and reached out her hand to feel Shiv's forehead.

Her hand was cool and soft, and felt nice on his heated forehead he couldn't help but lean into her touch. Even though his nose was starting to get stuffy, her scent is a welcome invasion to his senses.

"Shiv…aapko bahut tej bhukaar hain…Mein abhi Lal Singh ko bulathi hoon…!"

Lal singh…!..Nahi..Nahi…koi Zarrooath nahi…Ek paracetmol loonga toh theek ho jaayega..

Nahi Bilkul Nahi…Sirf Paracetamol se kaam nahi chalega…!...Lal Singh nahi toh., atleast aap mera Khada peena padega…!"

"Theek hai – aapki Khada it is then…!" – He agreed reluctantly.

"Yeh Lijiye – ab Good Boy ki tarah pee lijiye..sip mat kijiye…ek hi dum mein pee lijiye..!" – Anandi said brusquely , handing him a small glass from the tray., which did not look in the slightest bit appetizing.

Shiv drew the glass un certainly up to his parched lips.

He did exactly as she had instructed. Sure enough he knew why she had advised him to down it in one go. It was the worst tasting potion he had ever swallowed and burned the entire way down his throat.

"Ab patha chala…kyon tum mujhe ek hi dum mein peene ke liye…Boli thi.." – He sputtered…"It tastes Disgusting…!"

Anandi smiled looking at his face and simply said…Maine., thoda zyaada hi adrak daala hain…aapki haalath dekhke..!..Jaldi asar hoga..!".

"Aap ko kuch khaana padegaa..Mein abhi kuch laathi hoon..Itne mein aap change karlijiye.."

Shiv's stomach answered Anandi before he had a chance to open his mouth.

Anandi chuckled and made her way to the kitchen after laying his night suit on the bed.

Shiv laid his head back on his pillows and closed his eyes. Now that he could breathe properly, he was able to take in the wonderful flowery scent that filled the bedroom.

He got up slowly and changed into his soft flannel pajamas.

It didn't take Anandi too long to return to the bedroom carrying her food tray . She placed the food tray next to him before sitting on the chair next to his bed.

Shiv didn't know which to glare at first: the bowl of soup that was steaming away on the tray, or the smug visage of his wife offering it to him.

The soup looked absolutely un appetizing and bland.

"I'm not hungry," - he muttered sulkily, in the tone of a man who already knew that his was a lost cause. He pulled the blanket up to his chin, determined that he would not give up without a fight.

The object of his exasperation was regarding him with an amused and slightly triumphant expression.

" Collector Saab…Aap Jaanthe hain., iss maamle mein., aap jeeth nahi sakthe…Abhi aapko yeh peena chahiye…!"

He glared at her mutinously, which only served to make her smile widen further. He made a deep sigh Yanking the covers down.

Pleased that she had won this small concession so early on, she took the bowl of soup in her hands, sitting gently on the edge of the bed .

He stared at the creamy-white concoction with an expression of distaste. Even the sound that it made as it sloshed in the bowl is unappetizing. He immediately began to formulate plans for how to get rid of it in the most inconspicuous manner possible.

Anandi's lips pursed as though he had spoken the thought aloud. Her intuitive understanding of how his mind worked was a trait that he lately began to adore, but was finding extremely difficult to appreciate in his current state.

At his crestfallen expression, she softened. Leaning forward to to softly caress his cheek, she compromised.

"Theek hai., iss mein aadha pee lijiye…aur ek glass haldi waala Doodh pee lijiye…aur so jayiye..!".

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, still focusing on possible means of disposal.

" Just Half..?" – He enquired hopefully.

All he would have to do is push it around with the spoon a little bit, claim that it had been eaten, and then go back to sleep.

"Bilkul…aur aap jab tak poora aadha peeyenge nahi., mein idhar se nahi hilne waali…!" – She added.

He grimaced. He had run out of ideas. It is time to pull out the big guns.

" Anandi …Please.." – He said unleashing his final weapon in his armour – a puppy face. He knew that he is being unfair - he absolutely hated to make her upset - but desperate times called for desperate measures. Besides, he wasn't entirely exaggerating; the sight and smell of the soup made him nauseating.

She exhaled long and hard through her nose, and he could hear the frustration behind the sound. Her eyes met his and even though she knew he was manipulating her emotions to get his way, her heart melted at the sight of his adorable face.

"Please…Shiv…Thoda toh pee lijiye.." – She begged.

He sighed in resignation.

Aapko yeh thoda peena hai…varna., kal subah tak., weakness ho saktha hai…Jo Kadha meine diya., woh kaafi strong hai…Chaliye., fatafat pee lijiye…"

He nodded in agreement.

Anandi released a gentle sigh of her own.She gazed up into his eyes and allowed the smallest of smiles to quirk the corners of her mouth. How this beautiful, caring, enigmatic man had come to be hers was a miracle outside of the realms of her comprehension. They had endured so much together, and yet he is still the same sweet, shy man that she is beginning to fall in love with now. She reached up and touched his face, softly tracing the line of his jaw with her fingertips. He closed his eyes and moaned in pleasure., She gave him a genuine loving smile .

He picked up the bowl from her hands and began taking small spoonfuls.

After making sure., he had both soup and warm milk., , now smiling with mischievous pleasure, she went to wind up any balance work at kitchen and returned.

When she returned., she still saw him in semi sleeping position leaning on to the head board of the bed with closed eyes.

"Theek tarah so jayiye…ache se neend aayegi abhi…khada ke wajah se…" - She gently told him., tucking him into the bed.

"Sar abhi bhi bahut dukh raha hai…Anandi" – Shiv said with pain reflecting in his features.

Fatigue gripped him and he considered sloping off to bed without another word. But then Anandi did something Shiv had never thought possible or at least was confined to his most vivid daydreams of her.

She slowly raised a hand to his forehead and pressed her cool palm against his feverish head, sweeping back his messy black hair — but her fingers were shaking as she did so. Shiv leaned his head ever so slightly into her touch, hardly daring to believe Anandi is so close.

He did wonder for a second whether he might be severely ill and hallucinating, but his intuition told him he is indeed awake.

He swallowed with difficulty as she moved a hand up into his ruffled hair, smoothing it tenderly.

She came & sat closer to him., herself leaning against the head board., gently took his head in her lap and began to softly massage his temples.

He closed his eyes to savor the moment.

If only she would do this every day…!!!

He slowly opened his eyes. He noticed her cheeks were slightly pink. She was looking down at his face., and he felt her face is so close to him, that he could see her beautiful eyes bright with satisfied mirth. The muted light in the bedroom., bounced of the rich black hues of her hair. She looked so beautiful.

"Abh bhi bahut jyaada dukh raha hai..?" - She asked softly.

"Er…A little."

She continued with her ministrations and soon., sleep overtook his desire to keep looking at her face and savor the moment. The warmth of her lap and the gentle pressure of her soft figure tips on his temples did it all.

Looking at his face at that moment., Anandi didn't know what possessed her to do it, but she bent down and softly kissed his forehead .

He sighed softly in his sleep., and a slight smile peeped thru' the corner of his lips., as if he is dreaming a beautiful dream.

His face looked very serene and her touch did wonder to his fever too. She noticed his skin is feeling a lot less warm now.

She slowly., moved her hands into his lustrous hair and started to feel its beautiful texture., this is the first ever time., she is touching him so closely., his face., his hair….and she could indulge in this only b'coz he is asleep right now.

As she continued her soft caresses on his broad forehead ., she could not but feel.,that his friendship was the best thing that had ever happened to her. He is extremely patient, never pressing her for answers or explanations. He is just Shiv.

She just wished she had approached things differently when it had come to their relationship. If only she had acted on impulse that wonderful day after their first night. If only she had not listened to the monster in her chest and kissed him. Things might have turned out differently between them had she just taken the chance. Instead she had allowed herself to believe that they made better friends than lovers.

However, now after these few weeks, as they had grown closer and life had settled down, she is ready to make those changes in their friendship. She decided ., she will take those baby steps to forge into the relationship that is more than just a friendship.

With a deep sigh., she gently., shifted him from her lap on to the pillow and got up to place herself in the chair next to the bed.

As she got up from the bed and turned her heel., she felt a gentle tugging at her pallu.

She blushed profusely and said simply – " Chodiye naa…Shiv…."

There was no response and the gentle pressure is still there on her pallu.

She turned around slowly with an air of admonishment but found that he is in a deep sleep and her pallu is actually stuck under his arm.

A smile as well as a hint of disappointment crept up her features as she gently freed her pallu.

Shiv continued to breath deeply and sleep peacefully.

The early morning light and sounds awakened Shiv., as he slowly opened his eyes. His throat is feeling much better and his aches have reduced considerably. He felt much lighter.

He slowly turned his face looking for Anandi and noticed her to be in peaceful slumber., but on a chair though.

He quickly got up from the bed., went near her and tried to wake her up., but given up on the decision as he did not find a heart to disturb her peaceful sleep. He simply covered her with a blanket and went about to freshen up..

As he came outside the wash room., he found her already awoke and making the bed afresh.

Looking at Shiv and with concern etched on her features., Anandi enquired how he is feeling this morning.

Shiv nodded in positive agreement .

She came near him., touched his forehead with her palms., and after re assuring herself., that his body temperature is almost normal., Shesuggested she would go make the breakfast ready.

As she turned her heel., Shiv blurted – "Thank You Anandi…kal raat aapne mere liye Jo kuch bhi kiya…Uss ke liye..!" – His voice is still a little groggy.

There were few moments of silence.

Anandi slowly turned towards him and he was shocked to find tears in her eyes.

"Thank You…Mujhe nahi Bheem Singh ko boliye…woh agar mujhe phone nahi karta tha., tho., mujhe patha hi nahi chalta ki aap itne bimaar the…!"

"Anandi…woh …mein….yeh soch raha tha…ki un necessarily aapko kyon takleef doon…mujhe patha tha ki aap saara kaam chodke bhagke chale aayengi….but uski zaroorath hi nahi tha…"

As he continued his lame excuse., he saw the flickers of fire sparks dancing around in her eyes.

"Mein aapki patni hoon Shiv….kya samajhthe hai aap…aapka itna sa khayaal rakhna., mere liye mushkil hotha tha…?"

"Anandi..aap mere baath samajh nahi rahe…"

Nahi …mein samajhna bhi nahi chahti…khair aapki baath chodiye…meine aapke liye jo kuch bhi kiya., isiliye…ki mein aapki parwah karthi hoon…chahti hoon aapko…pyaa…." – She suddenly stopped short.

Shiv opened his mouth and closed it again, gaping. She had rendered him utterly speechless. Looking up at his sweet, wonderful wife, he watched as she chewed self-consciously on her lower lip and nervously tucked her hair behind her ears.

He suddenly felt as though all of the air in the room had disappeared, he found it very hard to breathe and his heart was beating like a hammer.

He tried to come to his senses and not say something ridiculous.

Neverth less., he had thanked his almighty., for making him sick…and was pleased to notice., that his bout of Flu had indeed given a gentle push to the Flight of their Fancies.

Anandi was first to compose herself…

"Meine Bheemsingh ko kal hi bataadi ki aap do din office nahi aayenge…poori tarah theek hone tak….aur haan..jab tak theek nahi honge…aapko khane ke liye., milega…bas soup., toast aur khichdi..!"

He crashed back to hard ground…as soon as he heard the word 'Soup'….!

Once again., Desperate times needed Desperate Measures…and he sure need to do something to avoid getting to down that Soup or Broth or whatever that insipid concoction is called.

And it would first begin with a bold 'Sorry'…to wife., for his lame 'ThankYou'…that he blurted out earlier.

With a song in his heart over his wife's - 'almost there confession'…and a plan in his head to get to eat something more edible than what she has planned to feed him for next two days., he followed his wife into the kitchen.

FINISH