Author POV

Morning arrived...

But the sunshine that usually brightened the farmhouse couldn't brighten the worried faces inside.

Roohi's fever hadn't gone down.

Instead...

It had become worse.

104°F.

Aleena's heart tightened as she looked at the thermometer.

"This isn't good..."

she whispered.

Roohi lay weakly on the bed.

Her cheeks burned with fever.

Her breathing was heavier than before.

Even opening her eyes seemed difficult.

"We're leaving."

Aleena said firmly.

"Right now."

Within an hour...

Everyone had returned to Khan Mansion.

The family doctor examined Roohi immediately.

After checking her temperature and listening to her breathing, he looked at Aleena.

"The fever is high because she was exposed to the rain for too long."

"She needs complete rest."

"Most importantly..."

He looked toward the tray of medicines.

"She cannot skip even one dose."

Aleena nodded.

"We'll make sure."

The doctor left.

Unfortunately...

Making sure wasn't as easy as it sounded.

Zayan pov

I looked at my watch.

9:15 AM.

I didn't want to leave.

Not today.

But today's meeting had been planned for weeks.

Investors were flying in from another city.

Hundreds of employees depended on the outcome.

I walked toward Roohi's room one last time.

She was asleep.

Or at least...

She looked asleep.

Her forehead was still warm.

I quietly adjusted the blanket around her.

Without waking her.

Then I looked at Aleena.

"If her fever increases..."

"Call me."

Aleena smiled softly.

"I will."

I nodded once.

Then left.

Yet...

Something didn't feel right.

Author POV

Almost an hour later...

Roohi slowly opened her eyes.

"...Mumma..."

She whispered weakly.

Aleena immediately sat beside her.

"I'm here, beta."

"It's medicine time."

Roohi frowned.

"No."

Aleena smiled patiently.

"Just one tablet."

"Nope'

"It'll help your fever."

"No mumma'

Aleena blinked.

"Roohi..."

"I don't want it." she say stubbornly

Her voice cracked.

"It tastes bad."

Aleena tried again.

"I'll give you juice afterward."

Roohi shook her head.

"No."

"I'll make kheer."

"No."

"I'll let you sleep afterward."

"No..."

She pulled the blanket over her face.

Like a stubborn little child.

Minutes passed.

Nothing worked.

Rayyan tried.

"Bhabhi..."

"If you take the medicine..."

"I'll give you my favorite chocolates."

"No."

"I'll let you win at Ludo."

"No."

"I'll even admit you're smarter than me."

The blanket didn't move.

"No."

Daniyal sighed.

"This is serious."

He sat beside the bed.

"Roohi."

A tiny "Hm?" came from beneath the blanket.

"If you don't take the medicine..."

"I'll stop calling you Roohi."

Silence.

"...Still no."

Daniyal looked at Aleena helplessly.

"I've officially run out of ideas."

Aleena gently pulled the blanket away.

Roohi's eyes were watery. her lower lip trembleI

She looked exhausted.

Sensitive.

Almost on the verge of crying.

"What happened, beta?"

Aleena asked softly.

Roohi whispered...

"...I want Mr khan."

The room became silent.

Rayyan slowly looked at Daniyal.

Daniyal looked at Aleena.

Aleena's heart melted.

"I-I know he will scold me a little too for not taking medicine and

He'll make me take it..."

Roohi mumbled sleepily.

"...but..."

"I want him."

Aleena immediately reached for her phone.

Zayan POV

The conference room was silent.

Investors sat across from me.

Presentations filled the screen.

Someone was explaining quarterly reports.

But my mind was not on meeting it was on Roohi

My jaw clench.

as i froce my self to focus on meeting.

And Then.

My phone vibrated.

Mumma Calling.

I answered immediately.

"Ji, Mumma?"

Her voice sounded worried.

"Zayan..."

"She won't take the medicine."

I closed my eyes. Jaw tight

I know this would happen.

"We've all tried."

"Rayyan."

"Daniyal."

"Even me."

"But..."

Aleena's voice softened.

"She keeps asking for you."

For a second...

I forgot about the meeting.

Forgot about the investors.

Forgot about everything.

Only one sentence echoed in my mind.

"She keeps asking for you."

I looked around the conference room.

Every eye was on me.

Waiting.

I quietly closed my file.

"I'm sorry, gentlemen."

"I have a family emergency."

Without waiting for another question...

I picked up my coat.

And walked out.

Author POV

The drive home felt longer than ever.

Every red light irritated him.

Every slow car tested his patience.

For the first time in years...

Zayan Khan wanted the road to move faster.

Not for business.

Not for success.

But because someone was waiting for him.

Upstairs...

Roohi was still refusing the medicine.

Until—

Footsteps echoed through the hallway.

The bedroom door opened.

Roohi slowly lifted her heavy eyelids.

Standing at the door...

Still in his formal suit.

Tie slightly loosened.

Hair messy from rushing.

Breathing a little heavily.

Was Zayan.

Their eyes met.

For the first time that day...

Roohi smiled.

A tiny...

Weak...

Relieved smile.

And whispered...

"...You came."

Zayan walked straight to her bedside.

Knelt beside the bed.

"I told you..."

His voice was calm despite the worry in his eyes.

"If you need me..."

"I'll come."

He picked up the medicine from the bedside table.

Held it out to her.

"Now..."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"Will my stubborn wife please take her medicine?"

Roohi looked at the tablet.

Then at him.

Without arguing...

Without pouting...

Without saying "no" even once...

She quietly opened her hand.

The entire room froze.

Rayyan whispered,

"...That's unfair."

Daniyal shook his head in disbelief.

"We spent an hour negotiating..."

"And she surrendered in three seconds."

Aleena smiled with relief, her eyes glistening.

Roohi took the medicine.

Drank the water.

Then, still feverish, looked at Zayan and whispered,

"...Don't go back."

Zayan gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her forehead.

"I'm not going anywhere."

And for the first time...

He meant it

Zayan POV

The medicine worked.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

Roohi's eyelids became heavier.

Within minutes...

She had fallen asleep.

Her breathing became calmer.

But the fever...

Was still there.

I gently placed my hand against her forehead.

Still warm.

Too warm.

The doctor had said the fever would take time.

Time.

Something I suddenly hated.

I quietly pulled the blanket over her shoulders.

Just as I was about to stand—

Something stopped me.

I looked down.

Roohi's tiny hand...

Had wrapped itself around my wrist.

Not tightly.

Just enough...

To stop me from leaving.

Her eyes remained closed.

She was still asleep.

Yet...

Her lips moved.

"...Don't..."

She whispered weakly.

"...leave..."

My heart clenched.

"I won't."

The words left my mouth before I even thought about them.

Almost immediately...

The grip on my wrist relaxed.

As if she had heard me.

Author POV

Outside the room...

Aleena, Rayyan and Daniyal stood quietly.

Rayyan peeked through the slightly open door.

His dramatic smile slowly disappeared.

Inside...

Zayan hadn't moved.

He was still sitting beside the bed.

Allowing Roohi to hold onto his wrist.

Daniyal folded his arms.

A smile tugged at his lips.

"I told you."

He whispered.

Rayyan looked at him.

"Told me what?"

Daniyal's eyes remained fixed on his best friend.

"Our Zayan..."

"...is gone."

Aleena smiled softly.

"He just doesn't know it yet."

None of them disturbed the silence.

They quietly walked away.

Leaving the two alone.

Zayan POV

An hour later...

The doctor returned.

He checked my Roohi's temperature.

Then looked at me.

"The medicine is working."

"But she'll be weak for the next day or two."

"Keep her hydrated."

"And don't let her skip meals."

I nodded.

"I won't."

The doctor smiled knowingly.

"I can see that."

After he left...

The room became quiet once again.

A soft knock came at the door.

"May I come in?"

Mumma asked.

"Ji."

She entered carrying a tray.

Warm soup.

Fresh juice.

A bowl of fruit.

"You should eat too."

She said gently.

"I'm not hungry."

Mumma gave me the exact same look she used to give Rayyan whenever he lied.

"When was the last time you ate?"

"..."

I couldn't remember.

She sighed.

"Zayan."

"If you fall sick too..."

"Who will take care of Roohi?"

I looked toward the sleeping girl.

Then quietly picked up the spoon.

"Good."

Aleena smiled.

"That's my son."

Just then...

A tiny voice interrupted.

"...Mr Khan...?"

Both of us turned.

Roohi had opened her eyes.

Still sleepy.

Still burning with fever.

She looked around the room.

Confused.

Then...

Her eyes landed on Me..

"You..."

She whispered.

"...didn't leave."

He put the soup aside.

Walked back to her bed.

"I said I wouldn't."

Roohi gave the tiniest smile.

Then, without realizing what she was doing...

She held out her hand.

"I don't like sleeping alone."

She mumbled through the fever.

The room fell silent.

Mumma quietly looked away to hide her smile.

I hesitated for only a second.

Then...

I gently held her hand.

"I'm here."

I said softly.

"You can sleep."

Roohi closed her eyes almost instantly.

Still holding my hand.

Within seconds...

She was asleep again.

Mumma quietly picked up the empty tray.

Before leaving the room, she looked back once.

At me.

Still sitting beside my wife.

Still holding her hand.

Without the slightest intention of letting go.

She smiled to herself.

Author Pov

Some relationships...

Didn't begin with love.

They began with care.

And sometimes...

Care quietly became love...

Before either heart realized it..

(few hours later)

(Midnight)

The clock struck...

2:13 AM.

The Khan Mansion was asleep.

Every light had been turned off.

Every hallway had fallen silent.

Except one room.

Roohi's room.

The bedside lamp still glowed softly.

A bowl of cold water sat on the table beside the bed.

Several folded cloths rested nearby.

Medicine bottles stood untouched.

And sitting beside the bed...

Still wearing the same formal shirt from the morning...

Was Zayan.

He hadn't left.

Not once.

Every few minutes...

He would place the cool cloth on Roohi's forehead.

Then check her temperature.

Then quietly wait again.

The doctor had said...

"The fever should start breaking tonight."

But...

It hadn't.

If anything...

Roohi looked even weaker.

She turned restlessly beneath the blanket.

Tiny whimpers escaped her lips.

"...Ammi..."

"...Don't..."

"...Please..."

Zayan immediately leaned forward.

"Roohi."

No response.

Her breathing had become uneven.

Tiny droplets of sweat covered her forehead.

He checked the thermometer again.

104.5°F.

His jaw clenched.

Too high.

Far too high.

He immediately placed another cool cloth on her forehead.

"Roohi..."

His voice was calmer than the panic growing inside him.

"Wake up."

Slowly...

Her eyelashes fluttered.

Her eyes opened just a little.

Cloudy.

Unfocused.

She looked around the room.

As if she didn't know where she was.

Then...

Her eyes landed on him.

For a few seconds...

She simply stared.

Then...

Very weakly...

She lifted her hand.

Zayan immediately took it.

"I'm here."

He said quietly.

"You don't have to worry."

Roohi blinked slowly.

Trying to focus on his face.

Her lips parted.

As if she wanted to say something.

He leaned closer.

"What is it?"

Her voice came out as nothing more than a whisper.

"...Za..."

He frowned.

Unable to hear her clearly.

"I'm here."

She looked straight into his eyes.

And this time...

Without "Mr khan"

Without hesitation.

Without thinking.

She whispered...

"...Zayan..."

Silence.

Everything...

Stopped.

Zayan froze.

His heartbeat echoed loudly in his ears.

For the first time...

She hadn't called him Mr Khan..

She had simply called him...

"Zayan."

Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Like...

She wasn't speaking to a stranger anymore.

She wasn't speaking to someone she feared.

She was calling...

Him.

Before he could even process it...

Roohi's fingers weakly tightened around his hand.

"...Don't..."

She whispered.

"...leave me..."

Something inside Zayan broke.

He carefully moved closer.

Without thinking...

He brushed the damp hair away from her forehead.

"I'm not leaving."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm right here."

Roohi gave the tiniest nod.

Still half-asleep...

Still lost in her fever...

She whispered again.

"...Promise...?"

Zayan looked at her for a long moment.

Then...

He gently squeezed her hand.

"I promise."

Almost instantly...

The worry disappeared from her face.

Her breathing became calmer.

Within seconds...

She drifted back to sleep.

Still holding his hand.

Zayan didn't move.

He couldn't.

His mind wasn't thinking about the fever anymore.

It kept replaying...

One word.

Again.

And again.

And again.

"Zayan."

Not "Mr Khan."

Just...

"Zayan."

For reasons he couldn't explain...

It sounded...

Beautiful.

Beautiful enough...

That he secretly hoped...

One day...

She would say it again.

Outside the room...

Aleena had come upstairs to check on them.

She stopped near the slightly open door.

She saw Zayan sitting beside the bed.

Holding Roohi's hand.

Watching over her like she'd disappear if he looked away.

Aleena smiled softly.

Without making a sound...

She walked back downstairs.

Some moments...

Belonged only to two hearts.

And this...

Was one of them..

(2 days later)

(Morning)

The morning sunlight slipped through the curtains.

For the first time in two days...

Roohi's fever had started to come down.

103°F.

Still high.

But better.

The doctor smiled after checking her.

"That's a good sign."

"But she's still weak."

"She must eat."

"And she must finish every dose of medicine."

Everyone nodded.

Everyone...

Except one person.

Roohi.

She looked at the tray on the bedside table.

A bowl of oatmeal.

Fresh juice.

Medicine.

She frowned.

"I don't want it."

Aleena smiled.

"Just a little."

"ummmm hmmm NO"

"Roohi..."

"I'm not hungry."

Aleena looked at Zayan.

"I'll leave you two."

She whispered before quietly walking out.

Now...

Only Zayan and Roohi remained.

The room fell silent.

Zayan picked up the bowl.

"Sit up."

Roohi looked away dramatically.

"No."

He sighed.

"Roohi."

"No."

"You need to eat."

"I don't."

"You do."

"I don't."

"Roohi."

"I said no!"

For the first time...

She actually glared at him.

A tiny...

Very unimpressive glare.

But a glare nonetheless.

Zayan stared at her.

"...Did you just glare at me?"

"Yes."

She answered proudly.

"...I'm angry."

He almost smiled.

Almost.

"Because I asked you to eat?"

"No."

"Then why?"

"Because everyone keeps telling me what to do."

She huffed.

"Eat."

"Sleep."

"Medicine."

"Water."

"I know I'm sick!"

She crossed her arms.

"And I'm tired of everyone treating me like I'm five."

The room grew quiet.

Zayan placed the bowl back on the tray.

Then sat on the edge of the bed.

"I know."

He said calmly.

"But if you don't eat..."

"...you won't get better."

"I'll get better anyway."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes!"

"Roohi."

"What?!"

"You sound like Rayyan."

She blinked.

"...I do not."

"You do."

"I don't."

"You argue exactly like him."

Her eyes widened in horror.

"I am NOT like Rayyan!"

"You just proved my point."

She opened her mouth to argue again...

Then stopped.

"..."

"...Did I?"

A tiny smile appeared on Zayan's face.

The very first real smile in days.

Roohi gasped.

"You tricked me!"

"I did."

"That's cheating!"

"It worked."

She pouted.

"I still won't eat."

"Oh?"

"No."

"Not even one spoon?"

"No."

"Not even half?"

"No."

"Not even if I ask nicely?"

She hesitated.

"...No."

"You're thinking."

"I'm not!"

"You are."

"I'm thinking about how annoying you are."

He raised an eyebrow.

"So I'm annoying now?"

"Very."

"I left an important meeting for you."

"I didn't ask you to."

She mumbled.

"You asked my mother."

"I didn't!"

"You refused medicine until I came."

"..."

"I..."

"...That was different."

"How?"

"...Because..."

She looked down at the blanket.

"...I wanted to take it from you"

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Silence.

Roohi's eyes grew wide.

"..."

"..."

"Oh no."

She whispered.

"I didn't mean t-to say that I-I!"

"You did."

"I was confused!"

"You were."

"I take it back!"

"You can't."

"No fair!"

Zayan let out the softest laugh.

A sound so rare...

That Roohi slowly peeked over the blanket.

"You laughed."

"I did."

"...You look nice when you laugh."

She murmured without thinking.

This time...

It was Zayan's turn to fall silent.

The tip of his ears become red.

Roohi realized what she'd just said.

"..."

"..."

She immediately pulled the blanket over her entire face.

"I think my fever got worse."

She squeaked from underneath.

Zayan looked at the blanket...

Then quietly chuckled again.

"Maybe it did."

He picked up the bowl once more.

"One spoon."

From beneath the blanket came a tiny voice.

"...Only one."

He smiled.

"Deal."

And somehow...

One spoon became two.

Then three.

Then half the bowl.

Neither of them noticed.

They were too busy arguing.

And smiling.

The entire Khan Mansion seemed quieter than usual.

Even Rayyan...

Had been warned to keep his voice down.

"Roohi is resting."

Aleena reminded him.

Rayyan nodded obediently.

"I'll be very quiet."

Five seconds later...

"GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!"

Aleena closed her eyes.

"Rayyan."

"...Sorry."

He whispered.

(Upstairs...)

Roohi was sitting on the bed.

Wrapped in her favorite blanket.

Her fever had dropped slightly.

But she was still weak.

Zayan sat beside the window.

Reading through a few office documents.

Every few minutes...

His eyes lifted from the papers.

Just to check if Roohi had eaten.

Or taken water.

Or looked tired.

Roohi noticed.

"You keep looking at me."

She mumbled.

"I do."

He answered without looking up.

"...Why?"

"To make sure you don't secretly throw away your medicine."

Roohi gasped.

"I would never!"

Zayan slowly looked at her.

"...Really?"

She looked away.

"...Maybe once."

"I knew it."

She pouted.

"You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn."

"I'm not stubborn."

"You refused medicine for an hour yesterday."

"I was proving a point."

"What point?"

"...I forgot."

A smile tugged at Zayan's lips.

Just then...

The bedroom door flew open without knocking.

"ROOHI BHABHI!"

Rayyan marched inside carrying a huge box.

"I brought chocolates!"

Roohi's eyes sparkled.

"Chocolate?"

"YES!"

"I bought every flavor."

Roohi actually sat up excitedly.

"Really?"

"Really."

Rayyan proudly opened the box.

Before Roohi could even touch one...

Another hand closed the lid.

Snap.

Both of them looked up.

Zayan.

"No."

He said calmly.

Rayyan blinked.

"What do you mean 'no'?"

"She has a fever."

"So?"

"No chocolate."

Rayyan looked horrified.

"Brother..."

"You're denying a sick person chocolate?"

"Yes."

Roohi immediately joined Rayyan's side.

"Exactly!"

"It's cruel!"

Zayan folded his arms.

"No chocolate."

"Just one?"

Roohi pleaded.

"No."

"Half?"

"No."

"A tiny bite?"

"No."

"A smell?"

Zayan looked at her.

"...A smell?"

Roohi nodded hopefully.

"I won't eat it."

"I'll just..."

"...look at it."

Rayyan whispered dramatically,

"She's suffering."

Zayan ignored both of them.

"No."

Roohi crossed her arms.

"You're mean."

"I'm responsible."

"You're annoying."

"I'm keeping you healthy."

"I don't want healthy."

"I want chocolate."

Rayyan wiped away an imaginary tear.

"So brave."

"So inspiring."

Roohi pointed at Zayan.

"See?"

"Rayyan understands me."

Zayan slowly turned toward Rayyan.

"You."

Rayyan immediately stood straight.

"Ji?"

"Stop encouraging her."

"I support happiness."

"You support trouble."

"...Also true."

The room filled with laughter.

Roohi quietly smiled.

Then...

She looked at the chocolate box one more time.

A tiny sigh escaped her lips.

"...Fine."

"I won't eat it."

Zayan looked at her.

"You promise?"

She nodded sadly.

"I promise."

For a moment...

He simply watched her.

Then...

He stood up.

Walked toward the cupboard.

Opened a drawer.

And came back.

Holding something behind his back.

Roohi blinked.

"What is it?"

Without a word...

He placed a small packet in front of her.

Honey-lemon lozenges.

The doctor had recommended them for her sore throat.

"They're sweet."

He said.

"And they'll help."

Roohi looked at the packet.

Then...

At him.

"...You bought these too?"

"Yes."

"You remembered?"

"I remember everything the doctor said."

Roohi smiled.

A genuine...

Heartfelt smile.

"They're not chocolates..."

She whispered.

"...But they're from you."

"I'll eat them."

Rayyan looked between the two.

Then dramatically clutched his chest.

"Daniyaaaaal!"

He yelled toward the hallway.

"COME HERE!"

Daniyal walked in.

"What happened?"

Rayyan pointed at the couple.

"Our brother has become a full-time husband!"

Daniyal looked at Zayan...

Then at the lozenges...

Then grinned.

"Took you long enough."

Zayan rolled his eyes.

"Both of you..."

"...Get out."

Rayyan laughed while backing toward the door.

"Fine."

"But remember..."

He pointed at Roohi.

"If he doesn't let you eat chocolate..."

"I'll secretly smuggle some in."

Before he could finish...

A pillow flew across the room.

THUD.

It hit Rayyan right in the face.

Silence.

Rayyan slowly lowered the pillow.

"..."

"You threw a pillow at your own brother?"

Zayan calmly looked at him.

"You were about to commit a crime."

The room erupted into laughter.

Even Roohi laugh

She forgot she was sick.

And seeing that smile...

Made every missed meeting...

Every sleepless night...

Worth it.

For Zayan

To Be Continued...💗✨