The next day, Shubman woke up feeling like he'd been hit by a truck. His body ached even more than it had after his training session the previous day. 

His throat was sore, and his head throbbed with every movement. He groaned as he shifted under the covers, hoping that it was just exhaustion. 

But the chills creeping up his spine told him otherwise.

Kamari, who had been sound asleep beside him, stirred when she heard his groan. She blinked her eyes open and immediately sat up, concern replacing the grogginess in her face.

"Shubman?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with worry. "Are you okay?"

He rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand, his voice hoarse. "I feel like crap, Kamari," he admitted, his eyes heavy as he looked up at her. "My head is killing me... and I can barely move."

Kamari's eyes softened as she reached out to feel his forehead. He was burning up with a fever. "Oh no, you're running a fever." 

She quickly got out of bed, her movements swift. "Stay here, I'll be right back, okay?"

Shubman groaned in response, sinking deeper into the bed. "You don't have to do anything, Kamari. Just... just let me sleep this off."

"Nope," she said firmly, returning quickly with a thermometer. "You're not going anywhere until I make sure you're okay."

She placed the thermometer in his mouth, and after a few moments, she read the result. "You're at 101°F. This is more than just exhaustion, babe. You need rest—and some medicine. I'm going to take care of you today, alright?"

He looked up at her, the exhaustion in his eyes making him seem even more vulnerable. "You really don't have to," he muttered, but the concern in her gaze made him soften.

Kamari just smiled, kissing his forehead gently. "You know I want to. Now, just relax and let me handle this, okay, baby?"

"Fine, fine," he mumbled, finally letting his eyes close again as he laid back against the pillows.

Kamari immediately got to work. She went into the kitchen and prepared a glass of water with medicine, mixing it up carefully. 

When she returned, she helped him sit up, lifting his head as she handed him the medicine.

"Here you go, handsome," she said softly, making sure he took the whole dose. He groaned a little as he swallowed it, but he didn't argue.

"Thanks, Kamari," he murmured, still not fully awake, but his voice was filled with gratitude.

Kamari smiled lovingly, brushing a few stray strands of hair off his forehead. "You're welcome, baby. Just rest. I'm gonna keep an eye on you."

She made him comfortable, adjusting the pillows behind him and then pulling a blanket over him. 

As she moved around the room to fetch a cold compress for his forehead, Shubman watched her from the bed, his eyes filled with affection, though he was too exhausted to speak. 

He wanted to say something, but he just didn't have the energy.

Kamari soon returned with the cold compress and placed it on his forehead gently. 

"How are you feeling now?" she asked, her fingers brushing the hair from his face tenderly.

"Better, actually. You're really good at this," he said, his voice soft. "You always know what to do, huh?"

Kamari smirked, clearly pleased. "It's a superpower. I've got a whole arsenal of tricks up my sleeve for when you're sick."

Shubman chuckled weakly, his eyes half-closed. "You're amazing, Kamari."

She smiled down at him, her heart full. "You're lucky I'm here to take care of you, big guy."

He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm lucky to have you... really. You're... everything to me."

Kamari's heart fluttered, and she leaned down to kiss his forehead, careful not to disturb the cold compress. 

"I know you're sick and all, but don't get all sappy on me now, alright?" she teased, though there was a tenderness in her voice. 

"Save it for when you're feeling better."

He grinned, despite his discomfort. "You're right. I'll save the grand declarations for later. But seriously, thank you, Kamari. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Kamari gave him a soft laugh, moving to sit beside him. "You'd probably eat ramen and live off energy drinks like every other guy in the world."

Shubman let out a small laugh, wincing at the pain in his throat. "Hey, I've gotta admit, that sounds kinda good right now..."

Kamari shook her head with a playful smirk. "Not on my watch. I'll make you real food when you're feeling better."

He smiled up at her, letting his eyes drift closed again. "You really are perfect."

She couldn't help but smile, her hand gently brushing against his cheek. "Get some rest, Shubman. I'll be right here."

Kamari stayed by his side for the rest of the morning, tending to him, making sure he stayed hydrated, and checking his temperature every hour. 

She read to him from his favourite books, whispered comforting words, and made him laugh, even when he wasn't feeling his best.

As the day went on, she could see the fever breaking, and his energy slowly returning. He would doze off every now and then, but each time he woke up, he'd find her right there with him, taking care of him, making sure he was okay.

As the evening came, Shubman sat up a bit more and looked at her with a grateful smile. 

"You're honestly incredible, Kamari. I can't thank you enough for all this."

Kamari leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "It's nothing, you big softie. I'm just glad you're feeling better."

Shubman smiled, pulling her closer to him. "Maybe next time, I'll take care of you when you're sick."

Kamari rolled her eyes, but her smile never faded. "We'll see. But for now, you can just keep resting. You're still my baby."

"And you're my everything," he replied softly, his eyes closing as he let himself drift off to sleep, knowing he was in the safest hands.

soup rants!

so we have our fourteenth chapter!

they're so soft 

so do comment if you liked this chapter!

- love soup!