Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Ashi stirred first, her back aching from sleeping at an awkward angle. As she adjusted herself, she felt the familiar weight of Shubman’s head still resting in her lap. She glanced at the clock, noting that it was well past breakfast time.

“Shub, wake up,” she said gently, nudging him.

He stirred slightly, mumbling incoherently, and Ashi felt a rush of worry as she brushed her fingers against his forehead. It was still hot to the touch. She exchanged a concerned glance with Ishan, who was just waking up.

“Morning, Ashu. How’s Shub?” Ishan asked, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

“Not great. His fever hasn’t gone down,” Ashi replied softly, a frown etching across her forehead. “We need to get him checked out.”

Ishan sat up abruptly, his concern mirroring Ashi’s. “You think it could be serious?”

“I don’t know, but it’s been too long. I don’t want to take any chances,” she said, brushing a few strands of hair off Shubman’s face. “I’ll call the team doctor.”

With her heart racing, Ashi grabbed her phone and quickly dialed. As the ringing continued, she kept glancing at Shubman, who remained in a restless slumber.

After a few moments, the call connected. “Dr. Malhotra? It’s Ashi Kishan. I need your help. My friend Shubman Gill is really unwell. His fever hasn’t subsided, and he’s been feeling awful.”

“Bring him in right away, Ashi. I’ll make sure to squeeze you in,” Dr. Malhotra replied, his tone serious yet reassuring.

After hanging up, Ashi knelt beside Shubman and gently shook him. “Shubi, wake up. We need to go to the doctor.”

He groaned and turned his head, trying to hide from the light. “Five more minutes, please,” he murmured.

“No, really, you need to get up. I’m serious,” she insisted, her tone firm but caring. “You might have dengue or something.”

At the mention of dengue, Shubman’s eyes snapped open. He bolted upright, panic flashing across his face. “Dengue? What? How do you know?”

Ashi placed a calming hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know for sure, but you need to be checked out. You’ve been burning up all night. Can you at least try to get dressed?”

Shubman nodded slowly, his resolve weakening as he felt another wave of dizziness wash over him. Ishan stood up and helped Shubman to the bathroom, supporting him as he brushed his teeth and splashed water on his face.

After a few minutes, they managed to get Shubman dressed in comfortable clothes. He leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. “I feel weak,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I know,” Ashi said, her voice laced with concern. “But we’re going to help you get through this. Just hang in there.”

They made their way down to the lobby, where Ishan hailed a taxi. Shubman slumped into the back seat, exhausted, as Ashi and Ishan flanked him on either side.

“Just think of it this way, Shub,” Ishan said, trying to lighten the mood. “You’ll get some cool hospital stories to tell during the World Cup.”

Shubman managed a weak smile, though his eyes were still clouded with fatigue. “Yeah, like how I got taken down by a mosquito.”

As they arrived at the clinic, the doctor was waiting for them. Dr. Malhotra greeted them with a reassuring smile. “Shubman, good to see you. Let’s check you out.”

After a quick examination, the doctor nodded seriously. “I’ll need to run some blood tests to rule out dengue, but your symptoms suggest you might be dealing with something viral.”

Shubman’s heart sank. “What if it is dengue?”

“Then we’ll manage it, Shub. It’s treatable, and you’ll be fine in no time,” Dr. Malhotra reassured him. “But we need to get those tests done.”

As Shubman sat down for the blood test, Ashi held his hand tightly. “I’m right here, okay? You’re going to be okay. We’re not going anywhere.”

“Thanks, Ash,” he whispered, grateful for her support. Ishan stood nearby, his expression serious, ready to offer comfort if needed.

After the tests were completed, they waited anxiously for the results. Shubman leaned back in his chair, feeling the exhaustion take over again. Ashi pulled a chair closer, sitting beside him, and gently touched his arm.

“Shub, sab theek ho jayega. Tumhe bas thoda rest karna hai,” she said softly, her eyes filled with warmth.

“Tumhare saath hona hi sabse bada support hai,” he replied, managing a small smile.

"Yaar, mujhe pehle theek hone do. Phir sab milkar ice cream party karenge, okay?”

“Absolutely! Ice cream ke bina toh kuch nahi,” Ashi said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Jab tum theek ho jaoge, hum tumhare liye sabse bada ice cream sundae banayenge!”

“Wahi toh, aur jab tak tum thik nahi hote, hum sab kuch manage kar lenge,” Ishan assured, giving Shubman a reassuring pat on the back.

Finally, Dr. Malhotra returned with the test results, his expression calm yet serious. “Shubman, it looks like you do have dengue. But it’s a mild case. We’ll start you on some medication and ensure you stay hydrated.”

Shubman let out a sigh of relief mixed with worry. “What does that mean for the World Cup?”

“We’ll monitor your recovery closely, but with proper rest and care, you should be able to bounce back in time. No strenuous activities for a few days, though. You need to take this seriously,” Dr. Malhotra emphasized.

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” Shubman promised, determination creeping back into his voice.

As they made their way back to the hotel, Ashi and Ishan surrounded Shubman with affection. “You’ve got this, Shubi. We’ll take care of you,” Ashi said, her eyes bright with resolve.

As they settled back into their hotel room, Shubman felt a sense of comfort. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but with his friends by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Ashi’s presence was a soothing balm, and he couldn’t help but feel a little lighter knowing he had someone so special cheering him on.