“Okay,” I utter in relief.
He hangs up.
Wrapping Pihu in a blanket so she isn’t cold, I grab my credit card and phone and get the hell out of my apartment.
In the lobby downstairs, I keep glancing between the revolving doors and a shivering Pihu. My palm is pressed to her heart, listening to her slow heartbeats. How did I not notice she had a fever? Her temperature is always a little warm whenever I cuddle with her.
I shouldn’t have skipped visiting her in the afternoon. Regret is like a spike lodged in my heart.
If I had just come…
The cold gust of wind along with heavy footsteps jerk my gaze to the entrance. A grim-looking Nathan, sharply dressed in a pristine navy-blue suit, storms toward me. A pang full oflonging jolts me from head to toe seeing him after fourteen lonely days.
I jog toward him, meeting him halfway.
His arm curls around my shoulders, balancing almost all my weight as I desperately lean on him. Peeking at Pihu through the small hole in the blanket, distress shadows his angular features. Comforting me with a tight squeeze of his fingers, he assures in a soothing tone, “She will be okay.”
Fighting back tears and my throat too tight to speak, I merely nod.
“Come on, let’s go.”
We briskly exit the building and reach his car that’s parked right outside. His arm stays around me till we reach the passenger side of his car. Unlocking the door, he helps me inside. Leaning over, he wraps the seat belt around Pihu and me.
Rounding the hood to the driver’s side, he gets behind the wheel and starts the engine. In less than a second, we pull onto the road. I don’t know how he got here so fast, but I’m grateful. Though still worried sick about Pihu.
“There’s a vet clinic at Shivaji Road,” I say, glancing at Nathan’s profile.
“I’m taking you to Rosalie’s hospital. They’re the best and it’s closer.”
“Isn’t it solely for dogs?”
“No. They admit all types of animals. Even if they didn’t, they’ll make an exception for Pihu,” he utters confidently. “I texted Nova we’re on our way.”
Emotions clog my throat at his thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”
“How long has she been sick?”
“She was perfect when I left in the morning.” I nuzzle behind Pihu’s ear, pleading with her to open her eyes “I knew something was wrong when she didn’t greet me at the door afterI returned from the office. I stupidly didn’t check on her in the afternoon because I didn’t want to ride a cab. I could’ve taken her to the doctor sooner.”
“You couldn’t have known.”
“What if something happens to her?” I cry out in fear, dread stealing the oxygen in my lungs. “All because I didn’t look after her properly. What if it was something I gave her to eat that did this? Or because I let her play in cold water that caused her a fever? Oh gosh, I did—”
My chin is captured and turned to face a calm Nathan. I notice we’ve stopped at a red light. He’s keeping his promise to drive safely.
“It is not your fault,” he firmly says, daring me to argue. Brushing away a rebellious tear, his expression softens. “Take a deep breath for me and don’t panic.”
I inhale deeply at his command and slowly exhale until a little bit of anxiety ebbs.
“Good girl.” A soft caress on my cheek. “Pets get sick all the time. Until the doctor checks her over and tells us what’s wrong, don’t assume the worst.”
“I-I’ll try.”
The light turns green, pulling his attention to the road. My heart skips a beat when he drops his hand to protectively rest over my palm holding Pihu. The heat of his touch seeps into my skin like a soothing balm.
Half an hour later, we arrive at Paw Army and step out. Keeping a hand on the small of my back, Nathan guides me past the lobby. There’s a lot of hustle and bustle with people coming and going with their pets.
Nova and Rosalie are both waiting at the reception. They rush toward us the instant they see us. I feel the loss of Nathan’s hand from my back. A harsh reminder that we’re not a couple.
