It started this morning. I woke up with my stomach churning. I hardly made it out of bed as I stumbled dizzy toward the bathroom and vomited until there was nothing left in me.
Even though there was nothing to throw up anymore, it didn't stop my body from trying over and over again for the next few hours until I was so exhausted I couldn't move.
Sweating and shivering, I lay in bed all day, wishing someone would come and save me from whatever virus I caught.
In all honesty, I forgot that I'd locked my door.
When Bardil broke it open, I thought he'd be furious. But he wasn't.
The moment he saw me, he only had gentle words and a soft touch.
I fall asleep in his arms, and when I wake up a few hours later, I'm shocked to find he's still holding me.
He's got the book from my bedside table open and he's reading quietly. When I stir and open my eyes, he immediately sets it down.
"How are you feeling?" he asks, brushing hair from my eyes and tucking it behind my ears.
"A bit better," I say, sitting up slowly.
He helps me, guiding me with his hands until I'm up against the pillows again.
"Do you want something to eat?" he asks, brows raised.
I'm about to say no, but to my surprise, my stomach tightens with hunger.
I nod. "Yes, something simple, maybe?"
"Toast? Pasta? I can order anything if you want something specific?"
"Um. Maybe a pizza with nothing on it?"
He chuckles and furrows his brows. "Do you mean a Margherita?"
"Yuck, no. I mean the one without sauce. Just a little cheese, olive oil, garlic, and salt?"
"The white pizza, ok. The starter?" he asks.
"Yes," I nod. "Oh, with mushrooms and feta maybe?"
"I'll order one right now. And something to drink?"
I shake my head. "Water is fine, thank you," I reply.
Bardil moves to the edge of my bed to stand up, but he pauses. He turns toward me again and reaches out to cup his hand over my cheek. Then he leans close and kisses my forehead. It's such a tender thing to do, and it catches me completely off guard. My heart warms, despite the warnings rushing through me.
I smile.
His face lights up, and his smile is radiant.
"I'll be back in a moment," he grins.
While he's gone, I wait with my eyes closed. I can't believe how exhausted I am. The last time I caught a virus was almost two years ago, and I think I slept three days straight. It was after I ate at a popular sushi restaurant with my family. I guess it can happen anywhere.
This virus seems to have come out of nowhere. I didn't even leave the house. Maybe it was stress. My body was probably run down from stress.
Bardil pops his head into my room, leaning around the doorframe. "Can I tap you a bath? The pizza is going to take half an hour," he says.
"Sure, I think I sweated through the blankets. But my body still feels very shaky… "
