Jaguar placed his right hand on her left shoulder, his arm resting weakly across her chest, and whispered in a broken voice,
- Can we not fight now? I don't have the strength to duel with you anymore.
He leaned closer to her neck, his scorching breath grazing her skin.
- Just... stay still like this, until I feel the hell inside my body has died down.
Fati didn't know if he was delirious from the fever or pouring out his ultimate truth, but his breath felt like flames against her skin with every exhale. Despite the freezing water surrounding them, the steam of his breath offered a strange, unsettling warmth. She remained still on top of him for a while until she realized her weight might stifle his struggling breath.
- I'm sorry... but you'll die like this,
She said, trying to roll off and settle beside him.
Jaguar didn't move; he remained surrendered to the water and his weakness. As she settled next to him, she could clearly see his face; his eyes were half closed, his cheeks flushed with a deep feverish red, and his breathing was alarmingly fast. She stepped out of the water and stood looking down at him, reproaching him in a choked voice:
- What is this, Jaguar? Are you a small child, leaving the hospital without treatment?
She ran her hand through her wet hair, which had been submerged in the water just moments ago, and grumbled with a hidden undertone of deep concern:
- What is this? Isn't it enough to deal with patients at the hospital? Now I find myself nursing you too? I really need rest... I didn't sleep yesterday, and today is the same... What a life
Fati fell silent for a moment, then continued in a voice filled with exhaustion and plea:
- Please... I beg you to understand my position, I am truly suffering here
At that exact moment, Jaguar slowly opened his eyes. His gaze didn't meet her face, but rather her body, which had become an open book under her soaked clothes. He traced the clear outlines of her figure beneath the pajamas that clung to her like a second skin. A strained smile touched his lips as he whispered,
- Don't tempt me, Fati... not now.
Fati looked down at herself in horror, discovering that the white cotton pajamas had completely betrayed her, becoming entirely transparent. She quickly crouched down, wrapping her arms around her body to cover herself, screaming in embarrassment:
- Don't look! Close your eyes... don't look
After a moment, she peeked up to check on him. He had placed his hand over his eyes as she asked, but she could still see the glint of his eyes through his slightly parted fingers. That mocking smile hadn't left his weary face, as if telling her that the "ban" she imposed came far too late; the image was already burned into his memory.
Fati crept out of the bathroom on all fours, entering the bedroom to change her soaked clothes in a flash, not even finding the time to dry her dripping hair. She rummaged through her bag until she found a single fever reducer, then went to the living room for water. She flicked on the light, only to be met by the mess of spilled soup by the door. She salvaged the bag, finding two clean containers: seasoned chicken wings and Chinese fried rice. She placed them by the bed for his late dinner, then headed to the bathroom with the water, the pill, and a large towel.
Jaguar was still lying there, fighting the flames of his fever. She placed the pill between his burning lips and gently gave him the water. In that moment, her eyes fixed on his throat, watching his Adam's apple move with every swallow. She felt a strange, unexpected allure, and a flush of crimson quickly crept up her cheeks. She stood up abruptly, trying to regain her composure
- Dry yourself with this!
She tossed the towel beside him, then hurried to find him clean clothes. She returned quickly with a comfortable pajama set, placed it next to him, and said in a firm tone masking her confusion:
- Put this on!
Before rushing out before her eyes could catch him again.
Fati stepped out of the bathroom, through the bedroom, and straight into the living room. She began cleaning the mess by the door, discovering another bag containing pasta, spicy popcorn chicken, and two bottles of juice. Instead of reaching for the fresh food, she salvaged the parts of the soup stained meal and put them on a plate, retreating to the kitchen to eat alone. It wasn't a meal for pleasure, but fuel for a body exhausted by the past week; she had to maintain her strength, if not for herself, then for the lives waiting for her hands to save them.
When she finished, she washed the dishes in a haunting silence, then surveyed the living room; she had decided to sleep here tonight. She froze as a memory struck her; in the past, she would lie in the bedroom, consumed by waiting, wishing every second that Jaguar would walk through the door and share the bed with her. Now, she couldn't even stand the thought of being under the same bedroom ceiling, despite his illness and vulnerability. Her heart had completely transformed; she had turned from the woman who chased his shadow to a woman who found her only survival in escaping him.
At that moment, the door opened to reveal Jaguar, leaning his shoulder weakly against the frame. A faint, teasing glint lingered in his tired eyes as he whispered,
- Is it because of me that you can't sleep? Are you worried about me, Fati?
He stepped heavily toward the bed and slid under the covers, his body still battling the remnants of the fever. Fati stood up abruptly, her tone firm
- Now... eat your food and sleep. I'll be outside.
But he wouldn't let her escape, reminding her of their bitter pact in a calm voice
- Have you forgotten the contract? You belong in my bed.
She froze, feeling the walls close in. Reluctantly, she crawled back into bed, pulling the covers all the way over her head until she was completely hidden.
- Don't forget your food,
She mumbled.
- Goodnight.
Silence took over, broken only by the sound of Jaguar quietly eating his dinner, his mind never resting. Suddenly, as he finally lay down to sleep, he pierced the stillness:
- I apologize... for being the reason your plans for today were ruined.
Fati offered him no reply, so he followed in a voice overcome by serenity
- Goodnight.
Only two hours later, the ringing of her phone pierced the silence. Fati woke up with a weary body and heavy eyes. It was an emergency call from the hospital; she didn't hesitate for a second, for the call of duty always took precedence over her own comfort. She slipped out of bed quietly, changed her clothes, and hurried to the hospital. Upon arrival, she was met with devastating news: "Jaguar's grandfather has suffered another stroke and needs immediate surgery." She quickly asked the nurse,
- Have you contacted his family?
- Yes,
The nurse replied,
- His grandson has been notified and is on his way.
Moments later, Jaguar burst into the hospital corridor. He wasn't the impeccably dressed man she knew; he looked disheveled, having thrown on the first clothes he found in the dark to reach his grandfather in time. Fati approached him with professional gravity and said,
- Mr. Jaguar... we need to perform emergency surgery on your grandfather now. Every minute counts.
His cold gaze locked onto hers, and in a voice devoid of any emotion, he uttered the words that froze the blood in her veins:
- No... You will not be the one to perform this surgery