For the following days, the apartment was filled with joy. Acwell and I are both working, but we still managed to find time for Kai. We take him out to where we think he will have fun or stay at home playing with him.
Acwell and I also take turns in doing household chores. It surprises me because before, it was mostly me. Now, he would even want to learn how to iron clothes or stitch those that have small torn or holes. We smile and laugh a lot these days. It was more than the time when we just started our marriage. But we have not slept together.
It's still early for me to take him back. If he asked me whether I would be okay to take him back, I would still not agree. I wanted to take my time and not repeat the same mistakes.
One morning, I came home with a slight fever.
"Morning, mama!" Acwell said while playing with Kai in the living room.
"Morning," I replied and forced a smile.
"What happened? You look pale."
"I just have a slight fever. It's probably because the weather is changing."
Acwell stood, walked towards me, and placed his palm on my forehead.
"What slight fever? You are burning."
"I am?"
"Good thing I have already cooked something. You need to eat. Go and change your clothes. I will heat the food."
"Acwell, I can do that. You can just sit and play with Kai."
"No. You need to take a rest. But first, eat."
He leads me to the bedroom.
"Change your clothes. Don't worry about us."
I did what I was told, and when I went to the kitchen, Kai was already at his high chair.
"Please sit. The food is almost ready."
"Thank you, Acwell."
"Of course. I need to take care of you. You are my wife and Kai's mother."
I just smiled while he busied himself preparing the food. Then, I wondered whether he would remain like this. I would admit I love how he is treating me now. But I don't know if how long will it be like this.
"Okay, here you go. Please eat. You need to get well. Otherwise, I will keep worrying."
"Don't worry. I will be fine."
"You don't look fine. Now, eat well, take some medicine and go to sleep."
"Did you even sleep?"
"Yes, I did."
"What time did you wake up?"
"Five minutes before you came."
"I don't think it's enough for you."
"It's fine. I am off tomorrow. It's you who needs rest. Are you working tonight?"
"Yes, I am."
"Please don't go if you don't feel well."
"I will see if I can still manage one more night. I am off tomorrow anyway."
"Take all the rest that you can get."
"Thank you."
I lay down on the bed, grateful. This is the first time that I don't have to push myself up to the point when my body cannot take it. I was alone when I first came here that's why I can't rest. But now that Acwell is here, at least I am able to sleep properly, especially at this time that I am sick.
"I hope you remain like that always," I whispered.
I fell asleep in a matter of minutes. I woke up around 05:00 PM, and I was really burning. I even throw up.
I called my manager, and he agreed to give tonight as an off. He had seen me so pale before I went home. He wanted to ask if I was okay, but he got busy. To be honest, I am really blessed to have such a kind of boss. It's one of the reasons that I love working at the diner.
I went out of the room with wobbly legs. I wanted to tell Selene that I cannot go to work, but she still can leave by 09:00 PM.
"Kamiah, are you alright?" asked Selene as she saw me walking like I was about to faint.
"I am not feeling well, Selene. I will not go to work tonight because I really can't. But can you do me a favor, can you take care of Kai until 09:00 PM, like usual? I will pay you, of course."
"Of course, Kamiah. Don't worry about Kai. Get some rest, and if you want me to call an ambulance, I will."
"Thank you! I will go back inside. I just went out to inform you."
"No worries, Kamiah. Please get well."
I went back inside the bedroom. I took some paracetamol and went back to sleep.
By 09:00 PM, my alarm went off. I woke up a little better as compared to earlier. I guess the medicine had started to kick in. I went out and looked at Selene holding a sleeping Kai.
"I am sorry, Selene, for putting you in such a situation," I said.
"No worries. Let me just put Kai inside the room so he could sleep well," Selene replied.
Selene went inside and gently put Kai on the bed. I stood watching her at the door.
"How are you feeling?" Selene asked.
"I'm better as compared to earlier," I replied with a smile.
"You still don't look okay. I wished I could stay, but I have a 06:00 AM final exam tomorrow. I need to read a bit and sleep."
"Don't worry about me. I am okay now. I think the medicine had started to work."
"Please call me if you need something."
"I will. Now go and read. Good luck on your exam tomorrow."
I started to feel hungry when Selene left, so I went to heat the leftover soup. Then, I went back to the lie on the bed. After 30 minutes, I fell asleep again.
I woke up around 03:00 AM with a severe headache. I groaned, and Acwell suddenly opened the door.
"Kamiah, are you okay?" Acwell asked.
"My head is hurting," I replied.
He touched my forehead and said," Damn it! Your fever is high. Have you taken some medicine?"
"Earlier around 05:00 PM."
"You need to take again. I will go get water and the medicine. Just lie down, okay?"
I nodded.
He let me drink the medicine when he came back. Acwell also did a cold compress on my forehead, hoping for my temperature to go down. I tried to be awake while he was doing that, but I was so weak that I fell asleep.