Swati Sandeep [Saving Grace]- Dheer falls sick!

Dheer stirred, his body weighed down by exhaustion and dull aches that radiated from every joint. A sluggish haze clung to his thoughts as he pushed himself up, only to grimace when his bones resisted the movement, protesting with a sharp stiffness. It was the wrong time to sleep. He wanted to kick himself for having the late night ice-cream, but he had only his Bhaiya to blame. The man knew he could not handle a fight with him, and yet he fought. It was you who fought, idiot. His inner voice reprimanded, but Dheer shrugged it off. 

His game was set to release in a week’s time. It was not the day to fall sick. He forced himself to get down and made his way to the washroom. For a second he felt light headed and held onto the counter for support.

“Big-B, coffee.” Dev yelled from the outside. Dheer smiled, the boy never forgot to get him his morning coffee. He tried to tell him that the maids were there to deliver it, but Dev never listened. Dheer stooped when he realized that Dev enjoyed spending the morning hour with him. Now, even he looked up to those silly little conversations.

He splashed water on his face and quickly finished his morning routine. By the time he came out Dev was already cleared up the bed. The maids would come to change in the sheets but Dev always made sure that their room was neat and tidy. Their room. The very thought sent a warm feeling through his heart. They shared a room and Dev made it easy. It's not that they had not gone through the adjustment phase. They clashed often because of their habits and Dheer’s stubbornness, but they always made sure to resolve their tiff before they retired to bed. No sleeping in fights, that was his Gammy’s golden rule and they always followed it.

“Aapko latest gossip batao? (Do you want to hear some latest, gossip?)” Dev made himself comfortable as Dheer sat down to have his coffee. 

Dheer let out a soft chuckle. Dev and his gossips were adorable. The boy had information about everyone. His brother was definitely in the wrong profession. He would have made a better spy.

“Bata. Aaj kya hua. (Go ahead. Tell me what new happened.)”

“Bhaiya is marinating shrimp again. Guess who is going to join us for lunch?”

Dheer smiled. He did not have to even guess. “Bhabhi ji! I hope Bhaiya opens his eyes. Was he always this slow?”

“When it comes to the female population, Bhaiya is slower than a snail. Bhabhi ne to jadoo kar deya hai Bahiya pe. (Bhabhi casted some spell on Bhaiya.) He has never before given a lady such importance before.”

“Bhabhi ji bhi to haar manne ke leye tayaar nahi hai. (Even Bhabhiji is not ready to give up.) Bhaiya is soon going to tie the knot. Take it in writing.”

Dev smiled. He agreed with his whole heart.

Dheer’s phone buzzed interrupting their gossip session. Dheer got to answer it but his body was in no state to handle the sudden moment. His vision swam and he reached for support again. Dev was quick to hold his hand and made him sit down.

“Kya ho gaya? (What happened)?” Dev panicked. 

“Nothing.” Dheer tried to shrug it off, but Dev refused to let go of him.

“It’s not nothing, Big-B. You are sick.”

“I am not.” Dheer protested. “I just lost my balance.”

“You are burning up.” Dev insisted.

“Nope!” He did not let the boy protest and rose to his feet. “I am fine, go get ready for college. If you miss another class, Bhaiya will not hesitate to belt you. Don’t get into more trouble."

Dev wanted to say something but Dheer did not give him a chance and got up to get his clothes. It was clear that he was getting ready for work. Dheer was the most stubborn person in the whole universe. Dev knew his Big-B would not listen to him, but there was one person who could make him toe the line. Dev rushed to the kitchen to call his Bhaiya. Only Dhruv could handle Dheer’s stubbornness.

🌿彡🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿彡 🌿

Dhruv rushed to check on Dheer and found him tying his shoelace. He looked up when he heard the footsteps.

“Khatam ho gaya aapka gussa? (Are you done being mad at me?)” Dheer smiled.

Dhruv walked to him and felt his forehead. His eyes narrowed with concern as he felt him burning up. “Kabse tabeyat kharab hai tere? (How long have you been sick?)”

“Come on Bhaiya. I am fine.” Dheer tried to shrug it off, but Dhruv made him sit and looked back at Dev. “Go call, Dhriti.”

“I am fine, Bhaiya.” Dheer protested. “And I have a meeting at 9. I need to…..”

“You are not stepping out until Dhriti says so.” Dhruv cut him off.

Dheer’s eyes glinted in displeasure. He could never take orders. Though he almost always ended up doing what Dhruv wanted, he fought him all the way. Today was no exception. “Riti… I mean Di is a cardiologist. She knows nothing about fevers.”

“Did you fluck science in school, Dheeren?” Dhriti’s eyes flashed with annoyance as she walked in. She was getting ready for her shift when Dev came looking for her. 

“No, I did not!” Dheer shot back. “Do you know my IQ?”

“Right now it has fallen below room temperature.” Dev said as he handed Dhriti the medical kit she asked him to get.

“Chup kar. Kuch bhi bolta rehta hai. (Be quiet. You keep talking nonsense.)”

Dhiti let me bicker and took his pulse. “Too high. It’s not just fever.” She checked his eyes and then sighed. “Phir se ice-cream khayan kal raat? (Did you eat ice-cream in the middle of the night again?)”

Dheer looked away. Dhruv warned him several times, but he never listened. Not to spite his Bhaiya but chocolate ice-cream was his comfort food. Only Dhriti understood him.

“Too much stress at work?” Dhriti asked softly.

“He has the game launch coming up, Riti.” Said Dhruv with a frown. “With all the ungodly hours ke keeps working this is bound to happen. That Shekhawat needs to be belted. This is all his fault!”

Dhriti shook her head. “Kal ko tsunami bhi aye na to tab bhi tu kahega ke Aman ke he galti hai. Apne ladle ke galati nazar nahi atey tughe? Kisne kahan ise adhe raat gaye ice cream khane? (If tomorrow tsumani strikes you will hold Aman accountable. Can’t you see your favourite child’s fault? Who asked him to hog ice-cream in the middle of the night? )”

Dev and Dheer shared amused glances. They knew which way the boat was sailing. Dev in particular was interested in it. Dheer was only amused. The more Dhiriti defended Aman the more Dhruv turned against him. That was what mattered to Dheer. Aman was not worthy of his sister. Dhruv would make sure the man stayed away.

“He fell sick because of Shekhawat.” Dhruv insisted.

“He fell sick because he is an idiot.” Dhriti muttered and reached for the injection. Dheer quickly backed away. “Keep that thing away from me lady.” He hissed. “I don’t need a shot.”

“Are you the doctor now?” Dhriti glared at him.

“But I know my rights. If I say no, you cannot treat me against my wishes and I am saying….”

“SIT DOWN DHEEREN.” Dhruv's voice boomed.

Dheer sat down even when a sharp retort formed on his lips. “I am not going to….” Dhruv whacked him into silence.

“This is domestic violence, Bhaiya. I will call 911.”

“Go ahead, make the call.” Dhruv challenged.

Dheer flushed and looked away, but hissed when he felt the sting. Dhriti could be sneaky when she chose to. He shot her a dirty glare but she only ruffled his hair. “You need to rest. Take a break from work today.”

“Like hell…” He winced when he felt another sting. 

“Aram se, Bhaiya. (Go easy on him, Bhaiya.) He is sick.” Dev winced along with Dheer. He knew first hand what it meant to be on Dhruv’s receiving end. He could feel his Big-B’s pain.

“That is why he needs to rest and stop arguing for every little thing. Change and get into the bed, Dheeren.” Dhruv’s eyes flashed with a warning as he looked at Dheer. “If you step out of the bed today, I will not hesitate to belt you, clear?)”

“That is…” Dheer’s protest died on his lips as Dhruv raised his hand again. Dhiti gently pulled Dhruv back.

“Yell at the idiot later. First he needs to eat something and then rest. Make sure to take the laptop away. You cannot trust him.”

If looks could kill, Dhriti would have turned into ash. Dhriti shrugged off Dheer’s glares and picked up her coat. She had to leave for her shift as she had a surgery scheduled.

“If the fever increases you may have to call the doctor.”

“Doctor?” Dhruv tensed.

“Relax Dhruv.” Dhriti gave him a gentle pat on his back. “If he rests everything will be fine. Make sure he has something light and nutritious, and lots of fluids. Don’t give him milk that won’t work.”

Dheer wanted to kiss her feet for the small mercy she offered him. He knew beyond doubt the hitler would make his life miserable.

“Don’t worry, I will make sure he rests. Dev, get his laptop and phone.”

Dheer palmed his face. He hated it when his Bhiaya went on what he called the ‘beast mode’. Dev quickly rushed to do Dhruv’s beating. The traitor! Dheer cursed in his head. 

“Best of luck, bro.” Dhriti ruffled his hair. “You are going to need it!”

Dheer swatted her hand away. He was annoyed but a warm feeling settled in his heart. He never knew being bullied could be heartwarming when it was done right. Dev helped him change and got him into the head. Dhruv came back with the soup.

Dheer protested all the way as he secretly enjoyed the care. He would lose a day’s work, and may have to put in hours later to compensate, but it was all worth it. He had craved such attention all his life. When Dhruv encouraged him to sleep he did not hesitate to ask him to stay back. When Dhruv told him he was not going to work until he recovered, Dheer felt like a child on christmas day. Being someone’s priority was indeed a blessing! The feeling left him overwhelmed.