JAY’S POV I slowly opened my eyes.
For a few seconds, I just stared at the ceiling.
My head felt heavy.
I didn’t know why I had woken up so early.
I reached for my phone.
Then checked the time.
4:50 AM.
I blinked.
Jay: “What the hell…” Who wakes up at 4:50 in the morning?
I slowly got out of bed.
I freshened up, tied my hair loosely, and walked downstairs.
The mansion was completely silent.
No voices.
No arguments.
No laughter.
Nothing.
As I reached the kitchen…
I stopped.
Someone was already there.
Percy.
He was standing near the stove.
Making breakfast.
I looked at the clock again.
4:50 AM.
Then looked at him.
Jay: “Why are you making breakfast this early?” Percy turned around.
The moment he saw me, he smiled.
Percy: “Morning, baby.” Jay: “Morning.” I walked closer.
Jay: “But seriously…
why are you awake?” He shrugged.
Percy: “Nothing.” He turned back toward the pan.
Percy: “Today I wanted to make breakfast for you.” I raised an eyebrow.
Jay: “At 4:50?” Percy: “Yes.” Jay: “You’re insane.” He laughed.
Percy: “Maybe.” I looked at the pan.
Then my eyes widened.
Jay: “Wait…” I stepped closer.
Jay: “Are you making aloo paratha?” Percy smiled proudly.
Percy: “For you.” My entire face brightened.
Jay: “Seriously?” Percy: “Seriously.” I immediately sat on one of the kitchen stools.
Jay: “Okay, I forgive you for waking up this early.” Percy laughed.
Percy: “You weren’t even angry.” Jay: “I was thinking about it.” Percy: “Sure.” I watched him carefully.
Jay: “How many?” Percy: “Three.” My eyes widened.
Jay: “Three?!” Percy: “Yes.” Jay: “Perse, I can’t eat three.” He looked at me.
Percy: “You can.” Jay: “I cannot.” Percy: “You will.” Jay: “No.” Percy: “Yes.” I crossed my arms.
Jay: “I’m not eating three.” He pointed the spatula at me.
Percy: “Then I’ll sit beside you until you finish.” I stared at him.
Jay: “That’s emotional torture.” Percy: “Call it motivation.” I laughed.
Jay: “You’re becoming like an annoying mother.” He gasped dramatically.
Percy: “Excuse me?” Jay: “You heard me.” Percy: “I wake up at 4:50 to make your favorite breakfast and this is the respect I get?” I smiled.
Jay: “Thank you, Perse.” His expression immediately softened.
Percy: “Always.” I looked at the paratha again.
It smelled amazing.
For a few minutes…
Everything felt normal.
Safe.
Warm.
Just me and Percy in the kitchen.
I watched him flip the paratha.
Jay: “You know…” Percy: “Hmm?” Jay: “I actually like when you cook.” He smiled.
Percy: “I know.” Jay: “How?” Percy: “Because you eat everything I make.” I laughed.
Jay: “That’s because I’m hungry.” Percy: “Liar.” I rolled my eyes.
He placed the first paratha onto my plate.
I reached for it.
But the moment I stood up…
Something suddenly changed.
The kitchen moved.
Not literally.
But my vision blurred.
The floor seemed to tilt.
I grabbed the edge of the counter.
My breathing became uneven.
No.
I closed my eyes.
Not now.
My head spun harder.
I swallowed.
No, no, no…
I silently looked toward the small Krishna idol near the kitchen shelf.
Jay: Krishna…
not now, please.
I took a slow breath.
If Percy finds out, he’ll get hell worried.
I didn’t want that.
Not again.
I tried to steady myself.
But my legs suddenly felt weak.
The sound of Percy’s voice became distant.
Percy: “Baby?” I tried to answer.
Nothing came out.
Percy: “Jay?” My vision went completely dark.
And everything…
Went black.
🖤 PERCY’S POV I was talking to Jay while keeping my attention on the pan.
I was telling her that she was absolutely eating three parathas.
She was arguing with me, obviously.
Then— I heard a sound behind me.
A sudden thud.
My entire body froze.
I immediately turned around.
And my blood ran cold.
Jay was lying on the kitchen floor.
Her eyes were closed.
She wasn’t moving.
The plate had fallen beside her.
Percy: “JAY!” I dropped the spatula.
I rushed toward her and knelt beside her.
Percy: “Baby!” Nothing.
I gently touched her cheek.
Cold.
Too cold.
Percy: “Jay, open your eyes.” Nothing.
My hands started shaking.
Percy: “Baby, please.” I checked her breathing.
She was breathing.
Thank God.
But she wasn’t responding.
I carefully lifted her.
Percy: “I’m taking you to the hospital.” I grabbed my phone and called the driver.
Then stopped.
No.
Too slow.
I carried her myself.
I rushed outside.
🏥 Hospital The emergency doors opened.
I carried Jay inside.
Percy: “Doctor!” A nurse immediately rushed toward me.
Nurse: “What happened?” Percy: “She fainted.” Nurse: “How long was she unconscious?” Percy: “A few minutes.
She was talking to me and suddenly collapsed.” They immediately brought a bed.
I carefully placed Jay down.
Doctors surrounded her.
Doctor: “Sir, please step back.” I didn’t want to.
But I knew I had to.
I stood there helplessly.
Watching them check her pulse.
Blood pressure.
Oxygen.
Blood sugar.
Everything.
Then— Jay’s fingers moved.
I immediately noticed.
Percy: “Baby?” Her eyelids slowly opened.
She looked confused.
Jay: “Perse…?” I immediately moved closer.
Percy: “I’m here.” She blinked.
Jay: “Where am I?” Percy: “Hospital.” Her eyes widened.
Jay: “Why?” I stared at her.
Percy: “You fainted.” She frowned.
Jay: “I did?” Percy: “Yes.” She slowly tried to sit up.
The doctor stopped her.
Doctor: “Slowly.” Jay looked at him.
Jay: “I’m okay.” The doctor gave her a serious look.
Doctor: “We’ll decide that.” He checked her again.
Then asked several questions.
Doctor: “Do you remember what happened before you fainted?” Jay thought for a moment.
Jay: “I was having breakfast.” She glanced at Percy.
Jay: “Perse was making aloo paratha.” The doctor nodded.
Doctor: “Did you feel dizzy?” Jay hesitated.
I immediately looked at her.
She knew.
Jay: “A little.” Doctor: “Headache?” Jay nodded.
Jay: “A little.” Doctor: “Weakness?” She paused.
Jay: “Yes.” The doctor looked at me.
Then back at Jay.
He checked her pulse again.
That’s when my eyes moved toward her left leg.
I froze.
There was something wrong.
Her left leg looked slightly blackish around one area.
My heart dropped.
Percy: “Doctor…” He looked at me.
I pointed toward her leg.
Percy: “Her leg.” The doctor immediately examined it.
His expression changed.
Doctor: “Did she injure this recently?” Jay looked confused.
Jay: “No.” I stared at her.
Percy: “Baby, don’t you remember?” She shook her head.
Jay: “I don’t know.” The doctor gently touched the area.
Jay winced.
Doctor: “Does this hurt?” Jay: “A little.” Doctor: “We need an X-ray.” My stomach tightened.
Percy: “Why?” Doctor: “There is swelling and discoloration.
I want to rule out a fracture.” Jay looked at me.
I could see she was becoming worried.
The doctor turned back toward her.
Doctor: “The fainting itself may be related to severe stress, exhaustion, dehydration, or other factors.
We’ll run some tests.” Jay nodded.
The doctor then looked at me.
Doctor: “Mr.
Percy, can I speak with you outside?” I frowned.
Percy: “Why?” Doctor: “Just for a few minutes.” Jay immediately looked between us.
Jay: “Why are you taking him outside?” The doctor smiled gently.
Doctor: “I’ll be back shortly.” I looked at Jay.
Percy: “I’ll be right back, baby.” She narrowed her eyes.
Jay: “Okay.” I followed the doctor outside.
The moment the door closed behind us…
His expression became serious.
Doctor’s Office Doctor: “Mr.
Percy, I want to talk to you about Miss Jay’s condition.” I nodded.
Percy: “Tell me.” The doctor took a breath.
Doctor: “From what you’ve told me, and from her medical history, I’m concerned that she may be experiencing severe depression.” My chest tightened.
Percy: “How severe?” He looked directly at me.
Doctor: “Possibly the last or second-last stage of depression.” I went completely silent.
Percy: “What?” Doctor: “I don’t want you to panic.” I almost laughed bitterly.
Percy: “You’re telling me my sister may be in severe depression and asking me not to panic?” He looked at me seriously.
Doctor: “I understand.” He continued.
Doctor: “The symptoms we worry about at this stage can include deep despair—intense feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, or excessive guilt.” I swallowed.
Doctor: “Severe anhedonia—the loss of pleasure or interest in activities she once enjoyed.” Doctor: “Physical slowing or agitation.
A person may become noticeably slower in movement, speech, or thinking, or may become extremely restless.” Doctor: “Severe fatigue, where even small everyday tasks feel impossible.” Doctor: “Major changes in sleep or appetite—severe insomnia, waking extremely early, sleeping excessively, or significant changes in weight.” He paused.
Then his voice became more serious.
Doctor: “And suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm.” My entire body went cold.
Percy: “No.” The doctor looked at me.
Percy: “She wouldn’t…” I stopped.
Because I couldn’t finish the sentence.
The doctor spoke carefully.
Doctor: “I’m not saying she has all of these symptoms.” I nodded slowly.
Doctor: “And importantly, her physical and mental resilience appears strong.
That may be why she continues functioning despite the severity of the stress.” I looked down.
Percy: “So she’s hiding it.” Doctor: “Possibly.” That word hurt.
Percy: “She always does.” The doctor sighed.
Doctor: “That’s why you need to pay attention.” I looked at him.
Percy: “What do I do?” Doctor: “Don’t treat her as if she’s fragile.” I listened carefully.
Doctor: “Stay close.
Keep communication open.
Encourage regular meals, sleep, medication if prescribed, and follow-up appointments.” Doctor: “And if she ever talks about wanting to die, disappear, hurt herself, or says people would be better without her, treat it as an emergency.” I nodded immediately.
Percy: “I will.” The doctor handed me the prescription.
Doctor: “These are the medicines I want her to continue.
Don’t change the dose yourself.” I looked at the paper.
Percy: “Okay.” The doctor started explaining each medicine, when it should be taken, and what warning signs I needed to watch for.
I listened to every word.
I wasn’t going to miss anything.
Then I remembered her leg.
I looked up.
Percy: “Doctor.” Doctor: “Yes?” Percy: “Her left leg.” He nodded.
Doctor: “We’ll do the X-ray now.” Back in Jay’s Room I returned.
Jay immediately looked at me.
Her eyes narrowed.
Jay: “Why did he take you outside?” I smiled.
Percy: “Nothing.” She stared.
Jay: “Don’t lie.” I froze.
She knew me too well.
Jay: “Perse.” Percy: “Hmm?” Jay: “Tell me the truth.” I sat beside her.
Percy: “The doctor wanted to discuss your medicines.” She kept staring.
Jay: “That’s not all.” I looked away.
She immediately knew.
Jay: “What did he say?” I stayed silent.
Jay: “Perse.” Her voice became softer.
Jay: “Look at me.” I slowly looked at her.
She studied my face.
Then her expression changed.
Jay: “It’s bad.” I didn’t answer.
She sighed.
Jay: “How bad?” I took a breath.
Percy: “He thinks you’re under severe mental and emotional stress.” She waited.
Percy: “And he thinks you’re showing signs of depression.” Her face became still.
Jay: “Oh.” I immediately reached for her hand.
Percy: “Baby…” She squeezed my fingers.
Jay: “Don’t worry.” I stared at her.
Jay: “I’m okay.” I shook my head.
Percy: “You fainted.” Jay: “I know.” Percy: “You could have hit your head.” Jay: “But I didn’t.” Percy: “That’s not the point.” She smiled faintly.
Jay: “You’re here.” I went quiet.
She looked at me.
Jay: “If you’re with me, I’ll be okay.” Something inside my chest loosened.
Just a little.
I leaned back.
Finally allowing myself to breathe.
Percy: “You really know how to make me stop panicking.” Jay smiled.
Jay: “That’s because you’re dramatic.” I stared at her.
Percy: “I’m dramatic?” Jay: “Very.” I laughed despite myself.
Percy: “You’re impossible.” Jay: “And you’re still here.” I squeezed her hand.
Percy: “Always.” She smiled.
Then the doctor returned.
Doctor: “We’ll take her for an X-ray now.” I immediately stood.
Percy: “I’m coming.” The nurse looked at the doctor.
He nodded.
Doctor: “You can accompany her.” I helped Jay sit up.
But the moment she tried to put weight on her left leg— She winced.
I immediately noticed.
Percy: “You said it didn’t hurt.” Jay looked away.
Jay: “It wasn’t hurting that much.” I stared at her.
Percy: “Baby.” She sighed.
Jay: “Okay.
It hurts.” I shook my head.
Percy: “Why didn’t you tell me?” She smiled slightly.
Jay: “Because you already panic too much.” Percy: “I panic because you hide everything!” She laughed softly.
Jay: “Exactly.” The nurse rolled the wheelchair closer.
Nurse: “Let’s not make her walk.” Jay sat in the wheelchair.
I stayed beside her.
The machine was prepared.
Jay looked at it.
Jay: “This looks uncomfortable.” I smiled.
Percy: “You’ll survive.” She glared at me.
Jay: “Very comforting.” Percy: “I’m trying.” She rolled her eyes.
The technician carefully positioned her leg.
Jay winced.
I immediately stepped closer.
Percy: “Easy.” Jay: “I’m fine.” Percy: “I know.” The X-ray was taken.
Then another angle.
A few minutes later, the technician left to show the images to the doctor.
Jay looked at me.
Jay: “Perse.” Percy: “Hmm?” Jay: “You look scared.” I tried to smile.
Percy: “I’m not.” She raised an eyebrow.
Jay: “Liar.” I sighed.
Percy: “Okay.
Maybe a little.” She reached for my hand.
Jay: “Don’t be.” I looked at her.
Jay: “I’m here.” I squeezed her fingers.
Percy: “That’s enough for me.” A few minutes later, the doctor returned with the X-ray report.
His expression was serious.
He looked at Jay’s leg.
Then at me.
Doctor: “The X-ray confirms a fracture in the left leg.” I froze.
Percy: “A fracture?” Jay stared at him.
Jay: “Seriously?” The doctor nodded.
Doctor: “Yes.” I immediately looked at Jay.
Percy: “How did you not know?” Jay shrugged helplessly.
Jay: “I genuinely didn’t.” The doctor explained, Doctor: “The fracture appears stable, but we’ll need to immobilize the leg so it can heal properly.” Jay looked at the plaster supplies.
Jay: “Plaster?” Doctor: “Yes.
A cast.” She sighed.
Jay: “Great.” I looked at her.
Percy: “No complaining.” She glared at me.
Jay: “I’m allowed to complain.” Percy: “Fine.
Five minutes.” Jay: “Ten.” Percy: “Seven.” Jay: “Deal.” The doctor actually smiled.
Doctor: “We’ll also give you pain medication as appropriate and arrange follow-up imaging to make sure the fracture is healing correctly.” I nodded.
Percy: “How long?” Doctor: “That depends on the exact fracture and how well it heals, but expect several weeks of protection and limited weight-bearing initially.” Jay sighed.
Jay: “Several weeks?” Doctor: “Yes.” She looked at Percy.
Jay: “I’m going to hate this.” I smiled.
Percy: “I’ll carry you.” Jay immediately shook her head.
Jay: “No.” Percy: “Yes.” Jay: “Absolutely not.” Percy: “Absolutely yes.” The doctor shook his head with a small smile.
Doctor: “You two can argue after we put the cast on.” Jay muttered, Jay: “He’s annoying.” I smiled.
Percy: “And you’re injured.” She looked at me.
Jay: “Don’t enjoy this.” Percy: “I’m not.” I paused.
Percy: “I’m just going to make sure you don’t make it worse.” Jay sighed.
Jay: “Fine.” The nurse prepared the cast.
I stayed beside her.
Jay looked at me.
For the first time that morning…
She didn’t try to hide her exhaustion.
She simply rested her head against my shoulder.
I gently placed my hand over hers.
And I made myself a promise.
Whatever was happening inside her mind…
Whatever pain she had been hiding…
Whatever had caused that fracture…
I wasn’t going to let her face it alone.
Not anymore.