17 – The Fever — Scene 1 – Rain Practice The previous evening…
After everyone had gone home…
Dhruv stayed on the society cricket ground.
The floodlights had already turned on.
A light drizzle began.
“Dhruv bhaiya!” One of the younger boys pointed upward.
“It’s raining!” Dhruv looked at the sky.
“…Just a little.” He continued batting.
Drive.
Pull.
Cut.
The drizzle slowly turned into steady rain.
His white T-shirt clung to his shoulders.
His hair was completely soaked.
Still…
He kept practicing.
— Scene 2 – Morning The alarm rang.
Dhruv slowly opened his eyes.
“…” His head felt unusually heavy.
He sat up.
“Crap…” Urvi knocked on the door.
“You awake?” “Yeah.” She entered carrying breakfast.
The moment she placed her hand on his forehead…
Her expression changed.
“You have a fever.” “It’s not that bad.” “You are literally burning.” Dhruv smiled weakly.
“I’ll just take medicine.” “No school.” “I have classes.” “No.” “I’ll manage.” “No.” They stared at each other.
Finally…
Urvi sighed.
“…You’re impossible.” — Scene 3 – School Deep looked toward the classroom door.
“No Dhruv.” Mitsuri also noticed.
“…He’s never absent.” Even Rohan looked surprised.
The class teacher entered.
“Before we begin…” “Dhruv won’t be attending today.” “His sister informed the school that he has a fever.” Mitsuri immediately looked down at her notebook.
“A fever…?” — Scene 4 – Lunch Break The four’s usual place under the neem tree felt strangely empty.
Deep sighed.
“This feels weird.” Alya nodded.
“He probably trained in the rain again.” Mitsuri looked up.
“…He practiced yesterday?” Deep laughed once.
“He probably practiced twice.” “He does that whenever something’s bothering him.” The moment those words left his mouth…
Deep realized what he had accidentally revealed.
“…Uh…” Mitsuri looked at him.
“What do you mean?” Deep quickly waved his hands.
“Nothing!” “I mean…” “He just trains a lot.” Alya quietly stepped on his shoe.
He understood.
“Stop talking.” — Scene 5 – House No.
7 The doorbell rang.
Urvi opened the door.
Outside stood…
Mitsuri.
She wore a light yellow kurti with white leggings.
Her long pink hair was tied into a loose braid, and she held a small lunch box with both hands.
She smiled nervously.
“Um…” “I made ginger soup.” “I heard Dhruv has a fever.” Urvi smiled warmly.
“Come in.” Mitsuri hesitated.
“I don’t want to disturb him.” “You won’t.” — Scene 6 – His Room Dhruv was asleep.
His messy black hair covered part of his forehead.
A blanket was pulled up to his chest.
His study table…
For the first time…
Had unopened notebooks.
Mitsuri quietly placed the lunch box on the table.
She looked around.
Cricket bat.
Sketchbook.
Video editing notes.
Formula book.
Everything looked…
Very Dhruv.
Urvi whispered, “He’s been overworking himself.” Mitsuri looked at him again.
“…” “So that’s why…” She gently adjusted the curtain so the sunlight wouldn’t fall directly on his face.
Without waking him.
Without saying a word.
She quietly left the room.
— Scene 7 – The Truth As Urvi walked Mitsuri to the door…
Mitsuri finally gathered the courage.
“Didi…” “Can I ask something?” “Of course.” “…Is Dhruv avoiding me?” Urvi became silent.
She thought carefully.
Then smiled gently.
“No.” “He isn’t avoiding you.” “He’s trying to organize his own thoughts.” Mitsuri looked confused.
“I don’t understand.” Urvi chuckled softly.
“Neither does he.” “Give him a little time.” “He’ll come back.” Mitsuri slowly nodded.
“…Okay.” — Scene 8 – Evening Around sunset…
Dhruv finally woke up.
His fever had reduced.
He noticed the lunch box on the table.
“…” He walked into the kitchen.
“Di.” “Hm?” “Did you make soup?” Urvi smiled while washing dishes.
“No.” He looked at the lunch box again.
“…Who did?” She looked at him for a second.
“Mitsuri.” “…” Dhruv stood there quietly.
“…She came here?” “Mhm.” “You were asleep.” He looked down.
“…” Without saying another word…
He carried the lunch box back to his room.
— Scene 9 – A Crack in the Wall Night.
Dhruv sat on his bed.
The fever was almost gone.
He opened the lunch box.
There was a small folded sticky note inside.
> Get well soon.
– Mitsuri 🌸 He stared at it for a long time.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Then…
For the first time in nearly two weeks…
He took out his phone.
Opened the chat with Mitsuri.
His thumb hovered over the keyboard.
He typed.
> Thank you.
The soup was really good.
He looked at the message.
Smiled slightly.
And pressed…
Send.
Across Sunrise Residency…
Mitsuri’s phone vibrated.
She looked at the notification.
A bright smile slowly spread across her face.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
The distance between them had finally begun to shrink.