At 3:17 AM. Vikram got up and paced
Curtains drawn, room dim, the hotel AC on.
He loosened his shirt cuffs, rolled up sleeves, rubbing his eyes with the palms.
Sleep didn't come.
Whenever his eyes closed, he saw that moment again, karan opening the door, devika's body trembling on the bed, the sound of her uneven breaths.
The fever made her look breakable.
And he hated it.
He sat down on chair, by the desk and leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
If someone had told him three months ago that he did be losing sleep over an employee, then he would have laughed.
Even when he challenged her at work, he never hated her. He only wanted to see how long she would fight before walking away.
But she never walks away.
She worked harder.
She argued back.
She stood infront of him without fear, even when everyone bowed their heads.
And now, the same girl who could stare him down like a storm was lying unconscious in hotel bed, sweating and shaking.
Vikram rubbed hand over his face.
Stop thinking.
But everytime he tried, he remembered her voice, tired and stubborn.
At 5:48 AM.
His phone buzzed.
Not arshi.
Reception.
"Sir, your doctor has arrived."
Vikram didn't even put on jacket, he walked out immediately.
Rishi was waiting in lobby, still half awake, coffee in his hand. The family doctor, Dr mehta.
A calm, middle aged man in glasses, greeted vikram with nod.
"You sounded urgent" Dr. Mehta said.
"It is" Vikram replied.
Then, they head up in silence.
The door opened slowly.
Arshi tensed, then relaxed when she saw who it was.
"Shes been sleeping." She whispered."temperature is still high though."
The doctor approached bed. He checked her pulse, measured her temperature, examined her eyes, listened to her breathing.
Devika didn't wake, but she turned her face toward the wall, like she was running away from pain even in sleep.
Vikram stopd near the wall, arms folded, body stilled and jaw tight.
Watching
Waiting.
Dr. Mehta finished and turned toward him.
"Its viral fever. Intense, but manageable. She will recover in two days."
Arshi sighed with relief.
But vikram didn't breathe.
"Are you sure?" Vikram said.
The doctor looks at vikram" yes, vikram. She just needs rest, hydration and mild fever medication. She isn't in danger."
Vikram noded slowly, but his shoulders didn't relax.
The doctor softened," you are acting like she is on her deathbed."
Vikram didn't reply.
He couldn't explain that seeing someone in pain felt like being chained to floor, unable to move, unable to fix it.
"I will stay for the day" the doctor said," if anything changes, i will be here"
Vikram nodded once," use room beside my room"
Rishi exhaled, he knew what that meant.
Then the doctor left to rest. Arshi excused herself to wash her face.
Devika slept on.
Vikram pulled a chair next chair next to her bed and sat there, elbows on knees.
He didn't touch her.
He didn't speak.
Just watched her chest rise and fall.
Slow. Weak. Steady.
His eyes burned from fatigue.
Breathing shallow.
Muscles tight.
His head dropped against the back of chair, arms folded across his chest.
And he slept.
Not deeply.
Not peacefully.
Just enough to survive.
Devika wakes up,
Her head throbbing, body heavy and throat dry.
Every part of her felt bruised from the fever.
She blinked slowly. Her vision was blurry at first, shape, colors and shadows.
Then eyes fully focused.
A figure in black shirt, sleeves rolled up, first two buttons was opened of his shirt. Sitting beside her bed. Head tilted slightly to side.
Vikram Oberoi.
Asleep.
The muscles in his neck tense, like even unconsious, he was holding himself together.
Devika stared
He hadn't left.
The cold CEO who terrified entire teams, who commanded rooms with just two words.was sleeping beside her like a guard dog, who refused to leave its owner.
She swallowed hard.
Something warm and heavy felt in her chest, not joy, not love, not comfort.
Something, simpler.
Something she hadn't felt in long time.
Safe.
Devika touched her forehead gently, cool now, no fever.
Her gaze slid back to him.
He was still asleep.
The storm was quiet for the first time.
And she didn't know how to breathe.
Suddenly, door opened. Ishaan and karan come inside.
Vikram also wake up, devika eyes was still on him. Vikram also looked at him. their eyes contact stay for few seconds.
Then, ishaan and karan went towards devika and touch her forehead." You still have fever. Take rest. Devika."
Karan looks around then he saw arshi coming out of washroom.
Rishi set medicine bag on the table quietly and stood behind him.
"Give her this after breakfast" vikram said, low and controlled voice. Nodding to prescriptions. He looked at arshi, "check her temperature every two hours."
Arshi nodded immediately.
That should have been it. He could have walked out left, like a CEO who had done his duty.
But devika moved slightly, trying to push herself up on her elbows."Vikram" she whispered, breathing heavily.
Vikram froze halfway through turning away. He turned his head slowly, and eyes darken.
"What?" He asked.
She swallowed, trembling."we..we have a team meeting at 9. I will be fine in few hours. I always recover fast. I need to"
"Stop." His voice wasn't loud. That voice wasn't angry. It was something far more dangerous, a quiet command that carried weight.
Ishaan and karan looked at each other. Arshi looked at Devika helplessly.
Devika, tried to sit upright again."i am the lead--this project."
Vikram's eyes darken." You are not going anywhere." Extremly cold voice.
Her breath hitched." Its just fever" she whispered.
He walked closer, step by step. Until he stood beside her bed.
She could feel his presence like heat.
Vikram leaned down slightly, enough to meet her eye." I am not repeating myself, Devika" he said, cold voice." You listen on the first command."
Her lips parted, trembling with anger, maybe fear, maybe something else.
But she couldn't form a reply.
The fever blurred her vision, and man in front of her.
"You have holiday". He said." Two days. Rest. Recover."
Devika inhaled sharply, like she was choking on disappointment, frustration and helplessness.
It was a rare, almost unheared of to see Devika go speechless.
Vikram didn't break eye contact.
Then.