drabble 51 with ziyi, please? thank you xx
51. “I’m your husband. It’s my job.”
“You really shouldn’t be here,” you mumbled. Although your words were rejecting, your heart was bursting in joy to see him. It was difficult to smile under your oxygen mask but your hand was already reaching out to touch him.
“I’m your husband. It’s my job. We made vows to be with one another in sickness and in health, and right now, you’re sick.”
You let out a tiny sigh. “Ziyi, this isn’t any other sickness.”
But he was stubborn. His glove-clad hands reached for yours and even though he had on a mask, you could see the warm smile he was giving you. “Yes, but no virus is going to keep me from taking care of you.”
“Can’t take care of me if you fall sick yourself.”
When the global pandemic hit, you had thought yourself invincible. There was no way someone as young and healthy as you would fall sick. You practiced social distancing, wore protective gear, and yet, somehow, the symptoms showed one by one until one day you were so weak, getting out of bed felt like the worst thing you could ever do to yourself.
For the first few days, you stayed in bed and felt yourself wasting away. Your lungs were on fire and you shook when you even tried to sit up. It was sheer willpower that made you drink the protein shakes you had as meals every day.
Your mother found you barely breathing in bed and she spent a whole day scrubbing down your house, washing you, and making sure you had food within reach. The oxygen machine Ziyi ordered came and she helped you get on it, watching over you daily as you found yourself relaxing a little due to the help.
But through it all, you were adamant that your husband did not come home. He was in a separate city for business. “It’s for the best. This entire city is practically on lock down. You coming back here would only put you in danger.” And he listened to you for the first week.
Now, he was in front of you, slipping on a protective poncho and changing the wet cloth on your forehead. “Your fever seems to have gone down quite a bit. Are you hungry?”
Your eyes were brimming with tears as you shook your head. “I’m just happy you’re here.”
Ziyi smiled softly. The crests under his eyes welled up slightly. He ran the back of his gloved hand over your cheek. “Of course. Even if I were to get sick, being able to be here and take care of you is worth it.”
And day in, day out, he was there. When he let out tiny coughs, your entire body would seize in fear but he would just wave your concerns away. “Just an itch in my throat.” You watched him carefully but in the next two weeks, he seemed to be fine. Under his care, you were slowly getting better. The oxygen machine was placed to the side while you slept, no longer needed.
When you were finally able to stand and walk about, he took you out to the balcony. You took in a deep breath, relieved to find that your lungs welcomed the cool air without pain. You turned to him and slipped your arms around his waist.
“Thank you.”
During these trying times, I hope everyone stays safe and remember to stay home still! Please take care of yourselves and those around you.