Side Story 3: Tita and Nasette
TITA’S mind snapped into awareness like a buoy breaking the surface after rising from the depths of the deep, dark ocean. The moment her consciousness returned, she was assaulted by the feeling of being soaked in sweat. Her eyebrows knitted from the nausea and headache.
“Nngh…”
Gradually she was capable of acknowledging there was sunlight beyond her eyelids, but it felt blinding against her closed eyes.
It’s morning…?
Partially cracking her eyes let in the painfully bright sunlight. From her neck to her spine, every piece of her body felt exhausted.
“…!”
She heard someone’s voice. Her dazed mind still hadn’t shaken off the side effects of being unconscious. She couldn’t recognize what sounds the voice was making.
It took some time for her to finally realize the voice was calling her name.
✦ ✦ ✦
NASETTE was crying. Dazed, Tita lay limply in his arms as he hugged her.
Why are you crying? She couldn’t process what was going on. Nasette squeezed her against him so tight she frowned.
“Brother….”
Why are you crying? The rest of her question was squeezed out of her by an overexcited Nasette.
“Thank goodness! I’m so glad!” he shouted in a nasally voice. He instantly pulled back from her and put his large hands on her cheeks. “What a relief. The red splotches are coming off.”
Red splotches? Tita dropped her eyes to her hands. Brownish-red scabs on the verge of ripping off covered her skin.
Oh, that’s right, I—
It was then Tita finally remembered she had collapsed with the Ten Day Fever and had no memory since.
✦ ✦ ✦
“FOR crying out loud! Brother, you are hovering too much!” Tita glowered at Nasette as he paced in circles around her bed.
“Ah, but you only just got better. Isn’t there anything I can help you with?”
Tita put down her knitting and flattened her lips. “There’s nothing I need your help with right now! Good grief, I heard from Father, you know? He said you restlessly stayed by my side the entire time that even the doctor mistook you for my husband.”
Nasette embarrassedly scratched his head.
“…Stupid Nasette! Why don’t you go outside?! I’m going to sleep!” she shouted and yanked the blankets over her head, sending her knitting clattering on the floor.