Anning can feel the supple body in her arms emitting heat and her head which was lolling on her shoulders breathing in shallow warm puffs of air.
The exhaustion, fever, and tumultuous emotions left Sizi with too less energy to even bear the brunt of current events. Alarmed Anning made unconscious Sizi lay down. The initial panic of hurting her was all gone, replaced with new worry.
"What have you done to yourself ?" Anning murmured to herself, her hands lightly stroking Sizi's hairs and face.
She didn't know from where all these emotions were coming, and along with it the ache in her heart was also growing. But she doesn't have the time to mind it. Her whole mind was concentrated on Sizi.
She regained some responsiveness and went out to find some cold water. Of course, in this jungle she couldn't get it and have to make do with whatever they have. She had already brought a vacuum flask with her, and the water in that was already cool enough to work out.
She hastened from one tent to other without noticing anything and poured the water in one of the bowl after cleansing it once. She took the nearby handkerchief which was placed haphazardly on the bag and dipped it in water. After soaking and squeezing, she carefully placed it on Sizi's forehead.
She knew, its because of emotional exhaustion, and fever.
While changing the handkerchief, Anning again said rather to herself, "Why are you like this? And why I still have to worry about you. Can't I leave you like this ?..... But its' scary to leave you in someone else's care."
"Why am I even saying this ? I can't control my own emotions."
After that she couldn't continue.
I'm sorry. So sorry.
To you, to Zizhi, to everyone. It's all my fault.
I don't want to betray my feelings. I like my Zizhi and Zizhi only. No one else. You are just my friend. Yeah, that's right, caring for a friend is perfectly normal.
Even when you are this mean andrude. I really don't understand why you hate me.
Somewhere in between, her heart ache has already subsided, leaving only thump- thumps.
She was changing her handkerchief without even knowing that other students have already left for the excursion, and even if she knew, she wouldn't have abandoned the patient anyways.
Some moments later, another person entered through the flap. Before Anning could see, the person's voice floated to her.
"So you're here."
Anning turned and stood up in greeting, "Hello, professor."
Professor Lu came closer to the bed to look closely, while saying, "It's ok. Do what you were doing. No need to stand on ceremony."
Though professor Lu had already said that, but Anning couldn't possibly just sit down ignoring her. That's why she remained at her place instead. After examining Sizi a bit, the professor again said, "Has she taken any medicine ? The fever is a bit low now, but she isn't responding."
She looked at Anning, then spoke to her, "Has something happened ?"
Anning, looked down, not wanting to meet her inquiring gaze and replied, "No, professor. Everything's alright, she just fainted due to the fever. And yes I have given her medicine to lower her fever along with some stomach medicine."
Professor Lu raised her eyebrows but didn't said anything on this matter instead, "Good, then. Everyone has departed already. Don't you want to come? After all you are a good student, and there are even points for the report."
Anning pursed her lips, and after thinking, she answered, "It's ok, professor. I will take care of her for now, and maybe tomorrow I can join everyone."
"Ok then. Take care, and if there's any problem call me. The staffs are here as well, so no need to stress yourself too much. Good- Bye."
"Thank you, professor and good- bye."
Saying this, the professor exited to partake the event, leaving those two in the tent.
Anning sighed and sat again to change the cloth. The water has already turned normal, so she has to change the water as well.
From inside, she was actually a bit remorseful for not being with Baizhi now, and instead stuck here with the tumultuous emotions and guilt. But what is done, is done. Now focus on the work here.
After half an hour, she was tired and bored as well. She didn't wanted to stare at the face in front of her, because she knew, once she started the ache in her heart will only worsen giving rise to guilt. The pale face now was so warm the night before, and those bloodless lips were pink and plump.
Thinking about the lips, she unconsciously gulped, and looked away. She hadn't noticed the person in question has just moved her fingers and started to come to her senses.
Baizhi opened her eyes slowly, the images blur but slowly getting in focus. When she could see clearly, she noticed the person sitting in front of her looking who knows where. But her cheeks were slightly suffused with pink. She squinted and saw Anning sitting there, lost in her thought and seemed like hadn't yet noticed that she had woken up.
Sizi stilled and remembered everything, that happened before she lost consciousness. Instantly, her hazy eyes widened in disbelief.
No, no. That wasn't me.
She abruptly tried to sit up, but the sudden movement instead pulled a muscle and she winced in pain.
Finally, Anning noticed the movements and realized she was losing her track. Startled, she helped her lay back down. Seeing her wincing in pain, she couldn't help herself but reprimand her.
"What need was there for you to suddenly move ? Can't you at least say something. Now feeling good, after pulling your muscle ?"
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