Sonakshi paced the living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. She had called Dev earlier, but his voice, weak and raspy, had only heightened her worry. Jaipur felt an eternity away, especially when she couldn't be there to care for him.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she had demanded, her voice a mixture of frustration and concern.

"I didn't want you to worry, Sonakshi," Dev had replied, his breath labored. "It's just a fever and a cough. I'll be fine."

"But you sound terrible," she had insisted, trying to keep her voice steady. "Have you seen a doctor?"

"Yes, I saw Dr. Kapoor. He gave me some medicine," Dev had assured her, but his words did little to ease her anxiety.

Now, as she replayed the conversation in her mind, Sonakshi's worry only deepened. She imagined him alone in his apartment, pale and sweating, the city's relentless summer heat making his illness even worse. She could picture the streets of Jaipur, bustling and vibrant, but they felt like a cruel contrast to Dev's isolation.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. It was Dev again.

"Hey," he said, his voice sounding slightly better but still weak.

"How are you feeling now?" she asked immediately, her heart racing.

"Better, I think. The medicine is helping," he replied, but she could hear the exhaustion in his voice.

"Are you eating? Drinking enough water?" she pressed, unable to mask her concern.

"I'm trying to, Sonakshi. Really, I am," he said softly. "I hate making you worry like this."

"I just wish I could be there with you," she admitted, her voice breaking. "It's so hard being so far away when you're sick."

"I know," Dev said, and she could hear the regret in his tone. "But knowing you care makes it a little easier."

Sonakshi smiled despite her worry. "You need to rest, okay? Promise me you'll take care of yourself."

"I promise," he said, his voice filled with a gentle warmth. "I love you, Sonakshi."

"I love you too, Dev," she replied, holding back tears. "Get well soon."

As they hung up, Sonakshi felt a mix of relief and lingering concern. She knew that Dev was strong and that he would fight through this. But until he was fully recovered, her heart would remain heavy with worry.
The night wore on, and Sonakshi's restlessness only grew. She lay in bed, her mind unable to quiet the storm of thoughts about Dev. Just then, her phone buzzed again, jolting her upright. It was Suhana, their teenage daughter, calling from Jaipur.

"Mom, Dad's fever is really high," Suhana said, her voice trembling. "I don't know what to do."

Sonakshi's heart sank. "Calm down, sweetie. I need you to stay strong. Is there ice in the freezer?"

"Yes," Suhana replied, her voice wavering.

"Okay, listen carefully. You need to make a cold compress. Take a clean cloth, soak it in cold water, and place it on his forehead. Keep changing it every few minutes. Can you do that?"

"I can, Mom," Suhana said, a hint of determination in her voice.

Sonakshi listened intently as Suhana moved through the house, her footsteps echoing softly through the phone. She could hear the rustling of cloth and the sound of running water.

"Mom, I've got the compress ready," Suhana said after a few minutes. "I'm putting it on Dad's forehead now."

"Good job, sweetheart. Now, keep doing that. It should help bring his fever down. Is he responsive at all?"

"He's very weak, but he's trying to talk," Suhana said, her voice trembling again. "He keeps saying your name."

Sonakshi's eyes filled with tears. "Tell him I'm with him in spirit, Suhana. And tell him to hold on. You're doing great, honey. Just keep taking care of him. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I will, Mom," Suhana said, her voice steadier now. "I'll keep him safe."

After hanging up, Sonakshi felt both helpless and proud. Suhana was so young, yet she was showing incredible strength. Sonakshi's mind raced, considering every possible way to get to Jaipur as quickly as possible. She couldn't stand being so far away when Dev needed her the most.

Meanwhile, in Jaipur, Suhana continued her vigil beside her father's bed. She kept changing the cold compress, her hands shaking with a mix of fear and determination. Dev's skin was burning hot, and his breath came in ragged gasps.

"Dad, you have to get better," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "Mom and I need you. Please don't leave us."

Dev opened his eyes briefly, looking at Suhana with a faint, reassuring smile. "I'll try, Suhana. For you and your mom."

As the night wore on, Suhana's diligent care began to show signs of success. Dev's fever slowly started to recede, and his breathing became less labored. She stayed by his side, refusing to let exhaustion overcome her. She knew her father was strong, but seeing him so vulnerable made her realize just how much he meant to her.

By morning, Dev's fever had broken, and he slept more peacefully. Suhana, exhausted but relieved, finally allowed herself to rest, curling up in a chair beside the bed. She knew that the worst was over, and that her father was on the road to recovery.

When Sonakshi finally arrived in Jaipur later that day, she found Suhana asleep next to Dev, her face still streaked with dried tears. She knelt beside her daughter, kissing her forehead gently, and then turned her attention to Dev. He looked weak, but the fever had clearly broken.

"Thank you, Suhana," Sonakshi whispered, her heart swelling with pride and gratitude. "You saved him."

Sonakshi stayed by Dev's bedside, her fingers gently brushing his hair. She glanced over at Suhana, still curled up in the chair, her exhaustion palpable. The room was filled with a quiet sense of relief, the worst having passed.

Dev stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He looked at Sonakshi, a weak but genuine smile spreading across his face. "You're here," he whispered.

"I'm here," Sonakshi said, leaning down to kiss his forehead. "You gave us quite a scare."

Dev squeezed her hand weakly. "I'm sorry, Sonakshi. I didn't want to worry you."

Sonakshi shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "You don't have to apologize. Just focus on getting better."

Suhana stirred in her chair, waking up to see her parents. She quickly got up and hugged her father. "Dad, I was so scared," she said, her voice cracking.

Dev hugged her back with what little strength he had. "You were amazing, Suhana. You took care of me when I needed it the most. I'm so proud of you."

Suhana sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. "I just did what Mom told me to do."

Sonakshi smiled at her daughter, reaching out to stroke her hair. "You were brave, Suhana. You did more than that. You stayed calm and helped your dad when he needed you. That's not something everyone can do."

Suhana nodded, her eyes still filled with worry but also a newfound sense of pride. "I just didn't want to lose him."

"You won't," Sonakshi said firmly. "Your dad is strong, and he'll get through this. We all will."

The next few days were a blur of medications, doctor's visits, and tender moments of care. Sonakshi and Suhana took turns watching over Dev, making sure he had everything he needed. Slowly but surely, his strength began to return. Each day, he looked a little better, his color improving, his voice gaining back its familiar warmth.

One evening, as the sun set over Jaipur, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, Dev sat up in bed, propped up by pillows. Sonakshi and Suhana sat on either side of him, their hands intertwined.

"I don't know how to thank you both," Dev said, his voice still a bit weak but filled with emotion. "You've been my rock."

"We're family," Sonakshi said softly. "We take care of each other."

Suhana nodded, her eyes shining. "We'll always be here for you, Dad."

Dev smiled, a tear slipping down his cheek. "I love you both so much."

"We love you too," Sonakshi and Suhana said in unison, their hearts full.

As they sat together, watching the sunset, the bond between them felt stronger than ever. They had faced a difficult challenge, but they had come through it together, their love and strength guiding them through the darkest hours. And in that moment, they knew that no matter what life threw at them, they would always have each other.