That night, Stella sat in front of her laptop, staring at the design she had opened and closed several times already. “This much?” she muttered as she sipped her black coffee.
Several sections she had previously considered finished apparently needed to be changed again. From the layout and colors to a few small elements that Rayyan still thought weren’t quite right.
The next day, Stella didn’t go to school. Since morning, her body had felt hot and her head had been throbbing. Even just sitting up in bed felt exhausting.
The phone beside her suddenly vibrated. Stella reached for it reluctantly. It turned out she’d gotten a message from Rayyan.
Rayyan: Ella, what about yesterday’s design?
Stella: Just ask the others. I have a fever.
Rayyan: Seriously?
Stella: Yep.
Rayyan: All right, I’ll come over later.
Stella: Why?
There was no reply.
She put her phone back where it had been and closed her eyes. She figured Rayyan was only joking.
He wasn’t.
A few hours later, she heard her housekeeper’s voice from the yard.
“Miss La, someone’s here,” Bik Asih called.
Stella immediately let out a long sigh. Wrapped in a thick jacket with a cold compress still stuck to her forehead, she could only resign herself to it when someone knocked on her bedroom door.
“Come in,” she said softly.
Click… The door opened.
Rayyan stood there, carrying something in his hand. The moment he saw Stella’s condition, his expression changed.
“Oh, you really are sick,” he said.
Stella frowned when she heard that. Rayyan walked in, still carrying a plastic bag.
“That’s why you shouldn’t stay up late,” he said.
Stella immediately denied it.
“Then who uploaded a story last night because her favorite idol left the group?” Rayyan shot back.
Stella pulled the blanket over herself.
A little while later, Rayyan sat in the chair beside her bed.
“Have you taken your medicine?” he asked in a low voice.
Stella shook her head.
“Why?” Rayyan asked.
“I’m not in the mood to eat,” Stella replied.
Rayyan sighed, then picked up the porridge and told Stella to eat. Stella stared at him. “You really came all the way here just for this?”
Rayyan stared back at her. “The design can wait. Just rest for now,” he continued.
For a few seconds, the room fell silent.
“Thanks,” Stella said briefly.
“Well, look at that. First time you’ve ever said thanks without being told to,” Rayyan teased.
“Never mind,” Stella said, pulling the blanket over herself again.
“Hey.” Rayyan stared at her as if he couldn’t believe she could just take back her thank-you like that.
“Never mind the thanks,” Stella replied from beneath the blanket.