Zhan sat between Ao and Niu, helping them with their assignments. Their books were spread out on the floor while Han Li sat comfortably on Zhan's lap, playing with a colorful toy strapped to his wrist.
Meanwhile, the housemaid was in the kitchen preparing dinner, a task Aunt Anu had specifically instructed her to complete before she came downstairs. Aunt Anu rarely left the entire cooking responsibility to the maid unless something truly urgent came up that would keep her away for long.
Slowly, Zhan lifted his hand and pressed the back of his neck. His whole body ached in a way he couldn't ignore...his bones felt like they were being carved into with a knife, and a deep, internal fever seemed to be creeping through him, though his skin showed no sign of it. It felt like the heat was locked inside his bones. Still, he kept pushing through, determined to help the kids finish their work.
Just then, Aunt Anu...who he now called "Mumma," like the kids did....descended from upstairs and looked over at them.
"My dear, you haven't finished yet?"
He lifted his eyes slowly, drained and heavy from the ache deep inside him.
"Almost... we're nearly done."
She glanced at him more closely, frowning slightly.
"Are you okay? Your eyes look different."
Zhan grimaced.
"I don't feel great. Feels like I'm coming down with a fever."
She rushed over, scooping Han Li off his lap.
"Oh no, since when? And you're still here helping with assignments instead of resting? Get up, go take two paracetamol and lie down. We'll check how you're doing in a bit. If you're not feeling better soon, get ready to see the doctor."
Zhan didn't argue. He stood, and for the first time, truly felt how unwell he was. His body moved sluggishly as he made his way to the medicine cabinet. He took two pills, swallowed them, and headed straight to his room.
He collapsed onto the bed, pulled the duvet tightly around him, and let out a soft sigh. Every inch of his bones ached. After a while, sleep finally overtook him.
When he woke up later, he felt much better...well enough to take a refreshing shower. Clean and slightly revived, he dressed and went downstairs to join the others for dinner. When it was time to sleep, he carried Ao with him, saying they'd spend the night together in his room.
But in the middle of the night, the pain returned with a vengeance. It was unbearable this time...sharp and persistent. Zhan began to groan softly, shifting uncomfortably under the covers. A burning fever raged inside him, and even his breathing had become heavy and labored. Ao, still fast asleep, was unaware...until just before dawn, when he woke up needing to use the bathroom and finally noticed something was wrong.
Startled and unsure what to do, Ao panicked and rushed out of the room to wake their mother, despite Zhan's weak attempt to stop him, not wanting to disturb anyone.
Within five minutes, Ao returned with Aunt Anu, still groggy from being woken up so suddenly. She rushed to Zhan's side and held him, only to feel the blazing heat radiating off his body. Her concern instantly spiked.
"I'm calling Papa. We're going to the hospital. I don't want to take any chances," she said, releasing him gently.
Zhan didn't have the strength to reply. He trembled violently, as though someone had plunged him into ice water.
That night, Papa drove them to the hospital while the children stayed at home with the maid. They were received immediately upon arrival, and Zhan was given the urgent care he needed. Within the hour, he had finally drifted into a peaceful sleep. Only then did Aunt Anu begin to relax, her worry momentarily eased.
***
In the morning, the doctor recommended running some tests after asking if Zhan was married. Aunt Anu replied that he wasn't. Since Zhan was still fast asleep due to the medications and IV fluids he had received, the tests were delayed until he woke up.
He slept deeply, aided by the injections and fluids. It wasn't until nearly midday that he finally woke up. Aunt Anu helped him sit up, as he complained of dizziness. After brushing his teeth in the bathroom, she served him some fish soup the maid had prepared, garnished with soft-boiled Irish potatoes. The stew had cooked perfectly and smelled inviting. She placed the tray near him.
"Here, try to eat," she said, handing him a cup of hot tea after placing the fish soup in front of him.
He turned his head and shook it slowly.
"My mouth feels awful, Mumma. I'm not hungry at all...my stomach feels so full."
"If you eat a little, it'll help. You can't take medication on an empty stomach. The doctor said you should try to eat something once you wake up...it'll help restore your strength. We need to head to the lab soon for your tests."
Zhan didn't want to argue. He reached for the tea and took three small sips, but his stomach churned unpleasantly. He set the cup down immediately and said,
"Mumma, I feel like I'm going to throw up."
Aunt Anu noticed how pale he looked and didn't push further. She dropped the subject of the test and let him rest some more. They waited until he felt stronger before heading to the lab.
The next day, the results came out: it was malaria and typhoid, with malaria being the more dominant infection. Aunt Anu couldn't help but vent her frustration.
"I swear, that house....anything can goes wrong, it's because no one's really watching out for you. Thank goodness it wasn't worse after all this time you've been unwell."
Zhan received proper care at the hospital. He spent a full week there before recovering enough to be discharged and return home.
TWO DAYS LATER
Without wasting time, Aunt Anu registered Zhan for his exams. This reignited his passion for studying. He fully refocused on his academics, his dreams now burning stronger than ever. He reopened the little mental folder in his heart where he kept all his ambitions and brought it to life again, determined to pursue them now that nothing stood in his way.
Zhan sat for his exams in good health. Much to his surprise, they weren't as difficult as he had feared, despite the long gap and his earlier anxiety. He completed the first two papers over the span of a few days.
The first day went smoothly, and Zhan returned home without issues. However, on the second exam day, he started feeling unwell again... symptoms eerily similar to his earlier illness. He took out the remaining medications from his last treatment and took some, which helped ease the discomfort enough for him to continue his exams, right up to the final paper.
But on the day of the last paper, Zhan started feeling dizzy at school. His legs felt weak, and he had to pause several times while answering questions. Still, he powered through, taking short breaks until he managed to complete the exam. Fortunately, Aunt Anu's driver was already waiting outside to pick him up. Zhan didn't delay....he packed up quickly and left. He hadn't made any friends at the exam center, and he had only come to focus on his goal, so there was no reason to linger.
From the moment he entered the car, Zhan clutched his head. Though seated, he felt as though the world was spinning. His breathing was heavy, and all he could think of was getting home and lying down.
As soon as they arrived, Zhan stepped out of the car, moving unsteadily. Just one glance, and it was obvious he wasn't feeling well. He made his way into the living room, where Aunt Anu was watching TV. All the kids were still in school except Han Li, who was seated beside her, sipping milk.
The way Zhan greeted her caught Aunt Anu's attention.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" she asked, eyeing him closely.
He didn't have the strength to stand and explain, so he headed straight to his room, mumbling,
"It's... nothing, Mumma."
But before he could reach his room, he staggered and collapsed. In a panic, Aunt Anu rushed to catch him, calling his name urgently. His eyes met hers briefly, his breath coming in short, labored gasps...then slowly, his eyelids slid shut.
What truly sent Aunt Anu into a panic was the sudden collapse. She immediately began yelling for the driver who had brought Zhan, not caring whether he could hear her or not. When she realized he wasn't responding, she quickly supported Zhan and laid him down on the couch before running out into the compound, still calling out to the driver in distress. Since no one else was home....her assistant had gone to the market...there was no one to help.
Thankfully, the driver had stopped at the gate to speak briefly with the security guard before heading out to pick up Niu. The urgency in her voice alerted him, and he rushed back into the house.
"Open the car quickly, my son just collapsed!" she shouted, already rushing back inside.
She checked on Zhan again, frightened and trembling, then dashed upstairs to grab her handbag before returning and the driver carry Zhan into the car. After laying him in the backseat, she went back to get Han Li, who had burst into tears, thinking she was leaving him behind.
Her mind was racing, too overwhelmed to even call Papa until they arrived at the hospital and Zhan had been admitted. Only then did she pull out her phone and inform him.
Her hands shook as she made her way to the doctor's office, her heart tight with dread over what illness might be affecting Zhan now. She feared it could be something more serious... something entirely different and unexpected.
Papa, who had joined them by then, gently touched her shoulder to guide her to a seat. He had followed her from the office. As for the children, she had already arranged for them to be picked up from school and taken home by the assistant. Aunt Anu sat down where he pointed, and Papa watched her with concern. He knew that when it came to Zhan, she was always deeply emotional... never brave, never calm. Her love and attachment to her nephew had consumed her whole heart. She couldn't bear anything happening to him. Papa had known that for a long time, even before things got this serious. He remained standing beside her as they waited for the doctor's report.
The doctor gathered all the test results into a folder and looked up at them.
"There was a possibility that the patient might be… I mean, have a womb. Is he married?" he asked.
Aunt Anu stared at him in disbelief.
"Why would you ask that, Doctor?"
He shrugged.
"Well, he was wearing a school uniform, but the test results don't match what we'd typically expect for a male. I know it's rare, but such cases do exist."
Still confused, Aunt Anu replied cautiously,
"He's not married. And to my knowledge… he doesn't have a womb."
The doctor rubbed his forehead, then nodded slowly.
"I see."
Papa seemed to be putting the pieces together. He cleared his throat and said,
"Well… he was married. He only recently separated from his partner. As for the womb....it's possible no one knew he had one."
The doctor's expression softened. He removed his hand from his forehead and looked up at them again.
"I understand now. He's currently twelve weeks pregnant....male pregnancy. Your child is one of the rare cases where a male can carry a pregnancy."
"WHAT?!" Aunt Anu exclaimed, leaping to her feet, her eyes wide with disbelief. Even Papa was visibly shaken by the diagnosis, though he quickly grabbed her hand.
"Calm down, Anu… Doctor....are you talking about Zhan? The student we brought in earlier?"
The doctor nodded.
"Yes, that's why I asked before revealing the result. He no longer has typhoid or malaria....just a bit of fever and the pregnancy. It's all here in the report." He flipped open the folder and read off the details, then looked up again.
"Do you know who the other parent is?"
He asked, noticing the shock still plastered across Aunt Anu's face. Papa gave a small smile.
"Yes, we know. It's just… a complicated situation. She's overwhelmed because they're no longer together, and the pregnancy came as a shock."
The doctor offered a gentle smile.
"Well, what matters is that it's not an unknown pregnancy. That's something to be grateful for."
"That's true… Thank you, Doctor," Papa replied, shaking the doctor's hand.
He then gently pulled Aunt Anu out of the office. The moment the door closed behind them, she burst into tears. She rested her head against his shoulder, her chest aching with emotion.
This was too cruel. Why hadn't they done proper screenings or taken precautions, knowing they weren't planning to stay with Zhan? Why had they let him go through such emotional isolation, almost like a prison sentence, only for something even heavier to follow?
"Please calm down, Anu, it's exactly as the doctor explained. We should be grateful that the pregnancy happened within a marriage and that Zhan's child has a known father."
"And what does that change, Papa?!" she snapped, lifting her head from his shoulder as if he were the one to blame for everything. He gave a small smile....he knew her temper well. He gently led her to his car, helped her into the back seat, then slid in beside her, taking her hand in his.
"The Anu I know is strong, not someone who falls apart like this. Have you ever seen someone wrestling with fate and winning? Shouldn't we be thankful that the pregnancy happened under a proper union.....that they got married, that everything was done the right way? Despite everything, a groom price was paid and vows were exchanged. This crying....do you want Zhan to wake up and see you like this? To feel even more guilty and ashamed?"
"This situation is already overwhelming enough....he's a man, and now he's pregnant. It will shake him. But what he needs to see on your face is strength, calm, and assurance. That will give him the courage to accept his reality and move forward with some peace."
His words, full of understanding and patience, slowly began to soothe her. He knew exactly how to reach her. They sat in the car for a long while until he was certain she had calmed down, then he released her hand. Finally, she looked at him.
"But Papa… they have to know about this pregnancy."
He nodded. "Yes, they do. It's their right to know...especially considering what's ahead."
That settled something in her. She nodded and exhaled deeply, though deep down, a silent anger still burned. How could they have thrown her son's life into chaos just to suit their own selfish plans and desires?
She didn't return to the hospital room until she was sure she had calmed at least fifty percent. Even if Papa hadn't agreed, she was no longer willing to keep this a secret. They needed to know, and when Zhan gave birth, they could take the baby....she just wanted her son to have his life back.
As she pushed the door open, her eyes landed on Zhan. He turned and met her gaze. The look in his eyes made her feel as though he already understood what was happening. Her heart clenched, her confidence waned, and a wave of pity washed over her. He had just come out of one painful ordeal, only to be thrown headfirst into another. Why hadn't she taken him for a full check-up when he returned? If she had, maybe this could have been caught early and managed differently. Fate seemed to have deliberately held her back from taking that crucial step.
Zhan was awake, his eyes open, but he remained motionless. She gave him a soft smile and asked how he was feeling.
"I'm okay, Mumma," he replied. His voice made her see her older sister Yunjun all over again.
Quickly, she got up, sensing tears building behind her eyes. She went over to the drawer where Papa had stocked them with tea supplies and pulled some out. Once she had composed herself, she returned to the bedside, glanced at the IV drip, and spoke gently.
"It's almost finished. I'll let them know so they can come take it off, then you can eat something."
Zhan nodded. Shortly after, a nurse arrived and removed the IV. Anu helped him sit up, even though he still felt a little dizzy.
She guided him to the bathroom to freshen up, and when they came back, she noticed something different in him. He said nothing, but his silence made her uneasy. He wasn't asking questions. He wasn't speaking.
Anu served him a plate of food. "Come and eat something," she urged.
He looked away, his face tightening with discomfort as the smell of the food reached him. A wave of nausea hit him hard. He shook his head.
"I can't eat, Mumma."
Her face fell. "You have to, my son. You can't just stay like this. Do you want us to argue?"
He shook his head again, eyes brimming with tears. He had never felt anything like this before....an intense, instinctive revulsion to food. It was like someone had pointed a gun at him.
"I'm sorry, Mumma… but I can't eat...."
He didn't finish before he started retching, though nothing came out. He was too weak. A nurse returned, gave him another injection, and restarted the IV fluids. Zhan closed his eyes and sighed as he lay back. All he wanted was rest.
On the side, he wondered what kind of illness could feel like this. The pain and discomfort were unlike anything he had ever experienced. Slowly, sleep pulled him under again.
Meanwhile, Aunt Anu sat by his bedside, trying hard to hide her tears.
NB
Just as I informed you all about two weeks ago, I hurt my right wrist. I can't write every day anymore, though I managed to write over 2000+ words despite the pain.
These past two days, the pain in my wrist has worsened. So from now on, updates will only come when I'm able to write...meaning they'll be irregular. I hope you'll be patient with this poor author until my hand fully recovers.
Thank you for your understanding. Love you all. 😘
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛