Sick but Determined

Prompt: Simon woke up sick but he did not let that stop him because he promised his wife emily he would do the chores today so that she can work from home. Every movement made him dizzy. Halve way trough his chore list he naerly fainted and needed a quick break on the couch as he tried not to fall asleep. It was then that he heard emily come in from her home office. He quickly tried to get back to the chores as to not dissapoint her but he failt. Emily got realy angry with him when she saw not everything was finished. She dis not notice that he was sick. Simon could not hold it back anymore. He cried as he tried to explain. The nausea got out of control and simon berely made it to the sink on time. Emily took care of simon

Simon woke up to the sound of the morning birds chirping outside their bedroom window, but instead of feeling refreshed, he was greeted by a wave of nausea that rolled over him like a heavy fog. He groaned softly, turning to see the light streaming in around the curtains. The air felt thick and laborious, as if the very act of breathing was a challenge. He glanced at the clock, his heart sinking as he remembered his promise to Emily. “Today is the day,” he muttered to himself, forcing his aching body to sit up. His mind raced with the thoughts of the laundry piled high in the corner, the dishes that had stacked up in the sink, and the vacuuming that needed to be done. Emily had taken a few important work calls from home, and he couldn't let her down—not on a day when she needed all the focus she could muster. With each deliberate movement, heaviness draped over him. He shuffled into the kitchen, clutching the countertop for support, his head spinning like a carnival ride gone awry. He filled the sink with hot, soapy water, watching splashes hit the tiles below and feeling a wave of dizziness wash over him. He took a deep breath, fighting the urge to succumb to the fatigue tugging at his eyelids. Simon forced himself to focus on the task at hand. He picked up a dish, then another, each one feeling heavier than the last. He tried to shake off the fatigue that threatened to pull him under. “Two more dishes and then the laundry," he reassured himself. Just as he started to stack the plates properly, the room swayed, and he stumbled a little, breath hitching in his throat. With a quick gasp, he steadied himself against the fridge, reminding himself of Emily working diligently in her office. Somewhere in the midst of rinsing the plates, the nausea began to claw at his throat. He gritted his teeth, determined to push through. “I can do this,” he whispered, though doubt crept in like unwelcome weeds. Just as he finished half the dishes, he felt an overwhelming wave of fatigue slam into him. His legs felt unsteady, and he let himself wander over to the couch, sinking down with a groan. He closed his eyes, just for a moment, hoping the dizziness would pass. In that brief respite, he could hear Emily’s voice faintly from her office, working, typing, focused. A wave of guilt washed over him. He couldn’t disappoint her. Propelling himself up from the couch, he stumbled slightly, gripping the arm of the sofa. "Just a couple more chores," he muttered. He headed back to the kitchen, but mid-step, his vision blurred, and suddenly, every light seemed too bright, too harsh. He staggered over to the sink, fighting against the pull of gravity, but the urge was relentless. Clutching the countertop, he barely made it there in time; the punch of nausea overpowered him, and he heaved into the basin. Simon felt his world closing in. After he regained some composure, the front door creaked open, and he heard Emily's footsteps approaching from behind. Panic flooded through him as he frantically wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and tried to straighten up. “Simon?” Emily’s voice was sharp with surprise, laden with a tone that told him she might have expected everything to be in order by now. He turned, forcing a smile on his pale face. “Hey, just… I’m almost finished with the chores!” he stammered, his heart racing as he weighed the gazes exchanged during their short eye contact. Emily stepped into the kitchen, her brow furrowed. “What is going on? Why isn’t everything done? The laundry is still in the basket, and it smells!” Simon’s heart dropped. “I know, I just—” But before he could say more, fury flickered in her eyes. “I told you I need these done, Simon! I don't understand why you can't even help me for one day.” The words hit him like a slap. He felt helplessness unfurl in his chest, frustration battling against sorrow. “Emily, I’m—” he began, but the words got stuck in his throat. The emotional tide swelled, and suddenly, all the exhaustion, the dizziness, and the frustration collided. Hot tears blurred his vision, and he couldn’t hold them back anymore. “I'm really sick, Em!” he finally cried out, feeling the weight of the world ready to crush him. “I tried. I promised I’d help, but I can't… I can’t do it today!” Emily froze, her anger flickering in surprise. “Sick? You didn’t tell me you weren’t feeling well!” “I thought I could do it anyway,” he confessed through choked breaths. “I didn't want to disappoint you.” Her expression softened, the lines of tension easing away. As if realizing what he had been battling against, Emily rushed over, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Oh, Simon,” she said softly. “You should have told me. You’re not well. Let me help you.” She took charge immediately, leading him to the couch where he had previously attempted to rest. “Stay put,” she instructed lovingly, her tone turning respectful, the anger dissipated like fog under the morning sun. She prepared a glass of water and brought him cold cloths, looking after him with the same care she had when they first got married. Simon leaned back, overwhelmed but grateful for her kindness. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered as the tension in his body slowly began to melt away. “Shh,” Emily replied, brushing a damp cloth across his forehead tenderly. “You need to take care of yourself first. We can handle the chores later together.” In that moment, Simon felt the warmth of love wrap around him, welding all the broken pieces back together again. As his body fought against the illness, his heart swelled in appreciation. No matter how sick he felt, he had her, and that was more than enough.