Burning Up

My temperature had climbed to 39.5°C. Every limb ached, my throat felt scorched like sandpaper, and my head pounded as if it would split open. A low hum filled my ears, drowning out everything else.

I pulled the blanket over myself, hoping sleep might give me a little relief from the unbearable pain. Sleep felt like the only escape.

At first, I drifted into uneasy dreams—visions of walking through thick mud while invisible hands dragged me deeper and deeper.

Then suddenly, an icy flood crashed over my face.

Cold Water, Colder Words

I gasped, coughing for air, and forced my eyes open. Standing above me was my mother-in-law.

“Still sleeping?” she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the fog in my head.

Her face was stone, lips pressed into a thin white line, fists clenched at her sides. She looked at me as if I had been caught doing something shameful.

“Get up!” she barked. “Guests will be here in an hour! The house must shine, the table must be set. Stop lying around like you have nothing to do!”

I tried to answer, but my strength was gone. My body trembled as I wiped the cold water from my face.

“Mama… I have 39.5°C,” I whispered, barely able to lift my head.

She waved me off.
“Oh, stop it. Everyone gets sick sometimes. I did too, and I still got things done. Don’t you dare embarrass me in front of guests!”

Her words cut deeper than the water ever could—cold, unfeeling, merciless. Something inside me broke.

A Choice Made Out Loud

I forced myself to my feet. My legs shook, the room spun, but I walked past her in silence.

My phone was on the bedside table. With trembling fingers, I picked it up and dialed 103—right in front of her.

“Hello, emergency? My fever is almost 40°C. I feel very weak. Severe throat and head pain. Yes, this is my address.”

She burst out laughing when she heard me.
“What are you doing? Guests will arrive in an hour!”

I looked at her and said calmly, for the first time without excuses:
“Those are your guests.
I have an infection and a high fever.
And this is my apartment.”

Walking Away

While I packed a small bag, she stormed into the kitchen, muttering about her “crazy daughter-in-law.”

But twenty minutes later, the ambulance pulled up. The doctor checked me, measured my temperature, looked at my throat, and said firmly:
“You’re going to the hospital. This is serious.”

I put on my coat. Before leaving, I turned to her and spoke clearly:
“If I come back, neither you nor your guests will step foot in here again. Not without my permission. Never.”

Her mouth opened, but I shut the door before she could say a word.