The effects of school were finally taking its toll on Don. After a warm bath, he slumped onto the bed, sprawled eagle-wide upon the dozens of blankets on his bed. His body clock ignored the time as sleep consumed him quickly. 8.30pm.

Monday morning. Don woke up at his usual time, ready for the world. Streaming with energy, he reached his class and got ready for the lessons he was about to have. Little did he know that those few joules of energy he had in the morning would be used up soon. His body's last spark of life to keep him active for the next few days he was going to face.

Come Assembly time, Don's legs almost gave way- An unfamiliar weakness took over as he tried hard to maintain his stand during the National Anthem. His head was throbbing through the pledge, and he thought that he would collapse before finishing the school song.

"All at ease."

Just when the principal was starting her tiresome speech, like she always does every Monday, Don knelt down and tried to regain control of his body. After what felt like decades did Don's backside hit the cold, hard plastic chair in his class. Something was already wrong. But he couldn't go home, could he? There was CCA in the afternoon.

Thirty minutes through Chemistry, Don started shivering. His face turned pale, hands a few degrees above freezing point. F noticed this, asking him to go home. Refusal.

After an hour's ordeal, the sick bay presented itself as a good idea. Asn was also sick.

"Hey, you're sick right? We go General Office, see if we can rest in Sick Bay."

Asn nodded his head.

* * * * *

"No, I can't you boys rest in the sick bay. If you're really sick then go home! This is a school, not a hospital."

Both boys had little strength in them to refute that statement. After many phonecalls, both Don and Asn were allowed to return home.

"Might as well, really. I know you have performance. But you conserve your energy and perform well on that day la! I've told Eric already."

Speak of the devil. Mr Tay walked into the office, and started explaining to Don how he'll settle everything so Don should just rest.

Bugger.

It was deja vu all over again. The same scenario happened last Monday, too. This deja vu wasn't going to last. Things took a turn for the worst.

* * * * *

Don woke up, his whole body freezing numb. He forcefully opened his crusted eyelids, noticing that the fan was blowing directly at him, while all his blankets were anywhere but on his body.

Who the f*** turned the fan on? I'm f***ing freezing my ass off here without the fan already.

Don was very displeased as he tried to get up, only to find the world spinning.

Aw, great.

"F***!" Don shouted as he lunged at the fan in a vain attempt to turn it off. Your sense of perception goes haywire while your brain is cooking.

At that instant, the maid came in, asking what was wrong and why the fan was turned off.

So it was her. ARGH!

Apparently the maid thought that a fever meant Don was feeling hot. The best course of action for her was to turn the fan on and remove Don's blankets. That was equivalent to dousing Don in a tub of ice.

"Nonono. Shh. Listen la! You see, I'm freezing. I need to sweat. I need jacket. Blanket. Get it? I feel COLD."

"But you're having a fever. So you feel hot!" She doesn't seem to get it.

"Who's having the fever? Who knows better?"

"Yo-"

"-Ya! So please, leave me in peace. My fever should be through the roof now. Thank you, bye bye!"

The thermometer showed 39.6 degrees celcius, a significant rise from the 38.4 earlier that day.

Idea.

Don scrounged for three of his thickest jackets and trainers. Two blankets around his neck like a scarf, two thick socks, Don looked like a snowman save for the gloves. Sliding his comforter around him like a cape, Don steadied himself into a comfortable position before falling asleep.

He woke up the following evening, sweating profusely. Beads of sweat trickled down his cheek as he sat up. His entire pillow was wet. The two innermost layers of his attire were dripping with ill perspiration.

Gotta get those changed, Don thought to himself as he removed his clothings.

Just as the cool air greeted his sweat-covered arms, Don felt a chill travel through him. A doctor should be consulted.

Over at the clinic, Don waited in bated breath. He couldn't breathe in too deeply without straining, nor walk a short distance without panting dramatically.

The queue was long, but somehow Don became a priority case due to his layers of clothing. Two layers now, without the scarf. The nurse explained to the other patients that those with high fever or difficulty in breathing should be seen first. Don had both symptoms.

39.5 degrees celsius. Series of procedure-based checks, and Don was sent home with six different types of medicine.

Medicine- Candies of the diseased. Don laughed at his thought. The fever must really be frying his brain.

Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Glush. Glush. Gulp.

Six strong kingdoms to regain the system from the viral army, with reinforcements every eight hours. The kingdoms needed the last component to assure victory- Sleep.

Don rested.

* * * * *

The following two days were fuzzy, with Don sleeping through more than thirty hours, waking up only to have food and medicine input and output.

Wednesday night. Don was supposed to be well already, but somehow this virus proved stubborn. He was at 40.8 degrees when he went to another clinic for a second opinion, his parents dragging him along the way.

"I can't say much about your son. The last doctor was kiasu, he gave you almost every medicine you need. I'll just prescribe stronger doses. Another day off school, you'll be well soon."

Dusk was horror as the war within Don waged all night. His muscles tensed as he coughed repeatedly, each cough getting stronger and more agitated. He was sweating from the intense heat under the blankets, while his limbs felt cold and numb. The ability to move around was lost. The world around him was kaleidoscopic. Don shut his eyes tightly, trying to go back to sleep. It'll all be over soon.

* * * * *

The thursday sun was shining on Don's face as he cautiously sat up, trying hard not to incur any headaches. Nothing. He felt stronger, as if the war within him had ended. Had he won?

Afternoon proved it true. Night did not. He felt accustomed to the pain, that lingering feeling all over his fragile body.

Meh, gotta get back to school tomorrow. I'll feel better, la, Don thought to himself as he packed his bag.

Just then, a silver rectangular trinket dropped from his wallet. Don bent down slowly, cringing from his aching spine, picking it up and inspecting it. It was as flawless as it was since the first day that was given to him. He peered at his bedroom clock- It was 12.03am, 27 Jan' 2006.

Coincidence?

He smiled as he put the metal back into his wallet, before going to bed.

Happy Anniversary.