Marry the Messenger

She tiptoed along the corridor toward Esther's room. Her feet hurt terribly but she had to see her. Nina watched her sister stir feverishly; helpless as she was, she held her hand and cleaned her face with a cold, wet towel to cool down her burning temperature. Tears filled her eyes as she looked at Esther. Was she going to survive? Would she get better? The old doctor couldn't tell. The illness wasn't like anything he had ever seen. The Rivers family was smacked right in the middle of this bubonic storm and no antibiotic was strong enough. When Esther tried to speak, it was a croaky whisper filled with her sadness. Nina looked at her sister whom she adored so dearly, and she reached out softly to her and touched her cheek which was burning with a fever. "I'll be back, sis. The water is not cold enough." Nina whispered tenderly.

Before long, Bill Trevor walked in to Esther's room to see his favorite friend. Esther looked oddly at him. "Bill," whispered Esther. She was surprised to see him walk in. "What are you doing here?" Her voice was almost inaudible but she still wore that perfect smile. It was so perfect it broke his heart to see her in that condition. "Bill Trevor! What are you doing here?!" Nina shouted quietly from the door also surprised "Mama would freak if she saw you." Bill turned to look at her as she walked in. "How is she, really?" He asked her. "Not good I'm afraid." Nina answered, saddened by the look on Bill's face. "Doctor has tried everything." Bill couldn't leave Esther's room. He sat on the bed, and leaned forward to take her in his arms. Nina stood there looking at the room which a few days ago, had everything filled with such life and happy memories. She remembered how often they talked about boys and getting married and then tears began welling up her eyes again. Bill looked at her. He was saddened greatly by Esther's state as he laid her back gently and covered her with the sheets. Esther closed her eyes and fell asleep. "Sleep, my dear, gently sleep," He whispered softly, "Time will be sweet for you." Nina cried in silence looking at a helpless Bill who was madly in love with her sister. "Ooh Bill...I love you. I have for a very long time." Esther whispered as her eyes finally closed peacefully with a smile on her face. He leaned over to kiss her head and then he left. Nina cleaned her face gently with the wet clean towel, changed the sheets and kissed her sister goodnight.

Dawn came early, and without any shilly-shallying, the sun gleamed everywhere with its morning glory and radiance. The sound of birds chirping in the garden, the squirrels running playfully in the grasses and the morning dew tumbling over the leaves to the ground was such a morning delight for Esther and Nina. They always woke up early every morning to witness in sheer glee the amazing scene. But this morning would be different. Or so she thought. "Nina! Nina! Come quickly!" Esther called from her room. "Come look at the squirrels..." Nina scurried over to Esther's room at the end of the corridor and found her speechless. "Esther?" She called out in disbelief. Esther lay silent on the bed just as she'd left her the night before. "Esther..." There was silence. Complete silence except for the birds chirping. "Ooh Esther" She whispered and walked over to close the open window. Nina gazed at her sister whose body appeared lifeless on the bed. She sat by her and reached out to her hand; her heart tearing from her very soul. "How I wish, you'd welcome this morning with me," Her eyes were brutally sad but she managed a dignified smile. "What would I not give to see you smile again..." Nina took the bucket and the towel and returned with a clean one to clean her. Everyone was asleep except for Nina and the maids, who were preparing the first meal of the day and putting the house in order. Nina immersed the clean towel into the cold water. "Nina, if you touch me with that towel, God help me I'll smother you." Esther said with one eye looking squarely into Nina's. Nina looked at Esther and smiled. “Not if I kill you first" she laughed humorously. She was brimming with joy and excitement. Nina felt somewhat drained but she celebrated this miracle with so much eagerness. Jumping and shouting and making loud noises, the sisters attracted the attention of everyone..."Wait... wait...how is that you are in such good health?" Nina asked abruptly, killing the excitement. Esther paused, "I don't know and I don't remember." She lied and quickly looked away. She remembered her healer's last words and his kiss. She still felt the afire touch of his lips on her head. Esther recalled clearly how his touch sent cold chills which were quickly followed by strange warmth relieving her of all the pain she was in. Her dimpled cheeks blushed as his voice echoed in the walls of her ears and his words lingered in her thoughts. She appeared smitten but her face was far from Nina's eyes.

Here are the links to the other parts

Love has gentle hands