
The morning began like any other day, calm and familiar. Sunlight filtered softly through the windows, and the house was filled with the gentle sounds of life waking up. Dad was sipping his coffee, thinking about plans for the day, while CUTIS played nearby, full of energy as always. Everything felt normalāsafe, warm, and peaceful.
Then, suddenly, something changed.
CUTIS stopped playing.
At first, Dad didnāt notice. CUTIS often paused between bursts of activity, especially when something caught his attention. But this time, the pause lasted longer. CUTIS sat still, head lowered, his usual bright eyes looking dull. He let out a soft soundānot playful, not curious, but weak.
Dadās heart skipped a beat.
āCUTIS?ā Dad called gently.
No response. CUTIS didnāt run over. He didnāt smile. He just sat there, breathing strangely, his small body slightly shaking. Dad immediately put his cup down and rushed over. The moment he knelt beside CUTIS, worry flooded his chest.




CUTIS felt warm. Too warm.
Dad carefully lifted him, noticing how limp he felt compared to his usual lively self. CUTIS leaned against Dadās chest, something he only did when he was truly tired or unwell. His eyes slowly blinked, heavy and unfocused.
āOMG⦠whatās happening?ā Dad whispered, fear creeping into his voice.
Mom rushed in after hearing Dadās tone. One look at CUTIS and her face turned pale. CUTIS suddenly gagged and coughed weakly, his body trembling. Dad held him tighter, trying to stay calm, but inside, panic was rising fast.
CUTIS had never been like this before.
Dadās mind raced. Did he eat something wrong? Did he catch a cold? Was it something serious? The questions came one after another, each more frightening than the last. He gently checked CUTISās hands, his face, his breathingāeverything he could think of.
CUTIS whimpered softly, a sound that pierced Dadās heart.
That was it. Dad couldnāt wait.
He wrapped CUTIS in a soft towel and stood up quickly. āWeāre going now,ā he said firmly, though his hands were shaking. Mom grabbed what she couldāwater, a phone, anything useful. The house that once felt peaceful now felt tense and heavy with worry.
On the way, Dad held CUTIS close, speaking softly the entire time. āItās okay, buddy. Dadās here. Just stay with me.ā His voice trembled despite his effort to stay strong. Every tiny movement CUTIS made felt like a sign, every pause felt terrifying.




CUTISās eyes opened slightly, meeting Dadās gaze for a brief second. That lookāweak, confused, trustingānearly broke Dad. He realized in that moment how deeply CUTIS was part of his heart. This wasnāt just concern. It was fear of losing someone he loved.
At the clinic, everything moved fast. The staff took CUTIS immediately, checking his temperature, listening carefully, observing every detail. Dad stood nearby, feeling helpless, his fists clenched tightly. He wished he could take the sickness away, wished he could trade places.
Minutes felt like hours.
CUTIS lay quietly, too tired to resist. Dad stroked his head gently, whispering encouragement. āYouāre strong. You always are. Please be okay.ā
Finally, the doctor spoke. CUTIS had a sudden fever and stomach trouble, likely from something he shouldnāt have eaten. It wasnāt life-threateningābut it was serious enough to need care, rest, and close attention.
Dad exhaled sharply, realizing only then how tightly heād been holding his breath. Relief washed over him, but the worry didnāt disappear. He nodded quickly, listening carefully to every instruction, determined not to miss a single detail.
Back home, the atmosphere changed completely. The playful energy CUTIS usually filled the house with was replaced by quiet concern. Dad stayed by his side, refusing to leave even for a moment. He prepared soft food, checked CUTISās temperature repeatedly, and watched his breathing like a guard on duty.
CUTIS slept a lot. When he woke, he looked around slowly, confused but calmer. Each time his eyes found Dad, he seemed to relax just a little. Dad smiled gently every time, hiding his fear behind reassurance.



āYou scared me today,ā Dad whispered softly. āDonāt ever do that again.ā
CUTIS let out a weak little sound, almost like an apology.
That night, Dad didnāt sleep. He sat beside CUTIS, listening to every breath, every movement. Memories flooded his mindāthe funny moments, the secret jokes, the quiet times they shared. He realized how fragile happiness could be, how quickly everything could change.
At one point, CUTIS stirred and reached out weakly, his hand brushing Dadās arm. Dad immediately leaned closer, holding it gently.
āIām here,ā Dad said quietly.
Slowly, as the hours passed, CUTISās fever eased. His breathing steadied. The tension in Dadās chest loosened bit by bit. By morning, CUTIS opened his eyes more clearly, looking around with a familiar spark returning.
When CUTIS finally managed a tiny smile, Dad felt tears sting his eyes.

āThere you are,ā Dad said, voice breaking. āIāve been waiting.ā
Over the next days, CUTIS continued to recover. Each small improvement felt like a victory. A stronger grip. A brighter look. A bit more appetite. Dad celebrated every sign, no matter how small.
The scare changed something inside Dad.
He became more attentive, more careful, more grateful. He realized that love wasnāt just about fun moments and laughterāit was about fear, responsibility, and the willingness to stay awake all night just to make sure someone you love is breathing peacefully.
When CUTIS finally returned to his playful self, running around and laughing again, Dad watched him with a new kind of appreciation. He smiled, but his eyes still followed CUTIS everywhere.
Because now Dad knew.
Life can change in a moment. Health can disappear without warning. And loveāreal loveāshows itself most clearly in moments of fear.
That day when CUTIS suddenly got sick was terrifying. It filled Dad with panic and helplessness. But it also reminded him of something powerful: how deeply he cared, how strong their bond was, and how precious every ordinary day truly is.
And as CUTIS laughed again, healthy and happy, Dad silently promised himselfāI will always protect you. No matter what.
