Chapter Text
Nicolò looked over at Yusuf, who was lying on a cart all wrapped up in bandages, pretending to suffer from a broken back, while a loving older woman was feeding Yusuf porridge.
"Avvvv," Yusuf said to a woman feeding him with porridge. "It hurts sooo much."
"That's why I blended the medicine into the porridge," The woman replied as she stirred the porridge in the bowl. "Eat all of this, and the pain will soon be gone."
"I'm not sure I can eat all of that," Yusuf said politely. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. "It hurts sooo much."
"I know, young man," The woman replied as she held up a spoonful of the porridge. "Now, open your mouth."
Yusuf opened his mouth while looking at Nicolò, who was talking with the Doctor. They exchanged a smile. Nicolò knew that being fed porridge hurt Yusuf even more than pretending to have a broken back because Yusuf hated porridge.
"Just a little more," The woman urged, holding up a spoonful of the porridge. "So you soon will feel better again."
Nicolò tried not to laugh over the look on Yusuf's face when he swallowed the porridge and gave the woman a big smile.
"And one more mouthful," The woman said, holding up an even bigger spoonful of the porridge. "Such a good boy."
Yusuf looked at Nicolò for help when the woman scrapped the bowl for the rest of the porridge, but Nicolò just smiled at him.
"You know, young man," The woman said as she held up a spoonful of the porridge. "All my sons grew up on this porridge and are big, strong men now, just as you'll be once you have recovered from your broken back."
"Thank you for your kindness," Yusuf said. "And for the porridge. I'll never forget it."
The woman put the spoon into Yusuf's mouth, who again swallowed the porridge out of politeness. Then Yusuf looked at Nicolò with a look that said, "Help me. Please.". But all Yusuf got in return was one of Nicolò's giggles.
"I'm sorry we can't do more for your friend," The Doctor said. "I don't know how he survived that fall from the third floor."
"He is all kinds of stubborn," Nicolò replied, which was the truth. "And I also think that he is too afraid of dying without permission from his loved one."
The Doctor laughed, thinking it was a joke, but Nicolò knew the last bit was also true.
"Once he is recovered," The Doctor said. "Tell him the girl's parents are forever grateful for him saving their daughter's life."
Yusuf acted like a shock absorber when the floor gave in during the fire, saving the little girl's life. Their luck was that people were more busy checking if the little girl was ok instead of Yusuf, giving Nicolò the time to ensure that Yusuf had healed up as he should before telling people that Yusuf had broken his back during the fall. Four hours later, they were heading for a bigger city to have Yusuf's back checked over in a hospital because the country doctor couldn't do anything about a broken back.
"I promise," Nicolò replied. "And I'll also make sure to leave your cart and horse at your friend's house."
"Thanks," The Doctor replied. "Better get going before my Ummi gets another portion of porridge."
"Hehe," Nicolò replied. "My friend is a big fan of your Ummi's porridge, as you can tell."
They both laughed as they looked at Yusuf, who was being fed one last spoonful of porridge.
"Please look after your friend," The woman said. "He is a kind soul."
"I promise," Nicolò replied. "And thank you for your kindness. I'm sure the medicine will work soon."
"Try to avoid any bumps on the road," The doctor instructed. "I know it's hard, but if you can keep the ride smooth, it will be the best for your friend's broken back."
"I'll do my best," Nicolò promised. "We better get going. It's almost dark, and I want to get as far as possible."
The woman placed a kiss on Yusuf's forehead.
"Get better soon," The woman said. "And I know you'll soon be walking again."
"Thank you," Yusuf replied. " And for the meal. The medicine is working."
"Then go to sleep," The woman replied. "When you wake, you'll be at the hospital."
After another kiss on Yusuf's forehead, Nicolò got the horse going.