His unsettling appearance began to sow seeds of fear among his neighbors. Some even steered clear of his path, making wide detours when they chanced upon him. They treated him like an infectious entity, their actions dictated by the fear that his condition could spread. The questions remained unasked and unanswered, the rumors and conjectures only escalated, deepening the veil of mystery and heightening the communal sense of unease.
Meanwhile, Rohan continued to fight his silent battle. Despite the constant fatigue and aching discomfort, he refused to seek medical attention. In his mind, doctors were for the weak, a sentiment deeply ingrained by the hardy farming community he belonged to. He bore the discomfort with a grim tenacity, allowing no one to see the toll it was taking on him.