Chapter 6

Three days passed like a flash and boredom was slowly crawling into Grace. She read newspapers and magazines that she got from the nurses that frequently visited her room. She begged the nurses to get chips and chicken from the hospital cafeteria but they proved adamant and ensured Grace took only vegetables and fruits. There were no TV or radios not even a telephone existed in her room. Her only comfort was a buzzer that she could only use when her health was in danger.

“My life is just so boring!” Grace yelled into the silent room.

Grace adjusted her head on the fluffy pillow and stared at her legs that laid unmoved in the bed. They were smooth but they were immobile. Grace wished that accident never happened. She glanced at the calendar on the wall and squeezed her brows.

The Olympics that she prepared so hard for in three years was now dangerously close. But now she had nothing to prove or show for it. Grace felt useless and unloved. She believed that her future was bleak. She squeezed the magazine in her right hand and dropped it on the floor.

She heard the door creak slightly and she turned. A wheelchair was pushed into the room with a slight force and Joshua entered, wearing a huge smile.

“Hello Grace, how are you doing?” Joshua asked, his hand reaching into his suit pockets. He felt nervous and giddy all of a sudden.

“I feel so bored, why didn’t check up on my health in the past few days?” Grace wailed.

“Did you miss me? I feel so flattered.” Joshua joked with a slight tilt of his head.

“No, I did not,” Grace lied. “It’s your job to check up on your patients and ensure they get better.”

“That’s very true. But you are in luck this afternoon. Would you like to take a walk with me? “ Joshua asked, the dimple on his cheek suddenly etched on his perfect face.

“Are you trying to be sarcastic or rude?” Grace snarled, his words prickled her soul.

“I didn’t mean it that way, Grace. I just want to make you feel better.” Joshua whispered gently, holding his hands out. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, he just wanted to make a great impression.

“And how do you expect me to go for a walk if I can’t walk?” Grace asked, both eyebrows lifted.

“That’s why I brought this.” Joshua patted the wheelchair beside him.

Grace nearly choked, she never imagined that she would set her eyes on a wheelchair. She felt it was for old people.

“And how am I going to get on that?” Grace stupidly asked.

Joshua walked up to her with hasty steps and looked briefly into her eyes before cupping his hands under her neck.

Grace shrieked and with a alarmed voice yelled, “Don’t touch me, what are you trying to do?”

“Calm down tigress, I just want to carry you into the wheelchair,” Joshua replied with a chuckle, she obviously didn’t like being touched.

“Please don’t do anything silly. You can easily call a female nurse.” Grace tried to persuade him.

“Are you sexist or something? Grab on to my neck.” Joshua ordered as his hands immediately reached under her legs.

Grace impulsively grabbed on like he requested and she quickly muttered a quick curse if his hands dared reached her thighs. She felt her limp body being lifted and her heart raced. Her face was now inches away from him and if he tried looking sideways, their lips would definitely meet. She stared at his impressive jawline and she giggled lightly. She could smell his cologne but she couldn’t place her memory on the brand.

Before she knew it, her lower back suddenly hit a hard surface and she screamed.

“Why did you drop me so hard?” She yelled.

“I am sorry, but I have to confess that you are really heavy,” Joshua replied, wiping his brows which was now drenched with sticky sweat.

“I am not heavy, maybe I am since I don’t walk around anymore.” Grace pouted, resting her arms on the wheelchair.

“Let’s go on that walk, you talk too much.” Joshua joked, taking hold of the handgrip on the wheelchair.

Grace exhaled deeply as he pushed her gently towards the door. Her breathing became ragged and raspy as she could feel his gaze at the back of her head. They reached the elevator and were lucky to be the only ones in it. Her heart slammed against its ribcage when they got out of the elevator.

She looked at her surroundings and noticed they were already in the reception area, she could see people waiting to see a doctor staring at her. Some even shook their head with a pitiful expression on their face. She bent her head low, her self esteem was completely crushed. She felt completely weak and helpless.

******

Joshua’s happy demeanor was seen by everyone in the reception room except Grace who was on the wheelchair. He bent a bit to look at Grace but he noticed that her facial expression was completely out of balance, she was sad.

He leaned against her right ear and said, “Stop looking so downcast, there are so many patients here who are blind, there are patients who can’t speak, there are patients who have just three months to live. Don’t worry about the way people look at you.”

Joshua could hear her stifle, she was trying so hard to hold back her emotions. He understood what pain felt like when his wife and daughter died. He didn’t know how to comfort himself so he drank beer till he passed out.

He decided not to speak and pushed the wheelchair gently outside of the hospital, he knew Grace was relieved to be outside from the smile that formed on her face.

“Do you feel better now?” Joshua asked, removing his hand from the handgrip.

Grace exhaled deeply before answered, “To be frank, I feel a lot better. Seeing the sun makes my heart flutter but the fact that I am bound to this wheelchair forever makes me sad.”

Joshua bent his knees and examined Grace, her hair was moving simultaneously with the wind and it looked so beautiful. He smiled and placed a hand on his head.

“Why can’t you believe that you will walk eventually? I told you that miracles do happen, Grace.” Joshua pleaded with his eyes.

“Look at my legs Joshua, they are stiff and lifeless. I know that I am never going to walk. I am sure you know that too. My mother was right, I am just so stubborn not to see the truth, and stop talking about miracles. I told you earlier that miracles don’t exist.” Grace protested as her eyes welled up in tears.

“I don’t really know you, Grace. But there’s one thing that I am certain of. You can’t lose hope, not today and not tomorrow either. You are alive for a reason. You may not walk now but what if you can, in the future? What if you just need to believe in yourself?” Joshua assured, patting her left arm.

“I am alive for nothing. I am completely useless. What is the point of being on this planet if I can’t walk? Why can’t you just be honest with me? Stop spilling nonsense and please just be honest with me.” Grace sobbed quietly, leaning on the arm rest of the wheelchair.

“It’s alright. I am here for you, Grace.” Joshua uttered, he didn’t know what to say. He felt she was just selfish and ungrateful, he wondered why she couldn’t be happy to be alive.

His eyes left Grace and wandered about his surroundings, he caught a glimpse of Helen walking towards him. He rose up on his feet and dusted his white coat.

“Helen, what are you doing here?” Joshua said with a grin.

“And what exactly are you doing here? What if there’s a patient that needs your attention in the emergency unit?” Helen retorted angrily as she swayed her head to look at the woman on the wheelchair. Fury enveloped her on realizing that Joshua was spending time with a patient.

“I was just trying to make my patient feel better. Helen, please meet Grace. “ Joshua mentioned, nudging Helen by the elbow. He was disappointed that Helen refused to acknowledge Grace.

“This isn’t your job, Joshua. If she wanted to go outside, she should have requested for a female nurse instead. You have to consider other patients!” Helen yelled further.

“It’s alright, Helen. You can leave now. I appreciate your concern,” Joshua muttered, he was beginning to get tired of her words.

“Are you asking me to leave?” Helen whispered, her voice lowered in disappointment.

“You don’t want to stay, so why don’t you leave? I still have a lot to learn from my patient.” Joshua taunted, staring at Grace.

“Alright, I’ll leave but I am warning you, you don’t have to go overboard. Stick to your job as a doctor,” Helen replied as she walked away slowly. She seemed disappointed and displeased with Joshua.

Joshua rolled his eyes and turned to look at Grace. But he noticed she was trying not to laugh. He tilted his head and held the handgrip of the wheelchair tightly.

“What’s so funny?” he asked in a calm tone.

******

Grace suddenly erupted into a big laugh and she patted her hands against her thighs repeatedly to steady herself.

“What’s wrong with your girlfriend?” Grace enquired after a while.

Joshua held out his index finger and waved it in front of her face, “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my best friend.”

“Then why was she acting so possessive?” Grace pressed further, mischief twinkling in her eyes.

“She was just being a good friend. How is that possessive?” Joshua objected with a frown.

Grace gulped and pondered deeply. She recollected the way Helen stared at her, it was as if someone snatched her favorite toy away from her. She wondered why Joshua couldn’t see it. It was so clear and obvious that Helen disliked her already.

“She’s not my type, Grace.” Joshua spat suddenly.

“I never asked you that. Why are you telling me that?” Grace asked with a confused expression.

“She’s just a friend to me and that’s what she would ever be.” Joshua continued.

Grace was dumbfounded, why was he explaining that? She wasn’t bothered about Helen being his best friend. But in-depth., she felt relieved that Helen wasn’t his girlfriend.