• August 03, 2017 •

The day Zach had been patiently waiting for came at last. His cast had to be removed and after that, he could finally try to stand up and take a few steps. Of course, he would need help at first but the doctors were certain that with care and effort, he would be able to walk again.

Though he was nervous because he hadn't stood up in so long and staying confined to a wheelchair had made him fear that he might never be able to walk again. True, he tried to look at the brighter side of things but there were times when it became difficult for him to find the silver lining.

And through that current stage of his life, he was learning why it was so hard for people to be optimistic, how there could be so many visible and invisible constraints forcing them down. In a sense, he had had enough time to reflect on his situation and compare it with others.

"Guess what day it is today?" Ava's cheerful voice shook him out of his thoughts as she pushed his wheelchair to the dining table.

Breakfast was laid out and they had to leave for the hospital shortly afterward.

"Aw come on, Zach, cheer up," she squished his cheeks, making a reluctant smile tug up at his face, "I know deep inside you're jumping from excitement."

"I can't jump."

"You soon will," she remarked off-handedly, "now hurry and eat up. Get this ugly-looking cast off as soon as possible."

"Alright I get it," he filled up his plate, by then both his arms had recovered well and he had no problem doing his daily tasks. The only issue was the cast and that too would be removed shortly. 

After breakfast, Jonah helped him to the car and they took him to the hospital. Ava was staying behind with Solar but Morena had insisted to come.

Though Ava had been right in saying that Zach was internally jumping from excitement. He knew it was foolish to hope for an immediate change after the cast would be removed but at least he wouldn't have to tolerate that heavy burden over his leg all the time and he would be able to stand up and eventually walk as well.

Of course, that was enough to get him excited albeit a little nervous too.

After the routine appointment with the doctor, he was taken to the surgical room where the cast had to be cut through with a machine that worked akin to an electric drill. First, a line was drilled through the thick plaster and then the crack was deepened so that it could be split into two.

Zach couldn't feel a thing because his leg was already very stiff from staying in the cast for a month. It would take a few days for the stiffness to lessen and also for his muscles to get used to functioning normally.

Though when the cast came off at last, the most shocking thing for him was to see how damaged his skin had gotten underneath. Since the white plaster had been wrapped around his leg for so long, the skin underneath had gotten dry and flaky.

"It looks like a monster's leg," he mumbled and the intern who had cut his cast off laughed at his remark.

"This is old skin layer and will peel off gradually, just don't pick on it," he replied, "since you couldn't wash it properly with the cast on, your skin dried up. I'm sure the doc would have prescribed something to take care of this too."

Zach nodded, looking again at his slightly swollen but stiff leg. He tried to move it but it didn't budge, staying as stiff as a log.

"It will take some time," the intern patted his shoulder lightly, "you should start slow. Take these two days to get your leg used to your normal routine. Don't stress yourself out and I'm sure by the third day, you will see improvement."

"Okay, so I should wait for two days still?"

"Yup. But that doesn't mean you have to stay in your wheelchair. Try standing up every once in a while, with some help mind you, and it will make the blood flow down to your leg which is also necessary."

"Alright."

"Now we have to take you to the X-Ray department and then you'll be having a post-removal checkup. Don't worry, it's all to make sure that your leg has healed properly. I will see you at the doc's office."

Zach nodded and was taken out of the room where Jonah and Morena were waiting. From there, he was taken for an X-Ray and then back to the orthopedic's for the final checkup. 

He was told that as the cast had been removed, he would be fitted for a walking boot to use for safety precaution whenever he had to stand up or try to walk around. He was advised to walk only for fifteen minutes per hour and that too with external help such as crutches or some other support. 

It would take weeks or even a month for him to be able to walk normally but still, it was a huge improvement from earlier.

***

• August 05, 2017 •

The intern had been right as after two days of rest, Zach could feel considerable improvement. His leg wasn't as stiff as earlier and the swelling had reduced, even the dry flakes of skin had come off after washing.

That day his friends had gathered once again and they had very much decided to make Zach stand up and walk around a bit. Connor had volunteered to be the one Zach could hold onto for support and the rest were there for motivation.

"Guys, you are cheering me on like I'm in a marathon or something," Zach remarked, a slight wistful hint in his voice which he immediately disguised with a smile.

"Think of this as a marathon then," Connor prompted him, "you're on the race to recovery!"

Sometimes Zach would wonder how extremely alike Connor and Ava were in their nature and personalities. They were the heart and soul of their group through their enthusiasm and hilarious antics. And that same thought would lead Zach to think that it was a wonder the two were together; they were similar to the extent that they could either be a perfect couple or go haywire and drive each other crazy.

"Earth to Zach, we're waiting," Ava snapped her fingers in front of him, shaking him out of the abrupt train of thoughts.

"Oh. Yeah, I'm ready," Zach reached forward to hold on to Connor's hand and the latter helped him stand up. 

He had been wearing his walking boot and it sent a weirdly dizzy feeling as the blood rushed down to his leg; it had happened each time he had stood up before as well with Jonah's help.

"Now remember, I'm not going to let you fall so you don't have to worry about that," Connor reassured him, "all you have to do is believe in yourself. You can do this."

"Wow, I never knew you could be such a motivational speaker, Con," Kara remarked, her voice making Zach's smile widen and he felt slightly more reassured that he could do it.

"Okey dokey," Luke had gone to stand on the other end of the room where Zach was supposed to walk to, "on the count of three..."

At the countdown, Zach took in a deep breath and held tightly onto Connor, his left leg not touching the ground yet. His first step was a bit wobbly because his ankle was still a bit stiff and he wasn't used to walking in that tight-fitted boot either.

But slowly and steadily, he edged forward, his tight grip on Connor easing up as he got more sure that he would not fall. 

It was a strange feeling to be able to walk again after a month of staying confined to a wheelchair. And yet again he was thinking about how he had taken that blessing of walking freely for granted earlier.

A month of pain and suffering along with slow recovery had made him realize how each blessing in life mattered and one should be grateful at all times. To be able to walk, to be able to see, hear, live and breathe... These were all blessings humans usually take for granted.

But only when they lose either of the blessings do they realize the true significance of that ability in their lives.

"You did it!" Nora cheered as Zach and Connor had reached Luke by then who had given him a congratulatory high five.

Zach felt grateful that he was finally able to walk, even if not the way he could do so earlier and even if not on his own, still it was remarkable progress. Step by step and little by little, he would eventually be able to come back to normal.

"Now sit down and rest," Kara instructed, "you remember the doctor's instructions, don't you? No overexertion."

Zach nodded, sitting down on the chair Luke had brought over. 

At that moment having all of them around to motivate him and help him through what had been the most difficult part of his life, Zach could see that such genuine friends were also a blessing.

And he was very grateful for their presence in his life.

***