♡

One more step closer to freedom.

Mr. Grumpy was relieved to hear good news that day, the chance for some fresh air.

He had not heard about the garden in between the hospital and the facility where he endured his physical therapy on a day to day basis. It was refreshing to his senses, he was feeling much more elated in the morning as he sat and admired its beauty through the naturally clear lighting of the sun's rays. Of course, Mina was there with him, her unofficial job was to accompany him, even if her fussing right now was less than welcomed. As she ascended to her feet she tried to convince him to walk with her once around the garden.

"Come and smell the roses with me."

He grunted in reply, she sighed rather dramatically in dismay and turned to sit beside him still looking towards the eye-catching view that was spread before them. Starting from left to right, the landscaping was incredibly impeccable. He silently sent kudos to the hands that worked so hard to make this garden a great view for everyone.

"Look at all the flowers you haven't smelled in a while," Mina took the time to look out at the range of flowers that cast a rainbow of colors to the otherwise dull buildings. She waved her hand out to present their beauty and variety, waiting for him to concede.

He gave a small nod in affirmation, but kept his neutral face expression as usual, "More than just a while."

"Well stand up so you can smell them now," she held out a hand for him, the other on her hip in an inpatient stance. "The faster you agree, the faster I'll leave you alone."

He seemed to think on that proposition, still admiring the green of the landscape; he'd been wanting to take pictures to keep but settled on saving the mental image in his mind. "Just this once."

Assenting to her wish, he clasped her hand to aid him to lift himself from the bench. He stretched his limbs, as he was accustomed to doing now every time he stood up. As much as he was unwilling to say aloud, physical therapy had worked well on him and his extremities. His muscles felt lighter and his limbs flexed without pain. There was still soreness from every other session that was excruciating from time to time, but his body felt better than a few months ago. Walking was the task at hand now, with a cane no less; he hated the fact of having to use yet another tool to do something a toddler could do without assistance.

Bending at the waist to smell flowers was something he never imagined of doing here, nevermind with the tall brunette nagging him to do so. The aroma of roses at center stage and jasmine surrounding were the most distinct of them all. He knew very little about flowers, their names, and aromas, but these he could make out simply because his mother and sister loved the perfumes besides their beauty. The scent has that nostalgic familiarity with home and family that he missed. He was feeling that loneliness feeling again, every day that passes he longed for his home.

"Aw, what a cute little fountain."

At the mention, he cast eyes on what seemed to be a miniature waterfall fountain; it was a pretty sight in front of a bush of slender leaves. It's many flat stones stacked up in a formation of a wall bathing tiny pebbles where a pond should be, fenced in by rocks of various sizes to keep the pebbles arranged. Yet another mental image he'd like to keep.

"My favorite is the gardenias in the shrubs, they're what spring smells like to me, although the tulips over there are basically the logo sign of this season," Mina enthralled with a charming smile at the gardenias of white surrounded by the lovely evergreen leaves of the shrub.

A wispy breeze that made goosebumps appear on his arms had them both try to quicken their pace. He'd have to acquire a new layer of clothing for himself if he wanted to roam the garden in days to come. He would talk with his sister when she arrived later today, hopefully, she would be in a better mood than the last visit.

One walk around the garden looking through flowers and the landscape then halfway to go back inside was a great start into the afternoon; they walked to his room and soon inside he propped his cane against the bedside.

"Aren't you happy we took that walk, you sure were talkative today."

Only a grunt proved that he had heard the sarcasm in her voice. Although she knew he wasn't going to reply; she responded either way as he sat on the bed to untie the laces on his shoes, remove them and his white socks.

"Grunt all you want, I know you liked it and you'll want to do it again tomorrow and the next day, and the next da-."

"Goodbye Mina," he sighed, lassitude taking over him as he pressed his palms over his closed eyes.

She could make out the tired look he was sporting, his shoulders slumped and his breathing was deep. Without a good snappy comeback to give him she decided to leave him be. He'd have plenty of time to rest before she came back to push his buttons again, "Goodbye, Mr. Grumpy."

When she waltzed out after that expected insult he drowned out all noises with his pillow as he plopped onto his bed and think of how many days in counting, without a calendar, he had left to get out of here then leave.

Through working at the bakery and hearing about the charity event they were going to be catering, she very much liked to be apart of the cause. Her opinion was shared with her family as they began planning on a notepad and adding arrangements for these weeks to come. As exciting as it was the work it required was not an easy fit for everyone involved; Mina's parents were worried about the workload on everyone's shoulders and had begun to think ahead without input. They requested everyone to gather this week to make an announcement about the event planning. Mina was anticipating something was about to occur of it but wasn't completely sure she understood what it was. For now, she focused on more pressing matters she did know of, partially.

Sliding from aisle to aisle in the store, texting Elijah what could Danny like or want as a gift from her and Heidi. Elijah told her she didn't even have to bring one, to begin with, and that their company would be enough that night, but she insisted that it was rude to show up empty-handed and not having bought at least a small gift. Despite not really having the slightest idea of a decent birthday present for Danny, the man who had everything he wanted thus far; she made a list of things she'd bought her father and brother on their birthdays as a guide. Physically, of course, Danny didn't have it all, but a good job and hefty pay did not decrease his possessions; a fantastic car she'd seen, a house all to himself, and a pool she heard about from his friends.

Also sent messages on where exactly the dinner was going to be held and how fancy the restaurant is to inform Heidi what attire was deemed acceptable for the night. Knowing her she'd turn both their wardrobes upside down to find some clothing that was not only expected for two young beautiful women, but that would turn heads in their direction to marvel if eyes were not already on them. She loved the attention, after all, being respected and highly praised. Mina didn't mind the spotlight on her some time or another but preferred it to be on her best friend at most. The restaurant was called Montezuma Manor, the name on its own sounded like royalty. She felt unsure if anything in her wardrobe was befitting enough to enter this establishment this weekend.

It was just the other day Elijah called her as she finished some chocolate pudding in the hospital's cafeteria explaining why he couldn't volunteer for some time this week. Therefore invited her and Heidi to Danny's birthday dinner to spend time together this weekend. She agreed thinking it could be a lovely and fun weekend with friends. Since then she'd been stopping by the cafeteria less and going to watch television in the PT waiting room instead.

Following their original taco fest exploration into hot and spicy sauces, he suggested they see a movie next time. He insisted he pick her up from her apartment, as a good gentleman should, she said it'd be great on her gas tank and they made a deal to see the one cheesy overrated movie everyone loved. She checked the screenings first and chose the most cliché rom-com that was showing that night. He begrudgingly said, "Of course you'd choose pure torture, Thursday at eight then?"

"It's a date."

That night ended with laughs, mocking, and a stolen kiss that was meant to be on the cheek. It was a good change from her past couple of dates with the opposite sex that still made her cringe at the thought of having to see any of them ever again. She voted nay, happily enjoying the recent.

She had giggled as if she was sixteen again with butterflies in her stomach. She lifted her head and turned, looking left while signifying to her cheek with one finger. He took the bait and leaned in but rolled his eyes first with a wonderful smile on his face, clearly not really bothered.

Right as his lips grazed the soft skin of her face she switched her vision of sight and planted her lips against his. It clearly took him by surprise, but he certainly had no complaint at the turn of events. Even if the kiss was kind of chaste it was meaningful and she more than liked the feel of kissing a great and good looking man. They'd been modifying their busy schedules to puzzle in their various outings throughout the days and most importantly the weekend, kissing was the best part though in her opinion.

This morning was warm, the type that made the sunlight illuminate one's best features; it placed highlights in your hair you didn't know were there. Mina had to squint her eyes to see farther up ahead as she stepped. It didn't help that she had no more contact lenses to wear until next week's optometrist appointment. Now waiting in PT room for over twenty minutes, she thought back when she was just about to grab her old glasses and then didn't for some reason. Almost fifteen minutes later, walking out to the garden together had become their matter-of-course.

He pushed her away to have his fair space of self-reliance. She didn't mind one bit, encouraging him by walking on the grass beside him. More time passed as they walked separately, but eventually, he thought that wasn't enough. He stopped and looked at her before he slid the cane onto her hands. Her protest against his dangerous idea of independence had been either unheard of ignored, most likely ignored. Mr. Grumpy was trying to prove his self-sufficiency by standing alone. However, he didn't stop there; he went forward all by himself and kept hobbling forward.

"Don't stress out your knee."

He could hear the worry in her voice if not shown on her bare face, "I'm not."

"Does it hurt too much?"

He was being a little rude, he knew, but this is what he wanted and her questions and concerns were not helping him better his stride on his own, "What do you think."

When she stepped in front of him, he almost grabbed onto her to halt himself, but she merely walked back to stare at him with her beautiful smile. That was more the reason to keep up with his stride. He couldn't trip over his feet because her beauty blinded him, it was ludicrous.

"I think, you're trying too hard. Stop fisting your hands, you can't control your balance like that, try open hands."

As suggested, he tried to undo his fists; his palms shown downward as he spread his arms wider to help balance himself. It did very much help him redeem his balance, although he did not let his lips admit it. It felt like an hour went by of him training his lower body to function for itself. Every second hurt and every minute he convinced his mind to keep going.

"Do you want the cane now?"

"No," he strained his vocal cords to say even if he knew he needed it.

"You're face is a little sweaty."

He took a deep inhale of fresh air trying not to think of words to scream or yell at her. She was a pain in his side every time she spoke. At least she could cook, that was the sole reason he hadn't thrown her out of his current life situation.

She reached into her fanny pack, she had anticipated the weather for today better than the news channel and came prepared. A handed an extra water bottle to him as she took a sip of her own, "Here, drink some water."

Gladly, he gobbled half of the water in one go. She took him by the elbow and instructed him to lean on her so they could go sit. He could not protest to the idea that seemed heavenly at the moment. His much-needed cane propped by him when he dropped all weight on the bench, making Mina bounce when the wood planks did. Once seated, he used his shirt to wipe the sweat off his forehead, exposing his lower abdomen, the scar that seemed to go on deeper than what was visible to her, and so many unanswered questions.

"Hey, small progress is still progress."

He panted, feeling a burn in his right arm, but left leg. He wanted it so badly, his independence back in his grasp. He sighed after crushing the empty water bottle in his hand. Progress seemed like forever since he'd been awake in this hospital.

"You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously, that's a quote I like to remind myself," Mina was trying to lift his low spirits with simple smiles that she hoped to be working.

"Is that right," he hadn't heard that quote but did like it as of now.