"It"s time for a walk." the doctor declared, gesturing the nurse to come forward. She had placed a walker on the side of the bed.
"Ah_" Vivan tried to move his injured leg.
Ira winced at his sudden outcry of pain. Even a slight moment was giving him pain. How could he walk?
She moved to support him but was stopped by the doctor, "He had to do this himself."
The doctor was the well-known orthopaedic surgeon of the country who performed the surgery. She couldn"t question his method or refute his words.
"Turn to one side and then lift the leg." While he gave his instructions, a nurse supported him to get down. It took a long time to turn to a side and get the good leg down.
Now it was the turn of his fractured leg. After every second, he stopped for a breath.
He got up, and with the help of the frame, he stood up.
It was Vivan"s first tie to stand on his feet after the surgery. The leg looked bend at the knee.
As the sole of feet touched the ground, a bolt of pain ran from his leg through the spine and spread all over his body. He stumbled, but doctor backed him.
"Step." The doctor a.s.sisted him further. Ira stood dumb waiting for his step. With a tense face, she clenched her clothes.
Vivan took a step, placing only little weight on the injured leg. Repressing the shrill, he bit his lip. Drops of sweat that coated his forehead displayed the agony he suffered.
Whenever he felt the pain, Ira flinched as if she was the one suffering. She had a tense face, and her eyebrows wrinkled not too obvious in fear that Vivan would notice her nervousness and get more nervous.
A pair of black eyes stared at him with a forced smile. Behind those eyes were restlessness one couldn"t imagine.
It was a fracture, and he was suffering so much. The thought of severing his leg took away her breath. She placed on her chest and decided to compensate for all the pain he suffered last life.
Only after a few steps, his fingers clasped the walker and gasped. Although he looked strong, the slight tremble leaked his discomfort. And he was held back to the bed.
"Walk short distance, exercise and take care." The doctor instructed before leaving.
"Come here," Vivan said to Ira. With messy steps somewhat fragile steps, she ran to him.
"Need something," she said. Vivan"s hands brushed her face and wiped the wetness. Even she had no idea when tears formed on her face.
All wasn"t done. Now, it was time for physiotherapy on the bed.
The physiotherapist lifted Vivan"s leg and taught him the exercised. Ira stood beside him and noted everything in her mind. All this time, Vivan held Ira"s hand all the time. When in pain, he squeezed it hard, but she didn"t say a word. Her other hand brushed his hair gently. "Slow. You can do it." she coaxed him.
Doctors said he would be in constant pain for months. From him, she came to know that at the site, Vivan"s leg was bent in a weird shape. The rescuers had to pull it hard to align the bone. That pain was much worse than this. This was the reason, at the site he was still in the ambulance without a case for a long time.
On top, he also had some flesh injury. As the doctor explained they should prevent the injury from infection. It would complicate their case.
"The face doesn"t suit you." He never looked so vulnerable in her entire life. Or maybe he never noticed his vulnerability. Only when she loved him she felt his pain. She wished to take away all his suffering.
"Stay with me,"
"I"m here."