Never Lose Hope

Chapter Nine

            “Why is this so serious?” I ask confused.

            “Because sometimes after the procedure, your body isn’t used to it so some people can’t crutch around because their body is in too much shock, so they fall over.” He says and I get scared. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, you’re responding pretty well for the day after the surgery.” He says. We get outside of the room and I start to crutch around the hallway while Dr. Kamel follows me around keeping an eye out for me, but also giving me room to move where I want to go. I feel so much better now that I’m out of the bed but after a few minutes I start to get dizzy and hold my head in my hands dropping my crutches at the same time. Just as I black out I feel someone catch me before I fall down. I feel my body his the soft bed but I can’t open my eyes.

            “Oh my God, Sara. What happened to her?” I hear my mother asks.

            “She was in too much shock. Her body couldn’t handle it, it’s normal after someone undergoes a surgery. She’ll wake up soon enough though. Don’t worry, she’s fine.” I hear the doctor say just as someone starts to shake me awake.

            “Sara, wake up. Come on Sara wake up.”

            “What?” I ask snuggling into the blanket. “Are you okay?”

            “I’m fine, just let me sleep.” I open my eyes and jolt up. “What happened? I don’t remember walking back into here.” I say confused.

            “Well you sort of fainted while you were walking.” Dr. Kamel says. “It happens a lot, nothing to be worried about you. You’re fine.” He says.

            “Can I go out again?” I ask with hopeful eyes.

            “Not today, we’ll go back tomorrow.” He says with a smile on his face. “Well, you should eat lunch now, I’ll leave you alone now.” He says walking out. “Oh, look at that, you have visitors.” He says turning to look at me with a smile. He steps aside and lets the five people through the door before stepping out, closing the door on his way out. I turn to see who’s at the door, it’s Jihad, Kevin, Troy, Tamara, and Dalia. Troy and Kevin are holding a few balloons each, and the girls are holding gift bags. “You guys didn’t have to get anything.” I say with a smile on my face.

            “Well, it’s our way of saying, we hope you feel better.” Troy says tying the six balloons to the chair. The girls place the gift bags next to the other ones. I still didn’t have time to go through them.

            “You guys got me something yesterday. You don’t have to get something every day. Shit happens. I’m fine.” I say raising my eyebrows at them.

            “Well you should know that the whole school found out that it’s Brianna’s fault you’re here, everyone at school is worried about you.” Troy says smiling at me.

            “Well that just reminded me that I have so much to catch up on.” I groan.

            “No need to worry, I have it handled.” Tamara says taking something out of her back and hands me it. “The teachers were nice enough to make the work easier, they gave you a packet each, but you have all week to do it and you hand it in whenever it’s done.” She says placing a pen onto the bed. I place the pen on the table that’s next to bed, along with the packets. Someone knocks on the door and my father walks in with normal clothes on which tell us he’s not working today. He’s carrying Zeina and once she sees me in the bed with the cast she starts to cry.

            “Sara, what happened?” She sniffles and I hold out my arms to grab her and she holds onto me. I lay her down on the bed next to me.

            “I’m fine habibti. You don’t have to worry.” I tell her wiping at her tears.

            “No you’re not. You’re in a hospital. You weren’t home yesterday.” She says.

            “I’ll be home soon. I promise okay?” I say and she nods her head hiding her face in my chest. I play with her hair and I hear her sniffles. Troy is looking at us with a smile on his face and my father spots him looking at me.

            “Who are you?” My father asks protectively.

            “Jihad’s friend.” Troy responds knowing he can’t say we know each other. My father nods and says something to my mom.

            “Okay, Zeina. Time to go, I’ll bring you back tomorrow.” My mom says with small smile on her face.

            “No, I want to stay with Sara.” Zeina cries out holding onto my neck not wanting to let go.

            “Zeina nobody is allowed to stay the night, say good night, you’ll see her tomorrow. I promise let’s go.” My mother says prying her arms from my neck.

            “No.” Zeina screams out. “I want to stay with Sara.” She yells. The door is closed before I could say good night.

            Troy, Kevin and Jihad leave a few minutes. Before Jihad walk out he sits down on the chair and looks at me. “If you get bored tonight and can’t sleep, I’ll come and keep you company. Okay?” He says and I nod my head. He walks out along with Dalia and Tamara. Tamara is probably going to stay at Dalia’s house for the day, and Jihad is probably going to drop them off.

            “Sara, it’s getting pretty late. You should get some rest, we’ll redo the walking tomorrow, and we’ll do it every day until you’re ready to go home.” Dr. Kamel says to me. Everyone in my family left to let me sleep so I fluff out my pillow behind my head and lie my head down. Dr. Kamel gets two pillows from a closet and places them under my ankle elevating my leg. “I’ll check on you first thing in the morning.” He says shutting the lights and closing the door.