Chapter 25: Chapter 25

The next day after they packed into the new place, Elizabeth stood before Clinton's door ready to knock. It was time for his exercise as doctor Ken had given them stipulated times for the exercise and also helped Elizabeth with the specific type of exercise she should conduct with Clinton that would help strengthen the bones of his legs faster. Although, they may be strenuous but effective.

Elizabeth expressed her fear concerning Clinton's stubbornness but doctor Ken encouraged her to bear saying that Clinton respects her more than anyone at the moment. Elizabeth found it hard to believe but recalling what happened earlier made her think twice.

Just like she spoke with Clinton to hear his parents out, Clinton agreed to talk to them against his earlier decision of not wanting to speak to his parents.

"Phew," Elizabeth took a deep breath before finally knocking on the door. She placed her ear very close to the door to listen for any sound in the room but heard none.

"Come in,"Clinton said from inside.

Elizabeth proceeded inside the room, Clinton was on his wheelchair but facing the window. He looked calm and in thought.

"Sir, it's time for your morning exercise," Elizabeth said.

Clinton was mute for a while, then, he turned to face Elizabeth and said, "Okay." He started to move himself outside towards the exercise room. Elizabeth wondered if he wouldn't need to change into his sportswear. She thought it best to not remind him as she doesn't want to be faced with the awkward situation of helping him change into them. She decided to not mention it as she followed him out of the room quietly praying within her that the exercise goes well.

INSIDE THE EXERCISE ROOM

Elizabeth helped Clinton up from the wheelchair and onto a long bed. She made him lay on his back facing upwards.

Even though Clinton was extremely close to Elizabeth's face as she helped him into the bed, she couldn't help but notice his sweet smelling cologne that entered her nostrils unrestricted.

Clinton himself also noticed the natural body fragrance that Elizabeth possessed. He kinda loved it and found himself not wanting her to drop him. He took several peeps at her face as she helped him into the bed but ensured that he was not caught.

Once Elizabeth dropped him on the bed, she mentally heaved out a sigh as she marked that one step done. She imagined how she would carry out the next step. Imagining it alone made her want to run out of the room but she already knows there was no going back. She decided to try her best and not put her emotions into it.

"Errrm...I will try to raise your legs one after the other while you lie there, it might hurt a little but it's bearable," she said to Clinton as she proceeded to lift his leg up without waiting to hear if he had anything to say.

"Ouch! That's painful…" Clinton cried out the moment Elizabeth lifted his leg up, only halfway though.

"Oh, sorry. I will go easy now," Elizabeth apologized and continued. She started again taking it slowly and increasing the pace at intervals. Clinton muffled words of pain incoherently and also twitched his face in pain. Elizabeth didn't stop even with his expressions, instead she would just reduce her pace and increase it again when she sees that he has adapted to that pattern. She did it a hundred times, half for both legs.

"I think we are done with this one," Elizabeth said, dropping his legs.

Clinton's chest heaved up and down as his eyes opened in disbelief. "This one? Is there another one to do again for today?"

"If you are to regain your legs, then you will need more than this one to be strong on your feet. Now, raise yourself up for the next one," Elizabeth said and shifted a little away from the bed to face him fully.

Clinton started to carry himself up but would fall back on the bed as he tried. Elizabeth just watched him without saying anything allowing him to continue to struggle without being successful.

Tired of watching him waste a lot of time, she went to him and tried to drag him up but fell on top of Clinton instead. There was awkward silence as Elizabeth looked from herself to Clinton's face that was staring at him clearly as awkward as herself.

Her hand was lying on Clinton's chest like she had purposely fell on him like how couples do in a romantic movie. She quickly scrambled up and strengthened her dress as her face reddened in embarrassment.

Both didn't utter a word as they maintained the awkward silence between each of his thoughts. Clinton could bet his life, he felt some kind of magical feeling the moment Elizabeth fell on him. He wondered what actually happened. It was so quick but he admitted he felt somewhat good for the short period she was on her and oddly wished she stayed a little longer.

Elizabeth on her part felt really embarrassed especially with the fact that Clinton might misunderstand her and think she purposely fell on him. "Gosh! Irk!" Just the thought of it made her feel more embarrassed and awkward.

"Errm, can you please extend your hands so I could help you sit up. This isn't even part of the exercise, wonder why we are wasting time on it," she said and approached Clinton hoping what happened doesn't repeat itself again. She might be forced to end the exercise for that day to continue the next stipulated time.

Clinton did as he was told, Elizabeth was careful this time as she took his hand and drew him up to sit upright.

"Now, this is the main thing, try getting up and taking a few steps. I will be here to hold you if you try to lose balance,"

Clinton looked at her in disbelief. She just asked him to do an impossible thing. How was he supposed to stand and even take a few steps when he couldn't even sit upright? He looked from the bed to where Elizabeth stood which was a little distance but even far to be caught by her if he tried to fall at his first step. She must be kidding him or just intentionally trying to punish him for hating her all these while.

"You are messing with me right now, aren't you?" Clinton said, looking away wondering if this whole thing is even worth the stress. He might do all these and still not walk again. They might as well just let him remain the way he is without stressing both himself and the person trying to give him hope that isn't there in the first place.

"Come on, do it. Okay, let me come closer. I can reach you from here if you ever try to fall," Elizabeth said, seeing Clinton's doubt and reluctance. She shifted closer to his front to assure him of her words.

Clinton still had his doubt but could see the sincerity in Elizabeth's eyes. Just the mere thought of how to get up inflicted more fear into his heart.

"Elizabeth better be sure about this..." he said within him as he started to get up.

Clinton never realized how much hard lifting one's body up is until that moment. He fell back a few times but finally stood on his feet but it wasn't long before he fell right back on the bed. He barely stood for a second before his legs gave him an unbearable pain that he had to fall back. It was as if his legs were too weak to hold his body and couldn't carry his weight. He was sweating profusely and was breathing fast. Once again, he was on the verge of giving up.

Elizabeth could see the frustration creeping into Clinton and threw him a smile of encouragement hoping that would be enough to boost him to continue.