On the road to recovery (Marree)

As I glance up and down the hallway holding on as tight as possible to the counter next to me I spot her figure approaching the room I'm supposed to be in. Nobody allowed me to leave it but what should I do if I have to used the bathroom.

My first instinct is to holler her name down the hallway but I remind myself how early it is. A lot of patience might still be sleeping.
I need to hurry up because I don't want her to turn around and leave again.
If only it wasn't so hard and painful to drag that damn cast around with me while hopping on one leg and grabbing every door handle and hand reil on the wall I can get my hands on. I'm still terrible slow and by the time I'm close to her totally out of breath.

"Boo!" I call out behind her, not too loud.
When she whirls around I offer her the best smile I can manage right now and greet her.
"You're here again!"
Swaying back and forth I take a good look at her. She's wearing different clothes today and her hair is in a neat braid. Her face doesn't even look tired despite the early morning. On the contrary. her cheeks a rosy to match her full lips.
"Your sister didn't do your hair today, did she? Looks nice. It's good to see you again."
Do I sound cheesy? I hope not because I really want her to keep coming around. Nothing better than seeing her face around here.

It's actually fun to see her jump a little. Seems like I'm in a better mood today than the day before when I felt like curling up in a ball and crying like a baby. I would not allow myself such silly, weak actions but I sure felt like it.

Kalina instantly tells me that I should be in bed, which is right of course, and puts a concerned look on her face, which reminds me of my mother. It looks much cuter on the girl in front of me though.
"Is that the look you're giving your little sister when she doesn't do what she's supposed to?" I question leaning my shoulder heavily against the door frame for support since I'm still pretty shaky and out of breath.
"I had to use the bathroom, Dr. Kalina." I explain with a hint of sarcasm that I hope she won't mind. Somehow I feel like teasing the girl, which almost tells me that I want to flirt with her.

The coffee in her hand makes me almost giddy. "Real coffee. You are so wonderful. You would not believe what their food tastes like here. I love you just for that thremos you're holding."
Did I really just say that? What is wrong with me?
"How is your sister doing today?" I tone the cheese down a bit.

The nurse that is leaving the room next to mine is shooting me an angry look. "What are you doing out here? Get back in your bed!"
"Yes, mam." I tell her because she sounds like a drill sergeant and I don't want to get on her bad side. Who knows what she's going to do to me if I do.

Pushing the door handle down I reach for Kalina's shoulder for support because there's nothing else to hold on to when I'm crossing the room. "May I?"
My weight must be quite heavy for her tender shoulders. Half hopping, half dragging myself across the room I notice that it was a bad idea to get out of bed because this motion is really painful but I don't have a choice now. I have to make my way over to my bed where I can slowly sit down and rest for a moment before pulling that heavy cast up onto the bed and laying down again.
By the time my head hits the pillow I'm panting like an old woman.
"Holy smokes, didn't know that bed is so far away from the door. And you probably didn't know how much I weigh." I joke because I want to see Kalina smile. Those dimples of hers just look too cute.

I'm glad Kalina is her to support me not only in a physical way but also with her thrilling charm and sarcasm, which I'm pretty fond of. I enjoy our teasing and bickering. Plus she saved me from that evil nurse, who would certainly have been rather unpleasant.

For a moment I let my head rest on the cushion because it feels just as heavy as the rest of my body. Who could have known that an operation would turn me into a weakling? I'm not liking this and will definetly try to proof the opposite to my new found friend as soon as I can. For now lifting my head is as far as I get when she jokes about the room being so far away from the toilet.
"Yeah, I need to upgrade. A little more privacy wouldn't be bad either."
My comment earns me a sour look from my neighbor who has woken up now as well.

Kalina's out the door to get two cups giving me a chance to shift in bed, groan and close my eyes while my neighbor states. "She's cute. Your girlfriend?"
Turning my head to the door I smile. "Working on it."
Did I really just say that? I don't want a girl friend. Right?
A moment later the raven haired beauty is back with two cups offering me one so I just wink at the other guy and push myself up onto my elbows to receive the cup.
"She's leaving today?" I ask almost dissapointed but have to remind myself that it's the best for the little girl.
"Yeah, please come by. I want to meet her." Maybe she looks just like Kalina but smaller.
Instantly I get worried that I might spend the rest of the time here alone with nobody to talk to.
"Is there a chance that you come back once to bring me more of this awesome coffee while I'm here?" The coffee is actually not got great. It's way too strong for my taste and not sweet enough but that doesn't matter as long as she'll bring him. It could taste like vinegar for all I care.
I take a careful sip and smile. "Hmmm."
It must be pretty obvious that I'm faking it because I'm not even trying to sound realistic.

OOC: Do you want to skip a few days ahead?

At first there was this need to be healthy and well again that made me stay in bed as long as I could but the more days passed the antsier I got. I feel like a prisoner in here now. Especially for the past two days I've just been wanting to leave because the others in the room don't want to talk. All they do is sleep, groan and moan and whine. I'm really sick of them but my only distraction since Kalina is not coming back is a book I've borrowed.

This morning however there was a bit of good news. Finally I'm allowed to leave this darn bed and move around in a wheel chair. The word alone makes me cringe but at least I get a little more mobile.
'only two more days and we'll be able to tell whether we have to go in again or can send you home.' The doctor had told him with a stern face. The outlook to go home in two days was good enough to put a slight smile on my face. It lasted for maybe ten minutes. Then I was back to reading the boring book, staring at the ceiling and, strangely enough, thinking about Kalina more and more.
Fishing a pen from the table near my bed I start drawing her face into the back of the book. I'm not an artist and my picture looks like a four year old drew it even though I take my sweet time.

After a few more minutes I place it on the pillow next to me and push myself to a sitting position. "Holy shit." My head starts spinning like crazy and my vision drops out for a moment but I remain there.
Maybe not moving around for almost a week is bad for me. Time to do something about it.
Once my vision returns I carefully lift my casted leg off the bed and slowly drop it onto the floor. It doesn't hurt, which is a good sign.

While I sit there I notice my own stink. Maybe not taking a shower for a week was also not good for me. In disgust I pull off the hospital gown but that only makes things worse.

At that very moment a knock announces somebodys arrival, then the door behind me opens and an in comes Kalina. She doesn't look anything like my drawing. She's much more beautiful with those rosy cheeks, the vibrant smile, great eyes and lips.
"Kalina!" I exclaim a little too enthusiastic. "Good to see you!"
Of course I am aware of my own lack off clothes and three day beard , or is it a five day beard by now, that has taken over my face but I still offer her a smile.
"Don't get too close. I need to bathe!"

Briefly I search her hands for more coffee but don't see any. "No coffee today?" I mock pout. 'Thank goodness.'

My mood got elevated to a whole new level when Kalina smiled at me and started teasing and banter like usual. Of course she'd make a remark about that nasty nurse, who had become a real pain, over the past days. Apparently her and me would not become best friends and picturing that ugly thing giving me a bath, which I'd have to be completely naked for, of course, was almost night mare material.
"Oh thank you, Lina, that's such an enticing thought."
I give her a lopsided smile.
"But if you want to volunteer I wouldn't say no."
Now it is my time to nudge her to let her know I was only joking.

"Nah, I'll clean up later. I'm too happy to see you to waste my time with such superficial stuff."
Kalina certainly brought out the best in me.
When she mentioned the wheel chair ride I'm not too thrilled about sitting in one of those but if that's what I have to do to get a moment of privacy with her I'll do it.
"I'm not really that sick, you. But okay. Let's go for a ride. They told me this morning that I'm allowed to do that now. But maybe you can ask for crutches instead. they might listen to you more than me."

Soon enough I'm pulling a new shirt on and try my best to manouver into a wheelchair, which proofs to be harder than I thought because it keeps sliding away. I reach for her hand for support and can't help but notice how much I like feeling her soft skin under my fingertips.
For a moment I pause and smile at her.
Finally I sit in the darn thing with my leg elevated and nod. "Alright, driver. Giddy up. Let's get out of here."

"I'm ready." I tell her wondering what she's up to when I feel her hand on my shoulder. I look at it and smile before I turn my head to see where we're going. It feel absolutely odd to be wheeled around in one of these.
"I feel like a very old man." I tell her because of my strange mode of transportation. If only I was allowed to use crutches. "I'm telling you. I'm not leaving in one of these."

While she wheels me down the hallway I can't help but shoot a look at that very nurse we've been talking about. The look on her face almost tells me she knows what we've been talking about and there's a hint of an evil smile.
Quickly I tell Kalina. "I think it's time you get some experience in the field of hygene."

Soon enough we reach the break area where the warm sunshine and a nice breeze is greeting us. It feels like it just made my life so much brighter. Birds are singing in a tree above us and the world seems right.
Looking over at the reflection of the sun on her dark hair, that's getting moved by the breeze, I can't help but smile.
"Thank you. I'm so glad you came to rescue me. Much better out here than in that room packed with groaners."

I let my head fall back to let the sun shine on my face. Working in construction I get a lot of it years round and always have a good teint, especially in the summer months. Her skin however looks delicate.
"So what have you been up to in the past days? You must have been quite busy. It's nice that you're taking the time to come and visit me."
She didn't know how much I appreciated her presence. Not only was she great distraction but I was also getting butterflies in my stomach whenever she showed up. This could be the beginning of something good. Something i wasn't looking for but nevertheless good.

The sun warms my face as I sit with my eyes closed a smile plastered on my lips. The reason for it isn't so much the nice weather or finally being outside the stuffy room. No, it's my company who has taken a seat on the grass next to me. I'd really like to climb out of the wheel chair and sit down next to her but I don't want to make a fool out of myself.
Kalina shrugs off my thanks but then she says something that catches my attention 'I never expected to meet someone like you.'
Opening my eyes I look down to her with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?" What does someone like you mean? Am I odd? Am I unlike others? Does she find me nice?

Then I hear her talk about her little sister and despite the fact that she seems a little stressed I can clearly tell how much she loves her. "I wish I had a brother or sister. It sounds like I'm really missing out. I mean I'm an adult now but still. It's nice to hear how close you two are." As a kid I often wanted a brother. Somebody to go out there with me, teach me a trick or two and practise fighting. My dad had to stand in for the non existing brother and did a pretty good job until I got too tall and strong and we had to stop the fights for my dad's healths sake.

"Don't apologize. You came now. That's more than I can ask for." I fiddle around with the top of the cast because it's starting to get pretty itchy out here in the sun. But sticking my hand in doesn't really work.
So I resort to leaning my head back again and closing my eyes while the sun shines on my face.
Her comment about me throwing pillows at the other sickies makes me laugh though. "How did you know that?" I play surprised.
"I'd much rather throw those pillows at you." i grin cheekily before I get a little more serious. "They told me that they'll be able to tell in two days whether they have to tweak around some more or I can finally go home. I'm telling you. No matter what they say: I'm going home. No chance in hell I'm letting them do that a second time." And I'm not joking when I say that.

A moment later I'm calm as a cucumber again when she asks about going swimming. That sounds like a date to me. Kalina wants a date. Heck, yes!
"I'll be ready as soon as this thing comes off." My knuckles caress the white, hard plaster, that is slowly but surely becoming a real pain. "Can't wait....for the swim."
"When I'm back I'll check out the construction site I work on. I need to get back there as soon as I can. See how far the boys got without me and how the guy standing in for me has managed to keep things rolling." Chuckling slightly I think about my friend. "He's really young, still a kid and has no idea about construction but he's ambitious and a mathematical genius. They've either ripped him apart or bow to him now."

Once again my eyes find her. For a moment I admire her beauty. The way she sits next to me, leaning back with the wind caressing her skin. She looks perfect to me. Like she's completely at peace with herself.
"Is that a date?" The corner of my mouth gets tucked up before I even get an answer.
"What are your plans when I get out of here?" I ask her cheekily raising one brow. What does she have in store for me. Will she ditch me like the girl before? Kalina doesn't seem the type. She's too caring.