Carol stood up hurriedly as she rushed towards the bed. "Sweetheart, you are awake, son. I was worried about you. How are you feeling?" Carol asked as she touched his hair lovingly.
Frank's dad; Tom Hawking, walked towards the bed and stared at his son.
"How are you, son?" He asked.
Tasha Hepburn and Tony Hepburn, stood beside Carol and Tony.
"I am fine, Mum, Dad…why…what happened to me? Why are you all looking at me with pity?" Frank asked as he struggled to move on the bed. His right hand, had a drip, so he couldn't move it.
Frank'soy her, Carol, forced a chuckled, "Son, relax you are just waking up from anesthesia."
That statement destroyed everything, Frank immediately suspected that something terrible might have happened to him. He closed his eyes and tried remembering what had happened to him. Everything rushed back to his mind, he immediately tried lifting his legs and he could only move one.
Bubbles of sweat formed on his forehead.
"No…no… Mum… I can't feel my leg, I can't feel it, mum. What happened to me?" Frank asked as he tried lifting his left leg again. He couldn't lift it.
He turned to his parents and demanded for an explanation.
"Can someone fucking tell me what happened to my leg? I can't feel it!" He yelled.
"Hey son, calm down, this is a hospital and not a club. You went hiking today, and unfortunately, you were beaten by a venomous snake…"
"I know that, dad! But why can't I feel my leg?" Frank asked again.
Carol looked at his husband, her eyes carried a lot of pity a when she looked at her son. She started playing with her hands as she waited fur her husband to tell their son the truth.
"Is there something you are not telling me?" Frank asked as his heart started to race. He feared that it might break the rib cages.
Mr. Hawking swallowed hard. He pulled the chairs near the bed and both him and his wife sat down.
Carol took Frank's hand in hers as she stroked it with her palm to calm him down.
Mr. Hawking sighed as he leaned forward, touching his chin, he had no idea how he was going to break those new to his only son.
"Son," he called.
"Actually, the snake's venom affected your left leg and walked am afraid that it might be paralyzed," Mr. Hawking said.
Frank stared at them emotionless, he scoffed, "Paralyzed?" He muttered. "What is that supposed to mean? Just like that, I will be paralyzed? Will my leg be amputated?"
"No, Dr. Alik, the head doctor who had performed the surgery on you, said that you might be forced to use the wheelchair the rest of your life," Mr. Hawking informed.
Tears streamed down Frank's face, he couldn't imagine, just like that his life had taken a new turn. The previous day, the girls were fighting to have him dance with them. In the morning, he was so excited to go for hiking, but now the news he was receiving was more than heartbreaking.
So heartbreaking that he felt pain in his heart. It was even so painful to picture himself in the wheelchair.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawking stared at him, waiting for any response from him, but Frank was speechless.
"Son, don't worry about it, we will seek another opinion from the best doctors in the country, don't worry about it," His father said.
"That's right, and using a wheelchair won't change our love towards you, son. We are here to support you," His mother added.
Frank chuckled, "The wheelchair is going to change everything about me, mum. People will be feeling pity at me, some will laugh and some mock me. No one will want to be my friend."
"You are wrong, Frank, all of your friends are here. They have been waiting for you to wake up. Should I let them in?" His mother asked.
Frank sighed as he swallowed hard, he was yet to process everything that was happening to him. He was still in disbelief that he might use the wheelchair the rest of his life.
"I want to be alone," He informed.
"Huh? Frank, you …."
"Mum, I would like to be alone. I would rather not see anyone. Your presence is worsening my situation, leave my room, I don't want anyone visiting me," Frank said.
Mrs. Hawking gasped loudly and looked at his husband, he can't believe what she was hearing. Mr. Hawking nodded, he understands his son's frustration, he needed time alone to process everything.
"Can I ask Audrey to keep you company?" Mrs. Hawking asked before leaving the ward.
"No, I would rather not see anyone," He stated.
"One last thing, you will be changed to a VIP wards. In case of anything, you know what to do, just place a call. Don't forget we are here for you," Mr. Hawking informed and stepped out of the room.
"Whatever, like I care," Frank muttered as stared in space.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawking walked out of the room. They found all of Frank's friends seated on the couch. Mr. and Mrs. Hepburn had already left, and they were at the reception waiting for the Hawking's.
"How is Frank, has he woke up?" Teddy asked as he stood up.
"Yes, he is awake…"
"Is he alone, I want to see him," Teddy said as Warren and Marcus nodded.
"Unfortunately, he would rather not see anyone. He had even asked as to leave the room, he wanted to be alone," Mrs. Hawking said.
The friends sighed in frustration as they blamed themselves fur what had happened to their friend.
"It's getting late, you can go home and maybe come to see him tomorrow," Mr. Hawking advised.
"Yeah, I guess I will leave. My mother is worried by now," Warren said.
"I will leave too," Marcus said.
"Go ahead guys, I will remain here," Teddy said as he sat on the couch and buried his head in his hands.
"Teddy, in case of anything, please inform us," Mrs. Hawking said as she handed him her card.
"Sure."