Part 1

Syed opened his eyes and peered around groggily. He had been sleeping so much recently but still felt so tired. Thankfully his mum and dad weren't here this time. He didn't think he was up to hearing his mum talking at him anymore today.

He looked around the hospital ward he was in. Everyone in this ward seemed to have broken legs, arms or similar. He seemed to be the only one here facing possible paralysis. At this thought, he glanced down at his legs. They were encased in plaster apart from his feet. He concentrated hard and tried to move his toes but nothing again. He remembered a couple of weeks earlier when the doctor had done various tests and he could tell straightaway that it wasn't good news. Apparently the feeling may come back but he would have to work hard at physiotherapy every day and see what happened. For now he would be stuck in a wheelchair. He had tried the physiotherapy for 2 weeks now and felt it was pointless. On his final session he had sort of managed 2 steps but it had taken so much effort. His legs didn't want to function at all and how was he supposed to make them move if he couldn't feel them? He decided he wouldn't bother with it today, he was too tired. Also he just had to accept this was his life now and he would have to get used to life in a wheelchair.

It was evening visiting time and Masood and Zainab came in to visit Syed. Tamwar was at home babysitting Kamil. As they were leaving one of the nurses called them over

"Excuse me Dr Khan was hoping to have a word with you both if you have time."

"Yes yes of course" replied Zainab.

The nurse led them to his office and knocked and they went in. He gestured them to sit opposite his desk.

"Sit down Mr and Mrs Masood please. Thank you for coming in. Yes I wanted to speak to you about Syed's treatment. We feel that he should go home in a few days and obviously he will continue to get home visits to help to start with while he is adapting."

"Would he continue to have his physiotherapy as well and how long will he need this help for?" asked Masood.

"Well for some time I think he may need the extra help at home. But for a few days now Syed has refused to have physiotherapy as I am sure you are aware."

"What, no we didn't know that" Masood said angrily.

"I'm sorry I thought he would have told you. Well he seems to feel that he can go no further with this. I would strongly recommend he carries on with this daily even when he comes home as this will help build up his muscles again."

Zainab sat in silence. She couldn't believe that Syed had stopped going. It was his only chance of walking and surely he wanted that. She felt confused and disappointed too. The Dr continued talking.

"Perhaps you could speak to him and see if you can change his mind. It's not easy going through all this for anyone but some encouragement should help."

"We will Doctor. Thank you." Zainab stood up and extended her hand to shake the doctor's and Masood did the same.

"Goodbye Mr and Mrs Masood. I will speak to you again before we discharge Syed."

They walked out of his office stunned.

"What do you want Zainab?"

You have heard what happened to Syed I presume."

"Of course I have. How is he?" Christian was still shocked by what had happened to Syed. After his own attack, he thought that would be it but when he heard what happened to Syed, he felt dreadful. He had wanted to see him in hospital but knew that Syed and his family wouldn't want him there so had kept away. It had torn him apart.

"He can't walk you know that? Well he is refusing to have any more physiotherapy. I spoke to the Doctor today and apparently he had managed two small steps before stopping which is an excellent sign."

Christian smiled "that's really good."

"Yes but now he has given up the physiotherapy, that is his last chance of walking gone."

"I'm sorry to hear that Zainab but I don't understand why you called me to meet you here."

"As I am sure you are aware, you are the last person I even want to speak to but I wondered if you would speak to him and make him see sense."

Christian shook his head "It's not a good idea, he wouldn't listen to me anyway. Besides I am with someone now."

"I'm not interested in your love life. I thought you said you loved him. Well how quickly you can turn your back on your soul-mate huh."

"That's not fair, I do still care. I had to move on, you and your family made sure of that."

He made to walk off but Zainab put her arm out and stopped him

"Please Christian you're my last hope."

He looked at her and could see how tired she was looking and sad. Perhaps he should try speaking to Syed and maybe he was the only person who could make him see sense.

Syed was glad to be home and out of the hospital. His mum and dad had set up a bed for him in the lounge. If he needed the toilet, his dad had to carry him upstairs or he could use one of the containers the hospital had given him. He was sat by the window when he heard the doorbell ring. His mum went to answer it and Syed didn't hear anyone come into the room as he was watching telly until he heard Christian's voice.

"Hi Syed."

Syed looked up surprised and glanced over at his mum wondering why she had let him in.

"I invited him round" she said.

"Why?"

"I thought you two should chat and clear the air. I need to go out to the Unit but I'll take Kamil with me for now. See you later."

Zainab walked out and a few minutes later the front door closed. Syed looked over towards Christian who was sitting himself down on the sofa. Christian had felt shocked and upset to see Syed sitting in the wheelchair and he tried to hide that as he sat down.

"What are we meant to talk about then?" asked Syed.

"I think your mum wants us to sort things out."

"Don't lie. My mum would never let you in this house again if she had her way. What's going on Christian?"

"She's worried about you."

"Obviously."

"She says you've stopped having your physiotherapy."

"Is that what this is all about you being here today?"

"I know someone who was in a car accident and had similar injuries to yours. They had treatment for months but eventually they were walking. Went to his wedding last year to his childhood sweetheart and he was virtually running down that aisle!!"

"Good for him." Syed moved the wheelchair and headed off to the kitchen. Christian stood up and followed watching as Syed struggled with the doorways. He would have helped but knew how stubborn Syed could be. When he was in the kitchen, he picked up the kettle and was going to fill it up so he balanced the kettle in his lap.

"Here let me" said Christian reaching out to take it from him.

"I can do it myself you know, I'm not completely helpless" Syed spat out at him.

Christian watched as painfully slowly Syed wheeled over to the sink filled up the kettle and then wheeled back again with the kettle balanced in his lap again. Some cups had been left within his reach on a lower table with tea and coffee so Syed got them ready.

"Tea or coffee?"

"Tea please."

When it was ready Christian picked up the two cups and this time Syed didn't argue but followed Christian slowly back into the lounge. Christian noticed there was a fold-up bed leaning against the cupboards and realised that Syed slept down here for now.

Christian decided to just speak with him about other things that were safe such as how the Unit was doing, Kamil and Tamwar and the conversation flowed easier. He decided he wouldn't raise the subject to the treatment again but an idea has sprung up in his head and he was going to see if Zainab would be agreeable to him trying something.

When he finished his tea, he got up from the sofa.

"Thanks Syed I'll see myself out. Take care of yourself and we must do this again soon."

Syed just nodded and Christian walked on out.