Hello readers,
The third chapter is here. So, please read and share your views on it.
'No Damon' alert, but don't worry, fourth chapter will be up in no time, with lots of Delena.
I do not own TVD, neither the characters, but this story is completely mine.
Today was Thursday, one of the days that I met my therapist. It was still noon, so, I had time to go home, have lunch and then head out for the session. I felt excited, wondering what he will have to say about me getting the job. My therapist, Dr. Alaric Saltzman, was a good man. He had helped me a great deal, supported me during very hard times and encouraged me to go out again. It was due to him, that, I was still living a normal life. Before the sessions, I was desolate and heart-broken, but he had kept me sailing through the storm. He always told me to believe that there was hope, it was not the end, and that was difficult to follow. But he worked relentlessly to show me, that my thoughts and actions were not only affecting me but others too. So, deciding to start working again and coming out of my safe zone, was mostly due to his motivation. Most importantly, Mr. Saltzman, was not only a therapist but like a mentor to me, although we had a formal and professional relationship, he always made me feel at home and had become a significant part of my life.
The traffic was less at this time of the day, so I reached home faster. Parking the car, I went up to the porch, but before I could knock on the door, it suddenly opened, startling me, and I heard everyone shout, "Surprise!" To say that I was surprised would be an understatement, Everyone had big smiles on their faces, and I reciprocated with a huge grin myself. I looked around and saw that the walls had been decorated with balloons and streamers, there was also a big poster saying, "Congratulations".I turned back at everyone, giggling at them I asked, "To what do I owe this pleasure? I mean, I haven't even shared the news with anyone yet." Then Jeremy came forward and said, "You don't have to Lena, we know that you got the job.", he bent down and hugged me, then Bonnie came to me and hugged me "Congrats Elena, I knew you would get the job. See, how I always told you that you would be a great writer and now, it seems my prediction is going to be correct." she said with a confident smirk.
"Sure, Miss Bonnie Bennett, you are a witch, who predicts future of the world, what would I ever do without you." I teased her, "But, don't think that you are off the hook, because we have some serious business to discuss about." she raised her hands as if pleading guilty and nodded smiling a little. After that Jenna came forward and hugged me, "Congratulations, Elena.I told you that killer smile is going to work like magic." I giggled again, sometimes I felt as if, Jenna was more a sister than an aunt, never failing to make me smile. " Who called Mr. Saltzman?" I whispered in her ear, looking at the sandy blonde haired man, who was almost six feet in height with a broad figure. Seeing him at my house was kind of weird, "That would be me", Jenna said, "I thought that since we are celebrating a new start in your life, so everyone who have helped you get here, should be present and I know how greatly you think of him." She smiled at me caressing my cheek. I held her hand and thanked her for such a warm gesture.
"But to be honest, I never thought he would be this handsome, and why didn't you tell me that your therapist is so sexy...Wow" She was already making dreamy eyes at him. Yes, this was so Jenna, "Shit, I think he saw me drooling at him" she said. I rolled my eyes and laughed seeing her getting nervous. Then I told her not to worry about it and moved towards Mr. Saltzman. He was smiling at me and I thanked him for coming at such a short notice. "It was my pleasure, you are my favourite patient after all, how could I miss out on your celebration?" This friendly banter was what made me so comfortable with him. Then he sipped at the drink he was holding, guessing Jenna's choice, it was surely a cocktail. I had never met him outside the office, so I noticed that he kind of looked younger in casual clothes maybe a little older than Jenna, who was thirty-two.
"Anyway how was your interview?" he asked. I told him about everything that had happened at the company office, of course, leaving out the whole 'action thriller' part. Then he continued, "It feels great to see you this happy. Thank you for cooperating with me, you were a great listener Elena, you believed and followed every advice that I gave you and finally today you have become independent again. I am so proud of you. But, I don't know if I can continue our sessions anymore," he said with a sorrowful face. That instantly spoiled my happy mood, I felt sad and thought of the possible reasons for ending our sessions. "Why don't you want to continue our sessions? Am I doing something wrong?" I asked him in a low voice, I couldn't take another departure of a dear friend. "No my dear, you have done nothing wrong" he said placing a hand on my shoulder, "instead I think you are doing everything right and you no longer need me, to guide you. I think I have done everything that I could, to help you and now, you are ready to do all that by yourself. "
I couldn't believe this, could this day be any better? At first, the news of Bonnie and Jer dating, then getting the job at Mikaelson Publishing House, after that meeting the gorgeous stranger, and now this, I no longer needed therapy! It was both exhilarating as well as frightening. "Does that mean we could be friends now?, because I hate to think that I have to let you go." "Yes, of course, you can visit me anytime you want, it could be a session or just two friends talking, but I really think you are capable of deciding that. " He said grinning, I had happy tears in my eyes, "Thank you Mr. Saltzman, you don't know what this means to me", I told him blinking rapidly to avoid my tears from flowing out. I always felt that he knew me or understood what I wanted, that's what made me respect him more.
Just then, Aunt Jenna appeared beside me, "So, what is the doctor and his patient talking about?" , but noticing my watery eyes she looked at Alaric, "I am sorry Mr. Saltzman, you might be very handsome and charming, but you don't have any right to make my beautiful niece cry on her special day." She had a stern look on her face and arms crossed at her chest, Alaric was totally dumb-founded to have been scolded like a child, so I cleared my throat and said with a smile, "No Aunt Jenna, Mr. Saltzman was just telling me that I officially do not need to have therapy sessions anymore," I looked hopefully towards her, her eyes lighted up and we hugged once again, "That's a great news Elena, now we have one more reason to celebrate." cupping my face with both of her hands, she continued, "You are the strongest person I know, love you so much baby girl." "I love you too, Jenna."
Turning to Alaric she continued, "So Mr. Saltzman, now that you are no longer Elena's doctor, we need to have a little chat." With her hands now on her hips, she was still giving him a serious expression and Alaric who still had a smile from our earlier conversation was clueless about what was coming next, his face was almost comical. I snorted and shook my head laughing, then moved to rejoin the others. But, as I was leaving them, I think I faintly heard Jenna ask him if he was single. I smirked thinking that, Mr. Alaric Saltzman was now in for the greatest experience of his life, named Jenna Sommers.
Looking around me I saw Bonnie and Jeremy in their own world. Jer had his arms around her and she was blushing, both speaking in hushed tones. Jenna and Alaric were now talking animatedly, it would not be long before Jenna would ask him out, she was such a teen at heart. Everyone looked satisfied and carefree. I smiled and quickly excused myself from the party. I went to my room to freshen up, after all I was still in my formal clothes. I went to the washroom and sprinkled some water on my face. Smiling at my reflection, I headed to the wardrobe, then, I took out a yellow summer dress and hurried to get off the wheelchair to rejoin the others. Meanwhile, Jenna knocked at my door and asked if I needed any help. I didn't want to disturb her so I declined. She informed me that it was time to cut the cake and left.
Placing my hands on the handles of the wheel chair, I tried to lift myself up, but I didn't even budge, so I lifted my legs with my hands and placed my feet on the ground. Again, I tried my best to push myself out of the chair, but it too proved useless. I didn't want anyone to worry about me so I kept trying, it was getting late and all of my effort was being wasted. I didn't understand what was wrong. Everyday, I kept trying until I finally succeeded, but today all of it felt too difficult. Maybe it was my excitement, that had lead to panic, or maybe it was just another rough moment. I held on the bed and kept on pushing myself, but nothing seemed to help today. Why was this happening again? I had learnt to shift myself from the wheel chair, right? Then why was I feeling like the broken girl I was after the accident?
Maybe, this is why I should have listened to everyone, when they told me to go for physiotherapy, even after the compulsory therapy session that was prescribed from the hospital had been completed. Or maybe, the universe wanted to show me that however happy I am, I will never be completely better or carefree, something would always hold me back. I was on the verge of tears. Aunt Jenna had come to help me, but I had not allowed it, and now, I was embarrassed to call her again. I didn't know what to do, it felt awful and after such a great day, I did not want to feel helpless again, but this was happening. Tears were flowing down my face continuously, and staining my shirt. I didn't feel like going out anymore.
After a while, my head started to hurt, I had cried so much that I felt too tired. I turned and went to the bathroom to wash my face. Looking at my reflection in the mirror for the second time tonight, I saw that the happy, assured and self-reliant girl who was looking back at me just before sometime, was no longer there. All I could see was a glum and disconsolate girl, with red, puffy and hollow eyes. I looked wretched, my cheeks marked with tear strains and clothes wet and disheveled.
I lowered my head, trying to sink in my situation, but before I could look up I heard someone behind me. Bonnie was standing at the bathroom door, looking at me with sad eyes and a slight smile. I could see her reflection in the mirror, she slowly stepped forward and stood behind my wheelchair. Placing her hands on my shoulders she said, " I thought of coming to get you, everyone is waiting for you to cut the cake." I couldn't speak, my throat felt dry so I hoped she would understand my situation. I lowered my head and felt my tears leaking out again, then she came in front of me and kneeled on the ground. I looked at her face and told, "I can't..." . She shook her head swiftly and told me, "You can Elena and you will. Now let's get you cleaned up and dressed, then we can go out and join the celebration again." Saying that she rose to her feet and went towards the bedroom.
"I can't Bonnie, I will never be like, I was before. No matter how hard I try or how much I pretend to be okay, but I always will remain in my wheelchair. I will always be a burden on everyone else." I hadn't moved from my position, she walked back to me and turned my wheelchair around, l looked at her shocked at her almost rough movement. "You can't say that Elena, you know you are not a burden on anybody. Aunt Jenna, she is just some years older than you but she treats you like her baby, and Jeremy, he loves you, he worries about you all the time. And I know that you love them too, maybe more than yourself, but they think of you as their lifeline too, and what about me, huh? You are my best friend, I can't think of anyone else in your place Lena... So don't you say that you are a burden, everyone cares for you so much Elena!"
" And may I know that why do you think that you will never be able to walk again? The doctors always mentioned about the possibility of your legs getting better, and you are one of the strongest person I know Elena, you were always there for me, even when my mom left, you told me that I would get through it and I believed you, now see where I am Lena, I am happy, I have you, Jeremy, my Grams and my Dad too. So, I strongly believe that you will get better if you start working on it. Even if there is no guarantee, there is no harm in trying, right?" I was stunned, Bonnie's words made me realize that I was giving up again. No... Hadn't I just started to look past all these things? So, why was I giving up so fast? For a moment, I was consumed with the thought of being handicapped for my whole life, but I had decided not to look back or give up.
Bonnie was sitting on my bed feeling exhausted. I could feel her pain, she also had to face a lot of hard times and in those times I had given her hope, now she was doing the same for us, Jeremy and me. I slowly moved towards the bed and adjusted my wheelchair in front of her, placing my hands on top of hers I said, "Thank you, Bonnie" she looked at me quizzically and I continued, "for being there for Jeremy and me. For caring enough, you are the best person ever. I promise I'll do better, I will work harder and try my best to stand on my feet again. I will no disappoint you or anyone else." Hearing that, she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me and I did the same to her, just like when we were little. "I can't tell you how happy I am that you are dating Jer, he really needs someone as good as you, in his life. " I said still hugging her.
When we parted, everyone was standing at my door, I guessed they had heard everything from earlier, when Bonnie had raised her voice to put some sense into me. I looked at them apologetically, "I am sorry Jer, Jenna I shouldn't have said all that, I promised Bonnie I'll try harder, I am saying the same thing to both of you, I will do better, please don't be mad at me." They were not looking pissed, rather gloomy, "I'm so sorry I ruined the celebration, and Mr. Saltzman if you want me to keep coming back for the sessions I will not say no, I'll do anything that you all want from me." I said looking at Alaric first, then everyone else. I was feeling ashamed for making them sad.
None of them spoke at first, but then Jenna broke the silence and said "So do you promise to seriously think about physiotherapy again?", I nodded " I promise I will start physiotherapy again and keep trying until the end, I will never give up again." I said with a smile, then Jer came forward with the cake and said " I think we should cut the cake on that note, and also that, I am so hungry that I can eat the whole cake alone. " That made all of us laugh. He placed the cake on a small bedside table and I blew out the candles. I quickly made a wish, with a smile on my face and prayed for a many more happy times. Then I cut the cake and gave a piece to each one of them. Bonnie and Jeremy started putting cake on each other's face. I was laughing seeing their cream covered faces, when Alaric came forward and said, "Elena" I looked at him with a sad smile, I raised my eyebrows and sheepishly asked him, "So, what's the final verdict, doctor? "
" I still think you have learnt all that I could teach you Elena, you don't have to come back to therapy as a punishment." he said and laughed making a snort, then he continued, " Breakdowns are normal, Elena, we are humans and we falter sometimes, the thing which is important is what we learn from it, and you have done an amazing job until now and I believe you will be able to make the right decisions in the future too." I was glad that Alaric understood my situation and believed in my potential. So I thanked him, but he stopped me, I looked at him with a puzzled expression, but he said, "Don't thank me yet, I just want to give you something," with that he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on the my palm of my hand. I stared at it, it was an address.
"What's this Mr. Saltzman? " He gulped and continued, " When you first came to me, I suggested you the names of a lot of physiotherapists because your legs were not completely immobile, but you were never ready to see them, mostly you kept making excuses because you didn't have any hope at that time. I understood your situation, rather your mental state at that point, so finally, I stopped suggesting after a month or two, and I could see how relieved you felt after that. You enjoyed coming to the sessions without the pressure of getting better physically too." I looked down with a guilty expression, pursing my lips and fidgeting with the hem of my shirt because it was the bitter truth. But Alaric kept talking, "and I know it was hard for you that's why I had decided to let it go, but now it seems that it was a rash decision on my part, because even if you felt bad, you would be capable of doing some movements on your own by now. So, i am giving you this, because I feel this will fulfill my duty towards you."
I was so confused, what was Alaric saying? What duty? He had already done so much for me. He stared directly at me now, " This is the address of a physiotherapist, Elena, It is not of anyone that I had suggested earlier, it is of a friend of mine." He said pointing to the chit. " He is best in what he does and has cured a lot of physically handicapped patients before. So I really think you should pay a visit to his place once. But, ultimately it is your decision, so do what your heart wants."
I didn't know what to say, I was still thinking about what he had said, when he again started to speak, " When your Aunt invited me today, I brought this with me," he said pointing towards the paper, "but I was not at all sure whether I should give it to you or not. However, after what happened just now, I think it cleared my doubts regarding my decision, and let me tell you this Elena, I would never give his address to you if it wasn't totally necessary. I think he will be able to help you more than anyone else could. I am also saying this because it's already been a year that you are in a wheelchair, so I think you will need the best help that is out there to walk like before. So, don't think of it as a gift, just a part of my service towards you."
I was so overwhelmed that I caught his hand and said, " I will go to meet him Mr. Saltzman. I will do as you have said, and if you don't want me to think of it as any gift then I will just listen to your advice and follow it, just like I did for every other advice that you gave me. If you are sure that this would be the best then I will believe you like always. So can I thank you now?" He placed his other hand on top of mine and squeezed it. "Sure, I'll take my leave now. You can go there on Sunday, if you want to. Goodnight Elena." I thanked him and wished him goodnight, on the way out, he spoke to Jenna and I saw her blushing at his words. This was so cool, all the good people I know coming together. First Bonnie and my little brother and now Aunt Jenna and Mr. Saltzman.
Thinking this, I looked at the small piece of paper in my hand, it was an address of the outskirts of Mystic Falls, but there was no name mentioned on the paper, so I kept it in my drawer and went to help Jenna clean up. When I returned to my room, Jenna helped me to change and get to bed. Then she kissed me on top of my head and left. I felt like a little girl and giggled all by myself, I thought about whatever Alaric had said and decided to drive to the said address, the next day, to check the proper location. So I took out the paper and went through the address once more, but why was no name written on it? Turning the paper around, I saw that the initials of someone's name was scribbled on it, 'D. S.' Maybe he was the one I was going to meet on Sunday.
Soon, I felt tired and sleepy, so I kept the paper beside my pillow and closed my eyes. Immediately, thoughts about the dangerous mystery man from the basement, popped up in my mind, I smiled to myself and went to sleep thinking about him. My blue-eyed stranger, I wish I would meet him again.
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