Maine wasn't always this snarky and snobby. She was actually very nice and vibrant. She was pretty and popular. She had her own little business which she ran quite smoothly on her own. She had lots of clients, too. Her friends loved her happy disposition and people were naturally drawn to her. But after the accident, she became distant and aloof. She didn't want to see or face people. Her best friend, Janeeva, would visit often but would also get the same snobby, snarky attitude. During the first few visits, Janeeva would leave in tears but she knew, deep inside, that it was the pain and frustration that was taking over Maine's current mood. She knew that someday, the happy, malikot and makulit Maine would reappear.
Maine didn't really talk much with anyone after her accident. She would only be heard when she was crying because of pain or stress due to her situation. She complained a lot. She had been quite independent before the accident. Now, she had to depend on everyone for her every need. She temporarily lost function of her legs and sitting was torture for her. She had limited use of her arms as they were bandaged due to the scratches she had suffered from the accident. She needed to be cared for by a nurse and caregiver, which she detested. She felt that she lost all her dignity as doctors and nurses pried and poked her body. Now, here was this therapist, who was "manipulating" and "handling" her body. She felt helpless which added to her frustration.
"...okay....try na tayo ng pagtayo...." Rj said as he removed the TNS cords from Maine's legs and bent to lift Maine to a standing position.
"...eh kung sabihin kong ayaw ko...." Maine snarled.
"...ay sorry po, Ms. Sungs....ganun po talaga....kailangan po talaga natin gawin ito...." Rj said as he propped Maine up so that Lani, another therapist, could put on a harness and leg braces on Maine.
"....ayaw!" Maine wailed and screamed.
But no matter how much she complained, Rj didn't give in. He, however, guided her and held her. He supported her.
While on the parallel bars, Maine stumbled and fell several times but Rj was able to catch her.
"...sige pa...one more step..." He would encourage her.
"...ayoko na...masakit...." she would complain.
"...ayun o...malapit ka na sa dulo..." he would point to the end of the bars.
Maine gingerly took small steps and each step was praised by Rj. "Ayan! Sige! Isa pa!" he would cheer her on.
"....Ayoko na....!" she cried and stopped midway. Rj was a few feet behind her; Lani was at the end, waiting for her. Maine let go of her grip on the bars and fell to the floor. Rj wasn't able to catch her in time so he just picked her up and cradled her on the floor as she sobbed.
"Okay....tama na....shhh....." he consoled her. He transferred her back to the bed and then turned to Lani then left them after drawing a curtain around the bed.
On the next therapy session, Maine noticed something odd about Rj.
"Ano yan?!" she asked. Even Colleen giggled.
"Eh kasi po....nung last session mo, nabasa ako ng wiwi mo....kaya i made sure na mag-raincoat pants over my scrub suit para sure...." he explained as he took the wheelchair reigns from Colleen.
"..ay shit! ....sorry!" Maine apologized.
The accident had made Maine incontinent. When she let go and fell during her walking therapy, her diaper had leaked.
"Okay lang....comes with the job...." Rj shrugged his shoulders.
The therapy session went by smoothly. It was actually the first time in weeks that Maine didn't complain too much. She was still snarky but her eyebrows were less furrowed. She was also able to walk all the way to the end of the bars almost unassisted.
"...hmm...good session today, Ms. Sungs...." Rj said, smiling, as he massaged Maine's legs at the end of her therapy session.
Maine didn't reply; she just smiled; also a first since the accident.
