Page 70 - Musings 2022

‘The leg is messed up. It’s paralysed, but everyone is acting like it isn’t.’ I cried. It was getting
really frustrating now.
Seema sighed. ‘Kunal, it’s not like that at all. Don’t worry about him.’
‘That is what I am talking about!’ I turned to Kunal. ‘It’s my leg, for god’s sake! My leg. I
know it better than anyone.’
‘And these are medical professionals, for god’s sake.’
‘Quacks. All of them!’
‘Not this again.’ She groaned. ‘And keep your voice down. We are in a hospital.’
‘Some useless bunch. If they are not going to do anything about it, just get me out of this place.’
‘Calm down, Vicky.’
‘You see how she is acting, Kunal? Just call me crazy and be done with it!’
‘Are you saying I don’t care about you?’ She glared at me, shaking in anger.
‘Okay, that’s enough from both of you.’ Kunal clapped his hands to get our attention – he
feared it might escalate too far. ‘You two are way too old to bicker like little kids. Now explain
to me what is going on. Seema?’
‘And you are siding with her.’ I called it as I saw. Why did he asked her about it when I am the
one suffering?
‘Vicky.’
‘Do whatever you want, assholes.’ I mumbled.
Seema glared at me again. She often gets upset whenever I use a little strong language. So, I
did it out of spite.
I think a part of her knew why I was being so unpleasant. She didn’t pay me anymore mind
and began her fiction. ‘Since regaining consciousness, he has been complaining that he can’t
feel his right leg. Doctors initially thought that it was paralysis. But when they did x-ray and
later EMG, they found nothing wrong with his leg. Even his leg muscles are showing response
to stimulation—’
‘Like hell it is showing a response.’ I couldn’t help stopping her there. ‘They prick me with a
needle, and I can’t feel any bit of it.’
‘And that’s the reason you haven’t been discharged yet. It seems like paralysis because you
insist on it. Your body is responding to stimulation.’
‘Yeah, you all think this is all in my head.’
‘No—’
‘Because let me tell you, it’s not. Think before calling me a liar.’
I was getting worked up, and Kunal was quick to note that. He had always been the most level-
headed of us 3.
‘Calm down, Vicky. I am sure no one is calling you a liar. Right?’ he turned to Seema.
‘Of course. The doctors here are worried about you. They can’t diagnose it yet, but they haven’t
ruled it out yet.’
‘What a consolation.’
‘Don’t be like that, Vicky.’ It was Kunal again. ‘Now you tell me, without your commentary,
what did the doctor tell you?’
I sulked. ‘He said my legs will start working soon. Apparently, it’s due to an accident” or
something like that.’

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