Into the Life of Hadji 2 Part 5



	Two days passed, and Miana's surgery was a success.  Now it was

just a matter of waiting. 

	A month passed, and even though Miana was gaining weight and

regaining her health, she still hadn't had any feeling in her legs. 

Nursing staff and physical therapists exercised her muscles daily to keep

them from atrophy, and even was training Hadji with them so he could help

out for Miana's sake.  Things were not going well, as Miana was sinking

further into depression. What was worse was that she was not the only one. 

Jessie's depression had gotten so bad that the medication she was on was

doing no good, and she had to take a leave from work.  Benton was

covering for her while she was in an inpatient program-- in fact, she and

Miana were in many of the same group therapy sessions.  When the two of

them were together in the sessions were the only times they seemed to

liven up, but the effect was only temporary.  Neither of them could cope

with their losses, and they felt that only the other could remotely

understand how each one felt. 

	Over the weeks, Jonny and Hadji's bond of friendship was stronger

than ever, especially since they had the same problem with their wives. 

	"Hadj, the turn of events that happens in our lives never ceases

to amaze me.  When we were kids, it was one adventure after another. 

Things slow down and the usual but good milestones happen, and then

tragedy becomes the pattern.  It makes me wonder what at is left to happen." 

	"That is a question best left unasked, my friend.  There is still

much potential for loss all around us-- everything from the rest of our

family to the loss of everything we know.  The potential for what we could

lose is much greater than what we have lost, and keeping this in mind,

should make us grateful." answered Hadji. 

	"Hadji, will we ever get the girls back?" 

	"I do not know.  They have to learn how to cope with their losses. 

Jessie has to accept the fact that there is no way she can get her baby to

come back, as Miana must face the possibility that she may never walk

again.  Right now the only thing they each accept is each other." 

	Hadji turned and looked Jonny in the eye. 

	"They do not even accept us." 

	"Hadji, you didn't deal well with loss..." 

	"I know.  And I dealt with mine with bitterness and cold

hostility.  The girls turn it inward.  The outward signs were different,

but things inside are the same." 

	"But you didn't come around until Miana did." 

	"I know.  It took my loss being restored to bring me back when I

should have on my own.  I think it will be the same with them." 

	"It can't, Hadj.  While Miana may regain the use of her legs,

Jessie..." 

	Hadji nodded. 

	"It will not be easy for her." 

	Moniri walked into the room. 

	"Any news on Miana?" 

	"No change.  No sensation, and still in depression." answered

Hadji. 

	"I feel so helpless." 

	"We all do." replied Jonny. 

	Bobby came in and sat with the group. 

	"I know that we do not know each other well." started Bobby.  "But

I want all of you to know that I do care and sympathize, and maybe over

time, you'll come to think of me in a similar way as you do Race." 

	"I would like that." said Jonny. 

	"Hadji, I never had a chance to apologize..." 

	"No need, Bobby.  You were just doing your job." 

	"Thank you." 

	Hadji nodded. 

	The phone rang, and Bobby answered it. 

	"Hadji, it's for you.  The hospital is saying Miana has some

feeling in her legs." 

	Hadji's face lit up as he bolted out of the house to go to the

hospital.  Hadji rushed into Miana's room to see her surrounded by doctors

and nurses all testing her reflexes.  She could feel nothing but tingles

and occasional muscle spasms.  The doctor told here these were

encouraging signs, and that she should be able to start physical therapy

in a few of weeks. 

	"Hadji!" Miana exclaimed.  "I have some feeling!  I'm going to be

ok!" 

	Dr. Wallace came to the door and motioned to Hadji. 

	Hadji kissed her. 

	"I will be back." 

	Hadji then stepped out into the hall. 

	"Yes?" 

	"I wanted to tell you that while Mrs. Singh's are encouraging,

they are no guarantee.  Sometimes signals like those can be deceptive.  I

thought you should know so there would be no surprises either way." 

	"Does Miana know?" 

	"No.  Her pregnancy is very unstable, and we can't risk giving her

anything else to worry about." answered Dr. Wallace. 

	"I understand." 

	Over the following days, Miana started getting more feeling in her

legs, which in turn, was bringing her out of her depression.  It was also

giving her greater insight into things going on around her.  Hadji and

Miana were spending some time together in one of the courtyards outside

the cafeteria when Miana decided to address a concern she was having. 

	"Hadji?" 

	"Yes, love?" 

	"I'm worried." 

	"About what?" 

	"About Jessie.  I know she's taking the loss of her baby pretty

hard, but she could at least talk to me when she felt she couldn't to

anyone else." 

	"It could be that where both of you had suffered a loss, that the

two of you had something in common.  With your legs regaining their

feeling, she may feel that that is compromised." 

	"That may be the case.  But my situation aside-- Hadji, she's

getting worse.  I'm starting to think she may never come out of this." 

	Just then, a very distressed Jonny came up and sat down with them. 

	"How's Jessie?" asked Miana. 

	"Worse than ever.  Miana, I am so happy for you, but Jessie can't

handle it.  She feels like she's losing you, and it's making her worse." 

	"I don't know what to do!" 

	"She's also growing jealous." 

	"What?!  Why?" 

	"Because you are still carrying." 

	"But she has Benny!" 

	"That's what I've been trying to tell her.  I have also told her

that this child is important to your family considering Hadji's recent

losses and need for an heir.  There is no talking to her." 

	"I hope she doesn't do anything drastic." replied Hadji. 

	"I hope that I won't have to have her committed." 

	"What's this about having to have Jessie committed?" asked Moniri,

coming up to them.  "This is not like Jessie at all." 

	"Something that I hope won't have to happen." answered Jonny. 

	Just then, they heard an announcement over the intercom. 

	"Dr. Sparks, code red level seven.  Dr. Sparks, report to level

seven stat.  Repeat, code red level seven." 

	"That's the psych ward!" exclaimed Miana.  "Isn't that Jessie's

floor?" 

	A nurse came up to them. 

	"Is this the Quest/Singh family?" 

	"Yes.  I'm Jonny Quest." 

	"Jessie!" screamed Miana, bolting up from her chair and starting

to run.  "She's my best friend!" 

	Everyone gasped in amazement as Miana unknowingly ran a couple of

steps before falling. 

	"Miana!" screamed Hadji. 

	"Jessie's in trouble!" 

	"Miana, look where you are.  Slow down... let the adrenaline stop

pumping." said Hadji. 

	"Hadj, I'll see you upstairs." said Jonny as he followed the nurse

up. 

	Hadji picked her up and put her in her chair. 

	"Jessie--" 

	"Miana!" screamed Moniri.  "You were running!" 

	"Wh-what???" 

	"Miana, you have the use of your legs back.  Your adrenaline rush

allowed to to run a few steps." answered Hadji. 

	"Then I should be able to--" 

	"That was pure adrenaline under special circumstances.  After we

go up to level seven, we'll tell the doctor, and you can start physical

therapy." 

	Miana was excited for herself and terrified for Jessie at the same

time. 

	"Jessie--" 

	"Let us go." 

	Hadji and Moniri took Miana up to level seven where they met

Jonny, who was in hysterics. 

	"Jessie?" asked Miana. 

	"Somehow, she managed to spit out her sedatives and stash them. 

They found her and revived her, but when she came to, she lost it.  She's

determined to kill herself.  They have her sedated and under watch around

the clock." answered Jonny despondently. 

	Just then, Miana clutched her stomach and doubled over. 

	"Had--ji..." she whispered. 

	"Miana!" 

	"The fall!  The baby!" screamed Moniri.