Leah wasn't always snarky and snobby. She was friendly, vibrant, and popular amongst her peers. She was able to set up and run her own business almost as soon as she graduated from college. She was also musically talented, taking after her parents who were also musicians. Her happy disposition was infectious that she gained a lot of clients. People were naturally drawn to her. But, after the accident, Leah became distant and aloof. Aware that she needed to depend on others for everything made her lose her confidence in herself. Her bestfriend, Andrea, witnessed Leah's drastic transformation. Andrea would often go home in tears after visiting her dear friend. But she understood that it was only Leah's pain and frustrations that were presenting itself. In time, the once happy, vibrant Leah would reappear.

After the accident, Leah kept to herself most of the time. She cried and complained a lot. She was aware that all these were (probably) temporary and she needed to work harder to get back to her old self. However, she was impatient.

"Okay, now let's try moving your feet. Can you move your left foot?" Kento said after he removed the TNS cords from Leah's limbs. This was used to help stimulate the muscles. He lifted Leah's left leg and observed her foot for any movement.

"Eh kung sabihin kong ayaw ko?" Leah snarled.

"Eh di wag. Dito tayo sa kanan." Kento said, lifting her right leg.

"Sorry, ayaw nila."

"Okay. I-try na natin ang pagtayo?" Kento said, moving Leah to position her for standing.

"Ayaw!" Leah protested.

"Sorry po Miss Sungit, kailangan."

"Ayaw!"

But no matter how Leah screamed and complained, Kento never gave in. Besides, he was stronger than her. He would let her cry and scream out her frustration then encourage her to try again.

"One more step..." Kento said as he lifted and moved Leah's leg. Two other assistants held her upright while her hands were strapped on to her walker.

"Ayoko na!" Leah complained.

"Ayun o. Malapit ka na sa pinto. Makakapunta ka na sa Starbucks." Kento encouraged her. Leah tried to move her legs on her own. When she was able to take even a small step on her own, Kento and her other therapists cheered her on.

In her journey to learning how to walk again, Leah's knees would sometimes buckle, and she would lose her balance. Her therapists would hold her up and they'd continue with the session. During one session on the parallel bars, Kento was standing behind her, holding her by the belt. Her knee suddenly gave, and she fell back on Kento making them both fall to the floor. Fear, frustration, anger, and exhaustion balled up inside her suddenly surfaced, Leah sobbed uncontrollably in Kento's lap.

"Shhh. That's enough for today. You did well." Kento said, consoling her.

---

The following therapy session, Leah and Joyce noticed a huddle of nurses and therapists at the reception area.

"Good morning, Miss Leah!" Tricia greeted Leah and Joyce as they entered the center.

The huddle opened and there, in the middle of the group, stood Kento in an "unsual" get up. He was wearing his usual scrubs top and jacket but his pants were different. After the usual greetings, Kento took over Leah's wheelchair.

"Bakit ganyan ang suot mo?" Leah asked when they got to the activity area.

"Ah, eto?" Kento looked down at his legs. "Nabasa kasi ako kahapon."

"Kahapon? Di naman umulan ah."

"Hindi nga." Kento said. "Nabasa ako ng wiwi mo." He added, whispering.

"Oh shit! Sorry!" Leah became incontinent because of the accident. Her diaper was full after all the exertion she did in her exercises. When she and Kento fell to the floor after struggling during her walking exercise, her diaper leaked.

"I've experienced worse." Kento smiled. "Don't worry about it."

---

"Joyce! Joyce!" Leah shouted from her bedroom.

Thinking that it was an emergency, Gina rushed into Leah's room. "Bakit po Ate? Nag-CR pa po si Ate Joyce."

"Kunin mo yung cellphone ko! Dali!"

"Po?" Gina was surprised that she didn't know what to do.

"Yung cellphone!" Leah pointed to the bedside table.

Gina quickly grabbed the phone.

"Marunong kang mag-video diba?"

"O-opo"

"Kunan mo ako, okay? I focus mo sa paa ko."

"Okay po."

Many seconds later, Leah voluntarily moved her foot. It had been exactly 9 months since the accident.