What a glorious day it turned out to be today... The sun was shining and the temperature had risen to a warm autumn day. London is beautiful at this time again.
I woke up a little later than usual and checked my mobile to see, I had a text from Ella asking where to meet for lunch.
Ella and I met first time some seven years ago in Bangkok in a bar and our friendship has grown stronger over the years since she moved to London, soon after. She also happens to be an artist. We could not be further apart in looks and lifestyles and yet again, destiny has brought us together both so far from home, through having an open outlook towards life and people.
The experiences in the past years of our lives have been vital in further getting us closer to our dreams and hopes. Being able to meet up when our hectic lives allowed and share the changes, has been; therapy and inspiration to both.
We met at a pub near the Thames and got talking while facing the rowers passing on the river through the windows.
"How was your pilates yesterday?" Ella enquired after the usual greetings.
"Great. Think I've over-stretched my legs too much in the straps, on the machines!" I replied.
"Oh... Hope you are not doing that split you did waterskiing again?" My friend was obviously referring to my waterski incident last summer.
Now let me tell...
It was last Aug, almost 14 months ago that I got up one morning in a very energetic mood and saw my girl getting ready to go waterskiing.
"Darling," I said, "think I'll take up waterskiing again. It's been seven years since the last time. Now, time to start again. Can you book me a course, please? I've always been a mono-skier, should be fine."
My darling girl smiled: "Sure Mum. Get ready and let's go. But hurry!"
We got to the club, just outside of London and got changed into our bikinis, covered by a wetsuit. Picked up our mono skies and went on the speed boat with the driver.
After an impressive run through the slalom course by my girl, I decided to go on two skies to begin. It took about three rounds of trying to get out of the water before I managed to stand up on the two skies and let go of one with no problem, then continued doing the rounds on the mono and letting go of the rope to land impressively in the water at the end of the course.
'Wow, I thought to myself. Haldita girl, you can still do it!' And with an air of 'boy, that was good', I walked back to my girl, now on the jetty, only to find out that I was booked on another course after only half an hour's rest as part of the 'lesson'.
"But Darling, you know how exhausting this is. I didn't even use to do two courses one after the other when I was much younger!" I exclaimed.
"I know Mum. It wasn't up to me. You don't have to go you know? You did so well." She is always encouraging, my girl.
"Since I'm booked, why not! I'll go. No worries baby." I was determined.
On the second course however, I was still tired from the first round and had been shivering with half the wetsuit hanging from my waste... and it was a 'wet' one at that. But I was gonna do it!
My girl was sitting next to the driver, watching me being pulled from behind the boat. And I struggled to get out of the water on the two skies. I was a mono skier for so long that two skies were not an option before. As I almost got out of the water, my strength gave in, the two skies started going in different directions apart before my eyes and the speed boat was going faster as I did the splits!
Yep... the blooming splits. I heard a crack in my right side groin and I fell in the water helplessly.
In tears, I waved for help to the boat which had turned around, coming my way.
"Are you alright mum?" My girl was concerned and rightly too.
"I can't move," I said in a faint voice. "Get help."
The driver came close with the boat and managed to pull me out of the water and on the jetty behind, lying me on my back, in absolute agony. I literally could not move.
The manager appeared from the pier on what seemed like a floating wooden block with a motor attached to it. The two strong men lifted me slightly and placed moved me, in order to take me ashore.
From there, they brought a stretcher and again moved me onto it. By now, I had six hunks and I mean hunks... carrying me to the grass area in front of the restaurant.
'Greaaaaaat' I thought to myself, 'this is the only time I wish I was ten fucking kilos lighter in weight!'
Lying there, looking up at those concerned yet sexy faces, I must have gone quiet because the manager who knew me from those years ago, said: "Haldita, I bet this feels like your bedroom."
"My bedroom?!" I questioned. "No darling. I certainly don't have you hunks in my bedroom!"
Even in pain... I managed to get those men smiling. How giving is that??
Once placed on the grass surface, I had a whole crowd gathered around me. Families with children who looked more in pain through the expression on their faces looking down at me, than I was expressing!
Shortly after, three ambulance men came to my rescue. I tell you, it was a scene from a series... think it was called ER! Perhaps not quite...
The ambulance men got out and rushed to my side with a gas mask. New to me! They placed it over my nose and face, then told me to breathe deeply. And I did.
Soon I felt a tickling sensation inside and began to laugh and only God knows what I was saying. However, I recall...
"Are you hurt?" Asked the first ambulance man holding the mask.
"Haha... Did you just say I'm hot?" It sure sounded like I was flirting with the guy! Oh, dear!
"Think I'm being pulled here." Said the ambulance man under his breath, turning towards his mates.
As they moved me to make sure nothing is broken and I was giggling with the help of the mask like a schoolgirl, I asked: "Does this thing make you high?"
The ambulance men looked at each other, then looked at me awaiting their answer with wide eyes and answered: "Yes."
"Great. When can I take it home for my parties? Pleaaaase?" No stopping me now!
Pain? What pain? I was having a great time with my new buddies. All oblivious to the 'pain' or the few remaining audiences. The parents must have moved their children away! Don't blame them.
"You're better off without the wetsuit. Anyone, to help you with that here?" Asked the second ambulance man.
"Yes. Yes. I'm here." My girl intervened. "That's my mum!" She smiled as a few heads turned to look, with a... 'You mean this woman has a grown-up daughter?!' surprise expression.
"Have you ever taken anyone to hospital in a bikini before?" I was curious.
"Can I ask a favour?" And I continued on: "Could you please take us to the Chelsea, Westminster hospital? It's closer to me."
"No Madam. You are being taken to the 'Middlesex..." Well, some other hospital. The man answered. I can't quite recall the name! The ambulance man was patient. And I was... what sounded like... high!
The siren went off as I lay behind the ambulance, with my girl being questioned by the only ambulance man in the back, watching over me.
Hala happened to call at that time, concerned about our delay in returning home.
My girl picked up the phone and said: "Well... something kind of bad has happened."
I was giggling still at the back, not letting go of the precious mask.
As the explanation of the story went on over my head, I said to my girl: "Pass me the phone. Pass me the phone."
"Hey Sis," I said, "I waterskied great the first round, second one, I did the splits! Seems my hamstring's damaged. Anyhow, they've given me this gas mask which's great. Think I'm high as a kite! I tried to persuade them to let me bring it home for our parties, but it's not working! Hahaha..."
"So, by the sound of it Sis, you're not too bad," Hala laughed.
The results of the x-ray were 'an almost torn hamstring' and consultation of rest for two to three months, by the good doctor. We were called a cab to take us home, with a pair of crutches under my arms.
This was a Tuesday. By Saturday afternoon, I had moved on the sofa and friends began to call and drop by to see us. Troy came with two puppies. Charlotte and Nicolas brought their gorgeous baby boy. Robby arrived with a bottle of rose. And a handful more. The music was playing, the sun was shining outside, and the room was filled with an ambience of a happy mood, as we recalled the incident and laughed.
What is wonderful about all this is that the pain is long gone and forgotten but the joy of the gathering that Saturday afternoon shall always make me smile and the incident was actually funny!
You would think my stories end... But on the following day, my young friend Salar called to say: "Haldita, my friend, a Brazilian DJ is playing at the beach on the Thames this afternoon. Why don't you join us?"
I didn't have the heart to say no, so I answered: "Well, I'm on crutches but feeling better. Sure, we'll see you there."
With Hala in the back of Troy's sports car with Maggie. Me, in the passenger seat. Troy drove and parked by the London Wheel, close to the river.
I limped slowly; without the crutches, as we approached the river, close to the Millenium Bridge. We met up with Salar and his friends while waiting for the tide to go down so we could descend on the land, called 'the beach' by the river.
We then danced... Well, I certainly did and mingled with the young crowd for a couple of hours before heading home.
Again, I have a good recollection of the fun we had... As for the pain, as bad as it was then, it's history.
The doctor said it would take 2/3 months to be up and running... Who can say? I did it in 2/3 weeks, or less.
Off to bed. Finalllllly!
Early morning class... Guess what?... FENCING! Oh yeah.
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