We don't hear "Break a leg," in a sporting situation because you never know when that may come true.

12 Weeks ago I was unfortunately on the receiving end of a broken leg, literally.

How on earth is saying "Break a leg" a sign of good luck?

For a few months I remember driving back home from my cricket games and wishing to have a break from the game. The consistent scores ranging from 0-20, with the occasional 30 here and there had me drained.

I mentally flirted with the idea of taking a cricket sabbatical to clear my head and get back when I am clear of the baggage.

17/02/2022

"The Butterfly Effect"

I remember having a supremely busy week with family, there was always some plan. As soon as I wrapped up work for the day, I called every member of my house to check if we have any plans. Everyone was doing their own thing.

"Great, some time off, finally some cricket"

None of my folks were playing cricket that day, so I jumped on to the next best thing, football.

Contemplating between a lazy evening in or an active day out, at near about 6:38 pm, I made the decision. I'm going for football.

"You have come prepared"

Out of the 14 players on the pitch, there was only one person wearing shinguards - yours truly.

I remember one of the lads looking at me and saying "You have come prepared" with a look of "Why? This isn't a Champions League Final"

I was drafted in the green team. .

"Switch sides"

At the very last second, I was told to switch from the green team to the white team to balance things out. I quickly changed jerseys and switched sides.

In hindsight, had that decision not been made, nothing would've happened.

"Bro, play centre"

I generally play upfront or right wing. After the first 8-10 minutes, I assisted our forward for the first goal. My last contribution on a football pitch, for at least a couple of years.

One of my teammates came to me and asked me to fall back in midfield.

Had I stayed forward, life would be different.

"Wrong place, wrong time"

Since it was a friendly game, we always had a no sliding rule. I've played 10-12 games with the same bunch and I've never seen the game get aggressive. When I was in the middle, I saw the ball coming towards me, out of reflex I went for it.

Another guy, also went for it, but because he was further out he came sliding with both his legs. I had already covered ground, my left foot planted on the turf and in less than a fraction of a second, boom I felt something. I don't know which part of my leg was gone, was it my ankle, my knee, my shin, no clue, I was flat out on the floor.

"Guys, call an ambulance"

After removing my shins and studs I saw my leg. It had swollen massively, I couldn't feel anything, it felt like jelly. My heart was racing, I started getting flashes, seeing me without a leg. Completely amputated. My heart began racing faster. I called my partner, my family, told them about the situation.

The lads on the field called an ambulance and helped me get up on the stretcher. I don't remember being in any pain, just absolute shock or in medical terms, "trauma".

"Familia"

Blessed beyond measures, my entire family showed up in under 20 minutes.

I was in the ambulance by then. Heading to a nearby hospital.

"Doesn't feel right"

I went to a local hospital, did my x-ray and it was a pretty massive fracture. Both my fibula and tibia had been completely shattered. We couldn't believe our eyes.

The staff at this hospital were far from comforting, I remember the entire conversation being about the cost of treatment and not once was I asked how I'm feeling mentally, physically, or emotionally. No one around me gave a good vibe.

One of the surgeons came in and said, we have to proceed with surgery, he needs to put a rod in his leg.

"This can't be true"

The hospital and their staff never gave us the right vibe so the families called everyone they could do understand the situation. Turns out every doctor said, a surgery is inevitable and rod must be inserted. We still didn't want to get it done from there.

We explored multiple options in a frantic state and then through my sister, we were recommended, our savior, Dr. Ahmed Samy.

"The difference between treating and healing"

Dr. Samy spent a good 90 minutes on the phone with my father explaining him the surgical procedure and patiently awaited. He calmed our nerves and anxiety by just being there for us, answering all our questions.

Instincts screamed to proceed with him, so we shifted hospitals and went to HMS Hospital in Mirdiff, a relatively new facility opened up in the outskirts of the city.

He showed up around 11:30 pm, barely a couple of minutes after we reached, he didn't need to but his presence made us feel calm. He is by far the friendliest doctor I have met and he put all of our minds to ease.

"It's going to be a long night"

I was coming from football. I smelled horrible. Never felt more terrible and helpless in my adult life as far as I can remember. I cried the entire night wishing I never went for football. The first stage your mind goes through in this situation, most of the time is denial and victimisation. My mind went on loop with phrases like

I was on some seriously strong medication so I passed out through out the night, not feeling any pain in the body. But the mind, different story.

My family was with me until late night, my partner, Khushboo (Kukie), stayed with me in the hospital that night and took amazing care of me.

The entire staff at HMS Hospital were the best. I cannot thank their support staff enough.

18/02/2022

The morning after

After an emotional night, the time had arrived.

Dr. Samy walked in to my room at 2:30 and said "Yalla, let's fix you up".

I wasn't scared of the surgery, as I've done a fair few in my childhood, this was one was probably the biggest one though.

My family eagerly waited out for 8 hours, that's when I had arrived post op, everything went well. However, in my dizzy state, I was aware, the surgery was the least difficult part.

What follows after is where the challenge begins.

Still feels weird knowing I have a rod inside my leg.

Consciously not sharing the X-rays as it could be overwhelming for some.

I keep telling myself that this is a test match, some sessions will go my way, some won't. Some days I'll be on top of the injury, some days the injury will get the better off me.

As of now, it's the end of days play.

Massive 4 days ahead.

If you've read this far, I'd like to thank you for taking out your time. I've captured some of the journey over the last 12 weeks on a YouTube video. You can watch it below.

Peace, love, and good health.

P.S. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and been there for me in the journey so far. The list is long but I am forever indebted to each and everyone of you, for life.