12

                                    

                                          
12
Tristan stared at Nina after she had just told him what her grandmother wanted. He didn't know why the thought of meeting her caused his stomach to drop. It's not like they were in an actual relationship.
Nina stands up and looks away from him.
"This was a mistake. I'll just... I'll just tell her the truth," she said, walking towards the door.
Tristan grabbed her wrist.
"It's not a big deal. I can meet her if it'll make her happy."
Nina looked up at him with so much emotion that he glanced away.
"What's the room number?" he asked, looking back at her.
"Room three one six. Tristan you really don't have to do this. I'm asking for too much," she said.
She looked so vulnerable to him that he had to help her out.
"Watch Nadia. I'll be back."
Tristan walked down the hallway and stepped in front of the door to room three one six. Tristan inhaled deeply before knocking on the door.
"Come in," the feminine voice said, sounding older and weak.
Tristan walked inside the room to find an older black woman hooked up to IV's and a blood pressure cuff was on her right arm.
Her eyes lit up at him when he stood in front of her.
She reached her hand out for him to take. She then placed her other hand on top of his and patted it in a nice gesture.
"You must be Tristan," she said, giving him a smile.
"It's nice to meet you, ma'am."
"Have a seat," she said motioning for him to sit down in the chair position in front of the bed. Tristan sat down and tapped his foot against the white tile.
"You're a nice-looking young man. No wonder Nina picked you."
Tristan grinned.
"Thank you."
Silence fell upon them as Nina's grandmother continued to stare at him.
"Are you in love with her?" she asked, watching him intently.
Tristan paused. He didn't want to lie but it would only be a white lie. This was part of Nina's plan to pretend like they were in love and he had told her he would follow through on it.
"I do."
Nina's grandmother stared at him longer before smiling once again and nodding her head.
"I'm happy to hear that. Nina has been through a lot."
Tristan wanted to ask her what all Nina had been through but he thought against it. This was something that he should already know since he was pretending they were actually in a relationship.
"Promise that you'll take good care of her when I'm gone," she said, with tears pooling her eyes.
Tristan stood back up and reached for her hand.
"I promise I'll take good care of her. Don't worry," he said, squeezing her hand.
She sighed. "I trust you. Tell Nina to go home and get some rest. If she tells you she will tell her I won't forgive her for not respecting my decision. She can be stubborn sometimes. If you have to, carry her out of here," she said. "Keep what we talked about a secret from her."
"I will."
"I'm tired and want to rest now."
Tristan said his goodbyes and shut off the lights so she could go to sleep.
Tristan walked back out into the waiting room to see Nina patting Nadia's back as Nadia had her eyes close and her head was resting against Nina's should.
Again he shook off the feeling of wondering what it would really be like to be in a relationship with her.
Nina glanced up at him and he found himself giving her a gentle smile. He sat down in the chair next to her. His arm brushed up against hers and he noticed Nina get a sharp intake of air.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm not sure, to be honest. I'm so lost."
"Your grandmother is so nice and sweet."
Nina nodded. She glanced back at him and smiled.
"She's more like a mother to me than my own other. That's why it's so hard for me to comprehend she won't be in my life anymore."
Tristan was at a loss for what to say. He wanted to tell her everything would be okay but it sounded like a generic answer that anyone would say and he didn't want to sound like a broken record.
Tristan grabbed her hand, ignore the electric current that ran up his arm.
"She told me to take you home. She said she wants to rest."
Nina shook her head. "I don't want to leave her."
"I know you don't but she told me to tell you to respect her decision and come home."
Nina's frown deepened.
"What if something happens and I'm not here?" she asked.
Tristan sighed because he understood her dilemma. He wouldn't want to be away from the one he loved if he knew she was dying.
"I'll sleep here."
"Nina it's not comfortable for you to sleep here," he said, looking at the stiff chair. She would most likely have back pain.
"Well, I'm not leaving," she said, crossing her arms underneath her breast.
He raised his eyebrow at her. "Do I have to throw you over my shoulder and drag you out of her like your grandmother?"
Nina's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.
"She told you to do that?"
"Yes, and I'll do it since I promised her I'd take you home with me," he said, advancing towards her.
Nina stepped back until her back hit the wall. Tristan glanced at Nadia to make sure she was still asleep before he placed both hands on the wall beside Nina's face.
Her vanilla perfume penetrated his senses and he fought off the urge to lean down and kiss her. She was going through a rough time right now and he wouldn't do that to her at such a sensitive time.
"What's your decision?"
She frowned up at him and her lips were making a small pout. She pushed her hand against his chest causing him to step back. She walked away from him and the wall to pick up Nadia. 
"Let's go," she said, anger in her steps as he followed her out of the waiting room.
***
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