Save Me

                                    

                                          
Every year during the winter season little Anni-Frid used to get sick continuously, it was Agny who took care of her day and night, she even stopped working to stay with her at home because there was no one else to take care of the little child. Agny was devoted to her granddaughter twenty-four hours a day. She used to lie down and hug her while Anni-Frid was shivering with cold due to the intense fever, put wet cloths on her forehead and wake her up to give her medicines. Anni-Frid never suffered from neglect. Agny used to hold her hand as she gasped in pain on her bed, now it was Agny's turn.
Anni-Frid wiped away the slippery tear quickly with one hand while the other clung to her grandmother's warm hand. Agny was asleep on the hospital bed, looking unusually pale and tired, the decades suddenly falling on her. Anni-Frid stared at the woman who gave everything for her with a lump in the throat. Why didn't she open her eyes? Couldn't she feel her? She was totally unaware of the hour, but earlier when she saw aunt Olive she said Agny was up for a while. Anni-Frid blamed herself for not being there by then, she wasted valuable time going home to sleep.
Seeing that her mother was better, Olive decided to go home with Sølvi to take a shower and eat something, Anni-Frid had to stay, but Agny had remained unconscious all time. She was so worried that she couldn't help but ask the nurse, who assured her it was just exhaustion. Anni-Frid let out a breath and kissed her grandmother's hand. "I'm right here, Mormor." She looked at her for long minutes, raising a silent prayer to heaven.
The loudspeaker from the hall snapped her out of her thoughts. Anni-Frid straightened up and looked for the watch; 12:42 p.m. According to what the nurse said, the doctor would come soon. For some reason, Anni-Frid felt something was missing, something important, but she couldn't catch it and didn't make an effort either, all her attention was reduced to her grandmother.
"Anni-Frid..."
Anni-Frid turned quickly, her eyes lighting up for the first time in hours and her heart beating again with hope, with relief. "Mormor!" Holding back was impossible, Anni-Frid rushed forward and hugged her grandmother, her relief was so great that she could have cried a river of tears, but with divine help she held back. "Oh my god, Mormor. Finally." Her voice was tight.
Agny stroked her back with her right hand and gave a weak, husky laugh. "Sweetie. It's okay."
She was awake, talking to her and reassuring her, it was ridiculous. "You have no idea... I was so scared," she whispered and swallowed hard.
"I know, my girl. I know," Agny sighed. Anni-Frid separated and their eyes met, it was an immense relief to see her again. Agny gave her a small smile. "I'm fine, do not worry."
Anni-Frid shook her head. "No, don't ask me that. This is serious," she returned to take her hand, careful not to damage the catheter or hurt her. "You are in a hospital because you had a heart attack, those are big things."
Agny sighed tiredly, she felt like she could sleep all day. "I am aware of that, but I have listened to the doctor. I will have a new treatment and new care. I'll be fine."
Anni-Frid turned pale when she heard "new care"; she agreed to go to Norway? Once Agny said that going back was not part of her plans, but perhaps this situation changed her mind. "Whatever it takes to keep you okay," she said, trying to sound firm. "I am going to take care of you."
Agny reached up to her hand and caressed her soft cheek, Anni-Frid looked worried to death. "You have always taken care of me."
"We take care of each other, you said so yourself," she commented with a distorted smile, the doubt eating away at her internally, but she wouldn't bring the subject up now. "I... I'm so relieved to hear you again," she said, with her heart at hand.