Chapter 52
The melodious ringtone filled the room as Noemi awakened from her dream. It was a song that had always occupied a special place in her heart, a reminder of the love she shared with Jacob.
As the lyrics played in the background, it echoed in her ears and she reached for her phone:
"Every little thing that you do, I am so in love with you, it just keeps getting better. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, by my side, forever."
As she answered the call from Lisa, Noemi smiled, thinking of the love she and Jacob shared.
It was a love that had brought them through certain challenges, and it had only grown stronger with time.
"Hello, Girlfriend," Noemi greeted, her voice still filled with the warmth of her dream.
"Hey, Noemi! I hope I did not wake you from a nap or anything," Lisa said on the other end after noticing the way she sounded.
"No, not at all. I was just taking a short nap," Noemi replied, she used her hand to rub the sleep off her eyes.
Lisa went on to explain why she called
"I wanted to let you know that I am wrapping up at the shop now, and I was wondering if you could come by. And we can head over to the hospital together to visit Nathan."
Without any hesitation, Noemi agreed. She felt a deep concern for Nathan, given the recent events.
"Of course, Lisa. I will be there soon. Just give me a few minutes to freshen up, and I will come over to your shop."
"Okay, dear." Lisa said to Noemi.
As they said their goodbyes, Noemi ended the call and quickly got ready.
She went straight to Grandma Nina's room to tell her she was going out. She knocked on her door and there was no response.
At the third knock, Noemi became curious. There was still no response and she tried to get in.
"Grandma, are you still sleeping?" She said, stepping her feet inside the room.
To her surprise, there was no one in the room. Only her grandmother's walking stick lay by the bedside.
"Why on planet Earth would make her leave her walking aid behind." Noemi thought within herself.
The thought of her grandmother wandering alone, without her walking stick, sent a shiver down her spine.
Noemi became more frightened, looking around the small room. But she could not find her Grandma Nina anywhere.
"Grandma! Grandma!" Noemi yelled, her voice quivering as she paced around, panicking.
As Noemi stepped out of the house, her heart raced with fear. She called out for her grandmother once more, her voice trembling with worry.
The sun had dipped below the horizon and cast long shadows that seemed to stretch infinitely.
"Grandma Nina! Where are you?" Noemi's voice trembled as she scanned the yard, desperately searching for any sign of her beloved grandmother.
Just as panic began to set in, Noemi spotted something in the distance. It was a faint body figure, moving further away from the house.
Noemi's heart leaped with both relief and concern as she recognized her grandmother's distinctive walk.
She moved quickly towards the figure, Noemi called out once more, her voice echoing through the quiet space. "Grandma, it is me, Noemi! I can't find you in your room. Are you okay?"
At that instant, the shape she saw stopped, and after a moment of hesitation, it turned to face Noemi.
Noemi could see the weakness in her grandmother's form. She rushed to her side, worry lines formed on her face.
"Noemi, my dear." With her fast breathing, Grandma Nina said, her voice shaky.
"Grandma, what are you doing out here? Why didn't you answer when I called?"
"I... I am sorry my dear. I was... I was busy counting" Grandma Nina looked at Noemi, her voice was fragile as she spoke.
"Bush counting what Grandma? You got me worried." Noemi furrowed her brow.
"I was counting my steps, it's a little exercise I tried doing, coming from my room down here, before you disturb me." Grandma Nina said tiredly, as she rested her back on a short tree.
With her hands akimbo, Noemi said. "Did you even sleep while I was in my room sleeping?"
"Yes, Noemi. I did, I woke up earlier than you did." Grandma Nina replied.
"Why should you leave your walking stick in your room in the first place?" Noemi continued, "And this is no exercise, Granny, you just take your drugs and you will be fine."
With a grin from Grandma Nina, she voiced "Are you a medical practitioner now?"
Noemi took her grandmother's hand gently and guided her back towards the house.
"It is alright, Grandma. Let us get you inside." Noemi smiled.
As they walked back to the house, Noemi couldn't help but worry about her grandmother's well-being.
Once they got inside, Noemi made sure her grandmother was comfortable and settled her in her favourite chair.
She went straight to the kitchen to get her a bottle of water. "Drink this grandma." handing the water to her.
"Thank you, my beautiful granddaughter." Grandma Nina collected the water and drank it all.
Noemi went ahead and covered her with a warm blanket and kissed her forehead.
"I will be back soon, Grandma. I promise. I need to go visit Nathan at the hospital with Lisa."
Grandma Nina nodded, her eyes reflecting a sense of understanding. "Go, my dear. I will be here when you return. Just be careful, okay."
"Sure Grandma, you know I will." Noemi said as she turned to leave.
With a heavy heart, Noemi left the house and made her way to Lisa's shop. But stopped and changed her direction to Miss Shane's apartment.
The worry for her grandmother lingered in her mind.
"Good evening, Miss Shane." Noemi greeted her while banging her first on the door.
Miss Shane ran as fast as she could to get to the door when she recognized Noemi's voice.
"Noemi is that you?"
"Yes, it's Noemi, Miss Shane." Noemi smiled, but she seemed to be in a hurry.
The door creaked open and Miss Shane came into view. Miss Shane locked her gaze on Noemi and nodded.
"You are going out, and Grandma Nina will be alone." she continued, "Is it Jacob?"
"No, Miss Shane. I want to see my friend." Noemi chuckled.
"Sure, I will be with her shortly. You know you don't need to ask me." Miss Shane said, with a tone of certainty in her voice.
"Thank you, Miss Shane." she said and took her leave.