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I get out of the cab. He puts his hand on my shoulder, we pass the security guard and enter the building. We take the elevator to the fourth floor and walk into Ward C, private room 12. There I meet the woman who’s so precious to him, lying in bed tired yet welcoming. Her eyes are dull and her face is withered.
“Granny!” He enters the room, stands by her bed and caresses her hair. “My darling, how are you today, sweetie?” He raises the palm of her hand and kisses it again and again and again, wiping a tear that has silently slipped out.
Grandma Lala opens her eyes wider, beaming with joy as she sees his face.
“My Avi! My dear, I’ve missed you,” she bolsters his grip on her palm.
“Same here, my queen!” He emphasizes her importance to him.
“So, I see you’ve finally decided to bring your wife here?” She glances at me.
He falls silent and looks at her with sad eyes.
“My wife?” he whispers as he gazes at me. “Ah! Yes, my wife. She wanted to see you very much.” He decides to twist reality to keep her calm. At the same time, he shoots me an apologetic glimpse, which I immediately dismiss with a quick gesture.
I look at this tired, gorgeous woman. She has sea-blue eyes, her skin is pristine white and grey streaks through her hair as though bringing secrets to the world from forgotten depths. It’s clear she’s a woman who’s seen and experienced it all. I really feel drawn to her with admiration.
I approach and warmly caress her hand.
“Of course I came, dear Grandma,” I gently embrace her. Grandma Lala cooperates and squeezes my hand in response.
“Don’t you dare make him sad,” she further cautions, “this boy means everything to me, everything!”
“I promise,” I reply honestly, having no idea what I’m basing that on.
Avi smiles loosely, giving me an appreciative look. Then he pulls her palm to his heart and kisses it again. He sits at her side and breathes her in.
“You know you’re the most important person to me in the world, right, sweetheart?”
Grandma Lala smiles.
“So how are they treating you here? Do you need anything?”
“Only you!” she responds and shuts her beautiful eyes.
“Grandma! I love you so much. Be strong, please. I don’t want you to suffer anymore. You’re my whole world. What would I have been without you?” He falls apart before her.
Moved, I smile and wipe away my tears. About half an hour passes by.
“Visiting hours are over,” the nurse calls out as she passes by each room. “We need to do a shift change and doctor updates. Please leave,” she continues.
We both bid farewell to Grandma Lala with a hug and a warm kiss.
“Shall we go for drinks?” he suggests.
I agree immediately. “These transitions aren’t easy. Like from Sunday to the weekday,” I add.
“Yeah, I’m here, she’s there. She can’t save me from myself anymore, no one can.”
“No one but you!” I correct him. “Your relationship is so inspiring. Well done,” I continue. “It’s not at all a given, you know. You can learn everything there is to know about someone based on the way they take care of their loved ones.”
Avi is surprised and embarrassed all at once, but he also feels the palatable closeness between us and surrenders to it.
“Your grandmother seems like an amazing woman! You can really see it bursting out of her,” I explain. “Maybe it’ll sound weird to you, but she really got under my skin. I’m so grateful you brought me here; it was a privilege.”
“Thanks,” he nods. “She’s one of a kind. You know my grandmother never talked to me about marriage?” he smiles.
“Maybe it’s because she knows you well enough to know you’re not serious?” I try to lighten the mood for a bit.
