The Place My Heart Still Calls Home #2
"Why not?" she asked, her voice becoming emotional.
"I'll take you to the best doctor I can find.We'll get you checked properly.You won't have to worry about anything." Her eyes filled with determination.
Her grandmother smiled sadly.
"You've always worried too much about me." Her voice was filled with affection.
"Because you don't worry enough about yourself!" Meera replied, almost crying again.
"You sound just like your mother."Her grandmother gave a faint laugh.
Meera smiled through her tears.Her grandmother looked toward the window.
"This is my home.I don't want to leave." Her voice became quieter.
"Grandma..."Meera stared at her.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I've lived here most of my life.Your grandfather and I built our life here."She slowly looked around the room.
Her grandmother reached toward it.
"After he passed away..This house became the place where I still feel closest to him." Her voice faltered.
She paused, trying to control her emotions.
Meera's eyes were immediately filled with tears.
"You miss Grandpa so much..." she whispered.
Her grandmother nodded slowly.
"Every single day." Her eyes became wet.
Meera lowered her gaze.
"But Grandma...I'm still here with you." she whispered.
"I know."Her grandmother looked at her lovingly.
"Then why won't you come with me?"
Meera's voice cracked.
Her grandmother smiled through her tears and reached up to touch her cheek.
"You've grown up so much." She said.
"Then let me take care of you now."Meera held her grandmother's hand against her cheek.
"You already do."her grandma said.
Meera shook her head.
"No, Grandma.I want to do more. I want you to see a good doctor.I want you to live with me.I want to wake up every morning and know you're okay."Her voice broke.
She leaned closer.
Her grandmother stared at her for several seconds.Then she gently pulled Meera closer.
Meera buried her face against her grandmother's shoulder.
"I don't want to lose you like my mom." Meera said .
"You won't lose me today."Her grandmother stroked her hair.
Meera cried quietly.
After a long silence, Meera finally wiped her cheeks.
"Okay." Meera said.
"Okay?"Her grandmother looked at her.
"I won't force you to leave.But you have to promise me something."
"Meera took a deep breath.
"What?"Her grandmother smiled.
"You'll see a doctor.And you'll take your medicine.And you'll tell me immediately if you feel sick again."
"I promise."Her grandmother sighed softly.
"Good."Meera finally smiled.
"Now you rest. You traveled all this way."Her grandmother smiled back.
Meera stood up.
"No. I need to go make something for you in the kitchen.." meera said.
"You just arrived.You must be tired." Her grandmother looked concerned.
"I'm fine."Meera shook her head with a playful smile.
She turned toward the kitchen.
But before leaving, she looked back at her grandmother. Then she went to the kitchen.
She walked into the small kitchen.
The moment Meera stepped inside, she stopped.Everything was exactly as she remembered.
Meera smiled softly.
"So many memories..." she whispered, her fingers gently brushing over the edge of the old wooden counter.
She remembered standing here as a little girl, watching her grandmother cook.
Meera shook her head with a small smile.
"Grandma used to say I was in more trouble than help." She chuckled softly, her eyes becoming warm with nostalgia.
She tied her hair back and washed her hands.
"Let's see what I can make for you today." she murmured lovingly, glancing toward the bedroom.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to make something light and comforting.
She took some rice and washed it carefully.
Then she chopped a few potatoes, carrots, and beans that she found in the kitchen.
She decided to make soft vegetable khichuri with a little egg on the side something warm and easy for her grandmother to eat.
She placed a pot on the stove.
Soon, the gentle sound of cooking filled the quiet kitchen.
The smell of rice, lentils, ginger, and spices slowly spread through the house.
Meera stirred the khichuri carefully.
Then...
RING! RING!
Her phone suddenly rang.
Meera looked toward the counter.
She quickly wiped her hands on a small towel and picked up the phone.
The name on the screen made her smile.
Ruchika.
"Oh, Ruchi..." Meera smiled warmly before answering the call.
"Hello, Ruchi." Her voice was soft as she put the phone on speaker and continued stirring the khichuri.
"Finally! Where are you?" Ruchika exclaimed, sounding both curious and slightly annoyed, as if she had been waiting for an explanation.
Meera laughed quietly.
"I'm in my village." She smiled at herself.
"What?!" Ruchika's voice immediately rose in surprise.
"You're already there?" she asked incredulously, clearly shocked by how quickly Meera had left.
"Yes." Meera nodded even though Ruchika couldn't see her.
"Exam finished, and Grandma wasn't feeling well, so I came here immediately." Her voice softened as worry returned to her eyes.
Ruchika became quiet for a moment.
"Wait... what happened to your grandmother?" she asked worriedly, her earlier excitement disappearing completely.
Meera slowly stirred the food.
"She wasn't feeling well this morning.I got really scared when I heard she was sick ." Her voice became quieter.
Ruchika's voice softened.
"How is she now?" she asked anxiously, clearly worried about Meera too.
"She's awake.She's still weak, but she's talking to me." Meera gave a small relieved smile.
"That's good." Ruchika let out a breath of relief.
"Yeah.I'm actually cooking for her right now."Meera smiled faintly.She stirred the khichuri again.
"What are you making?" Ruchika asked curiously, her tone becoming lighter.
"Vegetable khichuri.Grandma likes it when she's not feeling well." Meera smiled as she checked the pot.
"Aww...You sound like such a little grandmother yourself." Ruchika's voice softened and teased her friend affectionately.
Meera laughed.
"Shut up!I'm just taking care of her." she protested playfully, rolling her eyes even though Ruchika couldn't see her.
"I know, I know.But honestly, Meera, I'm glad you went." Ruchika laughed.
"She must have been really happy to see you." She sounded relieved that Meera was with her grandmother.
Ruchika immediately became serious.
"Hey...Don't think too much, okay?" she said as she tried to comfort her friend.
"She's with you now." Her words were calm .
Meera took a slow breath.
"You're right.At least I'm here with her." She smiled faintly.
Meera looked toward the bedroom again.
"Okay.I'll call you later." She smiled softly.
"And Meera..Take care of yourself too.." Ruchika suddenly added.
Her tone was gentle, as if she knew Meera might forget about herself while caring for her grandmother.
Meera paused.
"I will." She promised softly.
"You better." Ruchika replied warmly.
"Okay, Ruchi. Bye."Meera smiled.
"Bye, Meera." Ruchika's voice was affectionate before the call ended.
The kitchen suddenly became quiet again.
Meera placed her phone beside the stove.She lowered the flame and checked the food.
The khichuri had become soft and fragrant.
She prepared a small bowl and added a little egg beside it. Then she carefully placed everything onto a tray.
She picked up the tray carefully.
Then she walked toward the bedroom.
"Grandma...I bring your food." she called softly, her voice carrying warmth.
Her grandmother slowly opened her eyes.A tired smile appeared on her face.
"You made it yourself?" she asked softly.
Meera smiled proudly.
"Of course.I made it just the way you used to make it for me." Her heart warmed at seeing her grandmother smile.
Her grandmother's eyes became slightly moist.
Meera placed the tray beside her.
"Now you have to eat. Today I'm feeding you." She smiled gently.
"I can eat myself." She protested quietly, trying to sit up.
Meera gently stopped her.
"I know you can." She smiled.
Her grandmother looked at her for a long moment.Then she sighed dramatically.
"Alright, my child." She finally agreed, her eyes filled with warmth.
Meera smiled brightly.
"Good girl.Today I'm the grandmother, and you're the child." She teased gently, her eyes sparkling.
Her grandmother laughed softly.
"Oh, so you've finally become the boss?" she asked, shaking her head with amusement.
"Absolutely.Now open your mouth." Meera nodded proudly.
She held up the spoon with a playful smile. She took her bit.
Meera's smile slowly faded into something more tender.
Her grandmother noticed anyway.
"Why are you crying?" she asked gently, her fingers brushing Meera's cheek.
"I'm not crying." Meera tried to smile, but her voice betrayed her.
Her grandmother gave her a knowing look.
"You were always a terrible liar." She smiled sadly, wiping away the tear with her thumb.
Meera let out a tiny laugh.For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
"Grandma..."Then Meera gently held her grandmother's hand.
"Hmm?" Her grandmother looked at her.
"Promise me you'll take care of yourself.And if you feel sick again, you'll tell me immediately." Meera's voice was soft but serious.
Her grandmother squeezed her hand.
"I promise." She reassured her gently.
They continued eating together.The conversation slowly drifted toward old memories.
Meera's heart felt a little lighter.Her grandmother was beside her.
She could hear her soft laughter.She could see the familiar smile on her face.