Solen skinte sterkt over den lille bygda.

The sun shone brightly over the little village.

Det var sommer, og det var valgdag.

It was summer, and it was election day.

Folk samlet seg ved det beskjedne samfunnshuset som fungerte som valgsted.

People gathered at the modest community center that served as the polling station.

Inne var det lyst og travelt.

Inside, it was bright and busy.

Naboer snakket og diskuterte valget.

Neighbors talked and discussed the election.

Frivillige delte ut vannflasker og viste folk hvor de skulle gå.

Volunteers handed out water bottles and showed people where to go.

Ingrid stod i køen sammen med sin mann, Eirik.

Ingrid stood in line with her husband, Eirik.

Hun var i slutten av 30-årene, bestemt og prinsippfast.

She was in her late 30s, determined and principled.

Hun hadde astma, men det skulle ikke stoppe henne i dag.

She had asthma, but that wouldn't stop her today.

Eirik, hennes støttende, men noe urolige ektemann i begynnelsen av 40-årene, merket Ingrid sin anstrengte pust.

Eirik, her supportive, but somewhat anxious husband in his early 40s, noticed Ingrid's labored breathing.

"Er du sikker på at du vil bli her, Ingrid?"

"Are you sure you want to stay here, Ingrid?"

spurte han bekymret.

he asked worriedly.

"Jeg vil sjekke at du er ok."

"I want to make sure you're okay."

"Ja, Eirik, jeg må stemme," svarte Ingrid bestemt.

"Yes, Eirik, I have to vote," answered Ingrid firmly.

"Denne valget er viktig.

"This election is important.

Det kan endre helselovene i kommunen."

It can change healthcare laws in the municipality."

Eirik nikket, men kunne ikke skjule sin uro.

Eirik nodded but couldn't hide his concern.

Linjen beveget seg sakte.

The line moved slowly.

Varmen fra sommerdagen trengte inn i det overfylte rommet.

The heat from the summer day seeped into the crowded room.

Ingrid begynte å puste tyngre.

Ingrid began to breathe more heavily.

En eldre, klok dame i 70-årene, Sigrid, la merke til dette fra en annen del av rommet.

An older, wise woman in her 70s, Sigrid, noticed this from another part of the room.

"Ingrid," sa Sigrid med en rolig stemme.

"Ingrid," said Sigrid in a calm voice.

"Kan jeg hjelpe deg?

"Can I help you?

Du ser sliten ut."

You look tired."

"Jeg er bare litt andpusten, Sigrid.

"I'm just a little short of breath, Sigrid.

Jeg har astma," forklarte Ingrid.

I have asthma," explained Ingrid.

Sigrid, som en gang var sykepleier, så alvorlig ut.

Sigrid, who had once been a nurse, looked serious.

"Vent her," sa hun og skyndte seg bort til en frivillig.

"Wait here," she said and hurried over to a volunteer.

Eirik holdt Ingrid tett inntil seg, bekymringen lyste i øynene hans.

Eirik held Ingrid close, worry shining in his eyes.

"Kanskje vi bør gå, Ingrid.

"Maybe we should leave, Ingrid.

Dette er ikke verdt helsen din."

This isn't worth your health."

"Nei, Eirik," svarte Ingrid med svak, men bestemt stemme.

"No, Eirik," Ingrid replied with a weak but determined voice.

"Jeg er nesten fremme.

"I'm almost there.

Jeg må stemme."

I have to vote."

Idet de nådde starten av køen, ble Ingrid plutselig svak.

As they reached the front of the line, Ingrid suddenly felt weak.

Hun segnet sammen, og det oppstod et oppstyr.

She collapsed, and a commotion ensued.

Eirik støttet henne, og Sigrid kom raskt til.

Eirik supported her, and Sigrid quickly stepped in.

"Gi meg plass," sa Sigrid med en autoritativ tone.

"Give me space," Sigrid said authoritatively.

"Ingrid, legg deg ned og prøv å puste rolig."

"Ingrid, lie down and try to breathe calmly."

Med Sigrids hjelp begynte Ingrid sakte å puste mer jevnt.

With Sigrid's help, Ingrid slowly began to breathe more evenly.

En frivillig tilbød en innohalator som Ingrid raskt brukte.

A volunteer offered an inhaler which Ingrid quickly used.

Etter noen minutter var hun stabil igjen.

After a few minutes, she was stable again.

"Takk, Sigrid," sa Eirik, lettet.

"Thank you, Sigrid," Eirik said, relieved.

"Vi må skynde oss før det stenger," sa Ingrid svakt, men bestemt.

"We have to hurry before it closes," said Ingrid weakly but firmly.

Med hjelp fra Eirik og Sigrid reiste Ingrid seg og gikk det siste skrittet til stemmeboksen.

With help from Eirik and Sigrid, Ingrid stood up and took the final steps to the voting booth.

Hun markerte sitt valg på stemmeseddelen med en rolig hånd.

She marked her choice on the ballot with a steady hand.

De rakk å stemme rett før valglokalet stengte.

They managed to vote just before the polling station closed.

Da de var ferdige, pustet de alle lettet ut.

When they were done, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Ingrid innså viktigheten av å balansere sitt engasjement med hennes helse.

Ingrid realized the importance of balancing her commitment with her health.

Eirik fikk en dypere forståelse for Ingrids urokkelige engasjement for deres samfunn.

Eirik gained a deeper understanding of Ingrid's unwavering dedication to their community.

Ingrid smilte til Eirik.

Ingrid smiled at Eirik.

"Takk for at du alltid passer på meg," sa hun.

"Thank you for always taking care of me," she said.

Og med det forlot de valgstedet, hånd i hånd, klare for å møte fremtiden sammen.

And with that, they left the polling station, hand in hand, ready to face the future together.