Nb: Solen skinte sterkt over den lille bygda.
En: The sun shone brightly over the little village.

Nb: Det var sommer, og det var valgdag.
En: It was summer, and it was election day.

Nb: Folk samlet seg ved det beskjedne samfunnshuset som fungerte som valgsted.
En: People gathered at the modest community center that served as the polling station.

Nb: Inne var det lyst og travelt.
En: Inside, it was bright and busy.

Nb: Naboer snakket og diskuterte valget.
En: Neighbors talked and discussed the election.

Nb: Frivillige delte ut vannflasker og viste folk hvor de skulle gå.
En: Volunteers handed out water bottles and showed people where to go.

Nb: Ingrid stod i køen sammen med sin mann, Eirik.
En: Ingrid stood in line with her husband, Eirik.

Nb: Hun var i slutten av 30-årene, bestemt og prinsippfast.
En: She was in her late 30s, determined and principled.

Nb: Hun hadde astma, men det skulle ikke stoppe henne i dag.
En: She had asthma, but that wouldn't stop her today.

Nb: Eirik, hennes støttende, men noe urolige ektemann i begynnelsen av 40-årene, merket Ingrid sin anstrengte pust.
En: Eirik, her supportive, but somewhat anxious husband in his early 40s, noticed Ingrid's labored breathing.

Nb: "Er du sikker på at du vil bli her, Ingrid?"
En: "Are you sure you want to stay here, Ingrid?"

Nb: spurte han bekymret.
En: he asked worriedly.

Nb: "Jeg vil sjekke at du er ok."
En: "I want to make sure you're okay."

Nb: "Ja, Eirik, jeg må stemme," svarte Ingrid bestemt.
En: "Yes, Eirik, I have to vote," answered Ingrid firmly.

Nb: "Denne valget er viktig.
En: "This election is important.

Nb: Det kan endre helselovene i kommunen."
En: It can change healthcare laws in the municipality."

Nb: Eirik nikket, men kunne ikke skjule sin uro.
En: Eirik nodded but couldn't hide his concern.

Nb: Linjen beveget seg sakte.
En: The line moved slowly.

Nb: Varmen fra sommerdagen trengte inn i det overfylte rommet.
En: The heat from the summer day seeped into the crowded room.

Nb: Ingrid begynte å puste tyngre.
En: Ingrid began to breathe more heavily.

Nb: En eldre, klok dame i 70-årene, Sigrid, la merke til dette fra en annen del av rommet.
En: An older, wise woman in her 70s, Sigrid, noticed this from another part of the room.

Nb: "Ingrid," sa Sigrid med en rolig stemme.
En: "Ingrid," said Sigrid in a calm voice.

Nb: "Kan jeg hjelpe deg?
En: "Can I help you?

Nb: Du ser sliten ut."
En: You look tired."

Nb: "Jeg er bare litt andpusten, Sigrid.
En: "I'm just a little short of breath, Sigrid.

Nb: Jeg har astma," forklarte Ingrid.
En: I have asthma," explained Ingrid.

Nb: Sigrid, som en gang var sykepleier, så alvorlig ut.
En: Sigrid, who had once been a nurse, looked serious.

Nb: "Vent her," sa hun og skyndte seg bort til en frivillig.
En: "Wait here," she said and hurried over to a volunteer.

Nb: Eirik holdt Ingrid tett inntil seg, bekymringen lyste i øynene hans.
En: Eirik held Ingrid close, worry shining in his eyes.

Nb: "Kanskje vi bør gå, Ingrid.
En: "Maybe we should leave, Ingrid.

Nb: Dette er ikke verdt helsen din."
En: This isn't worth your health."

Nb: "Nei, Eirik," svarte Ingrid med svak, men bestemt stemme.
En: "No, Eirik," Ingrid replied with a weak but determined voice.

Nb: "Jeg er nesten fremme.
En: "I'm almost there.

Nb: Jeg må stemme."
En: I have to vote."

Nb: Idet de nådde starten av køen, ble Ingrid plutselig svak.
En: As they reached the front of the line, Ingrid suddenly felt weak.

Nb: Hun segnet sammen, og det oppstod et oppstyr.
En: She collapsed, and a commotion ensued.

Nb: Eirik støttet henne, og Sigrid kom raskt til.
En: Eirik supported her, and Sigrid quickly stepped in.

Nb: "Gi meg plass," sa Sigrid med en autoritativ tone.
En: "Give me space," Sigrid said authoritatively.

Nb: "Ingrid, legg deg ned og prøv å puste rolig."
En: "Ingrid, lie down and try to breathe calmly."

Nb: Med Sigrids hjelp begynte Ingrid sakte å puste mer jevnt.
En: With Sigrid's help, Ingrid slowly began to breathe more evenly.

Nb: En frivillig tilbød en innohalator som Ingrid raskt brukte.
En: A volunteer offered an inhaler which Ingrid quickly used.

Nb: Etter noen minutter var hun stabil igjen.
En: After a few minutes, she was stable again.

Nb: "Takk, Sigrid," sa Eirik, lettet.
En: "Thank you, Sigrid," Eirik said, relieved.

Nb: "Vi må skynde oss før det stenger," sa Ingrid svakt, men bestemt.
En: "We have to hurry before it closes," said Ingrid weakly but firmly.

Nb: Med hjelp fra Eirik og Sigrid reiste Ingrid seg og gikk det siste skrittet til stemmeboksen.
En: With help from Eirik and Sigrid, Ingrid stood up and took the final steps to the voting booth.

Nb: Hun markerte sitt valg på stemmeseddelen med en rolig hånd.
En: She marked her choice on the ballot with a steady hand.

Nb: De rakk å stemme rett før valglokalet stengte.
En: They managed to vote just before the polling station closed.

Nb: Da de var ferdige, pustet de alle lettet ut.
En: When they were done, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Nb: Ingrid innså viktigheten av å balansere sitt engasjement med hennes helse.
En: Ingrid realized the importance of balancing her commitment with her health.

Nb: Eirik fikk en dypere forståelse for Ingrids urokkelige engasjement for deres samfunn.
En: Eirik gained a deeper understanding of Ingrid's unwavering dedication to their community.

Nb: Ingrid smilte til Eirik.
En: Ingrid smiled at Eirik.

Nb: "Takk for at du alltid passer på meg," sa hun.
En: "Thank you for always taking care of me," she said.

Nb: Og med det forlot de valgstedet, hånd i hånd, klare for å møte fremtiden sammen.
En: And with that, they left the polling station, hand in hand, ready to face the future together.