PART VIII - Part 01

PART VIII

1. Pondilaki was sitting in the grass next to the cottage in Bileshko Pole. A number of fighters laid down their guns in a pile. About an hour later they gave him a sandwich. He ate it, got up, took a stroll among the fighters and returned to the dockworkers. After spending two weeks in the meadow, Pondilaki and the dockworkers boarded a truck. They waited in silence. The truck eventually drove off. They sat in the back on the wooden floor and kept quiet. Some time later the truck stopped. An Albanian soldier lifted the tarpaulin. He motioned to them to get off. Pondilaki jumped off first. After they all got off, the truck left. They all looked dazed. They sat down on the grass.

They were sitting in a large valley. There were no houses nearby. No one came to see them. They spent the night outdoors. The next day it started to rain. They were drenched. It stopped raining in the evening. They slept outdoors on the wet grass. It rained for the next six days. On the seventh day Pondilaki climbed aboard a truck.

“I am going to Bureli! Wait for me here! I’ll be back,” he said to the dockworkers.

2. He arrived in Bureli at nightfall. The town was filled with fighters. He looked at the face of everyone he passed. He was looking for Stavre Nakovski. Late at night he leaned against a tree. A strong hand shook him. He turned around and smiled.

“Vangelis Kotinaris?” he said.

“I don’t have much time, Pondilaki. If you see Iana, tell her not to go to the meeting. It will be very bad for the Macedonians,” he replied.

“Why, Vangelis? What is that supposed to mean?” Pondilaki asked.

“Don’t ask me! Just make sure she doesn’t go there!” he replied.

Vangelios Kotinaris disappeared in the dark. Pondilaki was upset. He left the tree and went looking for Iana Chakalarova. He saw the dockworkers he had left behind standing near a tall building. They were leaning against the wall. He was panting when he arrived.

“Have you seen Iana Chakalarova?” he asked.

“No. Everyone is inside the hall. There is some sort of argument between the leadership. Let’s go inside,” said Tushi Gonev.

“Why have you come here? I was going to come back for you,” said Pondilaki.

“Everyone had to leave. They brought us here by truck,” replied Tushi.

“Let’s go inside,” said Pondilaki.

They went in. It was a large hall.

“There are so many people! There are certainly two thousand fighters in here…” said Pondilaki.

“Maybe more…” added Tushi Gonev.

Pondilaki lifted himself on his tiptoes to see what was happening at the other end of the hall. A dozen people sat on the stage looking very nervous. One of them stood up. Pondilaki pushed up with his toes and focused his ears to hear what the person was saying. He saw the man point his finger and heard him say “Lesi, micro skuliki!?” and then saw him spit at the man sitting closest to him. Someone bumped into Pondilaki and he lost his balance and sight of the man. A group of fighters made their way inside and pushed everyone out of the way. Dripping with sweat, Pondilaki went outside. He leaned against the wall and sighed deeply and painfully.

Nikos Zaikopoulos followed him. He was in a foul mood.

“If the Soviet officers were not here these Greeks would have shot the Macedonian leaders. They were betrayed by the CPG Supreme Command. What a mess!” said Nikos.

“Meaning, it’s the same old song,” said Pondilaki and brushed the hair on his forehead to the side.

“It’s a war, Pondilaki. The songs, in fact, are always the same, only the melody changes,” replied Nikos.

3. Pondilaki and the dockworkers spent the night outside at the end of the building. Pondilaki was thinking of Stavre Nakovski. He was sorry that he did not go back to the mountain to search for him. He did not care much for the propaganda blaring outside claiming that the fighters are in Albania to regroup and that, according to the leadership, the Democratic Army is preparing to go back and fight. Pondilaki was well aware that the fighters were already disarmed and no unarmed soldier was ever sent to fight at the front. A little later the fighters were loaded on a Soviet ship in Dirahio and left heading to an unknown destination. Pondilaki and dockworkers sat below deck quietly. They were confused. The discontent was visible on their faces. They had traveled a long way. They heard the voice of a mulah. They listened carefully but learned nothing. The boat stopped. They heard people walking on the deck. From what they were saying, Pondilaki deduced that they were civil servants. The people spoke Turkish. Pondilaki was familiar with some Turkish words. He understood every word they said but did not say anything. A while later the voices disappeared. The ship began to move again. Pondilaki knew something and sighed. They were traveling for a long time...

They got off the ship. Their faces were black from the coal dust. They squinted. Their lips were glued together. They were taken around the harbour and loaded on a train. Pondilaki huddled together with the dockworkers in the same car. They traveled for a long time. They were silent contemplating their fate. They got off the train near a large city. They walked a long way and arrived in an army barracks. They huddled in the barracks. An agitation and propaganda spokesman from the Democratic Army voiced the

leadership’s message which read: “We are in the Soviet Union near the city Tashkent. Our stay here is temporary.” Some of the fighters believed the message. Pondilaki reconciled with his fate and began to breathe a little easier. He was getting ready to face the new climate and environment. The dockworkers did the same. They were, however, surprised by the clean, white sheets and comfortable beds in which they spent their first night.

“What now, Pondilaki?” said Tushi Gonev.

“Now we wait!” replied Pondilaki in a calm tone of voice.

II

1. Pondilaki went inside the administration building. The little man with a broken nose wrote his name in a large book. Pondilaki smiled, took the rubles from the dwarf man and counted them. Exactly five hundred. The dwarf man then gave him a new fur coat. Pondilaki left the office without saying goodbye. In the afternoon he went to the “Russian language hour”. When the “Russian language hour” was over he and the dock workers found themselves in another room. They sat on wooden chairs and waited. Moments later the door opened. A tall man with a gentle face appeared.

“Zdrastvuite tovarishi!” he said in a kind tone of voice.

Nikos leaned over towards Pondilaki and said: “Today he will again talk about the great Soviet victories and their great patriotism. He thinks he is so great…”

“Don’t be so cruel, Nikos! The man is doing his job,” replied Pondilaki.

“The Red Commissar Piotr Semionovich Gabirov…” said Nikos and laughed loudly.

Pondilaki sent him a stern look. Piotr Semionovich Gabirov smiled at everyone and said:

“Dear friends, Greeks...” before he was interrupted.

“We are not all Greeks, Comrade Gabirov!” interrupted Tushi Gonev.

Piotr Simionovich Gabirov pushed his anger deep down inside his big body and inquisitively looked at Tushi Gonev.

“How? Get up, Comrade! Explain to me!” the words flew out of Piotr Semionovich Gabirov’s mouth.

Tushi Gonev stood up. Everyone was looking at him.

“We are Macedonians. We speak a Slavic language just like you do, Sir! Please, in future address us with the word Macedonians!” he said and then sat down.

Piotr Semionovich Gabirov could not hide his surprise.

“Harasho... Tovarishi Greeks and Tovarishi Macedonians!” he started all over again keeping an eye on Tushi Gonev.

“This is how it is Comrade Gabirov, we need to know who is who, if we want to be friends. I know you will want to see me later…” Tushi Gonev thought to himself.

2. Piotr Semionovich Gabirov finished his lecture exactly on time and said goodbye to his students. Pondilaki and the dockworkers left the classroom and went to their rooms. They did not discuss what had happened. Tushi Gonev was hoping to meet with Gabirov after class but that did not happen.

3. The next day they left the barracks all dressed in new city clothes. Pondilaki felt good about moving to the city. They put him in a room in a two-bedroom apartment where a small family was living. Stoian Dzhavalekov was also put in the same room. They went to work together. Pondilaki and Stoian worked in a big factory called “Tashelmash”, which manufactured machines for harvesting cotton.

Pondilaki could not remember the name of the Institute. The two were sent to be trained. A short time later they became machinists. They were earning good money… just like the locals.

Stoian Dzhavalekov was lounging on his bed. He looked concerned. Pondilaki come over and sat on the other bed.

4. “Did you hear… the Macedonian leaders were given severe sentences,” said Stoian.

Pondilaki jumped out of bed.

“What…? Why? How?!” he yelled out all confused.

“Iana Chakalarova was given a heavy sentence. She was imprisoned for five years for betraying the international communist movement. The others were given even harsher sentences…” said Stoian.

“The times are bad. Be very careful, Stoian! Do you have any money? My money flew away very quickly,” said Pondilaki.

“I don’t have any either. You know that the CPG takes half my salary…” replied Stoian.

“It’s highway robbery, Stoian. They take mine, maybe someone has justified it, but why are they taking yours? You’re not a member of the CPG and you have nothing to do with its leaders sitting on their asses in Moscow, enjoying the great restaurants and keeping Comrade Stalin company. The war ended. What are we waiting for here? We should be going home,” said Pondilaki.

“If that is even possible…” replied Stoian sounding disappointed.

They two men went to sleep. They were awakened by a knock on the door the next morning. Pondilaki jumped out of bed and opened the door.

A short man with an eagle nose and darting eyes entered the room. He worked with Pondilaki in “Tashelmash”. Pondilaki invited him in. He sat on the bed.

“Is something wrong?” asked Pondilaki.

“We need your help. We want to do a performance,” replied the man.

“Who? What? When? Where?” inquired Pondilaki looking confused.

“We are from the drama section of twelfth town...” replied the man.

“And what do you want me to do?” asked Pondilaki.

“We need costumes and props for the show,” replied the man.

“Well, then, give me a list,” said Pondilaki.

The man smiled contentedly and gave Pondilaki a piece of paper.

“We all thank you… we will prepare a beautiful show…” said the little man and left without saying goodbye.

“New chores. This is my life, Stoian,” said Pondilaki, got dressed and went out. He went to visit with the committee of the twelfth town. He was greeted by a man with a dark moustache.

“Hello, Gavras!” said Pondilaki.

“What’s new Pondilaki?” replied the man.

Pondilaki gave him the list and said:

“We need costumes and props for the show.”

“They have been here already. I can’t help you,” said the man and blushed.

“You can’t or you don’t want to,” said Pondilaki calmly.

“I don’t want to. That play would never see the light of day,” replied the man.

“Well, we will see about that,” said Pondilaki and left slamming the door behind him. He went down the street. Suddenly he laughed. He began to walk faster. A few minutes later he found himself in the lobby of “Novoi Theater”. He went to the administration office where he met with a middle-aged man with a calm expression on his face.

“Please, Comrade! How can I help you?” asked the man.

“We have a small problem. We want to do a performance for which we will need costumes and props,” replied Pondilaki.

“No problem. We will give them to you. All you have to do is choose what you need from the theater...” said the man and asked: “What is the name of the show you are putting on?”

Pondilaki was confused. He looked at the paper he was holding and slowly opened it. He read the title several times carefully and said:

“The Macedonian Bloody Wedding, Comrade Lebedeov”.

“I have never heard of such a play. Please let me borrow the script. I want to read it,” replied the man.

“I am sorry, Comrade Lebedeov, but the play is written in the Macedonian language. I am afraid you will not understand any of it,” said Pondilaki.

“We will translate it, Comrade Pondilaki. If it’s good we will have it performed here on our stage,” replied the man.

“Of course Comrade Lebedeov and thank you,” said Pondilaki, stood up from the armchair, said goodbye and left the office. He then ran all the way to the Canteen Club. There he found the actors of the drama section of twelfth town. He sat at the table.

“Tell us what is happening, Pondilaki!” one of them shouted loudly.

“Everything is okay. You will have to go and choose your own costumes and props because they don’t know what you need. The theater promised me that they give you what you need. You will ask for Lebedeov when you go there,” he said and handed them the list and the text. He then said goodbye and left.

“See you on August 2, at the premiere,” one of the actors yelled out cheerfully.

III

1. Tushi Gonev came out of the “Tashelmash” Institution’s big iron gate and headed for downtown. Halfway down he changed his mind and went home. It was late but Pondilaki was still awake. Tushi walked into the room, took off his coat and hung it in the closet. He then sat on the bed.

“Where is Stoian Dzhavalekov? I have not seen him for days,” he asked.

“He moved. He now lives in seventh town. I was with him yesterday. We saw the play ‘The Macedonian Bloody Wedding’ together. The activists from the town drama section performed the play,” replied Pondilaki.

“It’s so nice to hear things in our native language...” said Tushi, thought for a moment and said: “Did you know that Stalin died…? We should be very careful in times like these. Times are always turbulent when leaders like him die…”

“Don’t worry! Stalin’s death doesn’t concern us. We are guests in this great country and that is the way we should behave…” replied Pondilaki.

“Perhaps you are right, Pondilaki. That’s how we should behave,” said Tushi, took off his pants and shirt and slid into his bed. He turned his back on Pondilaki and soon fell asleep.

A few moments later Pondilaki too slid into his bed and soon fell asleep.

2. Pondilaki got up early the next morning. He put the coffee pot on the stove, went to the washroom and washed his face. By the time he was done the coffee was boiling. He removed the pot from the stove and placed it on the table. He turned off the stove burner. He poured himself a cup in a porcelain mug. He then sat at the table and began to drink. He looked at Tushi.

“Do you want some coffee?” he asked.

“Why not,” replied Tushi and jumped out of bed. He then put on his pants and shirt, washed his face in the bathroom and sat down. Pondilaki filled the other porcelain mug with coffee, gave it to him and asked:

“Do you remember Café ‘Macedonia’, Tushi?”

“Sure I do... Sometimes I dream about it. I am sitting inside and listening to Iani Ronkov play the bouzouki…By the way, what happened to Stoios Panagopoulos? I haven’t seen him for a long time,” replied Tushi.

Pondilaki laughed.

“Why are you laughing, Pondilaki?” Tushi asked.

“Stoios Panagopoulos married a Mongolian woman. He likes it here and doesn’t want to be reminded of Café ‘Macedonia’. He asked me not to mention it anymore…” replied Pondilaki.

“So, the Cretan wants a family. Good luck to him,” said Tushi.

Pondilaki took another sip of the coffee, looked down at his porcelain mug, rubbed its handle with his finger and said:

“I can’t stop feeling sorry for Stavre Nakovski,” covered his eyes and continued:

“Who knows if he is still even alive…? But don’t bury him until you look into his eyes. We pulled him out of Edi Kule prison dead and he came back to life… I was ready to ask for my gold coins back... But the man survived. I am a witness to that...”

“But I didn’t tell you... About going back with a gun... What do you think of that?” said Tushi.

“Are you nuts? Now is not the right time. Calm down, Tushi! I will tell you when we return to free Café ‘Macedonia’. But for now we need to hibernate!” replied Pondilaki.

Tushi Gonev nodded affirmatively and messed up his hair. He took a sip of coffee from his porcelain mug and stood up. He them saluted Pondilaki military style and limped out of the room. Moments later he came back.

“Did you forget something?” asked Pondilaki.

“Yes, I forgot to tell you that tonight I am meeting Lazaros Papadoglu at the canteen club. You are invited. Lazaros is inviting you,” he replied and left again.

Pondilaki laughed and took a sip of coffee. He then collected the cups and coffee pot and put them in the sink. He washed them with hot water and put them back on the table. He lay in bed and stared at a crack in the ceiling. He sighed a long sigh. He heard a quiet knock on the door. Pondilaki jumped out of bed and slowly opened the door. It was Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska. She had no tears running down her cheeks but they were pooling in the white part of her eyes. They embraced. Pondilaki took her hand and sat her down on the bed. He sat on a chair at the table.

“I will boil you some coffee,” he said, got up, filled the coffee pot with water, put two teaspoons of sugar and two spoons of coffee and put the pot on the stove.

“Where is Stavre?” asked Evangelia unexpectedly and smiled a sickly smile.

Pondilaki looked down. His heart began to palpitate. He did not have the courage to face her. Evangelia stood up and went to him. She put her hand on his shoulder.

“Something happened, didn’t it? He was left behind in the mountains? Tell me!” she pleaded.

Pondilaki was silent. The coffee was ready. He poured the black liquid into the porcelain mugs and handed one to Evangelia.

“Take it, drink some coffee!” he said.

“Why are you torturing me with your silence?” she asked.

Pondilaki took a sip of coffee and looked straight into her eyes.

“Drink the coffee! We will talk later,” he replied.

“Tell me now. How can I drink coffee under these circumstances? Tell me… where is my husband?” she demanded to know.

Pondilaki sighed deeply.

“I do not know,” he said through the sigh.

“Is he dead?” yelled Evangelia.

“None of us saw where he disappeared. When we found ourselves in Albanian territory, he was not there. We looked for him in the ship, but it was all in vain. I guess he stayed behind in the mountains… I don’t know if he was killed. I also don’t want to wound your soul by saying that he is dead when I am not sure,” he replied.

“So, there is a chance that he is still alive. Lord, I have searched over half of Europe to find him and nothing…” wept Evangelia.

“You are a lucky woman, Evangelia! Don’t Cry! Stavre is a survivor and I am sure he is alive. Do you remember when we pulled him out of Edi Kule prison? You are a lucky woman…” he said.

“If I was so lucky I would have stayed home in my own hearth… and not have to wander the world. I left the children in Hungary. Now I must go back and be with them,” she replied.

“Don’t cry! You are making me cry. I can’t hold back my tears. If you continue to cry I will have to go outside,” said Pondilaki.

“Go, go Pondilaki. Leave me alone so I can cry over my destiny…” she replied.

Pondilaki found himself in a dilemma. He picked up his coat and went outside. Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska lay down on the bed and began to cry aloud.

3. Pondilaki walked the streets for a long time. He went inside various restaurants and immediately came out. He could not find any of his acquaintances. He then went to the canteen club and found Tushi Gonev. He was sitting in the corner drinking vodka. Pondilaki sat next to him on a wooden chair. Tushi ordered him vodka. The waiter brought it over.

“You look preoccupied!” said Tushi.

“Evangelia Gasparova came over to see me. She is looking for Stavre Nakovski. Someone told her he was in Tashkent,” replied Pondilaki.

“This is why you look preoccupied?” asked Tushi.

“I want to return to Solun. That’s where I belong. My soul is in pain and cries for my city of birth,” replied Pondilaki.

Tushi Gonev took a sip of vodka.

“I am sure we all will be going back soon, Pondilaki. I don’t believe the Soviets will want to keep us here forever,” said Tushi and sighed.

“What we have done, Tushi? Now these countries need to agree on our fate. This is politics. Everyone pulls to their side at our expense,” replied Pondilaki.

“What will you do with Evangelia?” asked Tushi.

“I will send her to the Town Committee. They will know what to do. For now she will stay here with us. We will put her up in the kitchen,” replied Pondilaki.

“Do you think Stalin’s death will change things in the country?” asked Tushi.

“If you constantly keep thinking of what will happen to us, you will die young my friend. Put your hat on and wait! Something will change in the country. Hopefully it will be good for us,” replied Pondilaki.

“Did you leave Evangelia alone?” asked Tushi.

“Yes, I left her alone. I can’t stand it when someone cries…” replied Pondilaki.

“I am sure she is hungry. We should bring her something to eat,” said Tushi.

“I will take care of that. I feel responsible for the Nakovski family and I want to help them,” said Pondilaki, drank the last of his vodka, stood up and said: “Goodbye Tushi, I will see you tonight.”

“May the Lord be with you, Pondilaki. If you need me I will to be here,” said Tushi.

Pondilaki left the canteen club and headed downtown. He bought bread, half a kilo of salami, a few cans and a bottle of natural juice from a large store near the theater and returned home. Evangelia was lying on the bed. She was not crying. She was in deep thought. Pondilaki entered the next room that was used as a kitchen and left the grocery bag there. He returned to the room with Evangelia and sat at the table.

“Surely you must be hungry?” he said.

“My stomach is growling with hunger but I am too upset to put anything in my mouth… my damned fate!” replied Evangelia.

“You’re not the only one suffering from such a fate. There are tens of thousands of Macedonian families scattered around the world. Everything will be fine eventually but first we need to preserve our health...” he said, looked at her and continued. “Did you say you left the children in Hungary? We thought you were in Gevgelia! That’s what Iana Chakalarova told us.”

“I was in Gevgelia but only for a short time... They moved me and several other families first to Skopje and from there to Hungary. I have no idea how this happened. However, I found myself in Hungary,” she replied.

“There certainly must be a lot of Macedonians there?” said Pondilaki.

“Thousands! Every day they cry. Mothers on one side, children on the other. They don’t know where their husbands and fathers are. Every day trains arrive and bring new shipments of people...” replied Evangelia.

“Do you want to eat a little something? I bought warm bread,” said Pondilaki.

“I can’t eat, Pondilaki, my system is upset. Now I am worried about the children. I left them with the Slivarovs. I should get back to Hungary,” she replied.

“Don’t worry! We will sort things out so that the children can come here. Tomorrow we will go to the Committee. Don’t worry!” he reassured her.

“It’s easy for you to say that but you are not me, Pondilaki,” she replied.

“If you don’t want to eat then let’s go for a bit of a walk. The city is nice… it will calm you down a bit. Let’s go for a walk!” said Pondilaki, stood up, took Evangelia’s hand and pulled her up from the bed.

Evangelia stood up and reluctantly followed him. There were many people outside in the street. They went towards the city centre. About two hours later it was dark. Tired they slowly walked back home. They ate dinner and waited for Tushi Gonev to arrive. It was getting late so Pondilaki set up the bed in the kitchen for Evangelia to sleep. She was tired and went to bed. She quickly fell asleep. Pondilaki waited a little longer but when Tushi did not show, he too went to bed. He fell asleep.

Pondilaki got up early the next morning. He waited about half an hour before Evangelia woke up. They ate breakfast together. Then, after they had their coffee they left and paid the twelfth town Committee a visit. There they added Evangelia’s case to the long list of cases. The clerk who looked after them was very polite. Pondilaki took Evangelia to the canteen club. She had some tea. They soon returned home and Evangelia prepared lunch. They had coffee with their lunch. Pondilaki got dressed and was ready to go.

“Where are you going?” asked Evangelia.

“I am going to work, Evangelia. Starting Monday you too can go to work. That’s what the man from the Committee said,” replied Pondilaki and smiled.

Pondilaki left Evangelia alone. She tidied up the table and then washed the dishes. She lay on the bed and closed her eyes.

“I hope I have better luck here in Tashkent,” she mumbled. “Maybe the sun will shine on me here…” she thought to herself.

IV

1. Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska was given a job at the textile factory. They also gave her a new apartment in seventh town. Pondilaki visited her often. They had tea together. There were frequent quarrels between the new arrivals in the city. They were instigated most by the Party leadership. The newcomers were divided into four groups and each group had its own candidate running for party leader. The situation was getting tense. There were fights between the groups every day. They found a dead man in front of Evangelia’s house. He was a newcomer. Evangelia would not have known this if it wasn’t for the quarrel between Stefana Makelarova and her husband Vanko, who lived in another part of the apartment. Pondilaki was with her that evening. They heard the quarrel and broke into the Makelarov house uninvited. The man and the woman were fighting. The room was upside down. Clothes and bedding materials were scattered all over the place.

“Markos’s nits did this, damn you all!” yelled the woman.

“Watch what you say, woman!” yelled the man while pulling her hair.

“May God strike you all dead!” the woman yelled.

Vanko pushed her hard and she fell on the floor. Blood was gushing from her nose. She screamed even louder.

“Go away!” yelled Vanko.

“I will go! It’s better than living with Markos’s bastard?” she yelled back.

“Your bastards aren’t any better. Support Zahariadis for…” yelled Vanko when he was interrupted by Pondilaki.

Pondilaki looked at them with a stunned look on his face.

“Take it easy, people! What is this ugliness? You have children,” he said with a calm tone of voice.

“Because he likes Markos he has to hang onto his coat tails? Those nits… Those lice…!” Stefana yelled out.

“Take it easy, Stefana! Think about it...” said Pondilaki and was interrupted.

“There is nothing to think about. He either comes to my side or I am going to leave him,” said Stefana and began to pack a larger bag with clothes that she was taking out of the closet.

“I am not coming to your side. Not even dead,” yelled Vanko.

“Then go to hell!” yelled Stefana and walked out of the house with the big bag in her hand.

Vanko sat down. He was nervous and very upset.

“You are not thinking right. You are behaving like a child. Don’t you care about your children? Family comes first. Screw the politics. If those you two are supporting were any good we would not have lost the war. We would not be suffering in foreign countries. We would be in our own homes… in our ancestral place,” said Pondilaki.

Vanko was silent. Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska was biting her nails off from nervousness. Pondilaki took her by the hand and escorted her out of the room, down the hall and back to their kitchen.

“Stupid people! They kill each other over other people’s politics,” mumbled Pondilaki.

“The people are not stupid Pondilaki! This is our fate...” replied Evangelia.

“What fate? Can’t you see they are pecking at each other for the mistakes of others? What do I care who will be head of the party? I want to go home and bask in my own fireplace. They can go to hell as far as I am concerned…” said Pondilaki.

“We all want to go back to our own hearth, Pondilaki. I haven’t slept many nights thinking about it. Thinking about Stavre and the children. I want to see us all together again and have a meal together… Damned fate!” she replied.

“I have to go. It’s getting late. I hope you will forgive me for leaving you alone under these circumstances,” said Pondilaki.

“Go Pondilaki! Come back when you have time. When I’m alone dark thoughts go through my mind and I feel like I am going to go mad,” she replied.

“Goodbye, Evangelia! I will drop by again soon,” he said and left.

“Goodbye, Pondilaki and come back soon!” she replied.

Pondilaki disappeared behind the door. A half an hour later he was home. Tushi Gonev was sleeping. He did not want to wake him up. He quietly slid into his bed and soon fell asleep.

V

1. Pandura Nakovska arrived in Tashkent unexpectedly. She was accompanied by an elderly woman. They boarded one of the many taxis at the railway station. Pandura gave the driver a piece of paper with an address written on it. A half hour later they stopped in the yard of a one storey house. Pandura and the older woman got off the taxi. The older woman paid the driver and the taxi left. They entered the house. Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska was sitting on the bed embroidering a tablecloth for the small folding table. She suddenly jumped up surprised and yelled out:

“My daughter, my dear child!”

Tears began to run down Evangelia’s cheeks as she took Pandura in her arms and squeezed her tightly. Pandura also wept. The older woman stood to the side and kept quiet.

“My dear child!” cried Evangelia and looked around the room. Frightened, she then pulled away and, with a shaky voice, asked:

“Where is Peno?”

“Peno is in Budapest, mother. His music teacher did not want him to leave. But please don’t worry! He is okay. As for me…” replied Pandura, but before she was finished talking Evangelia interrupted her and angrily said:

“I am not sending you anywhere. Will you stay here with me? We will bring Peno here too. How can his teacher forbid him from going to see his mother?” Tears continued to flow from her eyes as she continued to hold Pandura firmly in her arms.

“Forgive me!” said Evangelia to the older woman who was standing next to Pandura. “I am sorry I forgot you. Please, sit down! I will make some coffee.”

“My name is Anastasia. I brought you your daughter. She is a beautiful child. Clever and beautiful… Thank you for the invitation, but I have to go. My family is waiting for me,” replied the woman.

“Do what you have to. I am not going to delay you,” said Evangelia.

“I am going. Goodbye!” said the older woman and left the room.

“Who is this woman?” Evangelia asked Pandura.

“I don’t really know, Mother. We traveled together. She offered to help me. I don’t know who she is,” replied Pandura.

“Damn fate! We never got the chance to even meet the woman,” said Evangelia.

“I am hungry, Mother,” said Pandura.

“Now my dear, now…” replied Evangelia dazed. “Sit at the table and I will bring you something to eat.”

Pandura sat on a chair at the table.

“You didn’t tell me. How is Peno. What is he doing? Is he studying?! That cursed teacher, he did not allow me the pleasure to even give him a hug! Now others decide for our children…” said Evangelia.

“Don’t worry, mother! Peno is fine. The teacher kept him for his own good. He will come next year,” replied Pandura.

Evangelia put a bowl of stew and some bread on the table.

“Eat my child, eat!” she said and sat opposite to her. She could not take her eyes off her. She was so happy she could fly.

Pandura finished eating. She then got up and sat on the bed next to her mother. The two embraced and cried together. In the evening they went out for a walk. Evangelia took her to the canteen club where Pandura met many of her colleagues. They came back home very tired. They could not sleep and stayed awake for a long time. The next day they slept late. It was Sunday. They went for a walk. Evangelia took her to the zoo and they looked at the caged animals. After that they went home, had lunch and lay down to rest.

“Tonight we will go to the opera,” said Evangelia.

Pandura smiled gently and turned her back.

“Sleep, my child! I am here for you and I won’t let anyone take you back to Hungary,” she said and hugged her gently.

Pandura took her mother’s hand, smiled and held it in her hands. She soon fell asleep.

Evangelia could not sleep. She kept looking at a dot on the ceiling until they got up again.

VI

1. Pandura complete her primary and secondary education in Tashkent. After that she enrolled in the Faculty of Technology and graduated from a four year program. From there she went to work in large factory where Pondilaki worked. Initially she helped in the laboratory. Later she began to independently carry out her own experiments. She skillfully spun the test tubes with her thin long fingers. Even though Pondilaki visited her at the laboratory several times he never did ask what kind of work she was doing. But, at the same time he never did pay much attention to the technological mumbo jumbo being done there. He often visited her and her mother at home and sometimes went to the cinema with them. One time he was invited and agreed to see a much praised performance in the “Novoi Theater” but when he found out it was opera he left. He helped them with everything, even with repairs to their electric and gas stoves. In time he visited less and less with his dockworkers. Tushi Gonev and Lazaros Papadoglu came by his apartment several times before they left for Moscow.

“You have risen to high society,” said Pondilaki jokingly. “Have a great time at the capital.”

This was the last time they saw each other. This is how he remembered their serious faces. They reminded him of Piotr Semionovich Gabirov, the Red Commissar. He accompanied them to the end of the street. They parted company with promises that they will again see each other.

2. The next day Pondilaki went to the canteen club and met up with Manoli Strezovski. While they were drinking their coffee they were joined by Stoian Dzhavalekov. He was holding a newspaper under his arm. Pondilaki laughed. He was surprised to see Stoian buy a newspaper. Stoian handed it to him. Pondilaki looked at it carefully and after reading a few words, jumped out of his chair.

“This is the newspaper ‘Nova Makedonija’…” said Stoian Dzhavalekov. “It arrived from Skopje…”

Pondilaki opened the newspaper wide open and looked at the big black letters. He could not believe his eyes. Written in big black letters were the works “Nova Makedonija”.

“So it was not a lie. The Macedonians do have their own state,” said Pondilaki.

He flipped the pages and occasionally whistled surprised.

“It’s a real newspaper and written in the Macedonian language…” he mumbled contentedly.

3. There was another surprise for Pondilaki in the fall. The first Macedonian school books, intended for students, arrived from the Socialist Republic of Macedonia. These books were also read by the adults. They admired the letters which reminded of their rich culture and origin. They read the historical texts the most. Not because they were written as stories, but because they depicted the Macedonian hardships and great feats of the Macedonian brigands. So, with help from Stoian Dzhavalekov and Pandura Nakovska, Pondilaki learned to read and write in the Macedonian language. Two years later he wrote a letter with his own hand and completed the form he received from the Yugoslav Embassy in Moscow, which expressed his desire to move to Skopje. In the same envelope he also put Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska, Stoian Dzhavalekov and Pandura’s documents. He then sent them by mail to the embassy and eagerly waited for a response.

But they were not the first Macedonians who made the effort to move back to Macedonia. There were many families that had already left and many were applying for repatriation. They were rejoicing like little children. Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska received a letter from her son Peno. He was in Canada. Evengelia was so happy she ran over to Pondilaki’s place to give him the good news. She found Stoian Dzhavalekov and Manoli Strezovski at his appartment. They were not much for conversation. Something was

bothering them. They did not even open their mouths to greed her. She sensed that something was cooking.

“When are you going?” asked Manoli Strezovski.

“I haven’t received my papers yet,” replied Evangelia. “My son Peno contacted me from Toronto,” she added and became upset. “Where is Pondilaki?” she asked.

“He went to the post office to mail some new documents. He will be leaving for Greece,” said Stoian Dzhavalekov.

“For Greece?” wondered Evangelia. “Why is he not going with us to Macedonia?” she asked.

“He has nostalgia for Café ‘Macedonia’ and the White Sea. This is his wish. One can’t create beauty by force…” replied Stoian Dzhavalekov and then said: “You and I will travel together. Skopje is my city. I will assist you with everything there. I have friends, neighbours... Don’t worry!” he reassured her.

“I am not worried about accommodations,” replied Evangelia and smiled. Her wrinkles on her face stretched revealing her beauty.

“Tell him to call me when he comes back,” she said and left. The two men looked at each other surprised.

4. About a month later Pondilaki said goodbye to her and left for Greece. The train leaving the station reminded Evangelia of Stavre. She cursed a thousand times the day the Lord uprooted the Macedonians from their homeland and sent them around the world. She felt terrible for not asking Pondilaki to look for Stavre and let her know what happened to him, but it was too late now. The train was rumbling towards Moscow. About fifteen days later Evangelia visited Stoian Dzhavalekov and showed him the documents she received from the Yugoslav Embassy. His eyes opened wide and sparkled with joy. She also told him that Manoli Strezovski left for Sofia. He was disappointed that the government in Athens sent him a negative response.

Pandura Nakovska went over to the leading administrator sitting in the lobby of the administration building and smiled.

“Goodbye, Comrade Savorkin. Here is my letter of resignation,” she said and walked away leaving the man confused by her action. He wanted to ask her why she was leaving the plant, but Pandura had left the building. He did not know that the same afternoon the young lady was leaving by train and going to Moscow and from there by plane to Belgrade. When Stoian Dzhavalekov arrived at her house her bags were already packed. The only thing that remained to do was to call a taxi. They all got on the taxi and arrived at the train station. The conductor placed them in the second car.

“Let’s hope we have a safe trip!” said Stoian.

They were all in deep thought and their faces were glowing as the train left the station. They did not exchange a single word all the way to Moscow. They were hatching their own separate thoughts in their minds about their arrival in their homeland. Stoian Dzhavalekov already forgot about what he had to do three days ago. He was no longer interested in the honey he left at the awning of his window. He wanted to see his parents and friends and that took his full attention. He was separated from them for twenty-five years. He was barely twenty when he crossed the border and found himself in Solun. Now at age forty-five he is returning to Skopje. He thought of his friends and comrades… By now they probably had a pile of children and perhaps grandchildren. His thoughts drew him closer to people with who he shared bread in the war years. He often looked at Pandura who spent her entire trip to Moscow looking outside the window and wondering what she thought about going to this mysterious city and living with people like herself. Evangelia Gasparova looked strangely confused. She looked like she was tormented by some unknown strong bitterness. She sat there in deep thought looking outside the window and feeling like she was somewhere else.

The train finally arrived at the station in Moscow. Pandura got off first. She took the suitcases that Stoian Dzhavalekov handed her

through the window and waited for everyone to get off. They each grabbed their suitcases and left the station.

6. It was cold the next morning. They arrived on time at the airport, but due to heavy fog, the flight to Yugoslavia was canceled. That suppressed their joy a little. But, about half an hour later they met with Iana Chakalarova who was also flying on the plane to Yugoslavia. That cheered them up a bit.

Stoian Dzhavalekov noticed the gray hairs on her head and the deep wrinkles on her forehead and around the eyes. Her face looked quite ascetic. Also there was no trace of her soft juicy lips. He wondered where her beauty went. When he met her in Kostaneria he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Now she looked like a tired old bent over woman.

Evangelia Gasparova Nakovska greeted Iana Chakalarova and then introduced her daughter Pandura to her.

“The last time I saw her she was just a baby,” she said to Evangelia with tears in her eyes. This reminded Iana of her own son who she left with Maria Stavridis.

“Now he is certainly a man. Perhaps he is married and has children…” Iana thought. She then extended her frail hand towards Stoian Dzhavalekov but then changed her mind and threw her arms around his neck and gave him a long embrace.

“Time has played us…” said Iana very quietly. “Like we were a cursed seed…”

“Best we keep quiet”, said Stoian. “Our Odyssey is not over…”

They all stopped talking. Pandura paced nervously in the waiting room eager to hear the voice on the speaker. Soon she sat down on a comfortable armchair and joined the others. Finally they heard the voice on the speaker.

“Passengers going to Yugoslavia prepare to depart.”

The fog outside was not completely gone.

The iron bird soared in the sky carrying the precious cargo to Belgrade.

7. After landing at the airport they took a taxi to the train station and by nightfall the train left for Skopje. They heard the train conductor yell “Kumanovo”. Stoian Dzhavalekov went to the window. Even though it was still dark he recognized the land marks over which the train was traveling smoothly. His heart was pounding like a hammer. Iana Chakalarova woke up.

“We have arrived,” said Stoian.