By Reshat Kripa
The fifth part
-“People who have never known dictatorship and tyranny find it easy to give in to the rhetoric about freedom, forgetting the simple and terrible reality of oppressing the mind where it exists consciously”.-
Giovani Sartori: “Once again for the theory of democracy”.
Memorie.al/ Robert Krasta, had made it a habit that on every anniversary of his parents, he would go to the cemetery and place a bunch of flowers on their grave. He would look at the picture stamped on the porcelain and start a conversation with them. He had been doing this habit for a long time. The conversation seemed to soothe his soul. He told them about everything that had happened in the family. Sometimes, when he found difficulty in something, he asked them for help, and it seemed to him that they answered him. Perhaps this could be some guess of his own, yet he believed it.
Continues from the previous issue
– We will wait for all of them. I believe that the same thing will happen to me. Today the Security Operative, Ilia, called me again. He threatened me that if I didn’t sign the statement, I had to prepare for the biggest. Which is the big one? Let’s wait and see. Maybe they are satisfied only with the resignation. However, I objected.
– Maybe! I don’t understand why we should remove such a punishment? We have lived honestly all our lives.
– Today the “honesty” of the poor rules. I feel sorry for Irida. She is young. He is proud that his father is a chief engineer and his mother is a director. How will he feel? As for me, I don’t ask even if they make me a worker.
– Do you know Agro? We must not lose the torua. We must find the strength to face it. Let’s wait and see!
– You are right. Thank you! You are my patron goddess.
They hugged each other tightly. In those moments they felt a great love, a love born from the purity of their hearts and seasoned along the path of life. They had known each other for almost seventeen years. Never in their married life had they quarreled. It was a couple you had to envy. A truly perfect couple. The birth of the girl made them even happier. She had become their idol. Their merit was that they knew how to withstand the waves of life. The case presented showed this.
Another two weeks passed. Happiness was called in the education section. There they informed her that she had been transferred to a seven-year school, as a mathematics teacher, in the fifth grade. They told her that this transfer was made because that school had poor results and her going there would improve the situation. Happiness, knowing the cause, did not feel it, but told them that she understood their purpose and was ready to serve wherever needed.
– I didn’t want to lower myself in their eyes. I didn’t want to become a Carman. I did not humble myself. They also understood, so they didn’t dare to prolong it any longer. On Monday, I will start work at the new school. At least, it’s good that I’m still in the city, – he told Agroni in the evening.
After a few days, Agron was also called by the director of the company. He was an honest man with whom he had had a great time for so many years. He was in a difficult position. The announcement he was going to make to Agron was not pleasant at all. After bringing it around between his teeth several times, he finally said:
– Listen to Agro! We have spent so many years together and we have not had any contradictions. We worked conscientiously, completing all tasks. But the works do not require oil. In the world, there are also jealous people who are blinded by the good work of others. That’s all I can tell you for today. You have to figure out the rest yourself. The party wants you to move to the sector as a repair engineer. Believe me, I am very sorry that we will no longer work together, but I am obliged to implement this decision.
I apologize for everything, I may have said without thinking.
He didn’t speak again. Silence reigned for some time between them. Agron finally broke the ice:
– Comrade Director, you should not carry the feeling of guilt over this issue. You were honest with me and I also want to be honest with you. I am clear about the reason for this. I have prepared for such a thing. I will go there and work, at the same rate as here, although I will be under the command of others, and I don’t know how many, will be willing to cooperate with me. Thank you, sincerely!
He left the office. After a few days, he made the deliveries to a young engineer who, it was not known where he came from, suddenly came to the company. He was tasked with replacing him. Work began in the sector, which had been set up on the outskirts of the city. As in all enterprises, work started at seven o’clock. But you had to get up at five, get ready and leave at half past six. At four o’clock in the afternoon, work was finished and, taking into account the route or possible delays, it was time to return home around six o’clock in the evening.
All in all, twelve hours away from family. Agroni also became part of this regime. At the same time, Stefani and Gjergji were also transferred. The first one was taken to the high voltage sector, while the second one was taken to the low voltage sector. This meant that they no longer had time to meet each other. However, knowing the cause, they did not object, but kept their heads down and continued working in the sectors where they were assigned.
One day, seemingly by chance, Security Operative Ilia came to the sector. He came around several times as if he was looking for something and finally, after meeting Agron face to face, he said:
– Friend Agro took it, but what are you looking for here?
– I believe that you know better than me, – answered Agroni without shying away.
– What did I say? I don’t work in your company.
– However, you are capable enough to find out everything that happens here and give the relevant orders. This is your duty. He felt relieved that he was able to express his opinion against this hypocrite who pretended to be his acquaintance, while behind the scenes; he was preparing to open his pit. Ilia left without opening her mouth.
In the evening he said to Lumto: – Woman, I will leave an order. Amanet Irida. To grow up with morals and dignity. Let the ignorant and hypocrites not trample on it. I also leave my old mother. Behave with him as before. Ignore him if he says anything more. – Goni, why are you telling me these things now? – Her voice trembled painfully.
– The rope is gathered around my throat. I feel that soon, I will be arrested and sentenced. Tell Stefani and Gjergji that, whatever they do to me, he will not betray them. This is my promise. – Don’t Gon, don’t talk like that! Why do you break my heart?!
– This is the reality of our days. This is the environment in which we live. We live in a world where man is a wolf to man. But you have to be strong. You must know how to face all the difficulties that will appear. I will be strong too. No matter how hard it is, I will pass this ordeal as well. Then we will live together, inseparable from each other.
It was the promise of the proud man, of the man who did not know how to humble himself before any form of violence and psychological and physical pressure. It was the promise of the man who did not live in this world, but had flown to that of beautiful dreams. It was the promise of the man of the future.
That day Irida woke up early. It was a special day for him. Almost fifteen years old. Agroni and Lumto decided to celebrate their daughter’s jubilee as best as possible. Luckily, that day was Sunday and they had the day off. For this, they had decided to prepare a cocktail, where they would invite all the students of the class, together with the teachers. He was in the first grade of the city high school. In the evening, they would also host a dinner to which, in addition to Skenderi and his family, two of Irida’s close friends, Mellania and Teuta, Stefani with Gjergjin, Violeta, the girl’s tutor, and Anita with Blerin, two close friends of the school, where Lumtua had been the principal.
Irida got up from the bed and went to the window. He was very surprised when he saw that it was snowing. It was a very rare thing for that city. The winter of that year had started to come in the last ten days of October. This made the girl very happy.
– Dad, mom, grandma, stand up and look! It’s snowing, look how it has turned white. They got up and went to the windows. The view was really beautiful. (She was an inspiration for this beautiful day in the life of the girl). They were happy to see their daughter enjoying themselves.
– Look Irida, the whiteness of the snow is like the whiteness of your soul. Don’t you think this is a beautiful gift from nature? She is happy for you too.
They went out to the courtyard in front of the palace and started playing with snowballs.
– Dad, can we make a snowman?
– Posi, let’s do it together.
Irida almost jumped for joy. It was an event that was not known if it would be repeated again. The snowman began to take his form.
– What will we name them? Agron asked.
– Snow White, – answered Irida
– You mean a girl?
– Yes, it’s the snow girl.
– Like you?
– Yes.
Indeed she looked like a snow maiden. The snow that continued to fall had covered her hair and shoulders. She shook her head every now and then and the snow was scattered around, but the hair was soon filled with a new layer. Lumtua went home, took her hat that a friend of hers had brought her from France, but which she had never worn, as she was afraid of being called bourgeois for such an act, as well as a white blouse and put it on the snow girl. Then with a brush he wrote on the blouse: SNOW WHITE.
– Doesn’t he look exactly like you?
– Yes, yes, mom, I am.
The girl’s joy knew no bounds. She was ecstatic. Her joy was also added to that of her parents who, at that moment, had forgotten the troubles of the last months. For them now only their daughter existed. She was their joy.
Skenderi also arrived with his wife and two twin children, Ladi and Sokol.
– Uncle, looks! – Said Irida when she saw them, – doesn’t she look like me?
– Yes, my uncle’s daughter, you look like two drops of water.
At four o’clock in the afternoon, the cocktail party was served. Most of the students of the class had come with the guardian teacher. Only a few daughters of officials were missing. The other class teachers were also absent. Agron did not like such a thing.
– Their absence makes me suspicious, – he said to Lumto slowly.
– Why are you worried? We did our duty, we invited them. It is in their conscience, how they should act. But let’s rejoice together with our daughter. Get rid of that concern that the girl will understand and we will spoil her joy.
Meanwhile, the children continued to laugh and dance lively. When she had reached her climax, Mellania said aloud:
– Listen, listens! Now she will recite a poem I prepared for my best friend. Please keep calm!
Mellania had a penchant for poetry. She often wrote poems. He even managed to publish a volume with them.
There was no applause. Mellania gave the poem to Irida and the two friends hugged each other tightly.
Meanwhile, it was seven o’clock. – Pupils, congratulate Irida and let’s go now, – said the caretaker teacher. The students hugged and left. Mellania and Teuta stayed. They were invited for dinner.
– I will escort the students and return, – said Violeta.
But it didn’t come. Anita and Blerina did not come either. Such a thing also worried Lumto. The atmosphere of the dinner was not very good. Anxiety was felt everywhere. Only the humor and jokes of Stefani and Gjergji, made this evening of joy not to be spoiled. They parted around twelve o’clock. Stefani and Gjergji left, taking with them the two daughters, Mellania and Teuta, to escort them home.
– Why didn’t they come? Lumtua asked.
– You know, the basic organization probably didn’t allow them.
– What about Violeta? It was in the afternoon.
– Someone must have pressured her too. You know these things are common today. But don’t worry. Let’s go to sleep because it’s late and tomorrow we will get up early for work. They lay down and soon sleep covered their eyelids.
It was two past midnight. A loud knock was heard at the gate. Mother Gjyla got up and, sleepy as she was, approached, whispering to herself: – Who will be this blessed one who is disturbing us at this hour?!
Not more than two hours had passed and they were in their first sleep, a sleep as heavy as death. However, the knocking was so loud that everyone woke up. Even the ghettos came to the gate.
– Who is it? – asked mother Gjyla.
– The People’s Police, – was the answer.
Mother Gjyla opened the gate. Operative Ilia and three policemen entered.
– We are looking for you, Agron Canajn.
Meanwhile, Agroni was getting dressed and getting ready to go out.
– Agron… what are they looking for? – said Lumtua who heard the last words.
– Don’t be shocked. It is the last act of their comedy. Amanet Irida and mother. Be strong.
He went out into the corridor and addressed Ilias:
– What are you looking for? I am Agron Canaj.
– In the name of the people, you are under arrest!
A policeman threw the handcuffs on him.
– Where are you taking my son? – called mother Gjyla.
Skenderi opened the door of the room and when he saw Agron tied up; he stepped back and closed the door. He did not dare to go out. Irida, who had heard the noise, went outside and threw herself on her father’s neck, is crying:
– Dad! Don’t take dad!
– No, daddy’s queen. I’ll go for a clarification and come back.
– Why did they tie you up?
– Because that’s how I’m safer, – he said with an ironic tone, trying to hide the shock that had overtaken him.
Lumtua stood at the door of the room, without speaking. It was freezing. His voice did not come out.
– Let’s go! – spoke Ilia and left first.
Two policemen grabbed Agron by the arm and left. The third policeman came from behind. Agron turned his head and wanting to somehow calm the family members, he spoke:
– Goodbye soon!
It disappeared into the darkness of the stairs. After a while, the sound of a car driving away was heard in the shocked house.
– What was this? – asked the very surprised animal.
– For sure, there will have been some confusion, – said mother Gjyla.
– Don’t worry though! Tomorrow everything will become clear. Calm down now! – spoke the goat again.
He left and closed the gate. Even the owners of the house went inside. Skenderi opened the door and, addressing the audience, said: – What happened? Mother Gjyla looked at him with disdain.
– Shame on you! – Said – you went out and hid again. Remember I didn’t see you? Go, sleep peacefully and tomorrow morning I will leave for Tirana, where you will again exercise the duties of the director, while your brother will be sent to prison.
He turned his back on her and went into her room. Happiness and Irida followed him from behind. Skender remained silent. After a while, my husband came out with the children. – What was this?! – He asked in a low voice. His question remained unanswered.
Mother Gjyla asked herself who could be the reason that her son was taken away. But no one answered! Only one man stood in silence and showed no thought. This was Lumtua. She knew the truth, but she didn’t dare to tell anyone. Irida, began to cry with sobs. The joy of the birthday had turned into oil. Lumtua took him, hugged him tightly in her bosom and, overcoming the condition he was in, said: – Don’t cry mom’s light. You have me, you have the mother.
But the girl’s tears continued to flow endlessly. They were tears from the broken heart of a child who had been robbed of what she had as her idol, her protector, her inspiration. Nothing could stop those tears. Only a force could do such a thing, but in our country, that force was abandoned, it was denied. This was God’s strength, but even he, it seems, had forgotten this place.
That night no one blinked. The next day they decided that mother Gjyla would go and find the reason for the arrest. Such a thing, Skenderi should have done better, but he ran away that morning, together with his wife and children. Even Lumtua could not do anything.
She was completely numb, she had become a different person, and she was unable to do anything. So she remained Gjylo’s mother. She was a mother and a mother’s word is heavier than anyone else’s.
He got dressed and went to the Internal Affairs Branch. He asked the guard officer about his son and he told him that he would get an answer in a few days. He asked to meet the head of the Branch. They told him that such a thing was not possible, as he was in Tirana, at the Ministry. Memorie.al
The next issue follows
