Chapter 15 Chapter 14
Manoli and Maria's engagement party was held a month after Manoli proposed, and the entire Plaka village was invited to attend.They both considered themselves lucky.Some of Maria's childhood companions had been married by their fathers to men they did not love, and were expected to develop bonds with their husbands, as if they were planting geraniums in jars.In those days, it was common for parents to arrange marriages for convenience, so Maria was surprised and relieved that she married the one she loved.She is very grateful to her sister for this, but she has never had the right time, the right opportunity to express her gratitude, because they rarely see each other now.To everyone's surprise and concern, she didn't come to the engagement party at all.She sent only an excuse not to attend, through Andrés, who was at the party with her parents.
Manoli liked the idea of marriage.He felt his wandering life was really, really over, and he now dreamed of being cared for, and even, maybe, having a few children.Maria, goes to church every week to thank God, on the contrary, Manoli attributes his good luck to the gods, mainly Aphrodite, who gave him this beautiful woman without any trouble .If there is no love and no beauty, he would rather not marry for life. He is very pleased that now there are both love and beauty to the same degree.
The engagement party was very lively, and the village square was filled with joyful people.Stefanos brought out trays of food while Maria and Manoli mingled with the crowd.
Manoli pulled his cousin aside.
"Andres," he asked, almost shouting so that Andres could hear him over the blaring band playing and singing, "would you like to be our officiant?"
The officiant, Kebaros, is a key figure in the wedding.In the wedding ceremony, his role is almost as important as that of the priest.Normally, if circumstances permit, he would be godfather to the first child.
Andres had been waiting for this invitation for a long time.He thought he'd be hurt if they didn't ask him to be the officiant.Obviously, he is the best candidate.Manoli and him are not just brothers, they are more like twins. It is the best choice for him to combine the two of them into marriage, not to mention that he is Maria's brother-in-law.His anticipation of the invitation did not diminish the joy, however.
"I couldn't be happier, cousin! I'm honored," he said.
Andres finds it strange that he always wants to protect Manoli.He remembered very well the days when Manoli was brought to their house after his uncle died.Andres has always been a peaceful and somewhat serious kid, Manoli is wilder and more uninhibited, they are completely different.But they are different from ordinary brothers, they seldom quarrel like children, and they are not jealous of each other.For five years of their lives, they had ready brothers and playmates for each other.Andrés benefited somewhat from his cousin's adventurous and irresponsible character, while Manoli undoubtedly needed the strict discipline of his uncle and aunt.Andres was six months older than Manoli, so he naturally felt responsible for protecting him.In fact, when he was thirteen or fourteen years old, it was Manoli who led his cousin not to learn well, which made him bolder and presumptuous, and ran amok around the manor.
Maria received her first dowry gift, and many to come, and the festivities continued until midnight.After the party, the village is the quietest place on Crete.Before the sun rose high in the sky, even the dogs were too tired to bark or bark.
When Andres came home, everyone was asleep.Alexandros and Eleftria returned before him, and the house was quiet and strangely dark.He groped into the bedroom and heard Anna turn over.
"Hello, Anna," he whispered, just in case Anna woke up.
In fact, Anna didn't feel sleepy at all all night.She tossed and turned, going mad with rage at the thought of the festivities in Plaka.She could imagine her sister's radiant smile, Manoli's dark eyes would stare at her, his arms would wrap around her waist, eagerly accepting the blessings from all the well-wishers.
When Andres turned on the bedside lamp, she rolled over.
"Well," she said, "is it fun?"
"Big celebration," he replied, not looking at his wife as he undressed so he didn't notice the tear stains on her face. "Manoli invited me to be the officiant!"
Announcing the invitation was inevitable, but Anna was still not ready for the blow.The role of Andres in the lives of Manoli and Maria was now even more important, binding them together so that she would always taste the unhappiness of her sister's happiness.In the dark, her eyes sting, and she rolls over and buries her face in the pillow.
"Good night, Anna. Sleep well." Andres climbed into bed.Within seconds, the bed vibrated with his snoring.
The days in March with the fresh air are passing quickly, spring has come to the world with the blooming of flowers, and the wedding that is expected to be held in autumn is being prepared in full swing.The day is set for October, and the wedding will be celebrated with the new wine of the year.Maria and Manori continued their weekend excursion, Fotini and Stefanos still with them.The chastity of the girl is the self-evident premise of the marriage contract.All saw the temptation; but all cared that a girl should not be alone with her fiancé before the wedding night.
One evening in May, when the four of them sat down for a drink in San Nicolas, Maria noticed Fotini looking a little flushed.She could see that her friend had something to say.
"What's the matter, Fotini? You look happy!"
"That's exactly how I feel...we're having a baby!" she blurted out.
"You're pregnant? That's great news," Maria said, grabbing Fotini's hand. "When will you be born?"
"I think it's seven months away—it's too early."
"That's a few months after we got married—every day or two I want to go back to Plaka to see you." Maria said happily.
They toasted the good news.To the two girls, it seemed that they were building castles on the beach just now, but now they were discussing marriage and having children.
Towards the end of that summer, Maria, thinking that she hadn't seen Anna for a long time since she last saw her, and puzzled by her sister's lack of interest in her upcoming wedding, decided that they should pay her a visit.
It was a hot August day, and the heat eased a little at night, and instead of going to San Nicolas with Fotini and Stephanos as usual, Manoli and Maria went to see Anna together .It's a bit abrupt.They had come without an invitation, without a word from the haughty and elusive Anna that she wanted to see them.Maria was very clear about Anna's attitude.Did she mean anything other than disagreeing with their wedding?Maria wants to find out the truth.She wrote several letters—one about the engagement party that Anna didn’t attend, presumably because she was unwell;Ana has a phone, but Maria and Giorgis do not, and communication between them is temporarily cut off.
Manoli drove up the familiar road outside Elounda, the road to the imposing Vandoraki house, turning as deftly as any young man who has managed to make many turns.Maria was nervous.Be brave, she said to herself, she is your sister.She didn't understand why she was so nervous to meet this person who was connected with her flesh and blood.
They parked the car, and Maria got out of the car first.Manoli seemed a little slow. He randomly pulled out the key from the engine, and combed his hair in the rear view mirror.Maria stood there waiting for him, impatient for this short meeting.Her fiancé turned the big round doorknob—after all, it was going from one house to another for him—but the door didn't budge, so he had to grab the knocker and knock a few times.Finally the door opened, and it wasn't Anna who opened it, it was Aleftria.
She was a little surprised to see Manoli and Maria.It was rare for anyone to visit without prior notice, but Manoli was known not to be too rigid in etiquette, and she embraced him warmly.
"Come in, come in," she fidgeted, "good to see you. I wish I knew you were coming so we could have dinner together, but I might bring you something to eat and drink—"
"Actually we came to see Anna," Manoli interrupted. "Is she all right? I haven't heard from her for a long time—months."
"Really? Oh, I see. I didn't expect you to come here. I'll go up and call her and tell her you're here." Aleftria hurried out of the room.
From the bedroom window, Anna saw a familiar car stop.What should she do?She avoided such meetings as much as possible, thinking that if she stayed away from Manoli, she would slowly fade her feelings for him.Yet, seven days a week, she saw him.She sees the shadow of her husband when he returns from the estate, and at night, when Andrés makes love to her, Manoli emerges easily from her half-closed eyes.She deeply loves this man who resembles her husband but is more energetic than him. This feeling is as strong as when he put a flower in her chest. Just thinking of him is enough to arouse her desire.She longed to see his bright smile, which would ignite her passion and make her tremble from head to toe, but now this meeting belonged to Maria only, to remind her that Manoli was no longer hers.
She pretended to be in control until this evening.Now she's in trouble.The two people she loves and hates the most in the world are waiting for her downstairs.
Eleftria knocked softly on her door.
"Anna, here is your sister and her fiancé!" she said, without entering the door. "Are you coming down to meet them?"
Anna never trusted Aliftria much, and her mother-in-law doubted her feelings for Manoli.The mother-in-law knew best how often Manoli had visited her, and was the only one who knew clearly that Maria was not ill on the day of her engagement.Even now Aleftria could sense the reluctance of his daughter-in-law to leave the bedroom.It doesn't take that long to walk across the room.Everything hooked up and made sense.Aleftria stood patiently for a moment, then knocked again, longer this time. "Anna, are you coming down?"
From behind the closed door came Anna's pointed reply: "Yes, I'll come. I'll come down when I'm ready."
After a while, Anna's lips were bright red and her hair was as smooth as glass. She opened the bedroom door and came downstairs.Anna took a deep breath and pushed open the door of the reception room.Although the real mistress of the house was Aleftria, Anna looked like the lady of the house from head to toe in every inch.She brushed across the room to greet her sister, giving her a symbolic peck on the cheek.Then turned to Manoli, stretched out a pale and slender hand, and took his hand.
"Hello," she said with a smile, "what a surprise. What a surprise."
Anna has always been good at acting.In so many ways, it was good to see this man again in real life, who had fascinated her; Her memory was rougher and more arousing.It seemed to Anna that several minutes had passed, but it had only been a second or two before she realized that she was still holding his hand.Her hands were sweaty and damp.She let go.
"I don't think I've seen you for a long time," Maria said. "Time flies. You know we're getting married in October, don't you?"
"Yes, yes, that's amazing news. It's great."
Aleftria hurried in with a tray of glasses and an array of small plates of olives, feta cheese cubes, almonds and warm pineapple pie.It was a miracle that so many snacks were laid out in one moment, but Aleftria was sorry for not being able to entertain them with a more lavish dinner.She went on getting a large bottle of well-made anisette from the sideboard and pouring everyone a glass.
They each found a place to sit down.Ana sat on the edge of the seat and Manoli leaned back comfortably, completely relaxed.The afterglow of the setting sun shines through the hollow embroidered curtains, giving the room a warm orange light.Despite the unnaturalness of the conversation, Anna managed to keep the conversation going.She knew that on this occasion, this was her task.
"How is Dad, is he all right?"
It was hard to see if Anna really cared, but of course it never occurred to Maria that she didn't care about Papa.
“He was fine. He was happy that we got married. We asked him to live with us after our marriage, but he was adamant about staying at Plaka’s house,” she said.
Maria kept making excuses for her sister's apparent lack of concern: she was too far from Plaka, she had just become a wife, she had other similar responsibilities on the estate.Maria knew that these changes were about to happen to her now.It would help Anna a lot if she would take care of her father a little more, at least visit him more often.She was about to open her mouth to discuss the subject when voices came from the doorway.
Alexandros and Andres had just returned from inspecting the fields on the Lasithi plateau. In fact, the cousins often met to discuss the affairs of the estate, but they still hugged like old friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time.After pouring some more wine, the two men in the family also sat down.
Maria noticed some tension in the atmosphere, but didn't understand why.Ana seemed happy to talk, but Maria found that most of the talk was about Manoli and had little to do with her.Maybe it has something to do with where you sit.Manoli sat across from Anna, while Andrés and Maria sat on either side of the upholstered couch, with Aleftria between them.
Manoli had forgotten his attraction to Anna.She was alluring and dazzling, and he thought of those lunchtime trysts, and he was a little nostalgic.Even though he was now a duly engaged man, the roguish nature of him was beginning to stir again.
Eleftria could see the difference in Anna.She was usually sullen and reticent, but tonight she was bright and flushed, and even in the dim light she could see that she was smiling.She said yes to everything Manoli said, and she affirmed it, almost to the point of fawning.
As usual, Manoli controlled the conversation.When he referred to Maria, he referred to her as his "beautiful fiancée".Anna tried her best not to be angry, and concluded that it was Manoli who deliberately wanted to make her angry.He was still teasing her, she thought, playing the same tricks they had been playing months before, obviously he hadn't forgotten their flirtation.The way he looked at her now, the way he leaned forward and spoke to her, as if no one else was in the room, made it all clear.It would be nice if no one was in the room.The hour she spent with Manoli seemed to be both heaven and hell.
Most of the talk was about the wedding.When will the ceremony be held, who will be invited, and Andres' duties as the officiant.It was almost dark by the time Maria and Manoli got up to leave.Their eyes had not yet adjusted to the dimness, and Aleftria came over with a dim desk lamp so that they would not stumble on the carpet and knock against the table as they walked out of the room.
"Anna, there is one more thing," said Maria, determined not to leave until her mission had been fulfilled. "Would you like to come back and see your father soon? I know you're busy, but I think he'd appreciate it."
"Yes, yes, I will," said Anna, remarkably submissive to her sister. "I ignored it. I'm so unruly. I'm going to Plaka in a few weeks. What about the third Wednesday in September? Like? Is it convenient?"
It was a casual, casual question, but somehow malicious.Anna clearly knew that a certain Wednesday in September was no different from a certain Wednesday in April, June or July, or a certain Monday or Tuesday, and that Maria had six days a week other than Sunday, Busy with housework every day, it doesn't matter what day Anna comes.Besides, Maria had expected Anna to say an earlier date.However, her answers were impeccable.
"That would be great. I'll tell Dad," she said. "I know he'll be waiting. He usually comes back from Spinalonga with Dr. Lapakis at five."
Damn, she mentioned that island!Anna thought.She felt that they had done a good job over the past few years by not letting the Pandorakis know about their connection to the leprosy colony.She also knew that now Maria, like her, did not want people to know their past.Why don't they just forget about it?Everyone knows that Giorgis delivers supplies to Spinalonga and picks up the island's doctors.Although it is not mentioned repeatedly, isn't that shameful enough?
After a final hug and farewell, Manoli and Maria drove away.Maria thought maybe the ice was starting to melt, even though Anna lost her temper every now and then.She has been trying not to judge her sister, keeping her dissatisfaction with her in her heart, but she is not a saint after all.
"It's time for Ana to visit Plaka," she told Manoli. "If I leave Papa alone there, she will have to visit him more often."
"I'd be surprised if she could do that," Manoli said. "She always does her own way. If things don't go her way, she won't be happy."
Manoli's cognition of Anna confuses Maria.He spoke of her sister as if someone he knew very well.Anna was not complicated, but even so, Manoli was able to make such an accurate judgment, which still surprised her.
Maria is now counting the days until the wedding.Only four weeks away.She hoped the days would pass quickly.But the imminent departure from her father weighed heavily on her heart.She was determined to do everything possible to make the transition as easy as possible.The most useful thing she could do was to get the house in order for him before he lived alone in the future.During the summer months, when it was as hot inside and outside the house, she put the job on hold.Now that the weather is cooler, it's time to do this work.
This was the day Anna had promised to come.She still has some things at home, and she might want to take them away when she comes back this time.Some were her childhood toys, and maybe she'll need them again soon, Maria mused.Of course, the Pandorakis will have a baby soon.
The spring cleaning has begun.The cottage was always tidy—Maria was always doing the housework—but there was an old cupboard full of rarely used dishes that needed washing, the furniture needed a new scrub, the candlesticks looked dull, Some frames hadn't been dusted in months.
While working, Maria listened to the radio and hummed along with chirping music on a certain band on the radio.It was three o'clock in the afternoon.
One of her favorite songs by Mikis Theodorakis was playing on the radio.A boozy bouzouki is the perfect accompaniment for cleaning, so she cranks up the volume.The music drowned out the opening of the door, and Maria, with her back to the door, did not see Anna come in and sit down.
Anna sat there for about ten minutes, watching Maria work, and she had no intention of helping her.When she got up in the morning, Anna put on her best calico dress with blue flowers embroidered on it.Seeing her sister work so hard gave her an unnatural satisfaction, but why did Maria look so relaxed and happy?She also sang songs to clean up the airs, which seemed unreasonable to Anna.But when she thought of the man Maria was going to marry, she understood completely.My sister must be the happiest woman in the world.How she hated it.As she got up from her seat, Maria suddenly jumped up when she heard the scraping of wood on the stone floor.
"Anna!" she screamed, "how long have you been sitting here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"I've been sitting here for centuries," said Anna listlessly.She understood that Maria would be angry knowing she was watching her all the time.
Maria got down from the chair and took off her apron.
"Shall I make some lemonade?" she asked, immediately forgiving her sister for her silence.
"Okay, let's do it," Anna said. "It's September, and it's still hot, isn't it?"
Maria was busy peeling some lemons, squeezing the juice into the jar, diluting them with water, adding sugar and stirring vigorously.They each drank two glasses before speaking.
"What are you doing?" Anna asked. "Don't you stop working?"
"I've got the house ready so Daddy can live here alone," Maria said. "I'll clear out a few of your things, maybe you'll have more." She meant a small collection of toys: dolls, flutes, and even There is also a children's loom.
"You'll need it as much as I do soon," Ana snapped back. "There's no doubt that you and Manori will want to carry on the Pandoraki name once you're married."
Anna couldn't hide her jealousy for Maria, this sentence contained all her hatred.Not even having children anymore made her happy.Squeezed lemon peels were thrown on the table, spread out in front of her, dried, and even they weren't as boring and bitter as she was.
"Anna, what's the matter?" Maria couldn't avoid the question, even though she felt overwhelmed, "What's wrong with me, you can tell me, you know."
Anna wasn't going to confide in Maria.That was the last thing on her mind.She came to see her father, not to talk to her sister.
"Nothing," she said quickly. "Look, I'm going to see Savina, and I'll come back later when Papa comes back."
When Anna turned to leave, Maria noticed that her sister's back was wet.Her well-fitting, well-fitting dress was see-through with sweat.Something must be bothering her, as unmistakable as water in a rock pool.But Maria found that she had no intention of finding out the truth.Maybe Anna would prefer to confide in Savina, so she could know the problem indirectly.Over the years, my sister's emotions have been easy to read; they're like posters taped to a tree or a wall, announcing the date and time of the concert, hiding nothing.Now everything seemed to be wrapped up, still wrapped up so deep, so tight, so secret.
Maria continued sweeping and mopping for over an hour when Giorgis returned.It was perhaps the first time she was away from her father without feeling distressed.He looked stronger than anyone his age, and she believed he would survive without her here.Now he would not be so succumbed to worldly cares, and she knew he would not be too lonely at night with the company of his friends in the village tavern, and she was thankful.
"Anna was here just now," she said casually. "She will be back soon."
"Where did she go?" Giorgis asked.
"I think I went to see Savina."
Just then, Anna walked in.She hugged her father warmly, and the two sat down to talk while Maria made them drinks.They chatted in general terms, passing all the questions in passing.What is Anna up to?Has the decoration of the two houses been completed yet?How is Andres?Maria wanted to hear the question her father asked—is Anna happy?Why do you seldom come to Plaka? — but they didn't ask anything.Not a word was said, not even the slightest hint, of Maria's impending wedding.An hour passed quickly, and Anna stood up to leave.They said goodbye and Giorgis promised to go to Elounda for lunch in a week.
After dinner, Giorgis went to the tavern, and Maria decided to do one last job.She kicked off her shoes and climbed onto an old chair so she could reach the back of the high cupboard, and when she lifted her foot she noticed a strange mark on it.Her heart almost stopped beating.In some light, the imprint is barely visible.At first glance it looks like a shadow, but on the other hand, it is a dry skin, only slightly lighter than the surrounding skin.It almost looked like she had sunburned her feet in the sun, the slight patches where the skin had peeled off.Maybe there was no need to worry at all, but Maria was terribly anxious.She usually takes a shower at night, and under dim light, such blemishes are hard to spot for months.She will talk to Fotini later, she doesn't intend to make her father worry.At this point they have too many things to think about.
This night was the most difficult for Maria.She lay awake until dawn.She couldn't be sure, but she was very suspicious of the plaque.She tossed and turned, troubled and afraid, and the dark hours were painfully long.At last she fell asleep for a short while, dreaming of her mother, of the stormy sea, and of Spinalonga, as if it were a great ship, which was almost destroyed by the waves.When it was finally dawn, she got up and went to find Fotini early in the morning.Her friend always got up at six o'clock, cleared the dishes from last night, and prepared food for today.No one in the village is more industrious than her, especially since she is three months pregnant, these tasks are even more difficult for her.
"Maria, what are you doing here so early?" Fotini asked in surprise.She could see that something was on Maria's mind. "Let's go get some coffee."
She put down what she was doing, and they sat down together at a large table in the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Fotini asked. "You look like you've been up all night. Are you nervous about the wedding or something?"
Maria looked up at Fotini, her eyes as dark as her untouched cup of coffee.Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Maria, what's going on?" Fotini reached out and covered Maria's hand, "You must tell me."
"This is it," said Maria.She stood up, put her feet on the chair, and pointed to the faint dry skin spot, "Did you see it?"
Fotini leaned over.She understood immediately why Maria was so anxious this morning.Leaflets are often handed out in Plaka, where everyone is familiar with the first symptoms of leprosy, and this one is similar.
"What should I do?" Maria said quickly, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I don't know what to do."
Fotini calmed down.
"First of all, don't let anyone around you know. Maybe it's nothing, and you don't want people to jump to conclusions, especially the Pandorakis. You need to get diagnosed. Doesn't your father bring a doctor every day from Come back from the island, why not let him see it?"
"Dr. Lapakis was a good friend of Papa's, but he was too close to let it slip. There was another doctor. He came before, before the war. I don't remember his name, but I think he was in Iraq. Weng goes to work. Dad knows."
"Then why don't you try it out and see him? You've got plenty of excuses to go to Heraklion because you're getting married."
"But then you have to tell Papa," Maria cried.She tried to wipe the tears from her face, but they kept flowing.There was no way to avoid letting Dad know.Giorgis should know, even if it was hidden from everyone else, and he was the only one Maria wanted to protect.
Maria went home.It was only eight o'clock and Giorgis was out.She knew she would have to wait until night to speak to him.She continued to work on what she hadn't done the day before, to distract herself from her anxiety, and once she started to work, she was alive again, polishing the furniture, dusting the darkest corners of the cupboards and drawers with her nails. It was picked out.
At about eleven o'clock there was a knock at the door.It's Anna.Maria hadn't closed her eyes for seven hours, and she was exhausted.
"Hello, Anna," she said quietly. "So soon?"
"I left something here yesterday," replied Anna, "my bag. It must have got stuck behind the cushion."
She crossed the room, and there, of course, under a cushion was a small bag made of the same fabric as the one she had worn yesterday.
"Okay, I know it's here."
Maria needs a break.
"Would you like a cold drink?" she asked standing high on a stool.
Anna stood there watching her, stunned.Maria shifted uncomfortably and climbed off the stool.Ana's eyes followed her, aiming at her bare feet.She found the ominous mark, and it was too late for Maria to hide it.
"What's that spot on your foot?" she asked.
"I don't know," Maria said defensively. "Maybe it's nothing."
"Come here, let me see!" said Anna.
Maria did not intend to quarrel with her sister, Anna bent down and looked carefully at Maria's feet.
"I don't think it's ok, but I still have to check it out." Maria stood on the ground and said firmly.
"Did you tell Papa? Did Manoli see it?" Anna asked.
"They don't know yet," Maria replied.
"Well, when are you going to tell them? Because if you're not going to tell them, I will. I look like a leper," Anna said.She knew as well as Maria what a leprosy diagnosis meant.
"Look," said Maria, "I'll tell Papa tonight. But don't want anybody else to know. Probably nothing."
"You're going to get married in less than a month, don't delay too long, figure it out early. Let me know as soon as you figure it out."
Anna was visibly domineering, and a thought flashed through Maria's mind—Anna must be glad she had leprosy.
"If I don't hear from you within two weeks, I'll be back."
With that, she left, and the door slammed shut behind her.In addition to Maria's beating heart, there is also a faint smell of French perfume that Anna has been here.
That night, Maria showed her feet to her father.
"We should see Dr. Kritis," he said. "He works at the big hospital in Heraklion. I'll write him right now."
He didn't say anything more, but his stomach was churning with fear.
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