Chapter 12 Section 12

After getting permission, I didn't hesitate any longer and stepped into the door in one step. I had been to Raisa's house many times in the peaceful old days, so when I entered the door, I hurried in with a practiced hand.Nikolai was also called in so that he would not attract unnecessary attention by standing outside. Although Raisa's family is in better condition than ours, there are still signs that a lot has happened recently.Much of the furniture was gone, perhaps sold to keep going.I also know that if life is difficult for everyone, it is especially difficult for Raisa's family.

His family are Russian immigrants who took refuge here during the upheavals in the neighboring country.It’s a strange feeling to think back on those days, when they first arrived in Mejdiya, had no residence or job, spoke little of the local language, and it was my father who helped them settle in here.That was also when I first met Raisa.We've been friends for so many years now that I can't even remember a time when I didn't know each other. I gently opened the door and saw Raisa sitting at the table sewing.She looked up, surprised to see me, and jumped up from her chair to meet me, both happy and puzzled, because I hadn't been able to visit her for so long.After my father was executed, her father forbade us to come and go, but at this time I appeared in her home again.

"Anka! Why are you here? If Dad finds you..." Raisa's father appeared at the door, "It's okay, Raisa, I asked Anka in. I just found out that she is leaving here today. This will be the last time you see her. Is that so, Anka?" " I nodded, as perplexed as Raisa by the sudden change in Raisa's father's attitude.I replied, "We're going to the train station at noon." "The train station? But Anka, where are you going? With whom? What are you going to do?" Raisa asked one question after another, as if afraid that her father would go back on his word before she finished asking.

She came to me as she asked, and we hugged, feeling the friendship that never faded.She started crying, and I couldn't control my emotions at this moment. "Come here, Nicholas, let's go," I heard her father say. "Leave the two girls alone." I looked over Raisa's shoulder and saw her father lead Nikolai out and close the door.We cuddled together, feeling each other's warm presence, and then I took Raisa by the shoulders and pushed her away gently, looking into her face. She begged me, "Anka, tell me it's not true. Are you really leaving?"

"Yes, Raisa. Me, and Nikolai and Mamma . . . it's the best we can do." "But where are you going?" I shook my head, "I don't remember the name of the place. It's probably some sort of resettlement camp where we'll make our home and work there until the war is over. I just know it's far away because we're going to take the train, after……" I looked deeply into her eyes, not knowing how to express it. "I don't know what happened after that, but it's better than staying in Mejdiya. We have nothing here, Raisa. Please understand me. You are my last friend, and your parents won't let me meet you."

"But Father let you in today, Anka. Maybe he's changed his mind?" There was hope in her eyes. "That's because he doesn't want to argue with us at the door and draw attention, Raisa, that's all. And also, for his daughter to say goodbye to her best friend one last time." Raisa hugged me again and said, "No, Anka, it's not a final farewell. When the war is over, someday in the future, we will meet again. I promise you, we will. There will always be wars. The day will end and people will live together peacefully again. It will end, Anka, otherwise what's the point of life? Wherever you go, whatever happens, please promise me you will remember me. Remember us Happy time spent together."

I held her in my arms and we cried together, only best friends do. I remember my dad asking me what's the difference between a normal friend and a best friend.I answered him that in front of my best friend, I can remove all pretense and show my truest side without worrying about losing this friendship. At this moment, when we hug each other, I know that Raisa will always be my best friend in the past, present and future. We cried together, not ashamed, because our presence was each other's comfort.After shedding tears, we chatted, talking meaningless words, asking questions without answers, chatting about unimportant things, and enjoying the joy of speaking freely that only children can experience.