Chapter 13 Section Thirteen

Finally, the door of the room was pushed open, and Raisa's father tapped lightly on the door to get our attention. At this time, Raisa and I had finished venting our depression, and we were talking and laughing together again. "Anka, I must ask you to leave now," said Raisa's father, adding: "Please." "I understand." I replied, turning to Raisa again, and hugging her tightly again. "Never forget me, Anka," said Raisa, taking off her amulet necklace and putting it around my neck.I've never seen her take it off before. "Promise I'll always wear it, Anka, like I'll always be close to your heart."

"But Raisa, I can't..." "You must take it, Anka. Give it back to me the day we meet again. Daddy, is that okay?" I turned to Raisa's father for his permission to accept this token of friendship.He nodded reluctantly. "I will cherish it forever." "Be sure to show it to me the next time we meet, Anka, no matter how many years it may be." "There are people and things, I promise, Raisa." "Will you write to me?" "If given the chance." "Well, good-bye then, Anka. My dearest friend." "Goodbye, Raisa."

We finally hugged each other and I followed Raisa's father out of the room.When he closed the door, I turned back at the door and reluctantly waved Raisa goodbye.She waved to me while wiping tears.The moment the door closed, I knew we might never see each other again. "Anka." Raisa's father stopped in front of the gate: "I hope you understand that I am also very sad about this ending." I looked up at him and saw a sad face. "I don't want to separate you two," said Monsieur Maxim quietly. "I cherish my daughter, and I value her friends. You, Anka, must know how close I was to your father, until……"

He took my hand, "You are too young to understand, Anka, but I still want to tell you that what I did was the best choice at the moment, please believe me. After your father's accident, It would be unwise for you and Raisa to continue dating, and it would be of no benefit to either of you." I looked him in the eyes, tried to understand, to believe that what he did was well-intentioned, but in the end I couldn't accept his reasons. "Before we moved to your country, we were persecuted in our own country, Anka. We have seen it. Please understand that I cut off your friendship with my daughter to protect her, instead of causing her pain."

I didn't know how to respond, so I listened silently. "You are a wonderful child, Anka, and you did not deserve to be treated so cruelly by fate. But we are powerless to change everything, we can only sit quietly, hoping that the worst fate will not happen to us. " "And that's where your father was wrong, Anka. He was a brave man, but these brutal guys don't take courage at all. Your father is a hero, and he is worthy of your pride." His words grabbed my full attention. "But he paid for it. This is a lesson for all of us, Anka. One day you will understand that I did what was best for Raisa and put her safety before her. Please forgive me, Anka, just as I hope Raisa will forgive me one day. Go now and luck be with you, no matter what happens in the future. No matter where you go, Raisa will always remember you Yes." He picked up the amulet around my neck with his slender fingers, stuffed it gently into my coat, and then tried to force a smile: "The next time I see her, remember to return this to her." she."

If I heard these words so painfully, how uncomfortable it would be for the person who said them.I saw tears welling up in his dark eyes and knew that every word he spoke was from the bottom of his heart.He is terrified.Terrified for his family, for his wife Catherine, and his only daughter, Raisa. Just an hour ago, I was filled with resentment for the man who separated me from my friends.Now I have nothing but sympathy for him. I held his hand, raised my head and kissed him on the face, "I'm trying to understand, Mr. Maxim. I'm trying to understand. Please protect Raisa and don't let her get hurt. My heart With her forever." I turned and took Nikolai's hand and walked up the street without looking back.

The journey home was long and gloomy.Nikolay was tired and begged me to hug him, but I was in no mood to answer, my thoughts were preoccupied with other things.When I got home, I stopped at the door and let Nikolay go inside. "Go in first, Nikolay. I'll be there in a moment." Nikolay looked up at me: "Why are you crying, Anka?" I tried to stay calm, "I got sand in my eyes, little guy, nothing else. Go in and see if Momma needs help with packing. It must be almost time to get on the train now." Nicholas was awakened by my words, and ran into the house happily, leaving me alone in my own thoughts, and tears welled up again.