Nikos. Anastasiia Deniz Mitchell

      ISBN 978-5-0053-3884-6

      Created with Ridero smart publishing system

      Anastasiia Deniz Mitchell

      Nikos

      Oh, Cyprus, if only you knew how I love you! Y Kiprou mou, se agapo!1

      ***

      Rhodes, 1821.

      “Ermina! Come here! Your breakfast is served!”

      That was my Mother. She always cooked meals for the whole family.

      We were five in our family: Father, Mother, two my sisters and me. We were ordinary peasants. My family lived in Rhodes, in a small village called Archangelos.

      We lived at the time when both Rhodes and Cyprus was under the Ottoman Empire. Although we lived a peaceful life, it was quite a hard time for common people. But something changed my life forever. As it’s said, one day can change everything. And I had to be grateful to this “something”. Because otherwise, I wouldn’t have become what I am now – the happiest person. I need to be thankful to this change.

      1

      Today, it was my birthday. I turned thirteen. But, even if it was someone’s birthday, they still had to fulfill their family duties.

      For dinner, Mum promised to bake a meat pie for me today. It was my favorite one. I also liked tiroptita2, which we ate in the summer. Now, it was autumn. So, why not try a delicious meat pie…?

      “Ermina! Come here! Your breakfast is served! For how many times shall I call you?”

      I was in the attic watching birds fly. Thirteen years! I was already thirteen! Almost an adult. Time flew, not just passed by.

      I went downstairs. We had two floors in the house – the first floor included the living room and the kitchen. My sisters and me lived in one room, together with our parents: the second floor was the attic. We all slept on benches. Dad made them for us.

      “Thank you very much, Mummy! Thank you very much!”

      “And happy birthday to you, Ermina!” Mum hugged me. “Sa gineis dekatria hronon simera!3”

      “Evharisto poli, i mitera mou!4”

      “Parakalo, agapiti Ermina!5”

      I ate my breakfast, which was usual milk and bread, and left to graze goats. That was my family duty. Each of us had their own duty. For example, Father was a market seller. He went to the neighboring town to sell the products: goat’s milk, cheese and bread that we made at home. Mother cooked and did housekeeping. My sisters, Nicoletta and Georgia, helped me. They were younger ones. I was the eldest. But, to be honest, I even liked this. I liked being responsible for someone else. You can do many things yourself and help others!

      The weather was lovely, and the goats were obedient, as usual. The soft breeze was blowing. In fact, I loved watching how they ate grass, chewing it carefully and, maybe, thoughtfully. They are those innocent creatures whom you can tell practically everything; and – guess what! – they won’t tell your secret to anyone else but you yourself, and only because it is you that have delivered the message!

      I also had a secret for them to tell. “Have you got any dreams?” I asked a goat, looking straight into her eyes. “I’m sure you have! Now,” I looked at the sky, “you see, I’m already thirteen years old. And one day, I want to do this. I want to fly away like a bird. A free bird. Birds are always free. And we, people… No, we aren’t. We’ve got a lot to do. A lot of things. You know, my family duties… I’ve never been free from them. Every day, I must do something for my family. Even if it’s my birthday,” I sighed. “So, do you know what I want most of all?” I looked at the goat I was talking to again. “I want to be free. Just free. And happy.”

      The goat seemed to understand my words perfectly. She munched the grass like-mindedly. I thought she even meant to say something like, “I totally agree with you. When you’re eighteen years old, you’ll find your husband. And you’ll be free. And happy. Because you’ll fly away like a bird.”

      Maybe. Life is long.

      The sun was climbing to the zenith, and I felt sleepy. I mustn’t have fallen asleep, though, because I had to watch the goats. I decided, “Well, let me take them back to the shed and then go for a walk. No one will notice anything. I’m far away from my house now. Father has left for the town. Mum won’t see me. Nicoletta and Georgia are helping her.”

      So I did. I got the goats to the shed and went to the meadow again. Fortunately, no one saw me.

      This time, I was without my animals. I jumped with joy at the thought of my being free all day long. I found a quiet place to sit down in. Now, I felt more than just sleepy. I felt exhausted. It was so peaceful and calm there…

      I lay down and… fell asleep…