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SWEET PAINS/ Sunday story by Agim Xhafka

2024-07-21 11:04:00, Kulturë Agim Xhafka

Paskali and Rozi were the most popular couple in the university. They were studying engineering, they were in a course. They were the same age, but Rozi was petite and looked a few years younger than Paskali. He was tall, elegant, with black hair and green eyes. Like Rozi's eyes, except she had brown hair.

At the end of the first year, they got engaged, before turning 20 years old. They went to the faculty together, to the gym together, to the library together and for walks. We parted only when the night fell and everyone got comfortable in their dorm after a tiring but beautiful day.

The Student City had a lot of engaged couples, but you couldn't find a second one like them. They looked like portraits, they were always laughing, the main thing you could see was just talking to each other. Without lining up, without ever resting. Communication is love, manifested passion, thirst for the partner and excitement that takes your breath away.

Life took them to many national constructions, dams and factories. Through the construction site, they raised their family, had children, and when the big upheaval happened, luck brought them that Rozi had his grandfather in America, and Paskali with his wife and three sons became American citizens one day 25 years ago.

Today they are in Georgia and the children in South Carolina, Alabama and Illinois. Left alone, but without a doubt that in the USA everyone wants to be alone. They encourage children to run away to their own good, they seek to free them from the obligations that human tradition dictates to the new generation.

One of these days we met them by chance in Atlanta. They came in front of us. Agile, but a little stocky, bleached and somewhat shy, but still with those eyes, that laugh and that communication. Their mouths did not rest, like birds that only chirp. We met them with longing. Especially my wife because she had Rozi in the dormitory during her student days.

After a coffee and an interview about each other, I asked Pascal:

-How did you not get bored living a non-stop 24-hour life with Rozi? Do you have any secrets? Because we went and came yesterday from Alabama, 8 hours of driving and we didn't say a word at least about the weather. He laughed and as he was about to speak, my wife intervened.
- The love of this couple was an act, a deed, not words. And I'm telling you something that maybe even Pascal didn't learn.
The event became intriguing. Did the woman know something about Rozi that Paskali had not learned?! Surprise.
- Do you still smoke? - asked my wife.
- Yes, - said Pascal.
- When you turned it on when you were a student, you didn't know that those daily lek were for Rozi's food.
- I don't understand, he said and brought them closer to the table.
-Rozi sold the breakfast coupon every dinner. He told you that he was not hungry at that hour. He went to lectures without eating and the money he got bought cigarettes for you, day by day for...
-Four years in a row, -Paskali sighed and went away, hugging Rozi. He was almost crying.
- I was surprised at first, I asked her, but she told me that her brother sent her some extra lek on top of the scholarship she received from school, and I didn't believe her. Oh my god, how cannibals we have been, he said jokingly and hugged his wife again.
As if caught in a painless trap, she wanted to hear this dialogue, but she didn't want it to last.
- Why didn't you force me to quit smoking? You know that I have not doubted any desire - asked Paskali.
- If I did it between us, there would be no love, there would be nothing beautiful. Sacrifice for what you love is really painful, but there is plenty of sweetness, satisfaction and soul satisfaction.
We broke up. Those on the left, those on the right. I couldn't stand it and asked the woman:
- My, it seems that I also smoked cigarettes when I was a student? Do you remember?/ CNA