COLD AUTUMN IN 1914

Description of the story: Nina is a 20year old Russian woman living in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the World War I. She became engaged to Alexei before the start of World War I Written in Nina's voice the story narrates how everything changed with the beginning of the war and how these changes affected the lives of ordinary people.

COLD AUTUMN IN 1914

On the 15th June 1914 Austrian Crown Prince Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo. Next morning the newspapers arrived early.

" It is war! - don't you understand?" - my father said to us at the dining table.

My father was a doctor in St. Petersburg, famous for his method in treating people by hypnosis. We lived in Nevsky Street opposite the Grand Hotel. Nobody was allowed to enter his study where he treated his patients by hypnosis. My father did not have many patients, and he kept them in sheer fear. He lived and worked in his leather furnished study, surrounded by the enemies which were brought by his profession. His enemies were: mysticism, stupidity, caddishness and hysteria. Not everyone could endure his stern stare through his glasses, but when he smiled his smile was childish and completely defenceless.

On the 1st of July 1914 I became engaged to Alexei and the engagement party was held. On the 19th July Germany declared War on Russia.

In September Alexei came to our dacha outside St. Petersburg to say goodbye before his departure to the front. We believed that the war would be over soon so our wedding date was set for the following summer.

Alexei arrived in the evening. He had only one day to stay with us. After dinner the samovar was brought and put on the table. We talked about how early and cold this autumn was. Alexei and Father talked about politics for a while.

Suddenly Alexei asked: " What happens to us when we die?"

My father raised his brows in surprise and said: " Do I remember anything before I was born? I remember nothing; there was nothing. And after death there will be nothing."

. I felt like a sharp icy star went into my heart with the question: " What if he get killed?

My parents made arrangements for the next morning and said good bye to Alexei. We were alone in the room.

"Would you like to go for a walk dear?"- Alexei asked .

"Very well " -I replied. We put on warm coats and went into the garden. It was dark. I was holding Alexei's arm . Then after a while I could see bright stars in the sky. Alexei said: " I feel sad and good at the same time. I love you very, very much... If I stay alive I will never forget this evening." I turned my face towards him and he kissed me.

"Your eyes are so shining and bright. You are not cold, are you?"

Nina had tears in the eyes and she tried to overcome very strong feeling because she knew if he got killed - they would not meet even afterlife.

11 November 2013

TANYA TSISHEVSKI