Chapter 11: The Visit of My Sister

August was coming to an end. Spring had begun in the valley, but it was much too dry again. The weather in the Andes is so unpredictable. Yesterday there were reports on TV of heavy snowfalls and road closures on the N3. We, on the other hand, have not had a single drop of rain in a week, not even a morning dew. The waterfall from the high valley was down to a trickle. The ponds where we bred carp were getting shallower and shallower. We could no longer water the vegetable beds. For the first time we even had to ration drinking water. I had to temporarily ban showers and baths. It was terrible.

Even the Tiso, often a wild river, had less water. A company from Trujillo installed a powerful pump for us near the second pond. One of the men climbed down a rope and anchored a suction basket in the river. Even so, it took more than two days for our ponds to gradually fill. But the system had one big advantage. When it rained heavily, we could pump the water from the pond, which had already broken several times, back into the Tiso.

Hualpa, Juan’s father, took responsibility for the pumping system. He built a small shed where he stored several canisters of diesel so that the pump could always work when needed. His grandson Amru, a strong boy for his eighteen years, became his assistant. I had once shown him how to clean the strainer and we cleaned the most important parts together. From then on, he did it independently and very conscientiously. We had taken another small but important step for our life in the valley.

But it happened as it often does. After three days of diligently filling the ponds, it started to rain, and not just a little. But this was an opportunity to test the system for pumping water back into the river. The system worked perfectly. And most importantly, we had enough drinking water again.

Then, at last, Esther gave birth to Oliver. The birth was like a dream. After just four hours, the young mother lay completely relaxed on the bed in the delivery room with her baby at her breast, laughing at me. “That’s the way it is, Michael. A healthy woman gives birth to a healthy child without any problems. I think that was brilliant today and I’m feeling great, I could actually get up”.

Carefully, I leaned over Esther and kissed her forehead, then her dry lips. I quickly fetched some tea. Our nurse hadn’t noticed how thirsty she was because she was so excited and happy.

“You are a miracle, my darling, my dear Esther! Thank you for a son, a true gift. And the three of you did a great job once again and accompanied the wonderful birth. Thank you, Ramona! Thank you, Babette! Thank you, Priya!”

But seconds later, something unexpected happened. The newborn was breathing heavily, gasping for air again and again. I started to get scared. I looked uncertainly at our doctor. She smiled at me. “We’ll wait a moment. Maybe he’ll make it on his own. He’s probably got amniotic fluid in his lungs.”

I screamed in fear as Ramona grabbed his feet. The little boy bobbed his head over Esther. Our doctor gave him light blows on the back. Oliver suddenly screamed like mad. Some mucus came out of his mouth. Now he was screaming even louder. The rest of us were paralysed, but Ramona just said, “He made it. He’s breathing freely!”

And so it was. The baby lay on Esther’s chest and his breathing became more regular. Esther’s worried look suddenly vanished. She smiled, whispered kind words, and stroked her son, who was only a few minutes old. Then she thanked our doctor. I still didn’t know how to react; I was still paralysed. Then Ramona pulled me towards her. “Do I deserve a kiss, now?”

After the wonderful birthday party for Ramona’s first son on the last day of August, he was already two years old, walking well and saying many words, I sat down at my desk that evening, completely relaxed, to plan. According to my forecast, September would be the first quiet month of the year, but as we know, we had more than enough problems up to that point. The most important was the impending birth of Lenya in the middle of the month. Several birthdays had to be planned, those of my young wives, Ananda on the 4th and Mayari on the 12th, as well as the birthdays of Florence’s twins on the 10th, Sula’s Ken on the 6th and Fahsai’s Yusuf on the 27th. Heidy turned thirteen on the 3rd of September.

In fact, it was almost impossible to keep everything under control without good planning. I had to employ someone else to do it. But planning was not the only thing that was important to me. Thanks to the celebrations, everyone in the valley knew what date it was. That seemed important to all of us.

Today, for example, I had forgotten Amira’s birthday, but Olivia told me just before lunch. So, I was able to congratulate her and give her one of the nice blouses and a pair of nice pumps from our storage. For the evening we improvised a Peruvian evening with Spanish music and dances. Antonio and his partner started off with a great flamenco dance. After we had all tried something similar to flamenco, Amira introduced us to the Peruvian national dance ‘La Marinera’. This dance originated in Trujillo and mixes Spanish dance steps with those of the indigenous people of Peru. Priya showed us one of these dances on television, performed by two children who looked to be no more than ten years old. She had quickly downloaded the clip from YouTube. The young couple’s beautiful dance caught everyone’s attention. Luca and Diego also did their best to please the girls. Even the shy Dario moved more and more elegantly.

Alejandra and Luisa whispered, then stood up in front of everyone and danced a Huayno, a dance that had more Inca elements but was easier to dance, and everyone joined in after grabbing scarves to make the dance more expressive. Amira and Antonio in particular showed that they knew this dance too and were very good at it. At the end we formed a circle around the young couple and clapped along to the rhythm.

Other than that, the agenda for September was to plan the necessary construction work or, if possible, to start it already, to make a complete list of the Rus’ assets, an almost impossible task, to apply for identity papers and residence permits for all the women and girls and, if possible, to get official birth certificates for our many newborns.

My sister also kept asking me if she could come and see me. She was so curious about my kids. I was afraid to show her my brood, but she would find out eventually. We spoke again on the phone and Sarah really wanted to come, preferably with her daughter Jenny, but her husband would not be available in September. I had the feeling she was bursting with curiosity to see the six children and three women I had mentioned. If she only knew ... oh boy.

It was easy to book a business class flight for her and her daughter at short notice. At first Sarah didn’t want to, but I insisted on paying for the more expensive ticket.

On the 3rd of September, I went to Trujillo airport to pick up my sister. Her little Jenny was really sweet, but so shy that she didn’t even shake my hand to say hello. Mayari, who was with me, just picked up the five-year-old and cuddled her, while I hugged Sarah tightly. My sister’s eyes opened wide when I introduced my dear Brazilian as one of my ‘wives’ with whom I had three children. Sarah couldn’t believe how young Mayari looked and that she was one of the most beautiful women in South America. But my companion just hugged her and whispered a few kind words in her ear.

My Landcruiser was already loaded with all the essentials we had bought on the way to the airport. The two suitcases just fit on the last seat. Sarah had not noticed that it was almost winter. We bought a warm jacket, a sun hat, and several pairs of sunglasses for her and Jenny, as well as for some of the girls as some of their glasses had broken. After a quick tour of the city in my car and the purchase of rolls and loaves of bread to place in front and on the passenger seat, we were off to paradise.

On the way to San Huano, I handed the wheel over to Mayari. She had practised driving a lot and had even driven down the track to the 3N road today. Sarah looked a little worried, but Mayari was a good driver. With Jenny on my lap, I told my sister the story of the last three years, especially the long period of our isolation, and how I was the only man among the many women and young girls locked up for almost three years.

“Sarah, I’m afraid I haven’t told you the whole truth. It was clear to me; you would not understand it from a distance. That’s why I thought you only understand the matter when you see it with your own eyes. I confess to you now, my first wife was and still is Luisa, our cook, with whom I have two children, as well as with our doctor Ramona. With the interpreter Carmen there have even become three children because of twins...”.

“You’re crazy, Micha, I don’t believe you. These are fantasies.”

“Well, well, if you think, Sarah, just let yourself be surprised. I hope you’re not angry with me. There are an incredible number of children in our valley.”

Sarah looked out of the window, offended. She could not process my unbelievable story, of which she had only heard a small part. Eventually, she asked Mayari the names of her children. Her English was a little rough at first, but it got better and better.

“I have named my three children after Brazilian footballers. Neymar is one and a half years old, an incredibly sweet boy. My twins, Renan and Lucas are now three months old. My friends Isabella, Kira, and Daja are looking after them today until we get back.”

Sarah shook her head in disbelief. “Michael, how are you going to feed all the children or even pay alimony later? I can’t believe it.”

“You will see how we have organised everything. From my point of view there are no problems. Don’t worry. Better, look at the scenery, Sarah. Isn’t it beautiful here?”

After the next bend, the road was closed. The construction manager came up to me and asked me to be patient for ten minutes. Mayari translated. Sarah found out that I was responsible for the construction when I agreed to an extra payment of 20,000 SOL. At this point, another alternative spot was to be blown up and asphalted.

With complete uncertainty, my sister looked at me. “Did I just understand correctly? This is your construction site and you are paying a huge amount of extra money for it?”

“Yes, my sister heart. I have suffered much here, but I have been very fortunate financially. I should have died a long time ago, but I’ll tell you about it when we get home. If all goes well, we will start building a dam across the whole valley this year. There are still a few problems with the funding, but the plan is still in place.”

Sarah shook her head in disbelief. “Micha, you’re scaring me.”

I laughed, “Sometimes I do, too. But things have been going well since June. Often, I can’t believe my luck.”

We stopped at the petrol station in San Huano. Mayari took Jenny to the toilet. While I was smoking a cigarette with the attendant, after he had served us two cups of strong coffee and a sweet snack, Sarah also asked for a cigarette and preferably a brandy.

“You can only get Pisco here. It tastes like grappa, but you’d better dilute it or order a Pisco Sour. I don’t drink any, because now comes the hardest part of the way.”

The petrol station attendant drank two Pisco Sours with my sister, which I paid for, of course. He offered to sell us two colonies of bees. I was happy to pay the required five hundred SOL, almost a gift for two colonies of bees with hive and beekeeping equipment. Luca was supposed to pick up the beehives tomorrow because we didn’t have any room in the car at the moment.

When we stopped at the mountain village, Mayari and Jenny rushed to the first group of alpacas. After a short time of getting used to the strange animals, Jenny didn’t want to go back to the car, but I promised her that from tomorrow she could have her own little alpaca. Mayari nodded in agreement.

My Brazilian sweetheart had put up with it for a long time, but now my dear companion literally yearned for a kiss. I wanted to end the stormy embrace quickly, but our PE teacher really wanted to show my sister how much she loved me. I had a hard time pulling away from her.

“Sarah, I’m sorry. You will experience this a lot in the next few days. Many women and girls are very kind to me. Fighting back is pointless.”

“You’re crazy, Michael. How can you do all this?”

“I don’t know. It just flies at me because I’m doing fantastically well.”

We looked deep into each other’s eyes. Sarah showed me her sisterly love with a warm smile and stroked my head and shoulders. “Take care of yourself, Micha. Those who live so intensely do not do so for a long time in life”.

Shortly afterwards I put the pedal to the metal. I wanted to reach the valley before dark. Just before the entrance, Luca and Diego had put up thin tree trunks as an obstacle. They always had these ideas when I was out of paradise. It couldn’t hurt if you were careful. Mayari rolled the logs down the slope towards the village while the two boys opened the entrance. They were delighted with the fresh rolls, greeted Sarah and Jenny warmly and wished them a pleasant stay in halting English.

“Do you want to go to your quarters, or do you want to see my children first?”

“The children first if you have a toilet. I’m so excited.”

“I don’t think so. Prepare yourself for a shock. Like I said, we were locked up, I was the only man for nineteen women. Something has built up there.”

Sarah shook her head again. Sula and Babette were at the gate of the palazzo. They wouldn’t let me in without a kiss. They were also happy to have a fresh roll. Mayari ran with Jenny to the alpacas by the entrance. I quickly showed my sister to the toilet. Shortly afterwards, we went to see Esther, who was still in the treatment room after the birth. She literally pulled me to her and kissed me, saying, “I’m so happy, Michael. Oliver is so cute”.

“Where is Attila, Esther?”

“With Daryna. She helps us both a lot.”

Esther stood up to greet Sarah. I introduced her to my sister with warm words.

“Four days ago, she gave birth to her second child. She is the sweetest person in the world and our doctor’s assistant. In fact, she is also our midwife. She has brought many children into the world. I can’t imagine not having her with us.”

Sarah became more and more insecure. Luisa hugged my sister in the kitchen, and then kissed me. In a chair sat Cara, eight months pregnant. We kissed on the lips and I stroked her plump belly.

“A child of yours, too?” asked Sarah a little awkwardly.

“Yes, and there is no reason to regret it. Come with me to the terrace. You can see most of the other children from there.”

In the shade were a couple of strollers with the children born in the last three months. On the meadow and in the paddling pool, others were playing in the Adam’s costume. Many of my girls came running to greet us, plus the ten new girls. Sarah couldn’t stand the hustle and bustle anymore; she was really done.

“Micha, please stop. I can’t take it anymore. This is really too much for me now.”

When I clapped, most of the girls and women moved away. Ramona was particularly kind to Sarah, inviting her to the terrace for tea and a snack. My sister spoke very good German. The two women, who were almost the same age, understood each other immediately.

Jenny joined us at the table with Eliza and Salma. They already knew each other by name, even if they could not communicate verbally. “You won’t believe this, Sarah. Those two girls are not my children. They moved in with their mother last month.”

Sarah and Ramona laughed. “Do you have to apologise if they’re not your children?” asked Ramona.

Soon, we were sitting together in a cosy circle. Luisa had joined us for a whisky just before dinner, and I had already had two.

Amazed, Sarah watched as the children streamed into the hall after the gong, no fuss, no jostling to get to the counter first. Someone turned on the lights on the terrace. Some tables were pushed together so that people could eat in smaller groups. My niece Jenny arrived with a full plate and asked if she could eat with Salma and Eliza. I carried her plate to the table as Jenny had to get cutlery.

Finally, we took our food and Luisa sat down with us. It tasted very good, as always, especially the roast, which was spicy and tender. Sarah praised our meat. I whispered to her, “Hush, don’t tell anyone, it’s from a young alpaca whose hind legs were not stable.”

Ramona was scheming again. “Let Sarah sleep with her daughter in your bedroom. Luisa and I would be happy if you took turns sleeping with us.”

However, it was not a bad idea to let my sister and niece sleep here in the main house. Five minutes later, my bedroom was occupied and Jenny was sitting in my bath. She was bubbling with the need to tell me what she had seen. Especially the many guinea pigs had done it to her.

Sarah didn’t mind having her brother in the bathroom and showered thoroughly after the long trip. “How many women you have had in bed in the last few years, so, it doesn’t matter anymore you see me naked.”

Generally, she was right, but I was a little cross-eyed at how well she had kept herself in shape. As she dried off, I said approvingly, “My compliments, Sarah, very well kept, little sister.”

After putting Jenny to bed, I sorted out my sleeping things and some clothes for myself for the next morning. Luisa took me to her bedroom first. Outside in the hall there was singing and dancing. They were celebrating Heidy’s thirteenth birthday. I had brought her a matching maternity dress and a gold chain from the town, like all the women got when they were first pregnant.

Soon, the four of us were back at the table on the terrace. Qesra served us. Sarah asked a lot of questions and made a few jokes, but I was glad to have my sister around me again after such a long time, especially as she was now quite cheerful.

Around 9 o’clock, the upstairs quickly became quiet again. Tomorrow was school day, both for the sixth and the eighth grade. My sister and I took a tour of the rooms. First we visited the girls, better young women, with their children. Without making a fuss, Sarah quickly realised how much I liked them all. Most of the little ones were already asleep, so our guest was able to answer questions, but also asked some interesting ones. The thirteen other girls, Abril and Ana, who also slept with us, were all still restless. Each one got a kiss on the forehead.

“Are these the mothers for next year, you lecher?”

“Never! These girls will have no sexual contact with me. It was different before they arrived, but now the isolation is over. Soon, there will be a few more Peruvian families living here. If you want to stay with us and have a child, you will have to find a partner yourself.”

Sarah spent a lot of time talking to Heidy because they both had the same mother tongue. My sister shared with Heidy her pain about Claudio’s abuse and kissed her left and right. “You can do it, Heidy! I feel you are very strong. I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night.”

When my sister rushed off to see her daughter, I went to see Esther. She was desperate to be cuddled. But she had already organised something. Her son Attila slept with her in the doctor’s room. Our newborn son Oliver was doing very well. He asked for milk up to eight times a day and drank his mother empty. Tomorrow, Esther wanted to go back upstairs to her room. Just as we were kissing intimacy, Ramona and Sarah arrived. Esther was delighted to receive a kiss from her boss, Ramona, and a left-right kiss from Sarah.