Chapter 2

04.01.2017

The fourth of January started as planned. The song of Priya’s tablet boomed through the house as Esther had turned it to full volume. Sleepily, the birthday girl looked out of her room. Then Esther began to clap to the rhythm and all the girls ran over. Finally, Priya got twelve lovely kisses, and all the girls were really very friendly and loving. Even Zarina and Fahsai participated, who had recently been particularly dismissive of her. My four ladies from the secret meeting had made it; Priya could really feel today how prestigious she was. Ramona and I adored her together and I thanked her for her great work for our team. The little Vietnamese teen stealthily wiped a few tears from her eyes.

During breakfast at the beautifully decorated table Olivia appeared. She affectionately congratulated Priya, kissed her on the lips and asked: “Dear Priya, are you going on a scooter trip with me this afternoon? I’d like to be alone with you for a few hours.” Priya looked around in fright, hesitated a bit and finally grabbed the pregnant Peruvian woman. “Fond. I’ve been wishing for this for a long time.” Her kiss was not disturbed by any stupid remarks. Everyone gave it to Priya, but some were also relieved that Priya would hopefully no longer bother others. Of course, I released Priya for the afternoon.

The evening around the campfire will probably remain in everyone’s best memory forever. The girls surpassed themselves. When the pile of wood was lit, Mayari and her girlfriends handed everyone a plate with pieces of grilled guinea pigs and, of course, fresh pita bread. Some did not want to eat the meat at first, but soon the plates were empty. The bones flew into the fire. Two wet wipes were passed around to clean the fingers. Mayari took care about all the necessities, and became more and more a leader in the team, on whom one could rely unconditionally. She has long ceased to be just a sports organizer, she fully filled the position of a physical education teacher and an organizational genius, besides always friendly and considerate, everyone liked her very much.

After the well-known self-composed songs about exile in the valley and life in paradise, Lenya practiced two songs with everyone, “Let it be” and “Bella ciao”, the song, which was placed in all charts worldwide last year, Lenya simply and quietly sang in Russian to make the chorus and the “Bella Ciao!” to let everyone roar together. Then came the hour of Zarina and Fahsai. They had recast the song “Girls like us” with Sula’s and Ramona’s help. Instead of the sad original version, the verses were bursting with strength and confidence. It was repeated twice because everyone wanted to sing along.

Isabella then played a fiery song from her home country with the saxophone. After Ramona had practiced a German ‘Schunkellied’ with everyone and we had all hooked up enthusiastically, Sula sang a song from the savannah, which, with the best will, was normally only for adults, but the mood continued to lift. I threatened Sula amicably, but she just laughed. Finally, Isabella and Kira handed out the sticks and the potatoes. The roasting of the potatoes was amusing for everyone, although some burned their mouths. There was a lot of fun when the potatoes charred or fell into the fire.

Esther stepped forward, congratulated Priya on her birthday once again, and asked her how she felt in the heart of our community. “We have dedicated the whole day to you. You are our oldest, our most diligent, our neatest. We like you very much as a comrade, as a helper. Happy birthday again, dear Priya.” Everyone clapped and cheered. Priya sighed and thanked with joy, hugged Esther, hardly wanted to let her go. Finally, she demonstratively gave Olivia a kiss, not exaggeratedly, but with a clear statement that they had found each other during the afternoon together.

The burning logs was pushed together, Mayari jumped over it and soon everyone was doing it after her.

In the house, the food gong sounded without ceasing. Everyone poured into the house. On the table were seventeen glasses with a tiny sip of sparkling wine. Olivia exclaimed, “Are you happy?” The answer came wearily. Olivia shouted louder. “Are you happy?” The approval was already high, but on the third, “Are you happy?” all the dams broke. Priya just as loudly said the toast “On our friendship!” We all agreed. The glasses were empty in an instant. That’s when the Sirtaki started. Esther turned the song quite loud. While the girls were dancing exuberantly, almost raging, the three of us adults, together with Olivia and Priya, danced the song appropriately and tactfully.

Priya carefully got permission from me to accompany Olivia to the casa. “Do I have to come back today?” Her eyes implored me. Ramona nodded to me approvingly. Finally, I allowed her to spend a night out of the house. She jumped at me full of joy and gave me a smack. I looked at the two of them a little uncertainty. Having just turned fourteen years old, Priya longed for physical love. Whether my approval was proper had yet to be seen.

After Priya’s birthday, I took a little more time for our four dear expectant mothers. Olivia was already struggling with the pregnancy. She was in her seventh month, but her womb increased more than expected. At some date in March, she will give birth to her child.

Since Priya began to take more care of her, both young women were more balanced. Actually, physically, they were still girls. Olivia only had a height of 1.61 meters at the last measurement. As a result of the pregnancy, however, the weight had increased significantly, in the last month alone by three kilograms. Our doctor, Ramona, was not so happy. Olivia had already gained at least nine kilograms, maybe even more, since we had only weighed her from October. I pointed out that she was still a child and had grown three or four centimetres in the last three months alone. “I hope she stays healthy. She lacks the strength that some of our big girls already have. We must try to get her to train their abdominal muscles. All muscles develop along with it.” Ramona said.