The Lost Button

Chapter 3

The morning dawned sunny. Tara got up early, not wanting to miss a whole free day she had. There was no school, nor work. She joined Nera in preparing breakfast. Their mother had gone early to the market to get whatever she could. Upon her return, the girls helped her with the packages. “You arrived just in time,” Nera said, putting the groceries in the kitchen. “Let’s have breakfast together,” Tara added. The mother proudly looked at what the girls had prepared. Warm fritters, some cheese, jam. Tea was brewing on the stove. A few moments later, someone knocked on the door. Nera opened it and saw a tall, dark-haired young man. His hands were full of things.

Nera smiled and moved to hug him, but with all the things he was carrying, she couldn’t. She laughed out loud and said, “That’s Damian. Look at everything he’s hauled in!” The young man stepped inside, also smiling. He had been waiting all week to see Nera again. “I brought everything I could. Last week, the Germans took almost everything. We barely managed to hide anything.” Nera and Tara’s mother added, “It’s no better at the market. I got there early to grab something, but the stalls were half-empty. Everyone’s complaining about the same thing. Thank you for always thinking of us.” “That’s why this week we managed to hide some things. I brought a lot of eggs. The hens were busy,” Damian said as Nera invited him to sit. “Come, sit down and have breakfast. I see you brought milk; I’ll heat it up right away so it doesn’t spoil.” Tara lit up at the thought of warm milk: “Sis, please pour me a cup. It goes so well with fritters and jam.” Nera laughed, “I’ll pour it, don’t worry.” While the milk was heating, Nera added a few more fritters to the batch being made.

Damian talked about how many men from the village had left to join the resistance movements. The Germans, besides coming to take supplies, were conducting inspections and searching for those who had gone. The women were left alone to care for the children and the household. “It’s not easy for them,” Damian said as he finished his breakfast. Nera responded, “Don’t you dare think about leaving. I can’t plan a wedding on my own.” Damian gave a faint smile, but Nera could see the worry in his eyes. She added more softly, “I know it’s not easy for you to stay. But courage isn’t just about leaving—it’s also about staying in tough times. You’re not just needed by me, but by your family too.” Damian told her, “If I ever leave, it won’t be without saying goodbye. For now, I’m staying, and we’ll see what happens next.”

Tara listened to their conversation, but her attention was more captivated by the cup of warm milk beckoning her. Milk had become a luxury they could only enjoy occasionally. She sipped it slowly, savoring the rich breakfast. After all, it was Sunday. Damian asked Nera, “How are you doing with ration coupons?” Nera said they had one for the next week. He offered her another and handed it to Nera’s mother. “You’ll probably need something extra.'' The older woman thanked him, while Nera asked, “Where did you get more coupons?” “We did a favor for someone, and he gave us coupons as thanks,” Damian replied. Nera, concerned, asked, “What man, and what kind of favor?” Damian told her he couldn’t talk about it but not to worry. Nera agreed not to press further, at least not until they were alone. She understood he couldn’t say everything in front of her mother and sister. Tara and her mother began clearing the table after breakfast. Damian invited Nera for a short walk before he had to leave. He couldn’t stay long.

Nera stepped outside where Damian was already waiting. He looked worried. Noticing this, Nera took his hand and asked, “Tell me now, what’s troubling you? We’re alone.” She rested her light blonde hair on his shoulder. Their contrast made them seem like figures painted in a single picture. Damian tossed the cigarette he was smoking and hugged her. “I couldn’t come last week, not just because of the supplies.” “I figured,” Nera said softly. “I could tell something was bothering you. And you couldn’t have gotten those coupons so easily.” “I’ll tell you,” Damian said, “but please, don’t tell anyone. For your family’s safety, it’s best if no one knows but you.” Nera lifted her head from his shoulder and nodded to confirm she wouldn’t tell a soul. Damian continued, “Last week, a man came to our estate. He was hiding in the hay. My mother found him and told me. When I got there, I saw a wounded man. He couldn’t walk because of his leg. We helped him without knowing who he was or what he was involved in.” Nera asked, “Did he survive?” “Yes, the injury wasn’t severe,” Damian replied. “He left us the coupons as thanks. When I asked who he was, he admitted he was part of a resistance movement.”

The Germans were chasing him in another village. He managed to reach our village and hide. The next morning, he was gone.” Nera sighed with relief, “Good, he’s already gone.” Damian continued, “Yes, but the next day, the Germans came. They said he was seen near our estate. When we denied it, they started shooting to scare us.” Nera let out a gasp. “Luckily, no one was hurt. My mother was terrified but didn’t give anything away. We didn’t tell the others—it’s better they don’t know.” Nera asked, “Do you think they’ll come back?” -“I don’t know. That’s what worries me most. They didn’t seem to believe us. If they catch that man…” “They won’t, don’t worry,” Nera said, trying not to sound concerned. “If they haven’t found him by now, he’s probably far away.” “I hope you’re right,” Damian replied.

The young man turned to Nera, raised his hand, and gently touched her face. “You know, when I think about how we could already be married by now…” Nera smiled and said, “I don’t even know why we postponed it. Look, our neighbor got married last month.” Damian replied, “Maybe we could have done the same. But I wanted it to be in a better atmosphere, not like this…” Nera interrupted him, stepping closer. “It’s enough that you and I are together.” Damian pulled her closer and touched her lips with his. The brief kiss wasn’t enough for Nera, and she leaned in again, laughing. “I haven’t seen you in two weeks,” she whispered in his ear. This time, Damian kissed her longer, not wanting to let go. He wanted to lose himself in that moment and forget all his troubles. He took her hand and said, “Come on, walk me to the edge of the street. I have to go. I’ll be back next week.” Nera teased, “Don’t you dare forget my birthday.” Damian laughed, “I’ve been thinking about it all month.”

Tara watched them from the window, smiling. She was so happy for Nera. She knew Nera and Damian were the perfect couple. They seemed to her like characters from the novels she read. She remembered she had to finish the dress by the end of the month. She grabbed her notebook with her designs and found the one she had started working on. She pondered what materials she still needed to get. “The dress won’t make itself,” she said to herself and began writing down what she still needed. On Monday, she would ask Mrs. Klara for help.

When Monday came, Tara headed to her classes. She decided to look for Matthew and go together. She stopped in front of his house and waited for a while, but when he didn’t show up, she decided to move on. ''He’s not coming again', she thought to herself. Matthew was one of the few boys in her class who didn’t laugh at her dreams of Paris.

He had his own dreams too. He would become a pilot. Unlike Tara’s dreams, his seemed more attainable. With his father being a wealthy lawyer and the academy located in the capital, he could make his dreams come true. For Tara, it was harder. Because of her background, her dreams felt more distant. When she arrived at school, her thoughts were confirmed. Matthew didn’t show up. Now she was certain he was hiding something. He hadn’t looked sick when they saw each other two days ago. The bell signaled the start of class. The math teacher entered, and the students greeted him. The beginning of the lesson was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Sorry, professor, for being late. I had…” The professor cut him off, telling him to go take his seat.

As he passed by Tara’s desk, she noticed his hand was bandaged. The sleeve of his shirt couldn’t fully cover the bandage. She waited for him to sit in the back row and then turned around, giving him a sharp look, as if scolding him. Matthew pretended not to notice and gestured that he was listening to the lecture. After the class ended, Tara jumped up and rushed to him. “I knew you were hiding something. And now I see it’s true.” She glanced at his hand. Matthew pulled his sleeve down slightly to cover the bandage. “It’s nothing. I got hurt playing football.” “And that’s why you didn’t come to school last week? Playing football?” Matthew tried to laugh it off and replied, “Maybe I got bored of school. Who even wants to go to school with all this going on?”

He started down the hallway, but Tara didn’t give up. She followed him. A group of boys approached Matthew, glanced at Tara, and signaled for him to get rid of her. Matthew turned and said, “Go now, please. We’ll talk later.” Tara didn’t want to be a nuisance. She returned to the classroom. But she was determined to find out what he was hiding. She decided she’d follow him after classes. She’d be late for work at Mrs. Klara’s, but she’d come up with some excuse. When the last class ended, Tara deliberately took her time packing. She waited for everyone to leave so she could follow Matthew. But he wasn’t in a rush to pack either. When he finally left, Tara followed him.