detail from: KRK Art dizajn

A CHILD OF FIRST LOVE

NOVEL IN CONTINUATIONS 8

Post-war situation

Dunya stayed with Milkica and Dragan for about three weeks, during which time Dragan found the possibility of permanent accommodation for her. As he had several different connections in the city, he managed to get a home in the city itself, and not very far from their building. When they moved her, and they had almost nothing except personal belongings, Dunya relaxed, feeling like she was "on her own". The building in which she was accommodated was in relatively good condition, and there was also a supermarket nearby, where she could buy herself what she needed the most. She could also go to Milkica on foot, and she started going for walks every day. After some time, she got to know two or three women about her age, with whom she could walk and talk. Day after day, she began to feel calmer and get to know the city's surroundings. However, she avoided anything unknown, because she had experienced everything. She expected her son to come every day, but he was gone for a long time, and he didn't answer. The army kept him because the war in Bosnia was still going on. Nevertheless, Dunya was patient, she hoped for a positive outcome.

She gradually arranged her room to make it look nicer and to make her feel more comfortable in it. Sometimes when they came back from a walk, they would invite new acquaintances to their place for coffee. She also went to their place, although less often, Dunya seemed more withdrawn than them.

When spring came and the surrounding trees turned their leaves, everything came to life and people became happier, it was noticeable that they were closer to each other. It was especially pleasant to go for walks in the early morning when there is not too much traffic or in the evening. During the day, birds were observed in the trees and bees on the flowers. They did not know about the disasters of war. Birds and bees do not go to war with each other like humans do. How fortunate that people are as agreeable and hardworking as bees or ants.

Dara, one of the tenants of the home, who occasionally stopped by Dunya for coffee, talks about the tenants and the management. She seems to have known everyone:

- You have all kinds of people here. Some you have to watch out for. And there is also a good world. As far as the management is concerned, those women who are constantly scowling are taken care of. It's best not to have anything with them that you don't have to. Men are better. Some like to court, but it depends on you, if you want to give them a reason. That manager, a Canadian, he seems quiet, maybe because he doesn't speak our language, but he's nice and a real gentleman. He woos you with just a smile. That's how Dara talked about everything in order, so when Dunya met anyone, she knew in advance what to expect from whom.

When a Canadian, Michael (Michael Johns), came to her and introduced himself: Hello, I am Michael, Mike, Johns. What is your name, nice lady? Dunya stood up, extended her hand, they shook hands and answered: Nice to meet you sir. My name is Dunya.

- You speak English, I am glad to hear that. - Not really, Dunya replied. -I have learned English in schools, but never had a chance to use it. So, my knowledge is bad.

- It is good, I am hungry to know that. If you don't mind, I can come often to teach you. - You are welcome, Dunya replied. Michael extended his hand to her and added: - I'll see you soon, again.

A few days will pass, Michael didn't stop by, and Dunya didn't mention to anyone that he even stopped by her place. She wouldn't even want anyone to know about her private things. On the third day after their first meeting, he knocked on the door and came to see Dunya. He found her reading a book. He apologized to her and asked: -Am I free to enter? -Of course, you are, answered Dunya and pointed to the seat. When he sat down, Dunya offered to make coffee and he agreed. And while they drank coffee, they talked, but Dunya only in the domain of his knowledge of English. He asked her whom she had and Dunya told him that she only had one son, whom she was expecting soon:

- I have a son, whom I expect every day to come. He would need either work or to study. I myself am not able to help him in any of those cases, so if you can help that will be great. -I'll see what I can do, and I'll let you know soon. Let me know when he comes. And greet her.

When Michael came by the next time, he asked about his son, if he had arrived. Not yet, Dunya answered him, but she is impatiently waiting for him every day. And so he started visiting more and more often. Michael actually liked Dunya, she was very beautiful and handsome, a woman of good years, such as men could only desire. He came by one day in the evening, when the working hours had already passed, Dunya was surprised but offered him to sit down and Michael sat down. When she made the coffee and placed it on the table, she sat next to him, and Michael put his right hand over her shoulder and Dunya did not take it off. This signaled Michael that he was welcome and pulled her a little closer to him. Dunya looked into his eyes and hugged, then started kissing. Michael liked her gesture and he started to undress her. First, Dunya got up, checked if the door was locked, then returned to his embrace and continued undressing. Soon they found themselves naked in bed and remained in a loving embrace until after midnight. During the whispering, Dunya found out that Michael has two children in Canada, a son and a daughter, and that he was divorced from his wife, if he was telling her the truth. And she told him her case. They spent the night in mutual satisfaction and promised each other to stay away from the official world at home. When Michael was leaving, Dunya greeted him at her door, she didn't go outside, not wanting anyone to see her.

Michael started coming more and more often. He sees that Dunya is a handsome, beautiful woman, that she is sweet, educated, and seems to him to be benevolent. And Dunya likes him too, he started bringing her small gifts, and as time went on and their relationship became more and more serious, he also started buying her nice clothes, which she had already started to run out of due to the war. He started taking her outside, first for walks together, then to the city, and finally to the theater and cinema. He felt proud when his acquaintances saw him with such a handsome and beautiful woman. Dunya began to teach him Serbian, then he taught her English a little, she taught him Serbian a little. And they became a noticeable couple in the home. Dunya did not say anything about Michael to Milkica and Dragan until they met him on one occasion, when she held him under her arm. After that, Dragan invited them to visit and they came together.

Sometime in July, Borislav arrived from the Serbian army, from Bosnia. First, he came to Milkica's address, not knowing where his mother was, and Dragan brought him to her. When they met, there was no end to the joy. Dunya was beaming with happiness. That day, he stayed with her and spent the night, he had no other accommodation yet. And when Michael stopped by, not knowing that Borislav had arrived, Dunya met him and explained their relationship to Borislav, without hiding the truth, to which Borislav had no objections.

-Mom, he said, -You are an adult, now you are alone, you know best what situation you are in and you are free to do what you want. I can only wish you the best of luck, hoping that you and Michael will be fine. Maybe one day he will take you to Canada, so that you can get rid of this Bosnian evil.

Borislav decided to study electrical engineering, so Dragan and Michael helped him enroll at the university and get a student dormitory. So he soon arranged his accommodation and started going to lectures. He was aware that he had to "start from the beginning" and study in order to regularly pass the exams. He has no future without a university degree. He decided on the Computer-Technical and Informatics course, knowing that it was his near future. He delighted his mother with his decision, and Dragan and Michael agreed with it. Maybe Michael influenced him the most for his decision, who showed him what kind of expert profiles are more in demand in Canada.

And while Borislav's studies went on as usual, Dunya took care of her own worries, and Borislav washed his clothes and supplied him with the necessary wardrobe and books. In the meantime, she also found a job in a kindergarten, so she had income from which she could cover her living expenses and buy something for her son. Michael visited her regularly, so he suggested that she rent a one-bedroom apartment and move out of the home, to which she agreed. They found an apartment in an area that suited her for going to work, and Michael could come to her without worrying, he didn't worry about who would follow him. The two lived as if they were married, and they could not get married because of Michael's status in Canada. He was separated from his wife, but they were not officially divorced. He promised Dunya marriage when he returned to Canada, from the given duty, and even wrote her a statement that she would use, if necessary, at the Canadian Embassy for a visa.

That statement reads in the original:

- I, the undersigned, Michael Johns from Kamloops, BC, Canada confirm that I will marry Dunya Dragić, and bring her to Canada for her permanent stay, after returning and settling down my things in British Columbia. Signature Belgrade, dated (With the above statement, Michael confirms that he will marry Dunya Dragić, after returning and settling his marital status in British Columbia. He signed it and entered the date when it was issued in Belgrade.)

Dunya saved that statement, in case she needed it when applying for a visa at the Canadian embassy. When Michael's military mission was over and he returned to Canada, he wrote to her, noting that he had begun sorting out his marital status. Dunja, however, was still not one hundred percent sure of the truth of his promise, since she was aware that all Americans, including Canadians, lie about everything they promise. For them, lies, fraud and even prostitution are business. They include everything that can bring them material benefit under business.

Borislav took his university exams with good grades and everything on time, while Dunya worked in a kindergarten. Borislav came to her every weekend and she made better meals and cakes on those days. She enjoyed seeing him so full of life. He also had his company at university, with whom he hung out in his free time, while he always reserved weekends for visits to his mother. When his mother asked him what he intended to do when he finished his studies, he replied:

- Mom, it seems to me that there is no future for us in this country. Everyone in my company only says that they will go to the West as soon as they finish, so I think the same way. I'm still not sure where would be best for me, but between America, Canada, Norway and Sweden, I will choose one of those countries. You work until I finish, and when I go and get a job, I will translate you too. Until then, you can think about which country you think would be nicer.

Duyja answered him immediately:

- As far as I'm concerned, if Michael fulfills his promise, I'll go to Canada, and you can go wherever is better for you independently of me. And if not, then I'll go with you anywhere.

In the meantime, while Borislav was in his last year of studies, Michael wrote to Dunya and recommended that she apply to the Canadian embassy for emigration. He says that he settled his status with his ex-wife and left her a house in Kamloops, while he and Dunya bought a new house in the tourist town of Canmore, about a hundred kilometers west of Calgary. Kenmoor is a wonderful tourist place near the famous Banff, where, he hopes, there will even be an opportunity for Dunjy to get a job in his profession. And, he (Michael) is retiring as a war veteran, with a pretty good pension and benefits. When Dunya submitted a request to the Canadian embassy, they asked her for some more documents regarding Michael and promised that they must contact him and his unit. That, they told her, would take at least six months, and they had to issue her a tourist visa until Michael resolved his status. Even if he does not resolve her status within six months from the date of entry into Kanda, she must return or face deportation. Dunya received all this information and wrote about it to Michael, which he already knew and expected. And while she was staying in Belgrade, waiting for her visa, Borislav graduated and soon got a job. His profession of computer engineering and informatics was a very sought-after occupation. From the time he finished his studies, he moved to live with his mother, since he expected that she would soon move out, so he would stay in the same apartment. Dunya was happy, with a son who had graduated from university, who he loved and had a profession that was in demand, and she expected to be with him only for a short time. She also knew that his time had come for an independent life and that he too would soon get married and start his own family. Nine months after submitting the application, Dunya received a visa, which she looked at for a long time in her new passport. She showed it to Borislav as soon as he came home from work that day. They decided on the day of the trip, booked the plane ticket and told Michael when to expect her. On the day of the trip, Borislav drove her to the airport, where they hugged each other tightly and kissed each other on parting. He waved at her for a long time, and she cried.

Epilogue

Beautiful spring days have arrived in Western Canada, after a rather cold winter, so people like to sit in front of their houses and enjoy the sun. And Boris's cousin Nada, who lived in Calgary, usually spent the afternoon hours in front of the house, on the sunny side. On those days, Boris, whom she had not seen for seven to eight years, came to visit her. And when Boris arrived, Nada prepared several Serbian dishes, which she liked, and talked about the events of the last war. She remembered the events in the smallest details and knew a lot of the world from those times. As soon as they had lunch and Nada started her stories, she will first:

- Really, Boris, what kind of love relationships did you have in Sarajevo?

- None!, he answered her. - What do you want to fix on me now?

- You must have had something with that ex-girlfriend of yours from Krušnica. She was married to Dr. Slobodan, who was killed during the bombing of the clinic in Sniježnica.

- We did love each other and we were each other's first love, but, Nado, that was so long ago, why are you telling me about it now?

- You know Boris, here in Calgary every year in July the Stampede is held, so on those days we from Sarajevo meet and exchange news. This summer I met with my acquaintances from Sarajevo, the parents of that doctor Slobodan, whom we know well, and their grandson was visiting them at the time. I think his name is Borislav, I remembered him from your name. But, not only by your name, but by the fact that he looks a lot like you.. I didn't want to ask them anything about that, but brother, he must be yours. What do you mean? You should know better. He is yours and no one else's!

-Nado, that must be one of your fairy tales. I loved Dunya almost forty years ago, and that boy, how old can he be? - Well, no more than 27 to 28, I would say, answered Nada. To that she suggested:

- I will ask them when he will be with them again, and I will arrange for you to come to me then, and we will make sure that his mother is with him, I can even invite them to come to my place for lunch, and you will all see each other and do what you agree. Agreed, Boris answered her.

In the meantime, Dunya married Michael Jones that year and they settled in the tourist town of Kenmoor, only about a hundred kilometers west of Calgary. When Nada spoke to Slobodan's parents, her acquaintances from Sarajevo, they told her that their former daughter-in-law had married a Canadian who worked in Belgrade. They told her that their grandson Borislav will now visit them every year, and maybe he will even try to find a job in Canada and move there. That's how Nada knew how to tell Boris when he could come to her again.

When, as agreed, Boris came to visit Nada again, she had already arranged for Dunya and Borislav to come to her for lunch. Nada did not say anything to Dunya about Boris's arrival. The deal was a complete surprise. And when Dunya and Borislav entered Nada's house and saw Boris in the house, Dunya almost fainted, she couldn't believe if she was dreaming or if it was reality. She hugged Boris and they held each other tightly, while Borislav looked at them with amazement. And when Dunya handed Boris over to her son, she said:

- Borislav, son, this is Boris Dražić, he is your biological father. I named you Borislav, after his name Boris, with the addition of the word "love", in English, and you are Borislav Dragić. In the last name, you differ by only one letter. Borislav stood stunned, speechless, and Nada and Boris remained silent. Boris then hugged Borislav, while Borislav stood motionless and still speechless. - I will explain everything to you at home, added Dunya. Then they all sat down at the set table, on which Nada had Serbian specialties already laid out, as if she expected that there would be a celebration.

And Boris was taken aback, because even he did not know how it was possible for him to be the father of Borislav, after so many years.

Dunya didn't want to talk about it in front of Nada, whom she didn't know before, and she asked Boris how long he was going to stay in Calgary and if the two of them could see each other one day while he was still there, to which Boris gave his consent. During lunch, they talked about their struggles during and after the war, about their families, and Dunya agreed with Nada that they would see each other again, at least when those Sarajevo days were in Calgary.

It seemed like there was no end to the story, but when the sun was approaching sunset, Dunya was the first to get up from the table, thanking Nada for the invitation and lunch, but even more for the surprise she prepared for her, which she couldn't even dream of being able to do. to accomplish. They exchanged phones and agreed to hear and see each other again. The two of them (Dunya and Borislav) got into the car and headed for Kenmoor, while Nada and Boris stayed to finish the story.

- Did I tell you that this is your son, said Nada and laughed loudly. Boris was still speechless. He couldn't imagine how it was possible for him to be his father, and he hadn't seen his mother for so many years before he was born. But, as he said, I will go to them, so I hope that Dunya will explain it to me.

The very next day, Dunya called Nada and asked Boris to talk to him.

- Can you come to us tomorrow? I know you're coming home soon, so I'd definitely like to see you one more time before you come back. - I will definitely try, the problem is that I came here by plane, so I don't have a car. I promise I'll get back to you as soon as I get a ride, Boris answered her.

-You know what! If you can't find transport, we will come and pick you up, although I would prefer that you come here to see where we live, this is a wonderful tourist place.

When Boris secured transportation with his friend from Novi Sad, he contacted Dunya and said that he would arrive around eleven o'clock.

- Excellent, I'm waiting for you, Dunya replied.

Driving home, Dunya was beaming with happiness, while Borislav was quite silent. Nothing was clear to him. How is it possible for someone to be his father who did not live with his mother at all, but had a father who raised him. His thoughts raced through his head the entire time he was driving.

At home, Dunya and Borislav sat down to let her explain her case to him. In a certain sense, she was uncomfortable, as a mother, explaining her love experiences to her son, but she concluded that it was better than having his origin remain a secret for him throughout his life. She apologized to him in advance and began the story:

-Boris and I were each other's first loves in our youth. We loved each other, and first love is never forgotten. My mother wanted to marry me as soon as possible, so that she could get rid of me as soon as possible, so that she, as a young woman, could have her own free life. Boris was not able to get married yet, so he tried to postpone it, but it did not go well with his mother. Then he went to study, and soon after that I also decided to study. As I studied medical sciences, I read a lot of studies in that field. That's how I gained some knowledge about artificial insemination. And it happened, when I came to visit Boris, we loved each other and I used that opportunity to take and save his seed, because I loved him very much and wanted to give birth to his child, so the idea of a possible artificial insemination. Boris did not see it and I never told him. I told this to my professor at the university and she gave me the idea that I could keep it, so if I ever needed it I could try, although she didn't guarantee anything that it would work. And so I kept it for years. When I married Slobodan, I didn't tell him about it either. Only after a few years, since I did not get pregnant, I talked to him, we both went for an examination and it was confirmed that he was sterile. He was treated, but it was unsuccessful. Then I told him what I had saved and he agreed to try it, so if it succeeds he will recognize and treat the child as his own because he loved me very much and could not imagine life without me. I applied to a famous medical institution and it worked on the third try. That's how you were born. I named you basically after Boris, with the addition of the English word for love, so you got the name Borislav. My son, that's the truth, Boris is your biological father, and it's up to you whether you accept it or not. I can still suggest that you both have a blood test for DNA, so what happens.

Borislav was still silent, he had no answer to his mother. That fact caught him completely off guard, for a case he never thought would happen to anyone, and then it happened to him. He hardly slept the next night either. Various thoughts were running through his head. Who is this Boris, what kind of character is he, why he never contacted my mother, and much, much more. In the morning, when he got up, he was sleepless, silent and undecided about what to do, what to tell his mother, whether she would accept Boris as his father or not?

When Milan drove Boris to Kenmoor, the two of them first drove the car through several streets between new houses, made entirely of wood, which looked phenomenally beautiful, like in a fairy tale. And when Milan drove the car to Dunya's address, he told Boris that he should call him when he wanted to return, and until then he would spend time where he wanted and he should not worry about him. Milan decided that, while waiting for Boris, in the meantime, he will visit Banff, which was only about 18 to 20 km away.

Boris came a few minutes after the agreed time and found Dunya and Borislav at home. Dunya's husband Michael was in town to run some errands and buy the necessary groceries. They were expecting him every hour. After Boris, Dunya and Borislav greeted each other, with hugs and kisses, Dunya first offered him a seat, they had a drink, and then she suggested:

-Welcome to us and we wish you a pleasant stay, we want you to feel at home. I suggest two possibilities: Let's have lunch here, and then go to the city for a drink, or go to the city right away, and have lunch there.

- Thank you for the reception, I'm glad to see you happy, Boris answered her and added: - I don't care where we go first, I'm primarily at your place today to find out the truth, which is a complete unknown to me, and I believe that even greater for Borislav. I want us to get to the truth, which for Borislav will first of all mean his life decision, and also for me personally. If the fact you told us two days ago turns out to be true, I will be the happiest man in the world, that in my late years I got a very good and beautiful son.

- Then let's go to the city, we'll sit down in a restaurant, agree on everything, what to do, then we'll have lunch there, suggested Dunya.

And they drove to the center of a cute little town, tucked in a valley between high mountain ranges, on the tops of which snow was still visible, and the Bow River flows through the town itself, and sat down in a restaurant next to Centennial Park. After the waiter served them, Dunya will begin her confession to Boris, about which she has already informed her son:

- You, Boris, remember that in Novi Sad, you and I loved each other and were both in love with each other. We were each other's first loves and we truly loved each other.

-Correct, Boris confirmed her, and Dunya then continued: -Well, but you didn't notice what I did then. - I saved your sperm, hiding it from you.

- I really didn't notice anything and I never heard anything about it or was informed about it, Boris answered her.

- I saved that, and consulted with my professor at the university, just in case I ever needed it for artificial insemination. When we determined that we could not have children and controlled ourselves, it was confirmed that Slobodan was sterile and then I told him what I had saved. He completely agreed that we should try artificial insemination, so if it works, he will recognize the child as his own. Fertilization succeeded on the third attempt and Borislav was born. We never told him about it, we simply did not want to burden him, because we did not expect that Slobodan would die, and we never hoped for you, Boris, that we would ever meet in life. Maybe we were wrong, maybe it would have been better if we had told the child when he was still small, it would have been easier for him to accept it. And yet, life accidentally brought us together and here we are, so I suggest that you two give blood for a DNA analysis, so if it is confirmed that you are one, good luck to all of us.

Boris: - I agree to analyze the blood and I will be happy if it is confirmed that we are of the same blood. I suggest we do it while I'm still here, if we can today?

Borislav also gave his consent and they went to the local clinic and gave blood, with the order to analyze the DNA. They were told that the result would arrive between two and three weeks.

Returning home, they agreed that Boris would return to Duyja and Michael's place and that he would be their guest, if the result was positive. If it is negative, Boris expressed his opinion that in that case he would not want to cause them trouble. As for Michael, since Dunya was recently married to him, Boris told Dunya that she should arrange it with him as she thought would be best, because he would not want to interfere in their relationship. When Boris and Michael met, after Michael came home, at Michael and Dunya's house, Dunya introduced Boris as her childhood friend. They talked a little, got to know each other and Boris thanked them for everything. He called Milan on the phone to pick him up and that they were coming back.

He hugged and kissed Borislava, and then did the same with Dunya. He said goodbye to Michael and once again thanked everyone for the reception, wishing them all the best and happiness, and left their house. Everyone waved at him, and Dunya and Borislav escorted him to the car.

Boris returned to Toronto the next day, and Borislav still stayed with his mother and stepfather in Kenmoor. Dunya tried to explain her action to her son as appropriately as possible, so that he would understand and accept it. Given that he grew up not knowing about that case, it was not easy for him to accept it, but he was sufficiently educated and committed to scientific achievements, so he understood artificial insemination and gradually began to accept his case as true. Boris called them on the phone when he got home and asked Dunya to let him know the DNA result as soon as she got it.

And just after three weeks, the result arrived at Dunya's address in Kenmoor. When she received the package, she held the letter in her hands for a long time and seemed scared, waiting for its contents. And when she opened it, she couldn't believe her eyes, she screamed with happiness. Borislav immediately understood that the result was positive and approached her with a smile, hugged his mother and asked her:

- Is it true, do I have a father?

- You have, answered his mother! And she began to hug and kiss him strongly. Borislav hugged her and let her cry out of happiness. Dunya felt the satisfaction that her life's wish came true, even though she was recently married to a Canadian, with whom she had a beautiful life.

After an hour, when she calmed down, she phoned Boris, dictating the result to him:

DNA: Boris Dražić Borislav Dragić

DYS393 12 12

DYS390 23 23

DYS19 15 15

DYS391 10 10

DYS385a 15 15

DYS385b 10 10

DYS439 12 12

DYS389i 12 12

DYS392 12 12

DYS389ii 28 28

DYS458 16 16

DYS437 14 14

DYS448 19 19

YGATAH4 11 11

DYS456 14 14

DYS576 18 18

DYS570 18 18

DYS438 9 9

When Boris heard the result, that the DNA completely matches for both of them, he promised to immediately book the plane ticket and let them know the time of arrival. - We have to celebrate that result solemnly, he added and said goodbye to them until the next meeting.

THE END

In Ottawa, Canada, February 2018

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