H. Irkad Baris Icin, 26 Nisan 2003
Huseyin Irkad
OUR GREEK GUESTS
Today we had a couple as guests from the other side.It seemed that like many Greeks and Türks they wanted to make use of the opportunity to visit the places they were born and passed part of their lives. They wished to feel the joy of being in an undivided island and to share the emotions that were always alive in their hearts.
They did nor come to our house but their car stopped just on the corner seemingly asking tha address of the street that was long ago given a new name. But the residents in the quarter instantly rememered the old name, The Mozart Street.My wife and I happened to be at the gate; The weather was so sweet, The smell of jasmines filled the air and practically everyone was outside in their front porch . Children were briskly playing in the street without any fear of any traffic.
Their car slowly moved a few paces way from our house. It was obvious they were looking for a house. The lady came out of the car. She seemingly had difficulty in getting out. Her husband rushed towards the door and held her tightly to help her get out.
We quickly went to them. We wanted to help them if needed be.
My wife, whose Greek is much better than mine, asked if we could be of help to them.
The lady Eleni,whose name we later learnt, said."My grandmom used to lıve in a cottage here; I just wanted to come and see that cottage. "Its memory is still vivid in my mind. My grand mother used to bring me here and I used to play under the trees. There were two palm trees here," she said, looking with exitement to see the cottage . Years were merciless, the cottage fell as a result of lack of interest. But the palm tree was still there. Presence of the tree was enough to exite her. She could not control the drops of tears that started to pour down her cheeks.
She seemed very tired and week. We invited them to our house. Her husband held her hand to give her support. She did not have enough power to climb the stears and begged us to give her a chair to sit on the porch.
As Cypriots that we are, we did not pass a minute to get to know each other. The lady's name was Eleni and her husband's was Nikola. They lived in Larnaca not far from the American Academy. I do not remember the name of the quarter and the name of the block they lived , but they were on the fifth block of a multı storied apartment.
"If however you come to visit us the number of our compartment is 541." Then Elenı unfolded her story.
With here trembling voice she said.
"I have cancer. It started years ago. Doctors said that I had very few days to live. But I endured until now. I was again hospitalized a few weeks gao. They opened my inside. Obviously there was very little they could do. Doctors told me I did not have much time to live.I heard the news on the radio. The barricades were to be lifted. I had a strong urge in my heart to come and see my grandmother's cottage. I have sweet memories about it. I asked my doctors to allow me to give me leave to visit my grndmom's house. Thanks to them, they were were very understanding. Serums attaced to my body were all removed. My husband helped me to dress and just a few hours ago my husband took me home. With his help I had a bath got dressed and quickly drove here."
She slipped up the cuff of her jumper and showed us the still bleeding injector needle points on her arm.
Her husband Nicolas carried the deep sorrow and could not hide his tears. He said," I know I am going to lose my wife. My tears are for her.But I am also very happy." He said."I followed your mettings. The voices and shouts of the peple ( Irini, peace for all Cypriots. Cyprus is the home of Turks and Greeks alike) still echo in my ears." He said. He continued," I could not hide my feelings any more. I wept: I wept for all of us. I wept and cursed all those who kept the Cypriots apart. We did not deserve this" His last words will always burn like a hearth in my heart" I feel myself among my relations. I feel myself at home." I instantly stretched my arms to him and found each other strongly holding . We were both weeping. Eleni's eyes shone with light.
" I am very happy. Doctors said to me I might die anyday You gave me warmth to live. If I am still alive after ten days. I will ring you and tell you the time I spent with you is keeping me alive.".
She was very weak.and asked her husband to take her back to the car. Before she went in she embraced us all. Nicola was also crying. I could not also keep my tears at bay. I wept openly and I do not repent that I did so.