Evergreen Eyes

Chapter 1: Saying Goodbye

I sat on the front row, during midnight mass singing to my father's favourite Christmas song, "O Holy Night". The words were humbling, but I could only feel the earth beginning to shatter beneath me. Tonight was the last night I would have to cherish with my family and spend time with them. I began to look upon even the simplest things as a blessing; such as my two younger siblings disrupting church and my mother quickly hushing them through her bright red blushing cheeks. It was quite a sight to see.

I was headstrong and I believed I could falter my father's will. I wanted him to change his decision. He had planned for me to marry Laiden Ulbrecht. Laiden is the son of Heinrich Ulbrecht, a man with such power and riches that it is rumoured  that his home in Germany is built out of gold, and coaxed in vibrant and unique fabrics from all over the world. My father believed this alone would make me proud to be married into the Ulbrecht family, but I knew there was more to this deal. Why would the Ulbrecht family want someone from Poland? What was each side acquiring from this trade? There were numerous questions such as these that I often asked my father, but he simply answered each time "Such matters are not for you to wonder about. Just be happy for the blessing". How could this possibly be a blessing when I didn’t even know the man to which I would be married? I had heard plenty of stories, but how could I build a likeliness off of those? Some told a tale of him as if he was a giant of a man with ladies crawling all over him begging for his attention, which he would satisfy at night. Then others spoke of him as a gentleman, strong as the average man, with a cheerful twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Mass has ended, go in peace," Father Nowak's voice echoed throughout the building, bouncing off the glorious stained glass and sliding into our ears.

"Thanks be to God," The church answered back in unison.

Thus, the closing song began to play as the priest processed out of the church. We all sang, knowing words and rhythm alike.

The next morning I woke up afraid to step foot out of my bed. I wanted time to stop, and I knew once I got up it would swiftly take me off my feet sweeping me to Germany. It was a two hour plane trip from Warsaw to Berlin. Once in Berlin, I would be promptly introduced to Laiden and Heinrich, something which I have been dreading since news of the marriage reached my ears, but excitement stirred quietly within it also. I had so many unanswered questions about my future husband; which would be soon revealed to me.

"Olesia," My younger sister Tola strutted in. "Are you awake?" She asked gently.

"Yes, Tola." I answered. "I am." I got up and looked at her.

Tola was the youngest, twelve years old. She was petite with her baby fat still visible around her cheeks. She was the cutest of us three. Her hair was a light sunset blonde cut short to create an appeal about her face. Her beautiful blue eyes were the envy of Anka, my other sister, and I. She possessed such an innocence that even the saints would awe at its magnitude.

"Will I ever see you again?" Tola cut to the chase.

"Why wouldn't you?" I asked confused.

"Anka said we wouldn't," Tola confessed.

"She was only teasing," I informed her.

"Oh," She breathed a sigh of relief. "Am I ever going to meet Laiden?"

"Yes," I replied. "Someday."

"If he is handsome may I marry one of his younger brothers?" She asked giggling.

"Tola, do not worry about such things right now."

I spent the rest of the day answering questions such as these, for Anka had left for France with my mother already (she was her favourite), and my father's work had needed his presence. For my last day at home, it was very depressing and hard to proceed with. The only one to keep me company was Tola, and I knew she couldn't begin to comfort me in any way, shape or form; but her dedication to me was most impressive. She made my day a bit better.

As the day dwelt down so did my fear of tomorrow. I began to realize I could go through with this, it was not the end of the world; but I wasn't exactly sure I would feel the same way tomorrow. I simply would keep my mind on the adventure that laid before me. The fact that tomorrow started the rest of my life bore no weight on my shoulders, none at all. Also, knowing this may be the last time I would see Tola as a young girl didn't make me resent my father; absolutely not. My mind was clear of any grudges or sorrow. With all this said, I need to make sure I ask God to forgive me for all the lies I just told.

"Ola," My father called me for short. "I shall miss looking into those beautiful evergreen eyes, but I know you will make me proud."

"I love you," Tola said with tears streaming down her face.

"I love you too," I smiled at her, pretending I was strong. "And I shall do my best to make you happy, papa."

"The last time you called me 'papa' you were barely three feet tall," My father remembered.

"I thought it would be suitable for the occasion," I said, placing a goodbye kiss on his cheek and giving one to Tola also.

"You need to leave now," My father instructed. "Or else you will miss your flight."

"Okay," I took a deep breath and stepped into the car feeling my entire body go numb.

"Are you ready, miss?" The driver asked.

"Yes," I calmly replied.

He started the engine, and Tola began to cry harder. I flinched at the rumble of the car and felt a sudden shudder run up my spine. As the driver slid the car into first gear, my heart fluttered at the sound.

"Goodbye," My father choked back a tear. "My little girl."

The car took off at his final goodbye. I could no longer take it and simply let the tears fall. I was unsure and afraid of what awaits for me in the future.