Spring 2024 - Recrudescence

“Through the Plague”

“You’ve been crying!”, she said.

“Who, me? Do you think I cry?”

Tiha was laughing, but the tears were shining in her eyes.

“Ah, Tiha, dear sister, there are so many eagles! Ah, it’s not a

good omen!”

“Leave that be!”

“Tiha, little sister, don’t be angry.” But why did you choose such a time, you could have waited. Velichko could have returned.” “Velichko?” Why should I care about Velichko, I have a hus band. Who knows where the plague may have struck him? I hope those eagles are now ripping apart his flesh!” Her eyes darkened for a moment, but then immediately filled with light again, and she laughed. Her other friends came into the room. They put a red veil over Tiha’s black hair, and the girls’ fingers quickly began to arrange the veil’s folds. It was a tradition for the bride’s family to cry when the bride was leaving her father’s house. But now it was not just the family who was crying but everyone, even people who hadn’t shed a tear in their lives. Hadji Dragan had to intervene again, and the wedding ceremony headed toward the church. Nothing happened along the way except for the horseman they saw entering from the other end of the village. The man had been racing on his horse with all his might. Who could he be, what was he bringing? The church filled with people. They lit the candles on the chandelier, and the bride and groom stood beneath it. The ceremo ny had begun. Suddenly there was a noise from the door. 201