BUNKER TALE
Fedir was engrossed in his artwork on a sheet of paper. When Zari questioned him, he responded: “When I grow up, I will build this house; no bomb can destroy it. Zari, Mamo told me that the war will soon end….” Zari patted his head reassuringly. “Yes, dear.”
She turned her face to wipe a silent tear.
Mamo came in just then, and Fedir rushed to show her his creation. Hugging him, Mamo offered him buckwheat porridge. Declining it, Fedir said: “Mamo, what about the cheese pancakes you promised?” Mamo replied: “Tomorrow, dear. Today, we didn’t get supplies.” Gently coaxing him and humming his favourite folk song, Mamo fed him spoonfuls and soon succeeded.
Fedir lay fast asleep on her lap. Fedir - God’s gift! Mamo smiled lovingly. And Serhii, my love, how much I miss you! Tears drenched her long shirt. True to his name, Serhii had been a loyal servant and a guardian angel. He worked as a manager in an agribusiness company that cultivated sugar beet, corn, and sunflowers. Olha (aka Mamo) taught music to children in the nearby school. She had grown up listening to Myroslav Skoryk’s ballets and cantatas and desired to become a professional singer someday.
One misty morning, Serhii stood admiring the new blooms in their tiny garden; excitedly, he beckoned to Olha. She had barely reached the front door when there was a nerve-shattering explosion. Seeing Serhii slump, she shrieked and lost consciousness.
Someone shook her vigorously and told her to hurry up. Clutching her sleeping two-year-old, she dumped a few clothes and essentials in the backpack and followed them; as an afterthought, she rushed in and grabbed her violin case. Tears clouded her vision as she cautiously walked over the shards of glass and wood; she almost fainted while passing through the putrid stench and motionless bodies.
The fragrance of Spring, the joyous sounds, and happy faces – gone in a trice! The bunker was filled with sombre faces. Day or night, no one knew! Food was slowly diminishing. Confronting her fears, Olha realized she had to act - rise, as a sphinx, from its ashes!
She devoutly prayed: “I believe in a higher power. My unwavering faith will not wane; my heart says we shall see the spring sun soon.” She slipped out and got rations for all.
Others too joined her in prayer.
When food was scarce, Olha’s music regaled hungry hearts. Playing the violin while singing, she encouraged others to sing along. Initially, it was cacophony; however, in a few days, the ballads acquired a melody of sorts.
It’s almost three years since they began thriving in these underground bunkers, holding on to each other as family.
Zari teaches the children; Julia, Olga, and Katya lend a hand in the domestic chores. Notwithstanding near-fatal encounters, Olha, the energetic soul, brings in meagre rations. Her body is frail, but her spirit remains undeterred, held by something deep in that microcosm, embodying unforeseen threats and a bleak future.
Notes
Ballet - an artistic dance form performed to music, using precise set steps and gestures.
Ballad - a long song or poem that tells a story, often about love
Cantatas – medium-length narrative pieces of music for voices with instrumental accompaniments, typically with solos, chorus, and orchestra.
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