September 1st, how I hate this day. So what if I'm 20? And I don't have to go to school anymore. It still brings back bad memories. Stop kidding yourself, Kamil chided himself. I'm here again. I wasn't supposed to return to Kutno. After everything Sylwia did to me. Enough. Don't think about it now. Why would I? It happened, but it's over. He finally reached Kasprowicz Street, having promised his sixteen-year-old sister, Ania, that he would pick her up that first day of school. Suddenly, he realized that Sylwia was already in high school. A year older than Ania, but he had absolutely no idea which one she went to. They lived in Warsaw, after all, and moved out right after Kami saw his girlfriend and best friend, Robert, kissing. He knew that as soon as he closed his eyes, he would see her again. I was 16 then and she was 13, but I would have recognized her anywhere, he thought. He sat on a bench and waited for his sister. Suddenly, his heart began to beat faster. It couldn't be her. Not here, not today, not now. She stopped on the ridge of the step and looked at him with her blue eyes. He could clearly see the hesitation and disbelief in them. She had changed only slightly. Now she had medium-length dark hair tied in a ponytail; it had once reached her waist and always been loose. She was also a bit taller. And he had gained a feminine figure. But her smile and gaze remained just as charming. It was Sylwia, one thousand percent. She looked at him, and he at her, for a while, waiting, but for what?
The girl was looking at the tall brunette; he was now over 180 cm tall, with short hair and bigger biceps. But what was he doing here? Was he waiting for her? Only when she saw those hazel eyes did she know for sure it was Kamil. So they were suddenly meeting after four years. It couldn't be a coincidence. He's waiting for me, she rejoiced. "No, it's impossible, after all, we parted in anger." He didn't know I went to school here. Unless he asked someone, but he only knew Robert when it came to their friends, and she only knew his friend Maciek, who was now studying in England and wouldn't be back for another year. "How much longer are you going to stand there, you idiot," she chided herself. And she started toward him
. "So I'm not dreaming." He had time to think before the girl reached him.
S-Hi Kamil
. K-Sylwia, what a surprise. I'm so glad to see you," he said ironically
. S-I see how much. More venom. Unless you can't afford it, she said, and started to leave.
K-Sorry, but I was shocked.
S-You're not the only one, but I'm not starting an argument
. K-How's Robert doing?
S-I think he's doing well, at least he was when I last saw him in December.
K-But how? Is it you? And anyway, it doesn't matter
. S-You're still mad at me. Right?
K-Oh, Ania, you're finally here. Sorry, but we have to catch the bus.
S-Will we see each other again??
K-I hope not. Bye.
Ania struggled to keep up with him for the first three minutes, then finally gave up:
A-Brother, can you slow down!!!! We still have 15 minutes until the bus!!! You behaved terribly in Sornek with that girl and you didn't even ask me how it was. What's going on??
K-I behaved as I had to. It was Sylwia. How was it?? he replied, slowing down
. A-Not bad. The same Sylwia from four years ago??
K-Yes. You probably don't remember her.
A-You know, I don't have multiple sclerosis yet, and I was 12 then, and I remember very well what happened, especially with you. And what are you going to do now?
K-Nothing. It was a coincidence that I met her. Once isn't always.
A-So you won't come to pick me up from school again??
K-And why is that? Of course I'll come. Sylwia isn't important. Only you matter.
For two days, nothing interesting happened in Kamil's life. That's probably why he'd had the image of Sylwia in his mind all this time. On that hot Wednesday, he was walking down Królewska Street when he suddenly heard a familiar voice, Robert's:
R- Kamil!!
K- Hi
R- Hey. And I'd already lost hope of seeing Ciek again.
K- It's a coincidence
R- No, it's fate
K- You don't believe in that nonsense
R- Yes, you're right. So you do remember something about me after all.
K- Unfortunately, everything. He was a good friend.
R- I'm not anymore?? I'm alive.
K- Because of you, I've lost faith in people. Although I don't blame you, Sylwia is a beautiful woman.
R- Kamil, could we have a beer or something?
K- But only one. I have to go pick up Ania in an hour.
R- Okay, I have to explain something to you.
K- If you insist. Maybe we should go to that pub by the KDK (Center for Culture and Culture)
. R- Okay. Will you be close to picking up your sister?
K- Let's go then.
*
Ania looked at the charming blonde with green eyes, who had been watching her in the school hallway for two breaks. Now she was sure it was Ania, Kamil's sister. She told her closest friend Dominika, also known as Domi:
S-I have to talk to that girl.
D-Go alone, she's a kitten .
S-Stay away from her.
D-Because what??
S-Because I'll kill you, she said jokingly, but with a menacing look
. D-As you wish. Go ahead.
*
The boys sat down at the table and Robert ordered two large beers. A moment later, they started talking:
R-You made a mistake, old man, a big mistake.
K-Robert, tell me what you mean
. R-Four years ago I acted like a loser. You understand. Sylwia drank a few beers with you.
K-Yeah, that's right, 3.5 bottles of Tyskie.
R- You went to help that Maciek and I decided to take advantage of the situation.
K- What's that?
R- When I saw you coming back, I kissed her. She didn't have the strength to push me away. Even though she tried anyway. She wanted to explain it to you, but the next day you went to that damned Warsaw. You changed your cell phone number. And neither of us had a chance to say anything. That's it.
K- God, if what you're saying is true, then seriously, I'm an idiot
. R- No, Kamil. I'll go now. Go get your sister.
K- See you.
*
S- Hi Ania
A- Hey. We shouldn't talk
to SA, so why? Kamil forbade you?
A- It's not about him, it's about you. What about your reputation as a second-grader?
S- Ania, I can talk to whoever I want. I don't care what others say.
A- Sylwia, don't get upset. Where did you get the idea that Kamil forbade me from talking to you?
S- You know, he hasn't given any sign of life for four years. He ran away and hid in Warsaw, and I really loved him. Apparently, he didn't love me," the girl said sadly.
"I'd like to help you, but there's not much I can do.
" "I understand. He's your brother, after all.
" "We're unusual siblings
." "It used to be different.
" "We used to argue all the time, but now we're okay. We make a good duo.
" "I'm jealous. I'm an only child.
"But you have many friends and loving parents.
" "Yes. But your mom is great too. And your dad, I remember his jokes
." "Me too," Ania said, her face turning sad.
"Ania, what happened?
" "My dad's dead. He died the same day my brother saw you and Robert. That's why we left the next day to start over.
" "God. I didn't know. I'm sorry.
" "It doesn't matter. Nothing happened. It's been exactly four years. I've accepted my fate. But my brother is still going through it. He blames himself.
" "But why?"
A-My dad fell off his bike. It was an innocent ride to the store. Only he never did that, Kamil always did the shopping. Dad hit his head on the damn carpet beater and died. Ania finished her story and wiped the tears from her eyes. Then she looked at Sylwia.
"I let him go," the second-grader said sadly
. A-It's not your fault. And now I have to go. I have geography.
S-Okay. Thanks for talking to me.
*
P- Dominika!!!
D- What's up, Piotruś?
P- First of all, don't call me that!!! You know I don't like it," Piotrek got angry.
D- You're cute when you're angry .
P- I know
. D- How modest. And secondly?
P- Who is that girl Sylwia is talking to?
D- I don't know, I don't know her.
P- Probably some kitten?
D-Well, a first-grader .
P-I wonder how Sylwia knows her
. D-I don't know.
P-That's a shame, Piotrek said, and then walked away.
*
Kamil was sitting on the same bench he'd been sitting on on September 1st, waiting for his sister. He was wondering if he'd see Sylwia today. And if he'd actually like to see her or not. He didn't know what he really wanted anymore. Finally, his sister ran out and said:
A-Kamil!!! I talked to Sylwia today. She's great. I think I'll invite her over for Saturday. Can I??
K-Anka!! For God's sake. You're 17 now. And you don't need my consent.
A-I know. But...
K-No excuses. Do whatever you want. Have you forgotten I'm not here on Saturday?
A-You're a sweetheart. Absolutely. Too bad. Could you talk. Are we going? You won't see her today.
K-That's very good. I've had enough excitement for today
. AA, did something happen??
K-A lot.
A-I mean,
K-Oh, it's okay. I'll tell you.
A-Oh, wait. Ania sat on the bench, her green eyes boring straight into her brother's.
K-Don't look at me like that!!
A-How??- she asked, surprised and outraged at the same time .
K-I met Robert
. A-Oh.
K-And that's all you have to say??
AA, Kamil, did you want the whole essay?
K-I talked to him. And now it turns out I'm a complete idiot.
A-I don't understand anything.
K-I don't want to talk about it right now. I'm already lost myself
. A-Okay, little brother. Whatever you want. But I'd forget.
K-About what??
A-What are you doing on Saturday?? You didn't tell me anything.
K-I'm going somewhere.
A-But surely not to the Spring of Nations Park?
K-I can't tell you
. A-Oh, Kamil, I won't follow you.
K-Will you promise not to tell Sylwia anything?
A-You have my word.
K-Yes, I'm going to the park. To that place.
A-But why?
K-To defeat the demons of the past. Come on, it's fifteen. We're going home.
*
P- Sylwia, I finally caught up.
S- Piotrek
P- I've been looking for you for two breaks.
S- I was at the library
. P- But I'm stupid. You're all books and reading. I couldn't do that.
S- Try it, it's easy. But you were looking for me to talk about literature?? I have to write that down.
P- Well, not exactly. Although women play a pretty important role in novels.
S- Not always.
P- Do you still have classes??
S- No, and you??
P- Not either. Can we walk back a bit together??
S- Of course. I'll just tell Domini you're coming with us
. P- Domini already left. Because it's a personal matter.
S- What do you mean? I'm starting to get scared.
P- Is it about someone you know? - Piotrek said once they had left the school grounds.
S- So? Speak up - Sylwia encouraged her friend.
P- I'm talking about that first-grader
S- Who?
P- You talked to her at school today.
S- Oh. About Ania. Nice girl.
P- She has a pretty name. Honestly, I'm attracted to her. Do you think I have a chance? - he asked.
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