Dusk in Kalevia: Chapter 13

A fence blocked the road ahead, its barbed wire glinting in the floodlight glare of the border station. Mika cut the engine.

“They’re waiting for you,” he said gently.

“Just give us a minute,” sighed Vesa. Kaija wove their fingers together more tightly and pressed herself into his shoulder.

She was on the verge of achieving her dream, and she couldn’t believe she was having second thoughts. She clutched the exit visa in her pocket, her heart soothed by the feel of the precious paper against her fingers. He had given her this chance. She had to go.

She and Vesa got out of the car and stretched their legs, their hands still linked as the gate rattled open. The wind that blew grit around her boots carried the smell of the coming thaw.

“This is it, then.” She swallowed, pained by a sudden lump in her throat. “I’ll miss you.”

“Kaija, listen. Whatever happens, I’ll never…” Vesa stopped, and blinked rapidly. “I’ll never forget you.”

Kaija drew him into her arms and kissed him. Her chest tightened at the calm intensity of his response, his mouth moving against hers as though in that moment, he refused to let himself think about anything else. It was different from the last time they had kissed in farewell; this tasted of acceptance.

When she heard Mika cough behind her, she finally tore herself away.

“I’m coming,” she said, not looking at him. She could see the lights on the fence reflected like stars in Vesa’s eyes.

“Ready?” he asked her, his voice shaking ever so slightly.

“Yes,” she breathed, and let go.

She didn’t look back as she walked through the gate, afraid she would see him break down and feel compelled to run back. Forty meters away, past another fence and beyond the tangled, mine-riddled wasteland that separated Kalevia from Finland, car headlights beckoned.

They were waiting for her.

Her mother was waiting for her.

Only when the second gate clanged shut behind her did she turn back and show Vesa the rare sight of tears on her cheeks, knowing that he could no longer follow. She could barely make out his silhouette standing by the car in the twilight. She waved, once, and then turned to face her new life.

Continue to Epilogue–>