The first summer after the war

"In the end I'll become a frequenter here." though Gustav in high spirits as he was looking out the window of his cabin on the train. He was back on the Trans-Siberian Railway but this time in civilian clothes, namely a deep blue shirt and black jeans. He had been on the train more than a day and just left behind Yekaterinburg. Novosibirsk was still 20 hours away.

He didn't let that small piece of paper that Klara gave him in Japan to go to waste. After both of them got home they talked at least once a week over the phone. Of course they had to time it well for they were separated by five time zones.

When summer came and they had enough free time Klara thought that it was time to meet in person again, this time under more peaceful circumstances so a few weeks earlier she invited him to her russian home city.

Gustav gladly said yes, though he couldn't help but think that he had never been a guest so far from Hamburg.

"Honestly? Who cares? I always loved to travel to new places." he told to himself and with that he decided to go to sleep as the train speeded on.

When he woke up the locomotive had just pulled the wagons out of the city of Omsk.

The hours slowly melted away and finally the time came for him to grab his suitcase and stand to the door.

Soon the breaks squeaked and the train stopped. The door opened and Gustav stepped down to the platform. He searched in the crowd with his gaze and before long he noticed the person he was looking for.

Klara waved to him with a wide smile on her face.

"Dobro pozhalovat' v Novosibirsk gospodin Giertler! (Welcome to Novosibirsk Mr. Giertler)" she greeted him.

"Spasibo devushka Migunov. Good to see you again Klara." smiled Gustav.

"I can say the same thing. Ready to go?"

"Definitely."

Klara led him through the streets before she stopped before a simple, yet good looking family house.

"Don't worry; I've prepared my parents for you. I've never used to bring home boys, especially not foreigners. But they'll not bite your head off."

"Thanks for your efforts. Hopefully you succeeded." said Gustav jokingly. He tried to hide it but it was obvious that he was nervous.

"Let's find out shall we?" asked Klara and opened the front door.

They were immediately greeted by a blond, blue eyed woman who was almost the perfect (though older) clone of Klara.

"Greetings young man. My name is Natalia Migunov. Nice to meet you." she said in english, smiling.

"Dobryy den' madam. Menya zovut Gustav Giertler. (Good day madam. My name is Gustav Giertler.)"

"A ty govorish' po russki? (Do you speak russian?)" asked Natalia a bit surprised as she shook hands with Gustav.

"That's a huge overstatement. But I tried to learn as best as I could."

"Ah, I see. That was a nice gesture from you. I'm sorry but I'm afraid that I do not speak any german."

Gustav was now more relieved. As he glanced to the side he saw that Klara was also happy that her mother already liked her friend.

"Before I forget." he said and reached into his bad. "I brought red and white, I didn't know which one you like."

"How kind of you." said Natalia and took the two bottles of Rhenish wine.

"Attention young man!" a thunderous voice sounded from inside and the next moment a tall man entered the hall with soldierlike steps. Vasily Migunov, Klara's father was a serious looking man with graying black hair and night-dark eyes.

This was so sudden that Gustav instinctively straightened his back and stood to attention. Vasily slowly stood before him with his hands behind his back and his penetrating eyes on the guest.

As Gustav looked at Klara again he could see that unpleasant "Dad, I told you not to…" expression on her face.

"Your rank?"

"I'm Gustav Giertler Sir, overall-commander of Friedrich Schiller High School's Sensha-Do team." saluted Gustav.

"Vasily Migunov, colonel of the russian military-intelligence." returned Vasily the gesture. Then he switched to more civilian manners and offered his hand.

"Glad to meet you Herr Migunov."

"Hm. Such a strong handshake. That's a good point. So, gospodin Giertler. You are german, right?"

"Yes I am Sir."

"I see."

"Shall we go inside?" asked Natalia trying to ease the mood.

"Definitely." nodded Vasily. His face couldn't be more neutral, Gustav just could not figure out what he was thinking. And it was really terrifying.

"Do you like Pelmeni Gustav? Can I call you Gustav?" asked Natalia.

"Of course madam. Well, actually I never ate it but I'm sure it's good."

"Then come inside please. And feel free to call me Natalia."

As they were walking toward the kitchen Klara leaned over to his ear and whispered "Sorry".

Gustav was right, Natalia's Pelmeni was indeed delicious and they soon made it disappear along with the blini.

"So Gustav. I heard that you met Klara first under… pretty dramatic conditions." said Natalia.

"Yes, that can be said." nodded the young boy.

"Can I ask how did it happen?"

"Do you give me your permission to tell?" Gustav asked Klara.

"Go ahead." replied Klara.

And so Gustav told her parents what happened in that japanese forest. How he found her with injured leg, how he helped her and how he carried her back to her comrades.

When he finished Natalia suddenly placed her hand on Gustav's and squeezed it hard.

"Thank you. Thank you for helping my daughter so much." she said, deeply touched by his kindness.

"Oh please, it was nothing. I just did what was right."

"For me it was not nothing." said Klara.

"Nor for a loving parent. In one word: accept our deepest thanks."

"Looks like even if I wanted, I couldn't escape them. So I say: your very welcome." smiled Gustav.

He looked at Vasily. He didn't say a single word during the whole time. He just kept staring at his now empty plate with that freaking neutral face.

After dinner Gustav scored another good point, he volunteered to wash the dishes. When he finished Klara led him upstairs.

"And here's your room. Sorry, I know it's pretty empty." she said when she opened the door. Gustav glanced around noticing the room was nice, but mostly empty of décor. There was a bed, a writing table, a chair, a small carpet and a closet inside.

"No, it's perfect for me; I don't think I need anything else."

"But if you need, I'm right in the next room."

"So we'll be neighbors?"

"Da. You… can come over if you'd like to."

"I don't want to be a burden…"

"It… would be glad." said Klara.

"Well, if you think so." replied Gustav.

Klara's room was the same size as the guest room but it was way more decorated. There was also a bookshelf full of books, mostly regarding to history but there were also novels. Over here bed there was an orthodox holy icon hanging from the wall.

"Nice room."

"Thanks. It's simple but homey. Take a seat." said Klara and occupied her chair while Gustav sat down on the edge of her bed, opposite to her. "I didn't ask you how was your journey, did I?"

"There was nothing special. No need to say that it was calming to know that this time I'm not preparing for war while I'm on the train."

"About that. How are you since then?" asked Klara.

"I'm doing pretty fine. Though it was hard to sleep for a few whole weeks. There was so much stress for me to get rid of. But luckily my family helped with that. Especially Greta gave me positive waves."

"You're lucky that you have her."

"Yeah. When I was 9 and my parents told me that I'll have a little sister at first I thought "am I not too old for that?" But now I couldn't imagine my life without her."

"That's cute. I often thought about what it would be like if I had a brother or sister. But I wasn't lucky enough to have one."

"But you can have people who are like siblings to you."

"Well, Nonna and Katyusha are something like that for me. But as we live so far away from each other…"

"Klara? Am I right if I think that you're a pretty lonely type?" asked Gustav.

"I guess you are. I've never had too many close friends. Maybe only my teammates in Japan. You know I'm a bit quiet, prim, maybe even cold person."

"That doesn't have to be a problem. You know why? Because I'm very similar to you."

"Really?" asked Klara.

"Yes. I also have a nature like this. But it doesn't matter. I don't know what kind of man I am but I know that YOU are a great and very good person. Only that matters."

"Whoa… Actually… No one has ever told me such things." said Klara in confusion.

"Then I'm happy to be the first."

"You say you don't know what kind of man you are. I tell you: you are a very good man Gustav Giertler. A good, honest and fair man."

"Don't make me blush bitte." chuckled Gustav.

"Jawohl Kommandant." smiled back Klara.

"It's getting late. I think I'll retire."

"Oh my, I didn't notice. You're right, let's get to rest. Again, if you need something, I'm here."

"I'll not forget it." said Gustav and stood up, so did Klara." Then… gute Nacht!"

"Spokoynoy nochi."

They were standing there silently for a few more seconds, staring at each other before Gustav nodded one last time and left Klara's room. She kept standing there and tried to figure out what this strange feeling could be…

In mean time Gustav stepped to his door but before he could enter the room, someone spoke to him from behind.

"Giertler."

Gustav swallowed then turned around. "Yes, Herr Migunov?"

"Would you like a cup of tea?"

Gustav got surprised by the sudden offer from the older man. "Only if it's not…"

"No, it's not a problem. Yes or not?" asked Vasily with a serious tone.

"Y-Yes sir. I would accept it."

"Follow me."

They went down to the well-lit living room where Vasily took two cups and poured them tea from a samovar.

"Spasibo." said Gustav when he Vasily handed him the hot drink.

"Pozhaluysta."

Neither of them said anything for about a minute, they were just sipping their tea.

"Sir, I…"

"Just call me Vasily."

"Alright… Vasily. I'd like to thank you that you allowed me to come."

"Thank it to Klara. It was her idea and she gave me and Natalia a reference out of you." Vasily simply said.

"Still I'm gratef…"

"May I have a question Commander Giertler?"

"Of course Si… Vasily."

"What are your plans exactly with my daughter?"

"E-Excuse me?"

"It's a simple question."

"How… do you mean what are my plans?"

"I think you already know."

"…"

"My boy I saw how you looked at her. Your eyes and face betrayed you."

"N-No, it's not like…"

"Are you trying to lie to an experienced soldier of the intelligence?"

"What…? No, I…"

"Then you are lying to yourself. Just tell me: how do you feel about my daughter?"

Gustav's brain froze down. What on earth could he say to this?

"So?"

"I…"

"Yes?"

"Huh. I think I kind of like her." surrendered Gustav.

"Just as I thought."

"Mne zhal'. (I'm sorry.)" looked away Gustav.

"For what?" tilted his head Vasily.

"For…"

"For making Klara happy?"

"Did I?" Hearing this Gustav looked back at him.

"Son, ever since she came home, she's like a different person. She smiles almost 24 hours a day. And you just can't imagine how much she extolled you. If she's happy then I am happy. I shall be grateful."

"So… you don't want to kill me?"

"I have to admit that first I was skeptical about you. Also I was a bit prejudiced because of your nationality. But I was wrong. I'm sorry for that."

"And what do you think now?"

"Now? I was listening to your conversations with Natalia and Klara. And I think you are a nice and intelligent young man Gustav Giertler."

"Well… Danke Vasily." said Gustav relieved.

"It's totally okay for me if Klara befriends with you. Or…"

"Or?"

"Do you want to take it one step further?"

"Fuh. What could I say to this?"

"Preferably the truth. I can sense when someone tells a lie. Just tell me what is in your mind."

"Can I be honest?" asked Gustav.

"I would appreciate that."

"Your daughter is a very kind girl. A nice, smart, well-educated, reliable and warm-hearted person. It feels good to be around her. She… somehow makes me feel warm and relaxed. When I'm with her I'm able to love and hate myself. She's able to understand me, which is not easy. She likes many things that I like. It's like I always knew her. I think… I love who she is. Not to mention that she's amazingly beautiful. It's like torturous heaven for me to look at her. Here you are Vasily. That's what is in my mind."

"…"

"…"

"So I can say that I raised her well?"

"Yes Colonel. Without a doubt." assured him Gustav.

"Now this is one high praise." said Vasily. "It's good to know that someone admires my child this much."

"So what do you say?"

Vasily was silent for only a few seconds but for Gustav it felt like an eternity. Then the older man smiled for the first time during that day. "You have my permission son. I know I can trust you. So can Klara."

Gustav closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. "Spasibo Colonel Migunov."

"Bitte sehr Sensha-Do Kommandant Giertler."

"Unluckily I don't know if she feels the same way."

"I saw her face too when she looked at you. Trust me, she does, even if maybe she doesn't know it yet."

"I wish you were right."

Gustav spent two weeks in Novosibirsk. During those 14 days he spent much of his time with wandering on the streets with Klara and having great talks with her.

"This reminds me of the Elbe." he said when they went down to the bank of the Ob River. "Don't forget this: I will not be content until I show it to you."

"Already looking forward to it." smiled cutely Klara. "Neither will me until I show you Moscow one day."

"Already looking forward to it Fräulein." smiled back Gustav.

The two weeks passed and he stood on the platform again. Klara escorted him to the station.

"Thank you Klara, I had so much fun."

"So did me. I can't wait to repeat this."

"The same here. And remember: my Hamburg's gates will always be open for you."

"I'll keep it in mind."

"Well. The train's here." said Gustav. "Auf wied…"

Before he could finish the sentence Klara stepped closer and embraced him in a tight hug.

"Call me when you get home." she said.

"Da moya devushka." hugged her back Gustav.

Klara then waved after the train for long minutes and tried to figure out what this strange feeling could be.

Here you are folks, the second pair out of the four (part 1). Hope you enjoyed it!

Also, we are about to reach 40.000 views! Thank you very much! I know there are bigger stories out there but it still feels great for me. Many thanks again!

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