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Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The youth of two girls

1:30 pm. I just got out of my office, that is a few meters from here, and taking advantage of the lunch break, while all my other colleagues eat their meal day in a bar below the large building where I work, I'm here, as all days during the hour break, lying on a deserted pier in a marina near, and trying to meditate, I throw a few pebbles into the water, with my eye that wanders through the cloudy sky of late summer and the flat sea beneath me, and my fantasy imagine the ripples that formed in the water at every my throw of stone, are in fact moving clouds in the air by sending subliminal messages. I am, as usual, disappointed and embittered about my day and I wonder about what tomorrow will bring, and on which might happen or come true thing that can change my life, and finding no clear answer from the waves or clouds that are, and having no other source of inspiration that can be taken, unfortunately, I interrupt my stone throwing and I take from my backpack a novel that I bought two days ago and that I read in one breath. In summary the author of this novel, in line with my current state of mind, by means of this tale full of situations, sometimes paroxysmal, tells me that the search for an evolution in the social field too hasty, inevitably leads to failure. Instead be humble and admit mistakes makes us happy and wiser. It is a novel that tells the story of two girls, two girls like many others, that, to be honest at first seemed trivial and even childish, but that at the end got me thinking how many errors we committed in our youth, through ignorance or just bad luck.

"Anna and Lucia were born in Borneo 50 years ago and have always been good friends. From small they played with their dolls and the wild pets that were found in outskirts of the small farms of their parents. Anna was daughter of Paolo and Julia while Lucia had only the father Antonio as the mother died putting her to the world. The small farms of the two children were contiguous to the margins of a beautiful and luxuriant tropical forest. The morning was aroused with the melodious song of birds, and after making a rich breakfast, they came back to play free and happy. Antonio had constructed an elementary seesaw with which the two children passed their time joyfully. Moreover they had received in gift from parents two little domestic monkeys with which they amused a lot. They had learned to scramble up on the trees in their continuous search of emulation of their friends monkeys.

The village of Burugo was distant approximately 3 miles and was a small port of fishermen, but provided with all the necessary for the calm livability of its inhabitants. The indigenous people, men and women, were covered only with a skimpy thong to hide their private parts and prevailed polygamy, even among close relatives. The king was Buana, a wise and just man, who was nicknamed Sor Chai, literally mad, for the fact that he preferred as bedmates women with breast more fat and dangling of the village. Many of the houses were wooden huts built on stilts planted on the shores of the Strait of Makassar, strait between Borneo and Indonesia which washes these shores.

The church was a small construction in wood encircled from a sober garden. Every Sunday the inhabitants assisted to the religious ceremony celebrated from a Christian missionary of middle age. Father Paul, this the name of the clergyman, had a fancy for the two children, taught them the Christian teachings, he fondled them as a second parent and some times he was also help from them during the course of the religious function as small "altar girls". Paolo worked as carpenter and passed practically all the day to work for the community; Julia instead, remained to the small farm to supply to needs of the house and to cook lavish lunches for her beloveds. Antonio was a fisherman, than by day he thought to the small farm and to food, while in the afternoon he went to fish with his small boat until late night. The parents of the two children were both Italians of birth and had done a brave life choice when moving in Borneo, the poor and farthest land from the Italic coasts. I say brave, as they were left with little money, with the wives pregnant, and more knowing that they would be forced to invent a new job immediately in order to survive and in order to ensure a happy childhood to the two unborn. Just arrived in the town of Balikpapan in fact had spent days of genuine anguish. They had found an extreme poverty, enormous difficulties in communicating with people, warm and very humid, and concern, increasing hour by hour and day after day, for their survival and for that of the unborn. And just when they were bitterly repented of the courageous choice to take bags and move to Borneo, here they had the chance to meet Father Paul. The priest was forty, in turn, landed in Balikpapan and was about to set up a chariot drawn by two mules with his luggage, including the minimum necessary to ensure that a simple hut would turn into the church. He had been instructed by his congregation to settle in the small village of Burugo, about 250 km to the east coast. And so Paul, Julia, Anthony, Anna and Lucia took their suitcases in the hovel where they had stayed in those distressing days, joined the priest. They had found hope, found a spiritual guide and a friend. The journey was long and tiring, lasted two days and two nights, and the road, the weather, had not a little impeded their path. During the day, it was a sweltering hot and humid, and at night a dense and continuous rain, as indeed is the normal climate in those parts.

Burugo finally arrived, both Paolo and Antonio built their house in a short time, because they received the generous help of the locals, who rushed festive and hospitable to the arrival of Father Paul. The priest handing out smiles, shook hands, gave candy. The natives saw in him as a carrier of wisdom as a source of good advice to draw on all the time. But for them he was a modernizer, as coming from the civilized and advanced Western world, where, according to them, everything had been discovered, and where people lived rich and happy. Father Paul in the village, as well as having led the church, had also taken steps to set up a school to teach indigenous children all the basics that are normally teach in Italian schools. For anything suspicious, and indeed with great enthusiasm, the parents sent their children: Father Paul was helped by an Australian nun named Rose, who was also sent to assist the priest in Burugo. After the alphabet, numbers, verbs and how much children learn in elementary school. With each passing year, the students became more and more numerous, and consequently increased the classrooms as well, of course always outdoor, as the mild climate of the place. After two years, came a high school teacher named Sir Arthur, that thus allowed the villagers to be able to give a complete education to their children. The year was 1975 and Anna and Lucia had just turned 7 years old. Like all the other children went to church on Sunday, and had also begun to attend school. The two girls obviously had a basic education superior to their peers. They had educated parents, who were able to inculcate them some basic education, as well as a sound education. The childhood years then passed through the games, the school and the beautiful nature surrounding Burugo. At the age of 16 years, they began to study physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, philosophy, and also the art, all materials very well taught by Sir Arthur. The two friends got excited so much to these studies, which soon in their spare time, instead of playing with dolls, they found themselves to quibble among the works of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Masaccio, to discuss about Kant and Marx, to talk about Einstein and of relativity, talking of DNA, virus or perhaps the periodic table of the elements of Mendeleev. The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements, organized on the basis of their atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus), electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties.

One evening, meeting at the home of Antonio for dinner, they discussed the reasons that led to the decision to leave Italy forever. They talked about it for the first time in the presence of Anna Lucia and only then, as it was estimated that the two girls now sixteen years old, had every right and duty to know why seemingly crazy that drove their parents to that decision so dangerous . Antonio, addressing the two girls said: "In Italy the 60s were years of profound changes. There was an economic boom with its building expansion and spread of deferred payment, the bill, which allowed a huge sale of goods, houses, cars and appliances. The structures of the public school and university designed by Gentile their cracks due to the weight of an overflowing humanity in search of education and culture against authoritarianism and dogmatism. It was the time when Mary Quant invented the mini-skirt and young people discovered the sexual freedom and became hippies, loved rock music, and especially the transgression. In Italy increased interest in the international situation, while it had something to do with all the contradictions of a country in economic and social growth that clashed against the institutions, ideologies, and especially with the mentality remained the provincial and backward, fascist and pre-fascist period. Meanwhile, the world of young people looked around in search of myths and models from which to draw inspiration, declining progressively the whole vision of the world of the fathers and adults in general, and triggering a generational conflict liberating and beneficial, which led to a surge of truth on relationships and ties encrusted with hypocrisy and empty rhetoric. There was a harsh ideological battle that led to a new labor agreement and a new Workers' Statute which saw the students take the field at the side of the proletariat. We managed to have the referendum on divorce and abortion. The student revolution has strongly supported the rugged path of women's emancipation, earning some merit also in the many constructive and fruitful controversy with the feminist movement and has spread a feeling of revulsion against imperialism, racism and fascism. But unfortunately, especially during student demonstrations in the square, there was a harsh crackdown by security forces which in turn led to real terrorist attacks. Me, my wife Clara, Paolo and Giulia meanwhile worked in a food factory in Vercelli and we were passionate about the music of the Beatles, sharing the dreams and ideals of young hippies because we are peaceful people and we could not get involved nor those with extreme disputes, nor with the ruthless repression that followed. During yet another occupation of the factory where we worked, made by the protesters, there was a crackdown by the police; several people were injured on both sides, even our colleagues who had nothing to do with those protest movements. It was for this reason that we, though the pregnant women, we decided to get away from the ruckus and leave in a wild place at the other end of the world. " - " We have been always active and capable people and we never lacked confidence in ourselves, and in fact in a very short time we have managed to build a new life here, unfortunately without Clara ... " - Said Julia. "What kind of woman was my mother? " - Asked Lucia - " Your mother was a very sweet and loving woman and her death has left a huge void in my heart, my dear daughter, "- said Antonio moving away to go get something to drink, and not to speak of lost his beloved wife in childbirth. From that night on that topic not talked about it more, and not even more talked about Anna and Lucia together.

William, their contemporary and classmate, pockmarked due to an acute form of acne vulgaris, often helped them to understand the abstruse mathematical formulas, the deep philosophical concepts, combinations of chemical elements, as well as the harsh laws of physics. He with the other boys was very grumpy and often irritating, preferring the company of the music low that he strummed with a long flute that he always carried in his backpack. Even Sir Arthur, while acknowledging his intelligence and preparation, stand him hard. But with Anna and Lucy, he turned, his eyes shining, his cheeks reddening and his heart began to beat faster every time, the two girls spoke to him. They, perhaps because they affect how the rest of their companions judged William, approached him to ask him something only rarely, when just could not understand something explained by Sir Arthur, or when in need of assistance in carrying out a task in classroom. But as soon as came the time of the end of the lessons, they all did, except get closer to William. Over time, William seemed to be resigned to the indifference of the two girls and especially to that of Anna, who instead thank him whenever he helped her studies, had fun with the other kids to make fun of him. He, Australian, orphaned since childhood of the natural parents, he had been entrusted by the court in a couple of foster parents, but, due to violent disputes between them, were soon deprived of little William from surveillance authorities of adoptions and he was entrusted to a religious institute that after a short time sent him to Burugo following Sister Rose. He, however, continued to be in correspondence with the adoptive mother, who, perhaps to convince him to join her when he had come of age, and therefore free to decide his life, kept him informed of all the wonderful inventions and convenience that the civilized society enjoyed. Perhaps this was also the reason for his bad temper in that remote village ...

In March 1986, unfortunately there was a tragic event: Paul, sick for some months of malaria, he died in the arms of his wife Julia, and great was the pain and anguish of Anna for the loss of her beloved father. Lucia tried in every way to comfort her, but the always beaming little face of Anna, had lost its splendor: she had lost the enthusiasm, joy, love, stability and security for her was her beloved father. He had just turned 18, and she felt the first great sorrow of life. The mother Julia, in addition to the grief over the loss of her husband, she found herself in a disastrous economic situation, unable to provide nor to herself nor to Anna. So it was that Antonio, trustworthy and generous friend, he took upon himself the economic burden for the needs of the two women left alone. Giulia and Anna then moved to the house of Antonio and Lucia, and put on sale their home. From wise householder, Antonio thought, given the attained age of majority of the girls, that it was time that they had the documents in order, but to do that he had to go in an Italian embassy, and the nearest one was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia . Then faced a long journey of three days and three nights, first by bus, then by train and then by boat, and he went in the Malaysian capital with the two girls. They finally arrived in Kuala Lumpur, they went to the embassy, did the formalities required and they stayed in a small hotel waiting for the release, by the ambassador or whoever for him, of the documents of Italian citizenship, as to Burugo did not even exist a postal service that could deliver them to their home. In the two days of waiting, Anna and Lucia took the opportunity to visit this huge metropolis in continuous building expansion. But what impressed most was the visit to the bird park, where in a huge aviary, flutter hundreds and hundreds of colorful birds and of various sizes. Were able to return home only after eight days, but had succeeded in their aim: Anna and Lucia had their passports Italian!

The girls now eighteen had finished high school, and they were at an age where you feel the need to fall in love and maybe find a husband: they often went out to go to parties in the village, or even just to visit friends, perhaps ex-classmates. Near their home had just moved along with his parents, a beautiful girl their own age, of Brazilian origin. Marta, eyes blacks and mulatto complexion, perfectly formed body and unscrupulous character, it soon became the center of attention of all the guys in Burugo. At parties she threw in sinuous provocative dancing, like this is the prerogative of many Brazilian girls, and handing out smiles to all the guys who could not help but admire her ecstatic. They were even a fight with each other just to get noticed and attract the favor of Marta. Anna and Lucia instead shy and awkward or rather not unscrupulous as her passed in second place in the preferences of the young men of the village. Soon they began to feel envy for that girl, who looked like a goddess when she danced, being so perfect and sinuous, the her movements. "Look at that slut as shows off her ass, she has no dignity!" said Anna, and Lucia added, "you'll see that this one will make a bad end, the Lord will punish her impudence."

It so happened, unfortunately, that a September evening dark and rainy, returning to their home earlier than expected, they found their parents in intimate attitude. Anna and Lucia had a burst of anger, felt like backstabbing! The charisma of their parents had vanished as if by magic! They left immediately running towards the front door and closed it behind them violently. They spent the whole night hidden in the forest, heedless of the rain that continued to fall incessantly. And while they were weeping bitterly and drenched from head to foot, fleeing whenever they heard the voice of Giulia and Antonio approaching their hideout. Their parents in fact, covered in a hurry due to the noise caused by the closed door of the house with violence, and have become aware that they were discovered, they went immediately to search for the two girls. Search that lasted throughout the night and proved vain, despite the help of some neighbors, awakened by the calls of the two parents, had joined the search. They returned home only the next day at sunrise, drenched and feverish, and not say a single word to anyone, they locked themselves in their room by key, plugging their ears with cotton balls to not listen to their parents tried in vain to open their door to talk to them, and at least know if they were good. Only in the afternoon they decided to put an end to their isolation, and the only thing they said to Julia and Antonio was that they, of course, were left shaken by what they had seen, unfortunately, and now claimed only to be left in peace . After the first few days of tears, they thought that the best thing to do was to abandon forever their family. They decided to leave as soon as possible with the intention, in the days to follow, to put together a little money, and saving the pocket money they received, and doing chores for the church.

In November of that same year, Anna and Lucia were able to embark. They decided to make the journey in reverse, to that made in its time by their parents!They were headed for Italy! They took the first ship to Malaysia, and from the moment that there set foot, tried a sense of liberation from the disgust that from days made them feel bad. The disgust of their parents! They spent the whole time of the crossing, watching the sea, calm, fortunately, and to remember the carefree childhood years past. Anna, for example, thinking of the lush flowers growing in the garden of her house and her mother said to her: "Do you know what these petals are, my love? Each petal is a kiss that your mom sends you every day and that you always send in every moment of your life, baby. "And Lucia is reminded of when in one night by a clear sky, seeing a shooting star, his father said, "Make a wish and it will come true my sweet!" And she hugging his father said to him: "My greatest desire is to be with you always embraced my dear father!” Being educated young ladies, had kindly laid off from their parents, without any scene, but claiming that they had to find a job suited to their aspirations, and that in Burugo they certainly would not have been able to find it. They coldly, even with frost in their hearts, they planned precisely the best and least traumatic to leave.

They tried to remedy often going out of their cabin in the evening, and admiring the show that gives clear moon over the sea quietly imagined that there, where they would come, so far away from their land, they would find the prince charming that they would married and finally made happy.

The ship's captain, who during the crossing had noted both for their beauty, but also for the fact that he had often seen them with tears in their eyes, approached and tried with the utmost diplomacy as possible and in a very polite, get an explanation and understand the reason of their sadness. Them, trying to compose themselves to protect their privacy, they answered evasively, that they had recently suffered a bereavement for the death of a dear friend. But the commander, old seaman and connoisseur of the human race, he told them: "Girls, if you want and if you like, I suggest you just landed, to go see a friend of mine who has a study of hypnosis, right next the harbor: he is a very well-known in Malaysia for his ability to succeed with a refined technique of hypnosis to make people happy, even the saddest. You can not even imagine how many women turn to him especially to find the courage to undergo some cosmetic surgery. Well .. you know .. the woman with the headscarf always wants to be able to offer to her husband the Garden of Eden .... Go in my name and he will help you for free. "Anna and Lucia, at that time, esteemed lightly the advice of that person so kind and caring, and confined themselves to thank, saying that if they had found the time would surely go to that doctor. Arrived in Malaysia, they found a ship that was leaving the next day for Sri Lanka, made the ticket and found accommodation in a hovel near the port of Kuching, this is the name of the Malaysian town where they landed. In the afternoon, they decided to take a walk to get to know the habits and customs of the people are Muslim: remained stunned and shocked seeing a woman clothed with the niqab, a veil that is present in the Arabic tradition and Islam, which covers the entire woman's body, including the face, leaving only the eyes uncovered.

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Lucia, while entranced by the beautiful view, but dazzled by the light of the sun, closed her eyes and after a few minutes of reflection, he turned to Anna confiding: "We started from Borneo which is widely regarded as one of the places, if not the place, the wildest of the earth, now we are here, which is the lowest place of Africa: what we can expect in Italy now? " Anna thought for a moment, and embraced her friend replied, "Whatever we find and we will do, we must be able to fulfill ourselves, to become important people, and make sure that everyone has respect for us. And then ... of course we will not have to worry about having to deal with situations such as those from which we fled..! "-" Yes dear Anna you are right, we must have faith and be safe of ourselves! To us, it will never happen to live in another Sodom and Gomorrah!" -concluded Lucia getting ready to climb on the back of the camel that would lead them to the jeep they had rented to make this excursion.

We Knew That ...

Introduction

Chapter 1