Chapter 2

Catalina used to call her grandmother “Nana''. It was her grandmother that once told her when she was little that she was a dancer and after showing some beautiful stories to Catalina about how she used to dance when she was a young woman, crowds would go crazy for her. She wanted to continue her legacy as her aunt and father followed their grandfather's profession.

But after an accident that happened in her family, she fled from her country and came to Spain where she lived another life. Catalina could not just stop thinking how often they went through different tragedies in her life. When they were young, her brother and Catalina were kidnapped and rescued by the saving-operation from her father, she and her brother got shot, and her brother died from the blood loss from the bullets he took. One year later the special forces found the criminal group that wanted to threaten her family life due to her father's position and aunt Anna’s husband was the spy.

After her father got out of the hospital, his health was not good, but at least he stayed home and used the time to train his daughters how to self-defense until he became weaker and lost his life three years ago. Before, he was very cold and strict in his profession, but after losing his son, life was bitter for him and until he died he was very lovely to his family.

After they sat at the table to eat, Nana said the prayers and then she went on to enjoy her mom’s cooking. A table of Mediterranean treats, rich with fish, vegetables and wine to enjoy it.

-”Have you thought about working abroad, niece?” - Nana asked Catalina, a bit sad.

-”Not yet, to be honest. I thought that maybe I could just go around and travel. Maybe in India, Egypt or Bali, so I can add some exotic experience to my artistic knowledge.” - Catalina said, teasing.

-“Nice thought!”- her little sister Vivia added.

-”But India is too far, my love” - said her mother with sad eyes.

-”Well mother, as long as this is her wish she can do it, just promise us to take care and watch you.” - her sister said.

Listening to their conversation, aunt Anna interfered and said: -“How about you find a job abroad and in this way you travel, learn new things, and gain experience that you can use when you come back. Check the brochure I gave you earlier.”

-”Yeah, but where?”- Catalina asked.

-”I told you before. You can apply for programs that embassies offer for newly graduated boys and girls so you can contribute with your ideas and help with youth programs. They pay for your food and accommodation, plus your salary for two years. So you travel and make money too at the same time.” - added her aunt winking.

-”Hah, two years, but it’s a lot. I might die by then!” - said grandma, shocked.

-”Nana, come on. Don’t say that. Strong and beautiful women like us will live forever. No need to say that please. I love you so much, and I don’t want to hear that.”

-”I love you too, my child”.

Meanwhile, her sister Vivia opened the Tv, and they continued to eat while watching the news. At that moment, they heard about how conflicts in the country of Almor, in North Africa, had some escalating troubles within the state. The south tribes had difficulties unifying with the north population as they were presented by the northerns as unfaithful people.

-”I don’t understand why people would like to continue fighting and not appreciate life. Just let people live in peace. Dio Santo! (dear God)” - Catalina’s mom said.

-”It is all because they have to learn to accept each other and stop the prejudice. Only then will they live in peace and bring prosperity to their lives and future. But their mentality is still based on old traditions that do not allow them to see through the right thing. Protecting old laws with fanaticism, especially in these modern days…oh boy… will only bring trouble like that” - said Nana while, taking some more salads on her plate.

Aunt Anna was listening to her mom's opinion and turned her head to Tv to see more and asked:

-”Where is this happening?...ah.. Almor… your homeland mom.”

-”Yes indeed, my homeland that I have been away from for more than 40 years. It was not appropriate back then for a girl who liked to dance and perform to live a peaceful life. That’s why my family left Almor for a better life in Spain.”

-”Many different nationalities live there also, and they were trying hard not to start a civil war, but it seems those in charge still have a lot to improve”- Catalina’s mom added.

-”The main conflict is more between the incoming population and the native local south Almor tribes.”- Aunt Anna replied.

Just then Catalina had the urge to go to the bathroom and excused herself. Right at that moment, there was given a short interview of a young man with a strong aura and authority who was speaking with determination about establishing peace in his country and determined to fix the problems his country inherited from the old conflicts.

Suddenly Nana’s eyes filled with tears as the young man on the TV screen, resembled someone very special from her past as she traveled back in time and felt sorry for what he went through.

-”Mom, have you finished with your plate? Why are you sad? Something wrong?”- Catalina’s mom interrupted her thoughts.

Wiping her tears she smiled and said -“Yes dear, you can take it” - and left for her room. Catalina’s mom thought this was weird but did not give it a lot of importance.

Catalina’s country villa where they lived was typical Mediterranean accommodation. Surrounded by olives, oranges, clementines and lemons in her big yard. Some stairs were in front of the main door that led inside to the long hall and, after that, an open living room with stairs that led to the second floor and near the windows where the sofas and the fireplace were on one side. The walls were decorated with colorful paintings and furniture with a lot of pictures of their family and antics. On the left side of the stairs was the door for the kitchen. Inside it was a big dining table for twelve people and on the walls the kitchen furniture. On the main floor was also one guest room, a medium bathroom and her Nana’s room, which was on the right side of the main stairs. Up on the second floor is Catalina’s and her sister's room, as well as her parents' room and a guest room. At the end of the hall is their brother's room, which was locked, but they did not go there often. The roof was their escape for some time alone.

After searching for Catalina around the house, her sister Vivia found that she was on the roof till late at night.

-”Hej, what are you doing up here until so late?”

-”Come sis’. I took my aunt's advice and I am sending applications to different embassies to apply for a job to apply for a job abroad . I could learn more if I move abroad. I really meant that in a new culture I can learn new moves.”

-”Nice, which country have you sent your application to?”

-”Well, I saw that they are countries in North Africa. First was Egypt. I was thrilled to go there and see the pyramids, I skipped the East Republic, I was thrilled with Morocco and now guess what…”

-”What?”

-”They are offering one in the country of Almor, Nana's home. She always talks with love for her country, but we never went there to see. So I am curious. I sent the application just now. Hope for a positive answer!”

-”That’s fun… but I still want to go to sleep now. Tomorrow we are going out to celebrate until late, and I want to be as fresh as possible.”

-”Wait! Just finished, let’s go down together.”