Story about Lara

By Nada Kljajić

"This manuscript of the novel that came into my hands under the title „Story about Lara", could surely be named „Story about people," or „About love and people", or „When you are born like a dog" and I deeply believe that every title of these could fit well because every one of them draws one dimension of observation and significant content in t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Mar 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9789360499815

Book preview

Story About Lara

Nada Kljajić

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2023

Content Copyright © Nada Kljajić

ISBN

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

www.ukiyoto.com

The morning was already late and like promised that after a long period of rain, finally would let the April sun shine in its full brightness. The time was perfect for lying in bed and listening to the soft noise of music that came from the radio.

When I think again, the day was like every other day in April, it could not be stranger or more beautiful. However, something special is needed so that the day could be specific and unusual. It must be something to remember. Everyone should have his special day. This one was my day for memories.

That April, 24th I was born, together with my two younger brothers and two older sisters. Five fur wraps were born in a few minutes distances and came out into this world in complete silence.

I was not sure what had happened until my mother licked me. At that moment I felt enormous love and warmth. Although I could not see anything for a few weeks, I felt safety and security in that soft, smelly nest where I had slept together with my mother, and my noisy brothers and sisters. 

My life started easily without problems. I pushed my head between the soft, sweet, and fur bodies of my brothers and sisters. I was sleeping and sleeping, leaning my face on my mother and her breasts. Pushing and plucking of others I did not notice. It seemed to give me some pleasure.

How much love was there! Love, love, love!

When I finally opened my eyes I saw the big body of my mother whose fur was shining under the sun lights, and the sweet faces of my brothers and sisters. They smiled at me with their small, shiny faces. Their dark pupils were shining brightly like sparks in that darkness.

The whole basket where we were laying was our first touch with the world. Our legs were weak and we often heard some laugh while we were jumping and falling one over the other, at the same time practicing our strength and trying to figure out when could we step out from that safe place.

And in those attempts our long days were passing by, one by one. Mother often stood up and left us alone. We did not see a problem in that, on the contrary, we loved those moments of solitude, when we used to bite each other for tails just because of the joke. She had never come late to feed us. Stickz, smelly and tasty milk made us stronger and we were growing up easily. We were longer awake, as time was passing by, and in those moments we tried to figure out where were we.

Mom, what is that? Mom, who is that? we asked her impatiently, because we wanted her to explain what do we see.

She was very patient, she explained to us everything was known or strange. She knew that we were scared and insecure, and that we need more time to get out of the basket.

We were afraid of the unknown and strange noises of those long creatures that walked on two legs. Mother was trying to explain to us, for almost one month, that all those creatures, were very strange animals that were called- people, and that we belong to them.

How could I belong to them? "What does that mean?" "How much do I belong to them:  the whole of me or just one piece?

Mother did not know how to answer these questions. She only said that she knew those people from her birth, and that she loved and respected them. Food that she got every day was given by them. 

She used to say: "We should be grateful to those people who take care, and feed us." Because of their words, we tried not to cry while she was eating somewhere else. We were whispering, and just sometimes we played outside our basket when our mother told us that no one was near the house. We did not want those men to get angry with us. 

How beautiful were those games! Cuddling, chasing jumping, and in one word – enjoying. Mother let us play those games but she watched us, although she believed that we could not hurt each other, she took precautions. She followed us with a look, while she was smiling.

Our mother had beautiful eyes, so warm, mild, and shiny. Yet, I noticed some kind of sadness and distance in it. I thought it was her deal, and that she was probably sad because of something unknown. She never wanted to talk about it. 

While we were observing those people from the distance we noticed that there were many differences among them. They differed in voice, appearance, and look. 

Mother explained to us that we lived in a family of humans, and that family was made of mom, dad, and children.

And we? Are we a family? the question slipped from my mouth. She looked at me in a confusion.

Well, of course, we are. she answered quietly.

And where is our dad? my youngest brother asked.

I thought that it was good that I did not ask that question, because I did not want her to get angry with me or make me feel sad. Other children asked some questions about our father, while she was just keeping quiet.

I did not ask her anything, I just looked at her dark, wet eyes. After all questions she just sighed, and than she turned her head to the other side.

I will tell you children when the time comes for it. she answered.

Unfortunately that time never came, and we never had a chance to hear a story about our father.

After two months of life, I realized the real reason for her hidden sadness, it was something else.

***

Milena, look. Look how nice puppies I have! Dragana showed her friend with excitement our soft, furry litter. Girls were jumping while entering the living room of this family Pavlović. A female dog Vina greeted them by waving its tail.

Dragana kissed that big, sweet dog into her wet nose, and showed a love that only a child could show for his pet. 

Vina jumped toward Dragana, while she was smiling with joy.

Milena was observing in astonishment the basket that belonged to Vini. She cuddled puppies one by one, asking herself how heavy were they. Who was the biggest, and who had the most beautiful fur?

Labradors are one of the noblest dogs. Intelligent, friends with people, especially kids.

Mom told me that tomorrow some people will come to pick up the puppies? suddenly and with a serious face. Dragana told to her best friend.

I can not believe that they will soon leave our house. It was obvious that the joy on her face was replaced with sadness. 

Although she was more than two months old, she felt that she would not like that separation. Vina was the mother for the second time, and she vividly remembered her separation from the previous puppies.

You know, Milena, I accept that separation very hard, but I think that the most painful thing is that Vina feels sorrow and sadness many days after that. I can not make her happy. Dragana cuddled Vini, while she was looking at her eyes

Did she understand me? What do you think, Milena? Dragana asked.

I do not know, maybe. Sometimes I think that all animals could understand us, but they can not answer properly so that we could understand them.

For a little girl that was only eleven years old, Milena was very smart. Both of them were actually, the only excellent students in their class. Both of them shared the same passion for animals and swore that they would become vets when they grow up because many animals on this world need protection and care.

They often spoke with their teachers and friends about abandoned animals and different ways for helping them. They also saved many puppies and little cats that they found around the container or canals.

It was hard work to do, but they understood it as grown-ups They could not let themselves pass next to the abandoned dog and do nothing. They even got a card of honor from an organization that took care of animal protection, so they could go whenever they want into the center for cared animals.

Do not be sad, Dragana. Milena sat next to her friend, while cuddling the smallest puppy. Vina slowly pushed the puppy with her nose like she wanted to tell them the small puppy was still only hers.

Dragana hugged her friend, and Vina together. They laughed when Vina tried to put her paws on their shoulders. 

See, she understands us! with joy Milena yelled. She even tried to hug us!

My beautiful Vina. Dragana gently kissed her dog.

***

It was June when some strange people came. Those were some new smells in the house for me. I felt a great anxiety that was poured all over like milk from my mother. When she was in that condition I tried to be quiet because I was afraid that she would punish me, although she had never done that, I did not want to provoke her. I was crouched down in the corner and waited for her