Two weeks later I was with Katherine in the fortified village of Ston on the Dalmatian coast, close to Dubrovnik. We had rented a small flat for a few days. Every morning we walked along the rocky shore. We both liked to cook and we shared lovely lunches on the little terrace of our apartment, which faced the sea. One special evening saw us dining in a tiny cafe in a quiet cove two kilometers from the town. The cove was favored by fishermen, and one could see the sea dotted with their nets. We had come to know the owner and this pleasant evening, I persuaded him to set for us a special table by the water. We chose our fish from the large pot in the water just below us and watched it grilled and brought to our table. It was moments like this, we both agreed, which made the tensions and stress of our normal lives fade away.
Sunshine, blue sea, and timeless evenings helped us set aside those who almost caused us to part during the last few weeks. Or, at least, that was what I thought; ...
... but clouds too
...the next cloud was already appearing on the horizon.
On the last evening, Katherine was in a bad mood. I knew that her aunt had telephoned from the Caribbean shortly before our evening meal. I carefully asked how her aunt and the family were, whether something had happened to them.
Katherine flew off the handle: "You, Renato! You're the problem! My aunt asked if you hadn't proposed to me as yet. It just won't do", she said. "She advised me to leave you at once and go to visit Emit. She's right. I'll take the ferry from Dubrovnik to Bari this evening - I think I could arrive in time tomorrow to catch the train to Ravello."
Somewhat startled, I tried to calm her down: "Katherine, I won't let myself be put under pressure. We've had a very nice week together, and now this! I don't understand you. We have time after all ... and I like to be certain before I make a commitment. Be careful of this decision because I also need from you a sign of your commitment to us."
My words were too much for Katherine - she left the table - left me - and was on the ferry to Bari that night.
I drove back to Sarajevo alone, depressed, and disappointed. T didn't know what to do. I couldn't see any light at the end of this particular tunnel. I thought back to the adventures of the past year, wondering whether this woman, this love, was worth all the pain.