1 Chapter-1

It was a warm Sunday afternoon of the early 1930s when Hitler uprising was on peek. Nazi Germany had begun spreading its network of uprooting Jews from the land inspired by the racial policy. The German defeat in the First World War was believed to be caused by the Jews, Social Democrats, and Communists which was just a myth. The racial hatred burning in the hearts of many nationalists was going to bring a catastrophic disaster for the Jews community since Hitler blamed Jews for everything that was wrong in the world. And this hatred towards the Jewish community was to have awful repercussions, both for the country and the community.

"Have you watered the plants, Grace?""Yes Mommy", replied Gracia. "Have you cleaned off the shelves of your room?""Yes Mommy", Gracia replied again. "Good. Don't forget to take Milo on a walk after you finish sketching", Ellen Heiden instructed Gracia who was working on her sketches. "Okay, I will!" answered Gracia politely and Ellen left for washing the utensils piled up after lunch."Show me what you are sketching today!" said Davis, noticing from the corner of his eyes when Ellen had left."No, you will spoil it," said Gracia hiding her sketch behind. "Here it is", snatched Douglas from her. The two twins left no stone unturned to irritate Gracia. They took her sketch and ran like a horse. "Give me back my sketch you morons. I will complain to Daddy" shouted Gracia running behind them."If you want it, you can take it. Here it goes" said Douglas throwing the sheet of sketch out of the balcony. "Wait. No!" said terrified Gracia. She peeped out of the window to spot her sketch but was mesmerized to see the love of her life, Werner Fischer, who was an 18-year-old strongly built boy with brown eyes and black hair. "You can go and take it before it gets lost," said Douglas and Davis, laughing together at her and they left but she was lost in Werner's eyes. He was smiling at her seeing the sketch. Gracia has sketched Werner on the sheet. He felt delighted to see how beautifully the lines from the pencil were laid to shape his nose and cheeks. She could sense that Werner felt happy to see his sketch made by his love. She smiled back at him. "Mom, I am taking Milo on a walk," she said loudly enough for Werner to hear. She placed back her pencils on the table and put the cardboard holding sheets in the drawer. She had a huge collection of paintings, sketches, and whatnot. On the wall, at the back of the drawer, was a huge collection of medals and trophies won by Gracia in many arts and sketching competitions held in her school. "Come on Milo, let's go on a walk." She took Milo from his collar and was stepping downstairs just when her grandmother called."Gracia, can you please fetch my cookery book from Kalman's house on your way back home? I am afraid Mrs. Kalman may lose it" said Gracia's grandmother, Presley Heiden. "Yes granny, I definitely will", said Gracia to her grandmother. "Thank you so much, dear. Take care of yourself and that of Milo," said Presley to Gracia in her creaky elderly voice. "Yes, granny," replied Gracia. "Come on Milo. Somebody is waiting for us downstairs" she said to Milo silently.She opened the gate and saw Werner waiting for her. She felt excited to see him but Milo was more excited than her. He loved Werner a lot. He jumped on Werner, licking his face out of love. "Hey Milo, how are you doing today?" said Werner taking Milo in his arms". "Woof woof" replied Milo playfully. "Let's take you on a walk Milo. Come" said Gracia seeing the sketch in Werner's hand, trying to hide her blushing cheeks."Yeah let's go," said Werner to Milo."You sketch really well. Look, it appears so real. It feels like it is my exact mirror image. Don't you think?" Asked Werner to Gracia. "No, your jawline is a bit different than what I have drawn here," pointed Gracia. "Oh, do you see me that carefully?" asked Werner with a wink. Gracia blushed. "Absolutely," said Gracia with love in her eyes. "Do you doubt that?" asked Gracia looking at Werner's eyes with extreme love. Werner felt delighted and said, "I love you, Grace." "I love you too, Werner" and both of them held each other's hand tightly and walked down the alley.

"I have to fetch granny's cookery book from Kalman's house," informed Gracia to Werner."Granny is afraid if Mrs. Kalman would lose her book. I wonder why did she give her if she was so concerned about that book?""Okay, let's go then," giggled Werner."Will you come along? I mean what if somebody sees us together?" asked Gracia, concerned.Werner could sense a burning question in Gracia's eyes, so he replied back patiently to her, "So what? I will tell them we are together. Forever." said Werner focusing more on the last word.Gracia blushed strongly, turning her cheeks red."Aren't you afraid of your father? He is very strict" asked Gracia again."I haven't stolen anything. Nor have I murdered anyone. Why should I be afraid of my father?" Werner said, trying to fade away Gracia's doubts."Because he is an army man. He seems so disciplined and so strict and...."Werner stopped her in the middle and said "Grace, nobody is going to tell him about us. And even if anyone tells him, I will convince my father. You don't have to worry about anything. Trust me." "Okay," said Gracia, feeling relieved."But Mr. Biceps, you do have stolen something," winked Gracia back to Werner."What?" Werner asked surprisingly."Don't you know? You have attempted a great robbery and you must be punished for that," said Gracia confidently to Werner.Werner felt confused. He had no idea about what Gracia was saying. He was waiting for her answer.She looked in his eyes with utmost love and care and said, "You have stolen my heart, Mr. Fischer, Don't you know that?" Werner smiled playfully at her."Oh yes, I remembered," said Werner smiling and they moved ahead.They then fetched her grandma's cookery book from Kalman's house and returned to their way back to home.It was now 5.30 in the evening when they reached back to Gracia's house. Werner looked at her and said "I have a football match tomorrow. Won't you wish me luck?" "Oh...All the best, Mr. Biceps"Gracia giggled."Thank you, Ms. Beauty""See you tomorrow. Bye.""Bye, my love," said Werner to Gracia.His eyes followed her shadow until she was invisible behind the main gate. Werner moved his steps back to his home, thinking how much he enjoyed Gracia's company. He loved her deeply and unconditionally. And so did Gracia. He still remembers the day when he saw her for the first time.

.....To be continued...PS:

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