March 2012
12 Charis Gantzoudis ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Despina’s testimony
“I won’t let you marry him, I’d rather kil you than lose you’ .
Yes, I saw the note. Anna had thrown it on the couch. When I
entered the house she looked distraught. Shaking like a leaf.
She told me that Stelios had come to see her the night before.
He was waiting for her outside the house and begged her to
take him back.
I can’t believe he kil ed her. I never thought he could get to
that point. I was telling her on a daily basis to end their
relationship and move on with Dimitris. Not that he was
perfect, but at least their relationship was normal. Anna was a
good person. She didn’t want to harm Stelios. She pitied him
because of the rough years he’d been through.
Yes. He was a troubled child. His father died when he was two
years old. One year later, his mother married our father, who
never loved him like his own child. He treated him violently. I
remember one time when he broke our neighbour’s window
with a bal . He hit him so hard that his nose started bleeding.
Our mother couldn’t do much. She was of weak nature. But as
troubled as he might have been, the sexual attraction he felt
for Anna could not be justified.
One day, when I came home from cram school, I saw Stelios
peeking on Anna bathing. I caught him by surprise. He lost his
temper and left without saying a word. He was a quiet child.
Didn’t express himself. Didn’t have any friends. He had left
school at age of 14 and got daily wages from any job he could
find. But even I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. We were
children, how should I know?
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A few months later, Anna confessed to me in tears, that Stelios
had raped her. I couldn’t believe it. He was telling her that he
loved her. At first I thought she’d gone mad. If our father ever
found out anything about this, I’m sure he would have kil ed
him. He had a weak spot for Anna. She was at a loss. She loved
Stelios and didn’t want to harm him.
This “relationship” went on for the next two years. Anna
turned 18. That’s when she met Dimitris. He was crazy in love
with her, but also excessively jealous. Once, he hit her in the
middle of the road, because he thought she was looking at
someone else. In one of our conversations, Anna, told me that
he had become violent many times. If our brother Stelios
hadn’t been found dead next to her, I’d think he kil ed her.
Stelios didn’t like that relationship. I remember, one time, I
told him to let her live her life. He responded that he wouldn’t
let anybody take her from him. Neither me, nor my sister ever
talked to anyone about Stelios’ passion. Those things remain
unsaid in closed societies.
I am a year younger than Anna. I always looked up to her. She
was the prettiest girl in school and the best student. We were
very different, but loved each other very much. Anna, as I said
before, was our dad’s weak spot. He loved me too, of course,
but Anna always stood out for him. I was mum’s favourite. If
she was stil alive, she’d tell you. She died last year, at
Christmas, from cancer. I’m sure dad wil pass away soon, too.
He won’t be able to handle Anna’s death.
I cannot believe it. Just imagine, a few days ago we went
shopping to find a wedding dress for her. I don’t know how to
keep on living without her. I’m sad for Stelios too, but it is al
his fault. I can’t talk anymore. If you don’t need me for
anything else, I’d like to go home.
14 Charis Gantzoudis ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dimitris’ testimony
Anna cal ed me on Friday at the office. It was about 12 o’clock
noon. She sounded troubled. She told me about the note. She
had found it when entering the house. I never took it seriously.
‘A joke probably’ I thought to myself. To calm her down I
suggested that she should cal Despina, to have someone
around until I got home. It wouldn’t be long. Banks close early
on Fridays.
She’s never told me anything about her brother. She must ‘ve
been embarrassed. I found out everything later, from Despina.
That bastard. How could he do something like that? He seemed
to be a nice guy. A little distant though. When I visited them to
ask for Anna’s hand in marriage, he didn’t sit with us. He drank
a quick drink and left without a word.
I met Anna one year ago. It was love at first sight. Her big
brown eyes sent out a catching warmth. First I had met
Despina. We had a mutual friend. We were sitting at a table in
our vil age’s local coffee shop. After a while, she showed up.
Almost two weeks passed until she agreed to go on a date with
me.
Yes, I was jealous. Who wouldn’t be with such a beautiful
creature? But I knew she loved me. And she knew I loved her,
too. I lost my temper once and slapped her. I know Despina has
already told you. She was jealous of my relationship with
Anna. She never said anything, but I could tell from her looks.
Once, when we were alone, she confessed her love to me, but
said that she didn’t say anything for her sister’s sake. They
were loving sisters. I never, not even once, saw them fight.
After al , who could fight with Anna? Once I told her what I
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thought about her sister and that I thought she was jealous.
She didn’t talk to me for three days. I went nuts. I thought I’d
lost her.
Al of this time, Stelios never came to visit us. Anna always had
excuses ready for him. I don’t know what else to tel you. It
doesn’t matter now anyway. That was it. I wil never see her
again. Oh my God. I’m sorry.