The Train Station

As I waited for the clock to strike 5 p.m., carefully watching to see if the bus from Zurich had arrived at the Novi Sad Train Station, I found myself observing the people passing by.

I’ve always loved watching these small, everyday interactions—people saying goodbye or greeting each other. There’s something profoundly beautiful in those moments: countless hugs, promises to return, reassurances to call when they arrive, and the classic, “Say hello to the family.” Parents send off their children with hearts full of hope, letting their love venture out to learn and grow. I see young couples, eyes brimming with joy, gazing at each other as if nothing else exists. A grandmother waves to her grandson, who holds back tears, wearing his best smile so she won’t be saddened by his leaving. And then the familiar sound of an announcement echoes from the platform, urging passengers to hurry and board; at that moment, everyone rushes forward as if on command. It’s a kind of salvation because, without that final call to board, I believe they might all dissolve into tears.

As I looked on, a face emerged from the bus with a searching gaze, already scanning the crowd for me. When I waved, his face lit up, and tears filled my eyes. I hadn’t seen him in a year. I wanted to run to him out of sheer happiness. We hugged as tightly as we could, and then he began to cry, too. My brother. Immediately, he told me I’d lost weight (he teases me about it every time), while I laughed that he’d gained weight (though, of course, he hadn’t). Then came our playful argument about where we’d eat, who would pay, whether we should go straight home to see Mom and Dad or take a walk to catch up.

That was in February 2020, four years ago. Now, I wish I had run to him, even if it embarrassed him a bit. I wish we’d taken that walk, just the two of us, hand in hand.

He didn’t like flying and always preferred taking the bus. How many times did he pass through the Novi Sad Train Station? How sad he would be to see it all ruined now.

I’m writing this because, on November 1, 2024, around noon, the old canopy at the Novi Sad Train Station collapsed. Sadly, there were casualties and injuries.

This tragedy has once again moved all of Serbia, releasing a wave of profound emotion. I say “once again” because this is just one of many terrible events we’ve endured in our country. And those responsible must finally be held accountable, though they always seem to find a way out.

At the end of the day, it’s those who lost loved ones who suffer the most. Nothing in this world can replace their embrace, their laughter, their gaze.

Let this be a powerful reminder to focus on what truly matters. So next time, run toward your loved one without hesitation. Don’t hold back, don’t be ashamed. Because that last hug will be the one you remember most.

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Železnička stanica

Dok sam čekala da sat otkuca 17h, i pomno gledala da li je stigao autobus iz Ciriha na odredište na Železničkoj stanici u Novom Sadu, posmatrala sam ljude koji prolaze.

Inace volim da vidim interakcije ljudi kako se pozdravljaju kada odlaze ili dolaze. To su neke posebne emocije. Puno zagrljaja, obećanja da ce se vratiti, da će se javiti kada dodju i ono klasicčo-puno pozdravi ostale članove porodice. Tu su naravno i roditelji koji ispraćaju dete, sa verom i nadom puštaju svoju ljubav da putuje i edukuje se. Pa vidim i par mladih i zaljubljenih, sa očima punim sreće gledaju jedno drugo. Baka mase unuku. Unuk guta suze i nabacuje najbolji osmeh koji ima da je ne rastuži odlaskom. Potom se cuje dobro poznati zvuk objave sa perona koji poziva pitnike da požure i da se ukrcaju i svi kao po naredbi pohitaju. To mu dodje i kao neka vrsta spasa, jer kada ne bi postojao taj poslednji poziv za ukrcavanje, pa sigurna sam da bi se svi od tuge raspali.

Dok sam tako rasejano gledala ljude, videla sam i jedno namrgodjeno lice koje mene traži čim je izašlo iz autobusa. Kada sam mu mahnula, ozarilo mu se lice i meni su suze krenule. Nisam ga videla godinu dana. Htela sam da trčim ka njemu od srece. Zagrlili smo se najjače. Potom je i on zaplakao. Moj brat. Odmah mi je rekao da sam smršala (svaki put me zadirkuje) i da ništa ne jedem ja njemu da se ugojio (iako zapravo nije). I onda prepirka gde ćemo jesti, ko će platiti, hoćemo odmah kući da vidi mamu i tatu ili da prošetamo i ispričamo se.

To je bilo u februaru 2020. Pre 4 godine. Sada želim da sam potrčala ka njemu i da ga bude blam zbog toga.  Da smo prošetali samo nas dvoje ruku pod ruku.

On nije voleo avione i uvek je pre birao autobus. Koliko je samo puta prošao Železničkom stanicom u Novom Sadu. Koliko bi bio tužan da vidi kako je sve uništeno sada. 

Ovo pišem jer 01.11.2024 oko podneva se urušio stari deo nadstrešnice na Železničkoj stanici Novi Sad. Nazalost ima preminulih i povredjenih. 

Taj dogadjaj je opet pokrenuo celu Srbiju i  lavinu burnih emocija. Kažem opet jer je ovo samo jedan u nizu od užasnih dogadjaja u našoj zemlju. I krivci zaista moraju da odgovaraju. Iako se svaki put vispreno izvuku. 

Na kraju dana je najgore ljudima koji su izgubili voljene u tom dogadjaju. Jer ništa na ovom svetu neće zameniti njihov zagrljaj. Ni njihov smeh. Ni njihov pogled.

Neka ovaj dogadjaj bude veliki podsetnik da se fokusiramo na ono sto je najvažnije. Zbog toga sledeci put potrčite u susret voljenoj osobi. I nemojte da vas bude sramota. Jer taj poslednji zagrljaj ćete pamtiti najviše.