Book on the Righteous - Jevrejska opština Zemun

Righteous Among The Nations - Serbia
Stories About The Righteous
it.
“You have three children of your own and a husband.
The whole exploit would be too hazardous for both
you and your family,” Nevenka concluded, while at the
same time she was at a loss what to do next.
It was then that Andja remembered that she had kept
her documents from Zagreb in which her maiden name
Zalad was entered. She knew that it was extremely important
that she should not have with her any document
stating her Serbian surname Jakovljević. Should she be
found with one, she would momentarily be taken off the
train in one of the stations on the way and would never
see her family again for sure.
“Don’t worry, I plan to use the return ticket, too,” were
Andja’s parting words.
She took the ticket from Nevenka and left for Busovača
by the next train.
An Ustashi sat across from Andja inside the compartment.
When the conductor came along, an agent in the
company of two Ustashi also entered the compartment
and spoke quietly into the ear of the man sitting across
from Andja.
“No”, the Ustasha replied brusquely. Andja instantly
knew that the agent had asked him if they were travelling
together.
The agent took Andja’s documents issued in Zagreb and
read her maiden name Zalad.
“What is your business here” he asked strictly.
“I am returning home from a visit to my husband,” Andja
replied calmly. “He has been posted to Mostar, but the
children won’t leave Zagreb,” Andja complained. “I
sincerely hope my husband will be transferred back to
Zagreb soon.”
The agent thanked her and hastened on followed by his
cohort; he thought that he had stumbled on the wife of
some big shot from Zagreb and that it would be best to
leave the lady alone.
Once in Busovača, Andja easily found Dr. Buchwald’s
home. She went by the house, turning round to see
whether she was being followed. Now that she was finally
there, she didn’t know who was inside and how
best to make her presence known; it was a bit awkward
to enter such a well-to-do abode unannounced. She saw
a well inside the yard and devised a story on the spot.
She knocked on the door, which was soon opened by a
young woman.
“Who do you want” the young woman asked, giving
the stranger standing in front of her a look-over.
“Mrs. Dana,” Andja replied calmly.
When Dana appeared and saw Andja, she could not conceal
the anxiety in her eyes.
“”What do you want” Dana asked.
“I’m pregnant,” Andja told her. “Could I have a glass of
cold water and rest here for a while”
“Katica,” Dana called for the girl who had opened the
door. “Fetch some water from the well for this lady.”
The moment they were alone, Andja told her host the
reason for her visit.
“Your sister Nevenka from Mostar has sent me to take
Maya.”
Danica was instantly relieved because up to that moment
she believed that Andja had been sent from the
Ustashi station to take Maya from her. The next thing
she did was to give her maid Katica the day off so that
she could be alone with Andja. The two women had to
decide what to do next.
Danica firmly believed that it would be best for Maya
and Andja to leave for Mostar as soon as possible.
“Katica is a Croat,” Dana said. “But it’s not only that;
for some time now I’ve felt as if I was being constantly
watched. I think it best that we don’t wait to see how she
247