Last night I arrived in Horgos for the biweekly reunion with the kids and Emese. They arrived later that day and both Maia and Ivan were very excited to find me in the living room. After the long round of hugs and kisses Maia got curious: "How did you arrive here?" I proudly explained how I took first the night train from Sofia, and then a coach from Belgrade, and then a bus from Szabadka. "But will you come home with us to Budapest this time, Pavel?", Maia begged hesitantly. Apparently she thought it likely that I would take the same route directly back to Sofia. But my plans were different, I had booked a one way return ticket from Vienna by Fly Nicky.
But before I could react to the question, she continued: "If you come, I shall give you two of my chocolate candies!"
Now, that sounded like a treat. Although she knew well that she should be a nice girl who always gives out her sweets - and other belongings for that sake - to her dearest, Maia was not often so ready to sacrifice sweets.
"Sure, I will", I said affirmingly, "I would love to have a chocolate"!
Maia's eyes grew happy, and a big smile spread over her face. "Yu-eee," she exclaimed. Then looked at me seriously and said: "I could even give you a third one if you come, Pavel. This is because... I love you".
This sounded genuine. Her voice even trembled a bit as she said it. Kids at the age of 5 are known to be generally frank. Quite surprised, and touched, I was quick to respond: "I love you too, Maia. And so we are happy, because we love each other, aren't we?" She nodded, and the smile was back on her face.

The deal was sealed, and we spent three nice days together. At the end of the second one we arrived to Budapest and Maia offered me three large candies as promised. After the kids went to bed I took one, and offered one to Emese, reminding her that this chocolate is my love token from my daughter.
"Well, I do not like these ones too much, and, by the way, Maia told me secretly today that she did not particularly like them either", Emese said with a large triumphant smile.

Well, I thought, I do not like them particularly either. But the fact is a fact, Maia gave them to me as a token of love. So one of them was bound to come with me to Sofia. And no mean comments by Emese could make me feel less sentimental and proud of my shared love with my daughter.