So, listen to this: Eleni got married when she was still so young her father actually found her a husband on her 18th birthday. You know how these old-fashioned families are, money everywhere, what else do you need to be happy? as they say. The wedding was this massive affair, the whole χωριό came out to celebrate. But honestly, you could tell neither Eleni nor her new husband really felt like they belonged.
Eleni actually thought her husband seemed nice, even though she barely knew him. Her poor sister, Despina, didnt have it so good she was married off to some guy twice her age from the next village over. Everyone figured shed end up an old maid, but their father managed to marry her off and even promised her a προίκα, you know how important that is here.
So, the newlyweds moved into Nikos family home. It wasnt huge, but at least it was theirs, you know? The πατέρας said that once grandkids came along, they’d find a way to expand.
Luckily, Eleni’s πεθερά was actually sweet. She helped Eleni get settled, explained all those little things about running the house that you never really think about until youre a νεόνυμφη yourself. But her κουνιάδα, Georgia, was impossible. Georgia was older, but still lived at home. Shed been married once, but her husband sent her right back to her parents house, suitcase and all, after a year. She was such a piece of work didnt want to help out around the home, didnt care about having kids, just spent her days sulking and picking fights.
Old customs die hard you know how it goes. In Greece, you dont really run the household until you have a son. So, all the young brides try to get pregnant as soon as they move in.
Eleni decided to do the same thing. Until she got pregnant, Georgia pretty much made her life miserable. She dumped all the worst chores on her, even though they had help you know, those seasonal workers? But Georgia just got a kick out of tormenting poor Eleni.
When Nikos found out Eleni was expecting, he looked like hed won the ΛΟΤΤΟ. The in-laws were over the moon, bragging about their new νύφη to everyone. They packed themselves off that very afternoon to get building supplies to start that new σπίτι theyd always promised. Meanwhile, Georgia completely lost it she realized shed be stuck living with her parents for good, no house, no marriage prospects, nothing but the same old routine forever.
Six months in, Elenis pregnancy was showing, and one morning she gets woken up with this angry banging its Georgia.
Why are you lying down, huh? Did you finish everything around here?
Well, yes, inside the house. But Nikos doesnt want me working in the yard.
Oh, dont act like youre not just lazy!
What do you even want, Georgia?
Watch your mouth! Are you planning to boss me around now? You do remember: you haven’t even had a baby yet, so dont get ahead of yourself!
Thats not what I meant…
Youre nothing here, and neither is that brat youre carrying, got it?
Georgia lost it, screaming, throwing thingslike something out of a τηλεοπτική σειρά. Their πατέρας had to storm in and drag her out. Eleni just sat there, hands on her belly, telling herself it would all be okay. Because honestly, everything always works out somehow… especially here, in Greece.
