— Anya, hi. I feel really awkward asking, but could you possibly lend me a couple thousand? Even through the phone, Anya could feel how ashamed Alena was. This wasn’t the first time she borrowed money. And although Anya always said it was no big deal, Alena still felt uncomfortable. — Of course, no problem. … Read more
Tatiana woke up exactly at 6:45. The daily alarm clock ringing cut through the early morning silence every time — loud, sudden, merciless. She didn’t jump up or plunge immediately into the day’s reality. She simply opened her eyes and lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling, gray from age and constant dampness. … Read more
Nika hadn’t been herself lately. Serious cracks had appeared in her relationship with her husband, and she didn’t know how to handle this painful situation. It all started with small things — as it usually does. After work, Tolya began to notice her with venomous remarks. His jokes were full of anger, every word hurt … Read more
Elena stood by the window, watching as Mikhail opened the taxi door and helped unload the suitcases. His sister Inna was the first to get out of the car, looking around like someone appraising real estate. Behind her came her husband Viktor and their teenage son Artyom. The traditional annual visit had begun. “Well, we’ve … Read more
— What’s this? — Ira was sorting through some documents; she needed her husband’s passport, which she was searching for in his bag. But the passport “caught” something else as well. — I thought you wouldn’t find this… — muttered Andrey, blushing. That morning, Irina woke up alone. Andrey had left early — the usual … Read more
Katya moved into her new apartment a week ago. And for almost the entire week, she didn’t go outside. But how could she, with so much to do? She bought the apartment she could afford. Her grandmother, a kind soul, left her an old dacha and a room in a communal apartment as inheritance. Katya … Read more
Marish, how good it is that you’re already on vacation. There’s something I need to tell you… Her husband hesitated slightly. He always acted like this when he wanted to ask his wife for something. He knew her difficult character well. So he didn’t always have the courage to explain the whole request right away. … Read more
“Do you even see yourself from the outside?” Oleg’s voice cracked, but it wasn’t anger — it was hurt, almost like a complaint. “You stand there, silent. Can’t squeeze out a word. So I’m supposed to be to blame for everything?” Anna stood by the window, her hands clenched tightly in the pockets of an … Read more
Lena carefully moved the tiny vase with a sprig of gypsophila to the center of the table so that nothing would block her view of her mother-in-law’s face. The café was quiet, almost like a temple, and even the sounds were muffled — as if it was forbidden to speak loudly or express emotions too … Read more
— Maxim, look what a beautiful girl! — Hello, I’m Natasha. What’s your name? The blue-eyed little girl with funny curls looked straight at the young twenty-five-year-old man. — I’m Nikolai, and this is my son Maxim. — Nikolai, do you have a wife? Nikolai’s wife, overhearing this, burst out laughing. Coming from a five-year-old … Read more