The morning air in Zavrazhye was filled with the smell of frozen earth and smoke from chimneys. A green «Ural» truck rumbled down the main street, carrying bags of sand mixture — they were planning to build a modular club on the site of the old barracks. Fedya the excavator operator, sharply turning the wheel, … Read more
Vera parked her car in front of a neat two-story house and glanced at her watch — she had arrived half an hour earlier than the appointed time. At the last moment, the idea struck her to surprise her sister by buying her favorite blueberry pie from that very bakery on the corner. Natalia … Read more
On that January morning, Sergey, as usual, arrived at work by nine. He greeted the security guard, Uncle Kolya, and made his way to his fourth-floor office. The office smelled of coffee as always—Mikhailych, his neighbor to the right, was busy brewing his strong coffee with cinnamon. Just another ordinary day, one of many over … Read more
Vera flinched at Oleg’s harsh voice. She was carefully putting away the ironed clothes in the closet, trying not to disturb her husband, who was sprawled on the couch in front of the television. «Olezhek, I’m purposely avoiding your way so as not to block the screen,» she said in an apologetic tone. Despite the … Read more
Tatiana watched with sadness as the funeral home workers tidied up the grave—she had just said goodbye to the only person close to her. Tanya understood that her grandmother had struggled with her illnesses and advanced age, yet the tears continued to flow incessantly. Grandma had always hoped that Tanya would sort out her personal … Read more
The knock at the door came just as I was about to throw away another batch of burnt pancakes. Three in the morning—not exactly the ideal time for culinary experiments—but insomnia combined with VK video recipes is a dangerous mix. — “If it’s Petrovich again with his homemade moonshine, I swear I…” I mumbled, wiping … Read more
Varya nervously tapped her fingers on her cup of chamomile tea. She hadn’t expected such a turn of events. Just a week ago everything had seemed so bright—her parents had finally fulfilled their daughter’s dream by gifting her and her husband their own home. A two-room apartment in a new building, with a spacious kitchen … Read more
Irina and Anton met four years ago. The cheerful, kind, and rather smart thirty-year-old man immediately won the heart of native Muscovite Ira. — «Irunya, my dear, he’s as naked as a falcon! Only a couple of years ago, he moved here from his little town Urjukovka,» the girl’s mother sighed. — «Mom, not a … Read more
— Maria, how did this happen? — the woman sighed, looking at her daughter with worry. — Mom, everything’s fine, honestly, — Maria replied calmly. — I’m on vacation, so I can work there for a month, maybe even longer. The main thing is to figure out where the quotas disappear to and how the … Read more
— Irina, all your attempts are in vain,” said Tamara Petrovna, watching as the young woman braided her hair before the start of the workday. “— What exactly are you talking about?” Irina turned to the elderly nurse who had been working in the hospital for several decades. “— About your hopes for something serious.” … Read more