— Irina Petrovna, did you by any chance not notice that no one invited you over?” Marina pressed her lips together, wiping her hands on her apron. “— Oh, come on, Marish! We’re like at home here. We’re your own people. What, were you expecting strangers or something?” Sveta laughed, setting her boots right down … Read more
“What Did You Even Know? That Your Mother Would Want To Go Out Into Nature, And Aunt Valya Would Decide To Haul Half Her House To The Dacha? Will Our Family Ever Have Any Plans For The Weekend At All? As Soon As Summer Comes, That’s It — The Circus Begins!” “What did you even … Read more
— “Well, we ought to help her!” the husband urged. — “We ought to. Only I honestly don’t feel like it,” Inna said. Her husband Semyon looked reproachfully at his wife but said nothing. He knew his mother and his wife didn’t much like each other; to be frank, they barely tolerated one another, maintaining … Read more
Anya Didn’t Even Notice When New Tenants Moved Into The Apartment Of Old Baba Katya, Who Had Passed Away. Anya didn’t even notice when new tenants moved into the apartment of old Baba Katya, who had passed away. She simply bumped into them one morning on the landing. She was locking her door when the … Read more
The call from my aunt caught me in the middle of the workday, tearing me out of the monotonous drone of the office, where time dripped like an old, leaking faucet. I was sitting at my desk flipping through reports when suddenly my phone—usually silent as a coffin—vibrated with such persistence, as if trying … Read more
Nina was sorting laundry in the basket, automatically separating light from dark, when Andrey peeked into the bathroom. Her husband’s face looked guilty, like a schoolboy who had forgotten his homework. “Nina, I’ve got a bit of bad news,” he began, leaning against the doorframe. “They’ve delayed our salaries again at work. We definitely won’t … Read more
Svetlana stood in the middle of the room. Her three-room apartment. Years of hardship and saving. All her efforts had finally paid off. — Daughter, why are you just standing there? — her mother entered with a bucket and mop. — Let’s start cleaning before your father brings the wallpaper. — Mom, I just… — … Read more
Igor sat in his office, immersed in a heavy, almost physically tangible silence. It seemed even the clock on the wall was afraid to mark the time — its hands frozen, as if unwilling to break the silent grief hanging in the air. He stared at a single spot, the corner of the expensive dark … Read more
— You’re still sitting at home? Seriously, Vika? — Igor theatrically raised an eyebrow, lifting his wine glass. — Startup, startup… Seven years after university, and you’re still stuck in your “promising projects.” Vika felt as if the table had moved away from her. Her parents’ apartment, the festive dinner, the smell of homemade dishes … Read more
Evgeny Vasilyevich slowly descended the steps of the courthouse, his heart heavy with sorrow. Every step felt like a burden, as if he literally carried the weight of defeat upon himself. He had lost the case — everything was gone: his reputation, his medical license, and along with them, the future he had built over … Read more