PROSE
Enlightenment
Elena Kasterina
Blagoveshchensk (Russia)
The winter came. The most real, but not
very snowy yet. It got really cold the day
before. The icy wind was blowing tears from
the eyes, blurring the outlines of the objects. A
heavy blizzard blew in. The frost cut to the
bone, bitterly and furiously, biting by the nose
and cheeks. The sparrows on the branches
ruffled up their feathers, huddling close to
each other, trying to warm up.
Svetlana wandered aimlessly along a
half-empty street. Rare strangers were
passing by in a hurry. It was chilly and
uncomfortable outside. There was a warm
fluffy plaid and a cup of aromatic coffee with
some slight bitterness at home. But she didn't
want to go home at all. The reason was that
nobody could meet her there. There was
someone who actually could, and even missed
her badly. However, it was not a right person to
her, as if it was a complete stranger. And the
only one that she loved, a painfully close one,
was with another woman.
It was her own decision to let him go. And
it also was her decision to apply for divorce
and stop thinking of him. The decision was
made, but she still was recalling him in her
memory. All the time, from one day to another,
recalling the happiest moments of their
married life.
He was glad of getting free with such an
ease and just left. He left forever, took all of
his stuff and left the little daughter and an
album with family photos. The world fell apart
in an instant. The life had no meaning anymore.
She had to start everything from the very
beginning. Her daughter was there by her side
- her little sun and the only consolation.
Svetlana began to collect her new life
bit by bit. Smiled to the sunshine – a victory.
Didn't rush to the ringing phone – another one.
The life went on. She met a man. He protected
and cherished her. And affectionately called
the daughter "My Sweetheart!" She married
him, but still couldn't forget her first love. The
time was passing…
The strongest wind was blowing outside;
the gates were squeaking in the frost. She got
cold. Entered the coffee shop. Drank some
coffee. Warmed up. The peace and quiet in the
small coffee shop was broken by a cell phone
call. She tried to reach it in her purse for a long
time. Finally, she got it. The number was
unknown.
– Hello? Who is there?
– Hi. Haven't heard your voice for ages. I
did want to call but couldn't do that for some
reasons. Shall we try to start all over again?
You and me… - the words flowed in an endless
February 2019 №2
SUNRISE
stream…
A lump rose in her throat. She waited for
this for such a long time. He didn't mention
their daughter, as if she didn't exist at all.
The cold air blowing through the opened
door and new customers, pinched by cold,
entering inside brought her back to the
present. She madly wanted to come back
home, in the warm and tender embrace of her
husband, who at ones became such a close
person.
- Don't call me anymore. I'm married!
The entrance door opened freely and
she left outside. To the home, faster, back to
home. She was almost running. Every minute
seemed to be endless. There were lights
coming from the window. She has been waited
there…
Squeaking hinges of cold gates, howling
snowstorm, blaring voice of wind
Comp the patter of the feet, running to
the other end of street.
Rustling tires, impatient sounds of
horns, blasting through the cell ringtones.
Here it is - the melody of winter, playing
outside and inside...
Polina Ermizina
15