— «So when are you going to get married?» his mother scolded him. «You’re nearly thirty-six and still haven’t found a bride.»
— «Mom, why are you so upset? I just haven’t decided yet. Just wait a bit. I will have a wife,» Pasha calmly replied.
— «Your job is your wife,» Zoya Arsenyevna snorted discontentedly. «You should have married Tanya; you would have had grandchildren by now. You let her go. And look how happy she is with Genka!»
— «Mom, stop it. Tanya and I are different people. Think about it, how could I live with her? It would be the same loneliness!»
— «Somehow people adjust to each other,» the mother continued. «Everything would have been fine with you two.»
— «No way. It’s better to be alone than with the wrong person! Enough of this talk,» the son cut her off. «I have important things to do today. Don’t ruin my mood. Though you already have.»
Zoya Arsenyevna shrugged. «Hmm… I should have raised him better,» she thought regretfully, watching her son leave.
Pasha was their only child with her husband. Zoya failed to carry a second child. Then she was afraid to get pregnant again in case of another miscarriage. Her husband, Kolya, also really wanted to dote on grandchildren. The years were catching up. All his peers had long since been grandparents.
Pasha briefly dated Tatyana. She seemed arrogant to him. A man always felt belittled next to such ladies. Tanya loved to boast about herself in conversation. She bragged about her achievements and watched for Pavel’s reactions, waiting for him to praise and exalt her. She paid little attention to him. Pasha didn’t like her upbringing. One day he called her and said it was all over between them. What a story! Tanya complained to her parents. She told everyone in the area what a scoundrel Pavel was. Allegedly, he dumped her when she was already expecting a proposal. She thought it was heading towards marriage.
Because of her gossip, Pasha remained a complete nonentity in people’s eyes. Their town was small. In such places, most people live by rumors about someone. Even the best person becomes what someone else says about them. Maybe that’s why Pavel was no longer lucky with women. And he himself didn’t want a relationship. He was afraid he’d meet someone like Tanya.
Pasha was indeed busy with work. He spent all day at his communication salon. It was his establishment, inherited from his father. Despite being a manager, he didn’t turn out like his former Tanya. He considered himself lucky to have escaped her. Pavel was terrified to imagine what it would have been like if she had become his wife. From the outside, you can’t see how she lives with her current husband. Probably, she commands him around. Pasha didn’t want to be such a fool. He hoped to meet a girl with a more adequate self-assessment. Then they could be happy together. Then children would grow up in a healthy atmosphere. The man was somewhat familiar with psychology. His relationship with Tanya had driven him to consult a known psychotherapist. No, he wouldn’t let such women offend him. It’s a pity his mother didn’t understand him.
Once his father told him that he would take away the communication salon if he didn’t get married.
— «Dad, are you serious? Are you on mom’s side?» the son looked at him in shock.
Nikolai shrugged.
— «Look how we live. We have a huge house, lots of money, the opportunity to relax somewhere, hire a maid, and other life’s pleasures… Do you really want to leave us all without an heir?» the father protested.
— «But I’m not going to marry just any girl!» Pasha was indignant.
Nikolai Romanovich smirked.
— «Okay…,» the young man pondered. «Just don’t be surprised later with mom!»
— «What are you planning?» the father looked at him strangely.
— «Nothing, dad. You’ll meet my bride soon enough. So be it!» With those words, Pavel left the house, slamming the door loudly. He didn’t want to lose the business. For its sake, Pasha was ready to fulfill his father’s trust. Fine, he’d get married, and then… then he’d get a divorce. Just to keep his right to run his own salon. Pasha felt, as they say, «in his element» there.
That day he got into his Nissan and drove to the capital. Resentment and anger boiled in his soul. What did his parents take him for? A tool that can easily be manipulated? Reflecting on this, Pasha almost ran a red light at an intersection. Good thing he braked in time, otherwise, there would have been trouble… That’s how people get into accidents. Pavel had long known: you should only drive when calm. This depends not just on his life, but also on the lives of other people. After braking at one of the free parking lots, the man decided to calm down a bit. He needed to distract himself, forget the conversation with his father. After all, in his own way, he was right. Their business, accounts, and all property needed to be passed on to someone. What if he turned 40 years old and then, Pavel would never be able to become a father? That happens to men too. Some diseases acquired during life take away the ability to bear the title «father.» Although everything was normal with Pasha in that regard, but still…
An hour later, his car was moving along the highway. He needed to meet someone. But who? Pasha had never been good at forming relationships after just one meeting. He was shy.
He carefully watched the road. Suddenly, a large pillar of smoke formed before his eyes. A truck had left this haze, making the road nearly invisible. Pasha wanted to pull over to the shoulder. Unexpectedly, he almost ran over something that reminded him of a scarecrow from a neighboring garden.
«Damn it!» the man cursed, stepping out of the car. «Where did this monstrosity come from?»
A vagrant looked at him with sad eyes. She was dressed in rags.
«Did I hurt you?» Pasha asked, approaching her.
«You really scared me,» she admitted. «I barely managed to jump aside!»
«So, it’s my fault,» the man said. «Then I owe you a debt of redemption. I’ll make it right.»
Of course, he would never have spoken to some vagrant. Especially since she could call others like herself. Then Pasha would definitely be in trouble.
«What’s your name?» the man inquired.
«I’m Tamara.»
Pavel smirked to himself. «Toma – such a simple name!» he thought.
«If you want to help me, please drive me to the city,» she asked him.
Pavel didn’t like her request. He didn’t want to dirty his car with hobos. But he agreed. After all, it would be cheaper than giving her money.
She took the back seat.
«And how long have you lived like this?» he started the conversation.
Tamara was surprised.
«Like what?» she said.
«I mean, you have to live on the streets, right?»
She sighed.
«A long time,» the girl answered. «Kind people found me at a dump. Apparently, my own mother didn’t want to raise me, so she abandoned me. I was only four years old then. I barely remember anything from that childhood.»
«Kind people – who are they?» Pasha was puzzled.
«They don’t have their own home. But they were ready to share whatever they had. That’s how I grew up. We survived everything. Cold, poverty, and hunger. But at least I know the value of life,» Toma continued the conversation.
«Knowing the value of life is good,» Pasha said thoughtfully. Suddenly he had an idea.
«Listen, Tamara. I want to make amends for scaring you so badly.»
«You’ve already almost driven me,» the girl said, perplexed.
«No, I have a wonderful proposal for you. I think you’ll hardly refuse.»
Tamara looked at the man in amazement.
«I want you to become my wife!» Pasha blurted out.
She was even more surprised:
«Wife?! Did I hear you right?»
«No,» the man laughed. «I’m serious. We just need to stop by a store and pick out a wedding dress for you.»
«Wait. Why should I suddenly become your wife?» Toma blinked rapidly.
«The thing is,» Pavel hesitated. «The thing is, my father wants to take away my business, and I don’t want to part with my beloved work. If I don’t get married soon, he’ll go through with it.»
«Is that so? Then what does that have to do with me?»
«Toma, this marriage will be a sham. You’ll play the role of the bride, and I’ll be the groom. Then we’ll go our separate ways. That’s all,» Pavel looked hopefully into Tamara’s blue eyes.
«Then I need to think…»
«Tom, when will you think? We’re almost there. What if I never meet you again?»
She waved her hand.
Soon they arrived in the city. First thing, Pavel and Tamara stopped at a cafe. They needed to eat a bit before heading to the store. Tamara probably hadn’t had a substantial meal before their unexpected encounter. It’s better not to deal with a hungry girl. What if she changes her mind?
They ordered pizza and pastries. Tamara looked at the food with eager eyes! From her appearance, Pasha realized: the girl wasn’t eating well. No worries, now she definitely wouldn’t be hungry! Pavel would take care of her.
After a hearty lunch, he took her to a bridal salon.
When Toma emerged in a delicate white dress, the man’s eyes nearly popped out. The girl was dazzlingly beautiful!
«You… you… you look like a princess!» he declared, charmed by her movements.
Tamara smiled.
«You know, I’ve always dreamed of trying on a dress like this,» she confessed to Pavel.
«You won’t just try it on. We’ll buy it, and you’ll be the most beautiful bride at our wedding!» the man replied.
After purchasing the dress, they headed to the registry office. Toma agreed to meet the parents of her future husband. This game was interesting to her. Even if it was pretend, she would get to be the heroine of the celebration. Tamara used to dream of weddings where she kissed the groom under applause from the guests and their cries of «Bitter!»
As soon as Pavel appeared with her on the doorstep, his mother immediately greeted them.
«Who is this, Pasha?» she asked, puzzled.
«Mom, meet her. This is my future wife,» the son said nonchalantly.
«Wife?! How can this scarecrow be your wife?» Zoya Arsenyevna exclaimed.
«She’s not a scarecrow, Mom. She’s my fiancée. We’ve already filed the application and even bought a wedding dress.»
«A dress?! Are you out of your mind, son?»
Tamara looked embarrassedly from Pavel to her future mother-in-law. She really wanted to run away from there.
«Please, don’t go,» her man asked, as if reading her thoughts. «I’ll sort everything out. You can stay in a separate room for now. Don’t think about the bad, okay?»
Toma nodded. She didn’t want to give up her dream. That stopped her.
When Zoya Arsenyevna finally went to her room, Pavel returned to his bride.
«Don’t mind my mother. She’s just in a bad mood today,» he explained.
«I think I look terrible. If I had a hairstyle and this clothes didn’t look so worn on me, your mom wouldn’t have picked on you,» Toma said, upset.
«Oh, yes. Clothes…,» Pavel realized just then: he should have gotten this scruffy girl all cleaned up from the start. Then his parents wouldn’t be ashamed of his bride and their future daughter-in-law.
The man took Toma’s hand and led her back to the car.
«Do you want to take me back?» her eyes widened.
«No, silly. We’re going to buy you some proper clothes!» Pavel laughed. He opened the car door and literally shoved her inside.
«Be careful!» the girl yelled. «I’m not your property and not yet your wife!»
The man paused. Of course, Tamara was not his wife. Especially since the girl had agreed to play this role for money.
«Sorry,» he blurted out. «I’m getting a bit ahead of myself.»
Soon they were wandering through the mall, picking out clothes for Tamara. She was delighted like a child with any dress or suit.
«Wow!» she marveled. «I didn’t even know such beautiful clothes existed!»
They bought a couple of dresses, some household items, and headed back.
«Thank you, Pasha,» the girl thanked him. «Can I really look this beautiful?!»
«Wait. We’re still going to stop by the beauty salon!» he smirked. «You won’t recognize yourself in the mirror later.»
They spent more than an hour at the salon. Pavel grew tired of waiting for his «bride.» When she appeared, he almost fell over in surprise. The once unkempt vagabond no longer looked like a vagabond!
«How you…,» he whispered.
«Do you really like it?» Tamara smiled dazzlingly.
«Beauty!» he confirmed. Without realizing it, Pasha took the girl’s hand, and they walked down the street.
Zoya Arsenyevna did not recognize her future «daughter-in-law.» It barely dawned on her that this was Toma, she grimaced. For Zoya, a pauper remained a pauper, even in the most regal outfit. The mother did not argue with her son this time and silently walked away.
Pavel himself was preparing for the wedding. Mother and father decided to stay out of it. They were not keen on having a bride without family or lineage. Of course, Nikolai was more relaxed about it, but he could not help but support his wife. Still, the father agreed to this wedding. A deal is a deal. He had to participate in his son’s life. Maybe this girl wasn’t as bad as Zoya thought. Secretly, Nikolai prepared a wedding gift for the newlyweds.
Tamara had to stay in her room all day and not go anywhere. That’s what Pasha told her. Eventually, the girl got bored. She went to the kitchen to cook something.
Seeing her, Zoya Arsenyevna gasped:
«What are you doing here?»
«I’m cooking,» Tamara calmly said.
«We have a cook coming. She’ll prepare everything! Besides, there’s plenty of food in the fridge today,» Zoya looked at the girl in shock.
«Forgive me,» Tamara muttered and ran back to her room. She didn’t fully understand why she couldn’t be in the kitchen. She was tired of just eating someone else’s food. She had to contribute something! Her foster parents taught her not to eat bread for free.
Days flew by quickly. The wedding was set for early summer. Pavel sent out a huge number of invitations to relatives and friends. He decided to celebrate the event in a restaurant.
Tatyana, learning about the ex’s bride, laughed long and loud.
«Found someone to marry!» she chuckled with her friends. «Apparently, my ex-boyfriend has such low tastes!»
Many guests arrived for the celebration. Everyone looked at the festively dressed bride and wished the young couple only happiness. Some woman made her way through the crowd and took Tamara by the hand.
«Is it really you, my girl?»
The bride turned around.
«Who are you?» she asked.
«They call you Tamara, right?» the stranger continued.
«Yes… I don’t understand what’s the matter?»
«I guessed it was you by your three big moles on this wrist,» the woman said through tears. «I’m Liza. Your mother’s sister. She left you when you were just a baby. She’s no longer alive. My husband and I have been looking for you for a long time. I argued with your mom. Told her I would have raised you myself. My husband and I never had children all our lives. My girl…»
Aunt Liza cried, not letting go of the bride’s wrist.
Soon Pavel approached them.
«What’s happening here, Yelizaveta Mikhailovna?» he asked curiously.
«Your bride is my relative,» the woman confessed, wiping her tear-soaked eyes with a handkerchief.
«Really?»
Tamara finally remembered her aunt. She often stayed with Yelizaveta Mikhailovna, especially when her mother went out to have fun. Those were hard times. But no easier than the years that followed. Toma had to grow up in tough conditions. Sometimes she went to bed hungry. She thought it had to be that way. Only at night did she dream of delicious food, warm clothes, and family…
Aunt Liza bitterly regretted learning how hard her niece’s life had been. How she wished she could turn back time now! To hold this abandoned girl close…
The foster parents refused to come to Tamara’s wedding. They cited poor health. Indeed, their health was not very good. After all, life in an abandoned building had taken its toll on them. Luckily, Tamara didn’t complain about her health. She was fortunate to have been born so resilient.
Pavel sympathetically looked at his wife’s aunt. At Tamara—with some inexplicable feeling. He began to like her when she first put on a wedding dress. Yes, he wanted to hug her that day, and now he did! The noisy guests shouted, «Bitter!» Toma accepted his wedding kiss. How happy she was! And all this was happening not in some dream, but in reality…
It was time for gifts. Nikolai surprised everyone the most.
«Dear children!» he began. «Today you became husband and wife. I hurry to congratulate you and sincerely wish from us with mom many, many happiness! May it be endlessly long. I hope you’ll please us with grandchildren, and we’ll spoil them in moderation. Accept this gift from us and Zoyenka.»
The man handed the newlyweds documents. They stated that Pavel and Tamara were now the rightful owners of another communication salon in their city. Of course, Pasha immediately clarified that Toma would take the position of the manager.
The wedding seemed to the girl a real place where all dreams come true. Behind were hunger, cold, dreams of a beautiful future, the desire to have at least some cozy corner. Now Toma had everything. Even her relative had appeared!
After the celebration the next day, Pavel and his wife went to their salon. There was a lot of work to do. They needed to hire employees. Tatyana was the first to come. She was met by Tamara.
«I heard you’re hiring staff. May I work in your salon as a consultant?» she inquired. A couple of seconds later, Pasha appeared from the office doors.
«Of course, you can. You just came at the right time!» he stretched in a mocking smile.
Offended, Tatyana immediately ran out of the salon and muttered something under her breath.
A month later, Tamara helped her foster parents. She sent them to a sanatorium. There they improved their health. Upon their return, Toma delighted them:
«I thought, why not move you to some village house? You need fresh air, and there’s a lake there, a lot of work in the garden and vegetable garden.»
… Six months later, the young couple announced to their relatives that they would soon become parents of a baby boy or girl. However, that’s a whole different story.
