Vasily walked leisurely through the park, enjoying the warm rays of the May sun. The foliage on the trees had already gained strength and now rustled with a light breeze. The air was fragrant with blooming apple trees and lilacs. Somewhere in the distance, children’s voices could be heard. «Mine are already grown up,» Vasily thought with a hint of sadness, remembering his twins, Lera and Denis.
It had been fifteen years since he left his family. Vasily remembered that day as if it were yesterday. How he packed a suitcase and told his wife that he was leaving. That he could no longer continue like this. He had met someone else. At that moment, it seemed to him that he was doing the right thing. He deserved love and happiness. And if the feelings had passed, what then? Their relationship had long outlived itself.
And yet, there was a time when it seemed they would be together… forever. He, a young lieutenant, just assigned to a distant garrison. And she, a college student, accidentally ended up in this God-forgotten corner for an internship. Their meeting was like a scene from a movie. He, tall and handsome, in dress uniform. And she, fragile and gentle, in a light lilac dress with a floral pattern.
Feelings flared up like a fire. Then they married Olya. And like everyone else—family, children. They had twins—Lera and Denis. Vasily was ready to carry his wife in his arms.
Years passed. From a naive lieutenant, Vasily turned into an experienced officer. He grew accustomed to strict military discipline and a clear schedule. Olya dedicated herself entirely to the family. She became a typical housewife. And Vasily began to notice that a gap seemed to have formed between them. As if they became strangers, speaking different languages.
Then he met Irina. She had that freshness, that spark that Vasily so lacked in his relationship with his wife. Irina looked at him with admiration, listened with interest. He rediscovered the long-forgotten taste of life and plunged into a new romance headlong.
So, he decided—what about his relationship with his wife? Why torture himself? The decision to leave came easily to him. Guilt? No, his conscience did not torment him. He had honestly told everything to Olya. Offered a trade, left them the apartment. What else was needed? He didn’t even try to imagine how his ex-wife’s life would turn out. How she would cope alone with two children. Probably, she would find herself a good man.
With Irina, at first, everything was perfect: passion, romance, dates. But over time, the euphoria passed, and harsh everyday life began. Irina had a completely different character than his ex-wife. She was more demanding, capricious. Irina was accustomed to a lavish lifestyle. She wanted a beautiful life, expensive things, travels. Vasily tried to meet her demands. He worked a lot, took extra shifts. But it was still not enough.
Arguments, scandals, mutual reproaches began. Irina constantly nagged. She reproached Vasily for earning too little. After all, he was supposed to provide her a decent life.
Still, he did not leave Irina. Maybe they argued often, but they also made up passionately. They even had a daughter in marriage. But even the arrival of a child could not completely fix the family’s relationships. Irina always wanted more.
Vasily tried his best to meet his wife’s demands, but it was all in vain. And then one day, coming home early, Vasily caught Irina in bed with another man.
And she didn’t even get embarrassed and didn’t try to justify herself. She said she was tired of her husband and she was leaving him. It turned out, this lover was a wealthy businessman. Irina found what she wanted…
Vasily was alone again And suddenly realized that many years ago, he had made a mistake. Destroyed his family for the sake of elusive happiness… Betrayed his closest people—wife and children.
And now, after so many years, he was here again. In this park, he once loved to walk with his little ones. So much here reminded him of the past! That very bench where he watched the children running around the park. And the tree Denis tried to climb, but fell and scraped his knee. Olya even scolded Vasily for not watching the child properly. Back then, Vasily got angry at his wife, but now he remembered those times with a smile.
Vasily sat on the bench, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Suddenly, he so wished he could turn everything back. Correct his mistakes. Embrace his now-grown children. Tell them how much he loves them.
Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by someone’s voice.
— Dad?
Vasily opened his eyes and saw a girl standing in front of him. Tall, slender, with long blond hair. She looked at him with wide eyes, full of surprise and… joy?
— Lera? — Vasily said uncertainly, not believing his eyes.
The girl nodded, and dimples appeared on her cheeks. Just like Olya’s.
— It really is you! — exclaimed Vasily.
He hadn’t seen his children for a long time. At first, he regularly paid alimony and saw the children. But then Irina started to insist. Why was he supporting «those»? Vasily gave in. He stopped seeing them and even stopped sending alimony. And somehow, he distanced himself from the whole issue. He thought Olya would find someone.
Lera came closer and hugged her father.
— We’re just walking here, — she smiled. — You haven’t changed at all, — Lera sat next to him on the bench. — Only… — she touched his hair. — Got a bit grayer.
— I can afford that after fifteen years, — Vasily tried to joke, but the joke sounded somewhat strained. — Lera, can you forgive me? — he asked quietly.
— Forgive you for what? — Lera did not understand.
— Well, for what? For leaving back then. Not calling, not visiting, — Vasily struggled to say.
Lera smiled weakly.
— We’re not mad at you. Well, we were, of course, at first. But then we forgave you. We understood that it was better for everyone.
Vasily looked at her with surprised eyes. Did the children really forgive him? After everything he had done? Did Olya not turn them against him?
— And how… how’s mom? — Vasily managed to ask.
— Fine, — Lera replied. — She works in a kindergarten. Loves children. You know that.
Lera paused.
— She’s doing well. She has a man, — she added nonchalantly.
That phrase cut Vasily to the quick. Who was he? How long had all this been going on? He had left his wife, and now he felt as if he had been betrayed. Vasily inwardly smirked. What a fool you are! And what were you expecting? That she would wait for you? It had been a whole fifteen years!
Lera continued:
— By the way, Denis is getting married soon. You should call him. I’ll give you the number. Maybe he’ll invite you.
Vasily called Denis. His son reacted not with the joy that his daughter had shown. But they still had a good talk. And Denis invited Vasily to his wedding. His heart was torn by conflicting emotions. On one hand, he really wanted to see his son, meet his fiancée. On the other, he feared meeting Olya. Afraid to see her happy in the arms of another.
But did he really have a choice?
When Vasily entered the restaurant hall, the guests were already gathered. Music played, waiters scurried between tables. The air was filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Vasily felt slightly awkward.
— Dad! — he heard a familiar voice.
Denis hurried toward him with a happy smile on his face.
— Hello, son! — Vasily replied and hugged Denis tightly.
— I’m so glad you could come! Let me introduce you to Katya.
Katya was a beautiful girl. Vasily was happy for his son. When the newlyweds walked away, the man looked around.
He searched for Olya with his eyes. And at that moment, he saw her. She stood by the window. She was wearing an elegant blue dress. She had hardly changed over the years.
At that moment, their eyes met. He approached her.
— Hello, Olya.
— Hello, Vasya, — she replied calmly. As if there had never been anything between them.
— You look beautiful.
— You’ve held up well too.
They talked a bit about the children, about everything and nothing. Then a man in his fifties approached Olya.
— Olya, aren’t you cold?
— No, everything’s fine, dear, — she smiled tenderly at the man. — Meet Vasya. Denis and Lera’s father.
The man extended his hand to Vasily.
— Sergey.
Vasily shook the man’s hand. So, things between Olya and him were serious. He watched the happy faces of his children. Olya, who was glowing with happiness next to another. And it made him feel so sick he could climb the walls. Life, like a mosaic, is made up of many pieces. And sometimes we fail to notice how we shatter this fragile picture with our own hands. And then we regret it for the rest of our lives.
