I hate September. I hate autumn!» Alina complained to her mother. «Again, my mother-in-law will claw her way into harvesting and preparing for winter. When will that woman have enough? She doesn’t have a stomach, she has an abyss!»
Angelina Lvovna shook her index finger disapprovingly:
«It’s not nice! Daughter, you shouldn’t talk like that!»
The girl jumped from the chair and, putting on a serious face, demonstratively paced the living room, mimicking a peacock. The woman couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.
«Oh, you little mischief-maker! I’ll take your words and behavior as a joke.»
Alina sat down on the sofa next to her mother, laid her head on her shoulder, and said in a troubled voice:
«Why can’t Elizaveta Gennadyevna be as kind as you? All she knows is to scold, point out mistakes, and flaws. As if she or her daughter are perfect!»
«My girl, every parent thinks their child is the best. Your mother-in-law doesn’t treat you badly, she just worries about her own son. That he is fed, cared for, loved. Any mother acts with the best intentions.»
«Well, well. He’s not a chick to be coddled. He is a grown man who can stand up for himself. Especially in front of me!»
Angelina Lvovna tenderly stroked her daughter’s head and kissed her forehead:
«Everything will be fine. Believe me! You’ve only been married for a year. Time will pass and you will get used to each other.»
«I’d like to believe that, but I doubt it,» Alina replied disappointedly. «I can put up with any flaws, but I hate it when people start acting like aristocrats. When they are not, of course.»
«Try to accept your relatives as they are. Without judgment and imposing your views. They are now your family.»
«Ah, let Elizaveta Gennadyevna make me toil at her dacha, scold me for every mistake, and I’ll just stand there meekly and nod my head. Sweet! What other advice do you have, mom?»
Angelina Lvovna looked carefully at her daughter and, squinting her eyes, asked:
«Tell me, do you love Kirill?»
«Of course! What a strange question?» Alina confidently replied. The girl looked puzzled at the woman.
«For your feelings towards your husband, you should do everything possible to improve relations with your mother-in-law and sister-in-law. By choosing a husband, you automatically choose his family. At least try. Do you promise?»
«Fine,» Alina grumbled. «But if it doesn’t work out, I’ll let loose completely. And you won’t stop me. Agreed?»
«As long as you don’t cross the bounds of decency. I hope I raised you well!» Angelina Lvovna said hopefully.
Returning home, the girl immediately began preparing dinner. Kirill was expected back from his mother’s in an hour or two. He visited his parental home every Friday to see Elizaveta Gennadievna and his older sister.
The women lived together. Despite the fact that her sister-in-law was thirty-two, she had no plans to marry, considering marriage a voluntary surrender to «prison.»
«Why do I need a supervisor?» Julia declared. «Here I live and enjoy life, savoring each day. I am my own master. But as soon as you put a ring on your finger, ‘the morning in the collective farm begins.’ Cook, wash, clean, tidy up, iron. Are you kidding me? Why do I need this torment? I will only marry if one day I go mad.»
Interestingly, Elizaveta Gennadievna did not condemn her daughter for such views but seemed even to encourage them.
«Yes, that’s exactly right. And you will always be a stranger in your husband’s family. No one will ever embrace you there with an open heart and soul. But if you fall in love…»
However, it was evident that the woman categorically did not want to part with her own daughter. If she had married, she would most likely have brought the groom into her mother’s apartment.
Elizaveta Gennadievna was more relaxed about her son’s life, justifying everything with the phrase «he’s just a boy.» Although here too, she tried to keep everything under control. Especially the daughter-in-law.
«Darling, I’m home!» Kirill joyfully shouted as soon as he entered the apartment. «I missed you madly!»
«That’s great!» the wife playfully responded. «And you’re very timely. I just finished frying the zucchini fritters. Delicious! Go take a shower, and I’ll set the table.»
After dinner, the husband solemnly said:
«It was very tasty! Thank you! Now we can peacefully prepare for the cottage. We’ll go first thing tomorrow.»
Alina had hoped until the last minute that her mother-in-law would leave them alone, but luck was not on her side.
«Can Elizaveta Gennadievna and Julia manage without us?» Alina frowned in displeasure.
«No. There’s still too much work left. Especially with the winter preparations. And mom’s back gave out, so everything falls on our shoulders.»
The wife sighed in displeasure:
«Kirill, I’m tired. Honestly! I’m exhausted from working at the cottage. Not only did we spend all summer in the vegetable beds, but now autumn is flying by there too. I get the feeling that it’s our garden, not your mother’s. Or is she just exploiting us!»
«Dear, don’t dramatize. I know how emotional you are,» Kirill kindly said. «But let’s not exaggerate. Besides, mom tries for everyone. And she’ll give us preserves. Doesn’t it help around the house?»
«Forget it!» Alina exclaimed. «I’d rather eat porridge all winter than fight weeds all summer.»
Kirill did not respond to his wife and silently went to make tea.
«Please, don’t ignore me!» the wife persisted. «I want us to learn to find common solutions right away. Otherwise, we’ll accumulate so much negativity that we won’t be able to cope with it in the future.»
«Alina, I’m very tired from the week. A challenging weekend is ahead. Can I at least rest for a couple of hours? Not think about anything. Just have a good time! Or don’t I deserve it?»
«Sorry,» the wife replied quietly, looking down. «I just shared what’s bothering me.»
The young man sighed and smiled kindly:
«Okay. Then let’s do this. I and Julia will handle the harvest and preparations. And you take care of the house. Specifically, cooking. How about that idea? In any case, all four of us need to eat. Otherwise, we won’t make very good workers. And you’re a miracle cook! Ready to dive into your favorite activity?»
«Absolutely!» the girl rejoiced.
Only Elizaveta Gennadievna was not thrilled by Kirill’s idea.
«Of course, let your wife cool down, while mom suffers with a sore back. Well done, son! This is what I deserved from you.»
But the young man completely ignored the woman’s «sobbing.» When she realized that any manipulation would not work, she decided to lash out at the daughter-in-law.
«No, don’t stew the zucchini. Think of something else. I’m sick of them.»
«Alright. Then maybe borsch or rassolnik? What would you like?»
«I wish all the work with the harvest was finished. Can you help? No! Then don’t pretend it concerns you.»
Remembering her mother’s words, Alina decided not to argue with her mother-in-law and silently continued cooking lunch.
«Who cuts potatoes in such huge chunks, great cook?» the woman taunted her daughter-in-law sarcastically. «I cooked better in first grade than you.»
«Great! But today you have no choice. Either you will eat what I put on the table, or you will remain hungry. And yes, I will not force or impose food.»
The mother-in-law disliked literally everything. How the glasses stood, how the napkins lay, even the color of the borsch.
Julia supported Elizaveta Gennadievna and echoed every complaint.
«Alin, I understand that you love my brother. But definitely too much salt. It’s simply impossible to eat. Trying to get rid of us?»
The girl laughed loudly throughout the house.
«Stop!» Kirill couldn’t take it anymore. «You’re acting like two quarrelsome old ladies. If you don’t like it that much, don’t eat. And I’m thrilled with everything my wife serves. She could have just stayed home on the couch and watched her favorite series. However, Alina showed respect. Be kind enough to behave accordingly! Or can’t you?»
The relatives did not dare to be rude to Alina for the rest of the weekend. However, they did not miss the opportunity to cast a haughty glance or mutter curses behind her back.
«You can speak out loud. If you have the courage, of course!» the daughter-in-law laughed. «Though I doubt it. I’m sure you don’t really want to lose male labor. Who will you harness then?»
«You’re the one provoking a fight! And then you complain!» the sister-in-law grumbled. «You came into our family. If you showed respect, everything would be fine. But apparently, you’re specifically trying to pick a fight. It won’t work!»
Alina was deeply hurt by Julia’s words and Elizaveta Gennadievna’s rude behavior. Upon returning home, the wife ultimatum to Kirill:
«I will no longer go to your family’s cottage. No one appreciates me or my work there!»
«Dear, please. At least you stay calm. Let them behave as they want. Know that it’s not out of malice. In any case, no one wants to offend or humiliate you. Believe me!»
«Are you serious or joking?» the girl yelled. «Your mom and sister did nothing but throw barbs at me. And I’m supposed to endure it?»
«Again, you’re dramatizing and exaggerating! Stop, Alina! Get busy! It will be better that way!»
The offense was choking the girl inside. No, she did not want to lose her husband, did not want to argue with him or spoil their relationship. But after everything that happened, the wife dreamed of putting both Kirill and the rude relatives in their place.
For several days, the couple did not talk.
Kirill came from work and immediately sat down in front of the TV. Alina locked herself in the room and spent the evenings watching videos and reading stories. Although deep down, she understood that this could not go on for long. Now their relationship had turned into a real kindergarten. They needed to reconcile, but how…
And then a long-awaited brilliant idea came to the girl’s mind.
«Dear, forgive me. I behaved foolishly!» Alina «sang» sweetly. «And I offended you, and your mother and sister-in-law. Everything just piled up at once and I exploded. I’ll try to control my emotions in the future.»
«You scare me…» the husband responded incredulously. «If you had come and unleashed all the pent-up ‘cockroaches,’ it would have been more believable.»
«It’s different. I value you too much!»
Kirill hugged his wife tightly.
«There’s nothing more valuable than you. Remember that!» the young man replied.
«I’m glad, but… that’s not all. I would like to reconcile with the relatives. Would you mind if I invite your mom and sister to dinner tomorrow?»
«I’m all for it! Especially since I’ll have the opportunity to help you with the preparations.»
«Agreed!»
The daughter-in-law called Elizaveta Gennadievna, apologized, and extended the invitation.
«That’s what I like more about you! A different conversation! Of course, we’ll come. We always meet those who respect us halfway.»
The next day Alina sent Kirill to the store early in the morning for groceries.
«Buy everything on the list, and choose the best quality! I want the dinner to be incredibly delicious!»
The daughter-in-law then proceeded according to plan. As soon as the young man returned home, the wife informed him of the unpleasant news.
«Dear. I feel a bit nauseous and weak.»
«Should we see a doctor?» the husband worried.
«No, no. It will pass. Probably a slight poisoning. I don’t want to cancel the dinner. Maybe you can cook? Under my careful guidance.»
«Are you sure you’re okay?»
«Of course! Let’s start, or we won’t finish in time.»
By the evening, the table was groaning with a variety of dishes.
«You did great!» the wife praised Kirill. «I didn’t think you could handle it. But I was very wrong!»
«I’m shocked at myself! I sweated bullets while cooking! I’ve started to see women’s work in a whole new light.»
Alina smiled slyly and waited for the guests.
The relatives arrived without gifts or a bottle of wine. As expected! As soon as they were at the table, they began their favorite activity.
«Daughter-in-law, what’s with this Olivier salad! Can this even be eaten? And how you oversalted the chicken! You’ll never learn to cook!»
«Are you sure? Is it really that bad?» Kirill clarified.
«Better to chew grass in the field. Probably tastier. But apparently, Alina’s youth shows itself. We’ll pray to God that one day she becomes a good housewife.»
«Looking at her mashed potatoes, it will never happen. Alas!»
Kirill had enough after twenty more minutes of compliments. That evening, he truly understood Alina and what she had to endure practically every day.
«Get out!» the young man got angry. «You appreciate nothing. You respect no one but yourselves. My wife is already a wonderful housewife. And you’ll never be decent people. Self-absorbed individuals who see nothing beyond their own noses. My wife was unwell. I spent a whole day in the kitchen, trying to please you. And what did I get in return? I never want to see you in my apartment again. Leave! Without tea or sugar!»
The women realized what they had done. They tried to justify themselves, find the right words, but it was too late. The young man kicked the hags out of the door.
«I taught the relatives such a lesson that they will forget the way to our house forever!» Alina laughed contentedly. «They thought they were the smartest, but played against themselves!
