Valentina and Mikhail moved to a regional center a few years ago, aiming to find decent jobs. Their paths crossed in an office where they began to collaborate. Initially, their interaction was strictly professional—just work-related discussions and casual lunchtime conversations. However, they gradually discovered many common interests, leading to longer and more meaningful talks.
Mikhail eventually decided to ask Valentina to the movies, which marked the beginning of something greater. Over time, their relationship strengthened, and Mikhail proposed. It wasn’t long before they officially formalized their relationship, and Mendelssohn’s march played at their wedding, symbolizing the start of a new chapter in their lives together.
After their wedding, Valentina and Mikhail seriously considered buying their own home. They were tired of renting apartments and always depending on someone else’s property and mood. After much deliberation, they decided to take out a mortgage and chose a two-bedroom apartment. Finding the right place took time as they weighed all pros and cons and carefully analyzed their financial capabilities, but they eventually found what they were looking for and secured the necessary loan.
When Mikhail’s relatives heard of their decision, the reaction was ecstatic. His parents, older brother, sister, and other close family members were overjoyed.
«How wonderful!» exclaimed Mikhail’s sister. «Now you’ll have your own place right in the city!»
«Of course!» his brother echoed. «And when we visit, we’ll always have a place to stay.»
Valentina and Mikhail didn’t take these words too seriously, considering them just simple enthusiasm. However, it soon became clear that this joy hid a different story. A month after moving in, Mikhail’s relatives began frequent visits.
His parents came first, claiming they wanted to help set up the new home. They spent a whole week in the young couple’s apartment, actively expressing their opinions on every interior item.
«Valya, you definitely need a painting here, and you must put flowers there,» commanded Mikhail’s mother, confidently walking around the apartment.
Valentina politely nodded, not daring to contradict her in-laws. As soon as they left, Mikhail’s older brother arrived with his wife and two children. They had come to the city for a medical examination.
«You don’t mind if we stay with you, do you?» the brother asked. «Hotels are expensive, and you have so much space.»
Of course, Mikhail couldn’t deny his own brother, and although Valentina felt uncomfortable due to the influx of guests, she remained silent. The planned three days stretched into a whole week.
And that was not all. No sooner had the couple caught their breath after the departure of the brother’s family than Mikhail’s sister arrived. She claimed she needed to update her wardrobe—according to her, the selection in their small town was too limited.
«I’ll just take a little walk through the shops,» confidently said Katya, «just two days, and I’ll leave.» But those promised two days stretched into a whole week of endless shopping. Moreover, Katya decided it would be nice to show Valentina all the main attractions of the city. Constant tours and walks made Valentina feel not like the owner of her own apartment, but like hotel staff: cooking, changing linens, constantly bustling in the kitchen.
Mikhail noticed how his wife gradually exhausted from the endless flow of relatives. He felt ashamed to refuse his family, but he tried to hint that they had a lot of work and couldn’t always accommodate guests. However, his subtle hints went unnoticed.
«Val, you’re not mad, are you?» Mikhail cautiously asked after another departure of guests.
«No, what are you talking about,» Valentina answered, though she was boiling inside with suppressed irritation. She tried not to upset her husband and maintain good relations with his family, but with each new visit, it became increasingly difficult.
When Valentina became pregnant, the situation slightly changed. Mikhail began to realize that his wife’s peace was more important than anything. He started to refuse his relatives’ requests to visit more often. Valentina hoped that their home would no longer resemble a public thoroughfare.
However, the joy was short-lived. Just a week after being discharged from the hospital, Mikhail’s parents appeared at their apartment door.
«We just can’t wait any longer! We want to see our granddaughter!» exclaimed Mikhail’s mother joyfully.
Valentina had not yet fully recovered from childbirth but was again forced to host guests. Following the parents, other relatives of Mikhail found new reasons to visit.
Valentina plunged back into the role of a maid and cook. She had to cook for a large number of people, clean up after the guests, and simultaneously care for her newborn daughter. It was unbearable.
«Mish, maybe that’s enough?» she pleaded with her husband.
«What’s the big deal? They just want to see their granddaughter,» Mikhail shrugged.
He couldn’t understand what it was like to be in her place. If life with relatives seemed hard to Valentina before, now it became a real ordeal. Arguments with her husband became frequent. Valentina’s irritation grew from Mikhail’s complete lack of understanding.
When she shared her problems with her friends, they began to advise her more radical solutions.
«Val, you can’t continue living like this,» said one of the friends. «Maybe you should think about divorce? Just wait until Anka grows up a bit, and then leave. This life will simply kill you.»
Despite all the difficulties, Valentina didn’t even consider divorce as an option. Yes, her husband’s relatives were overly intrusive, and their relationship wasn’t perfect. But Mikhail was a reliable man. He never skimped on his family, didn’t demand reports on her spending, and they paid the mortgage together. Moreover, he always actively helped Valentina in difficult moments. If she asked him for something, he responded immediately. So, extreme measures seemed completely unnecessary to her.
One day her husband approached her with news: «Valyush, you know what? Parents decided to drop by on Saturday. They say it’s been a long time since the whole family got together.»
«And when did they manage to plan this?» Valentina asked irritably. «Why weren’t we informed?»
«Well… mom called and said everyone had already agreed. You don’t mind, do you?» Mikhail cautiously added.
«And if I mind, will it change anything?» she countered.
Mikhail looked bewildered at his wife: «Listen, I understand, but… I won’t be cooking anything,» Valentina firmly declared. «And I’m not going to make any special preparations for their visit.»
«How can that be?» Mikhail was surprised. «What will we tell them?»
«We won’t say anything. If they want to come, let them come. But I’m no longer willing to be their free servant.»
Mikhail tried to reason with his wife: «Val, it’s still my family. It would be awkward…»
«And is it convenient for you when they show up unannounced? Is it convenient to make me serve a whole company when I have a small child?» she retorted.
Mikhail was stunned, seeing his wife at her limit. «Maybe we can order something from a restaurant?» he suggested.
«No, Misha,» Valentina firmly answered. «Let them come just like that, without pompous dinners. And let them take care of their own comfort.»
When the relatives finally appeared, Valentina demonstratively occupied herself with the child and her own business, ignoring any attempts to involve her in hospitality.
«And where is our Valechka?» asked Mikhail’s mother. «Why isn’t anything prepared?»
«Because we weren’t expecting you,» Valentina calmly answered.
«How could you not be expecting us? We had an agreement!» Mikhail’s mother was indignant.
«You agreed without us,» Valentina coldly interrupted her. «We have our own concerns and plans.»
«And where is the treat?» Mikhail’s mother continued to inquire.
«There will be no treat,» Valentina stated clearly.
«How can this be?!» exclaimed Mikhail’s sister, clearly displeased by the situation.
Mikhail’s brother tried to defuse the conflict: «Maybe we’ll order a pizza or something else?»
«No,» Valentina firmly answered. «If you need a break, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the city. You can even go to a hotel. But this is my home, and I decide how to live in it.»
The relatives were literally shocked by such an unexpected turn of events. Everyone was used to Valentina always welcoming them with a richly set table, ready to please everyone.
Mikhail’s mother tried to play on her feelings: «Valechka, we’re family! How can you treat us this way?»
«Very simply,» Valentina calmly answered. «I’m tired of being your free servant.»
This caused a real storm of indignation among the relatives.
«Well, stay alone then!» Mikhail’s sister flared up. «Our feet won’t touch this place again!»
«Great,» Valentina unflinchably responded.
When the uninvited guests left, Mikhail looked at his wife with puzzlement: «Valya, maybe we were too harsh?»
«No, Misha,» she confidently answered. «This was exactly what was needed.»
After this incident, Mikhail’s relatives ceased their frequent visits. Only once did Mikhail’s sister ask to come over, but in a more correct manner, and she spent time culturally, without claims and demands. Valentina was ready to welcome such guests—those who treated her space with respect.
