Mom, what are you doing?» — Pavel stood in the doorway, holding onto Vera Nikolaevna’s hand as she purposefully headed toward the china cabinet.
«I’m helping your wife come up with the table setting. Fifteen people — that’s no joke. Everything needs to be beautifully organized,» the mother-in-law said as she tried to free her hand.
«Fifteen people? What fifteen people?» — Alina froze, a cloth still in her hand. She had just finished washing the living room windows after the recent renovation.
«I’ve already invited everyone for New Year. Aunt Galya with her husband, your brother with his wife and kids, Marina with Sergey…»
«What do you mean, ‘Marina’?» — Alina felt a chill run down her spine.
«Which Marina? Marina Sokolova — she and Sergey got married recently. Since her mother and I are friends, it would be awkward not to invite her.»
Pavel paled. Marina had been his first love; they had dated for five years before he met Alina.
«Mom, we can’t host that many guests,» Pavel said firmly. «The apartment is small, and financially it’s a difficult time.»
«Oh, don’t make things up! What do you mean ‘can’t host’? I’ve already told everyone. And besides, can you really celebrate New Year without family?» Vera Nikolaevna finally wrenched her hand free and strode decisively toward the sideboard.
Alina silently watched as her mother-in-law opened the doors and began rearranging the crystal glasses that she and Pavel had bought with their first joint salary.
«Vera Nikolaevna, we really aren’t ready for so many guests,» Alina said as calmly as she could.
«Not ready?! And who’s supposed to be ready? Me, perhaps?» the mother-in-law snapped as she suddenly spun around. «By the way, this is my son’s apartment. I have the right to invite whomever I want.»
«Mom!» Pavel stepped forward.
«What, ‘mom’? Am I not telling the truth? Are you the boss here or what? Or are you too scared to speak your mind to your wife?»
Alina felt a lump forming in her throat. For three years, she and Pavel had been saving for the renovation, denying themselves everything. And now the mother-in-law — who hadn’t even offered to help hang the curtains during all this time — was dictating the household as if she were the mistress.
«Vera Nikolaevna, let’s sit down and calmly discuss this,» Alina attempted to ease the tension.
«There’s nothing to discuss!» snapped the mother-in-law. «I’ve already decided. We’ll set two tables — one in the living room, one in the kitchen. We’ll seat the children separately…»
«Mom, stop it!» Pavel raised his voice. «This is our home, and we decide who to invite!»
Vera Nikolaevna froze, glass in hand. Genuine astonishment spread over her face:
«Pasha, are you really going against your own mother? I only want what’s best. Look, Alina is completely tied up with that renovation — she even lost weight. And now, here’s this celebration — everyone will come, we’ll have fun…»
«Don’t pretend you care about us,» Alina said quietly. «In three years of renovation, you never once offered to help. You didn’t even ask if we needed money or extra hands.»
«And what are you accusing me of?» the mother-in-law snapped instantly. «By the way, I raised Pasha all by myself, without a father. I gave him everything — my strength and my health. And now, I don’t have the right to invite guests into his home?»
«Mom, stop playing on my sympathies,» Pavel grimaced. «I appreciate everything you did, but this is no reason to meddle in our lives. Alina and I will decide how to celebrate New Year.»
«Oh, really!» Vera Nikolaevna threw her hands up dramatically. «So, you’ve grown into an ungrateful son! And yet, I’m so…», she suddenly paused and paled.
«What do you mean, ‘what am I to you?'» Pavel narrowed his eyes. «Finish your sentence.»
Alina tensed. Something in her husband’s tone didn’t sit well with her.
«Nothing,» the mother-in-law turned toward the window. «Forget it.»
«No, finish your sentence. What did you want to say?»
«Pasha, you don’t have to…» Alina reached for her husband’s hand, but he gently pulled her away.
«Yes, you do, Alina. It was high time we cleared the air. Mom, I’m waiting.»
Vera Nikolaevna was silent, nervously fidgeting with the edge of her blouse.
«Alright, then I’ll say it myself,» Pavel said as he approached the sideboard and pulled out the bottom drawer. «Remember this little box? You gave it to me when I was a child and told me to keep my most precious treasures in it.»
The mother-in-law spun around sharply:
«Put it back!»
«You know what I found in it a month ago, during an inventory before the renovation?» Pavel revealed a bundle of letters, tied with a faded ribbon. «Your correspondence with Marina’s mother. Quite an interesting read, I must say.»
Alina froze. It was the first time she had seen these letters.
«Son, that’s all in the past…» Vera Nikolaevna’s voice trembled.
«Really? But judging by the dates on the envelopes, it doesn’t look like it. For example, here’s a letter from February this year. I quote: ‘Masha, we need to do something urgently. This girl is completely unsuitable for my Pasha. She can’t cook properly, nor manage a household. But your Marina — that’s different. I can see how they look at each other when they accidentally meet. We just need to help them understand that they were made for each other…'»
«Hand them over!» the mother-in-law lunged at her son, trying to snatch the letters.
«Not a chance. And that’s not all. Here’s another, from March: ‘The plan to promote Marina at Pasha’s company fell through — her boss flat out refused to hire a new employee. But don’t be disheartened, I’ve thought of something even better. Let’s arrange for them to meet by chance at the restaurant where Pasha will be celebrating a successful project with colleagues. And of course, Alina won’t come — she’s too busy investing in her renovation, even scrimping on a new dress…'»
Alina felt the room beginning to spin before her eyes. All these months, while she and Pavel had been scrimping every penny and denying themselves everything, the mother-in-law had been weaving intrigues behind their backs.
«Why, Mom?» Pavel asked quietly. «Explain to me — why?»
Vera Nikolaevna sank onto the sofa:
«I only wanted what was best… Marina comes from a good family; her mother and I have been friends all our lives. And she truly loves you, I can see it…»
«Mom, are you even hearing yourself? What love? Marina got married to Sergey two years ago!»
«By calculation, she did!» the mother-in-law exclaimed. «She got upset that you were with this…» — she paused under her son’s gaze — «with Alina, so she jumped at the chance to spite you after your first encounter!»
«Vera Nikolaevna, have you ever wondered why Pavel chose me?» Alina stepped closer to her husband and took his hand. «Not Marina, the girl from a good family, but an ordinary girl from the provinces?»
«Because she’s genuine, Mom,» Pavel squeezed his wife’s hand tighter. «She doesn’t try to appear better than she is. She doesn’t plot schemes. She simply loves and cares. And your Marina… Do you remember how she demanded expensive gifts from me? How she would throw tantrums if I stayed late at work? How she tried to pit me against my friends?»
«She’s just very emotional!» Vera Nikolaevna flailed her hands. «But she was such a good housekeeper; the whole house was always spotless…»
«That’s because she had a maid,» Pavel chuckled. «And Alina does everything herself. And she works just as hard as I do.»
«Exactly!» the mother-in-law interjected. «Is it right for a wife to disappear at work all day? Marina could be at home, creating a cozy atmosphere for you…»
«At whose expense, Mom? Mine? So you can later criticize every single penny, like you criticized your father?»
Vera Nikolaevna paled:
«Don’t you dare mention your father! He abandoned us!»
«No, Mom. It was your constant criticisms and reproaches that broke him. I remember everything, even when I was little. And I don’t want to repeat that story.»
«Pasha…» the mother-in-law sobbed. «I only ever wished you well…»
«Well?» Pavel’s bitter smile emerged. «And these letters — is this well? Attempts to tear our family apart — is that love? You know what I realized when I read your correspondence? That you haven’t changed. You’re still the same controlling woman who can’t accept that your son has grown up and is living his own life.»
«I am not a controller!» Vera Nikolaevna protested indignantly. «I just want what’s best for you!»
«I am happy, Mom. Truly happy. And you know why? Because I’m with someone who loves me just as I am. Who doesn’t try to change me, or demand that I live up to someone else’s expectations. She simply loves and accepts me.»
«And what about me? Do you think I don’t love you?»
«Of course I do, Mom. In my own way. But your love suffocates. Like ivy — wrapping around and not letting me breathe.»
Alina watched the conversation in silence. It pained her to see her husband suffering, yet she understood that this conversation had to happen.
«And now?» Vera Nikolaevna’s voice trembled. «Are you going to kick your mother out?»
«No, Mom. I won’t kick her out. But I won’t allow this to continue either. No more schemes. No more manipulations. No uninvited guests for New Year.»
«And what about the family? What am I supposed to tell them?»
«I’ll tell the truth. That Alina and I plan to celebrate the holiday as a couple. We have the right — it’s our first New Year in the renovated apartment.»
«As a couple?» the mother-in-law clutched her chest. «And what about me?»
«And you, Mom, if you’d like, come on January 2nd. We can sit and talk quietly. Have some tea.»
«Tea?» Vera Nikolaevna asked with a bitter laugh. «Tea with a daughter-in-law who can’t even bake a pie?»
«Vera Nikolaevna,» Alina stepped forward decisively, «I can learn to bake pies. And to cook borscht. And make dumplings. It’s not hard. But can you learn to respect other people’s boundaries? To accept your son’s choices? To rejoice in his happiness, even if it doesn’t match your own ideas?»
The mother-in-law opened her mouth to respond but then paused. Something in the tone of her daughter-in-law made her think.
«You know, Vera Nikolaevna,» Alina continued, «I’ve never tried to come between you and Pasha. On the contrary — I always welcomed you, set the table, tried to please you… And all the while, you were plotting behind our backs to tear our family apart.»
«I didn’t…»
«No, Mom, that’s exactly what you did,» Pavel said firmly. «And you know what’s most painful? You don’t even realize how deeply you hurt me with your actions. Not to mention Alina.»
Vera Nikolaevna slowly sank onto the sofa. For the first time during the entire conversation, she looked truly at a loss.
«Pasha… my dear…,» she shifted her gaze from son to daughter-in-law. «I really never meant to hurt anyone. I was just worried…»
«Worried about what, Mom? That I wouldn’t live up to your friends’ standards? Or that I’d stop being your little boy you can control?»
Vera Nikolaevna covered her face with her hands:
«Son, you just don’t understand… I’ve been alone my whole life. After your father left, it was just you and me. And now…»
«Now it’s time to learn to live your own life, Mom,» Pavel said softly. «You’re still young, beautiful. There’s so much you can discover for yourself.»
«Young? Beautiful?» the mother-in-law sighed. «I’m fifty-five…»
«That’s a wonderful age!» Alina interjected unexpectedly. «Vera Nikolaevna, you’re so active. I know you used to love dancing…»
«Where did you hear that?» the mother-in-law asked, surprised as she lifted her head.
«Pasha told me. And he showed me photos of you performing in your youth. You were so graceful…»
«Yes…» A new spark appeared in Vera Nikolaevna’s eyes. «Back then, my friends and I used to take weekly dance lessons. And then life got busy — work, home, Pasha…»
«Then why not start again?» Alina suggested. «There are so many options nowadays. There are classes for adults too.»
«In my age?» Vera Nikolaevna shook her head skeptically.
«Why not? By the way, my aunt, who’s fifty-eight, signed up for yoga. She says it’s like being born again — her posture improved, and her mood changed completely.»
Pavel looked at his wife in amazement. He hadn’t expected that after all the resentments and intrigues, she would find the strength to speak so warmly and sincerely to his mother.
«Vera Nikolaevna,» Alina continued, «let’s start over, shall we? No grudges, no manipulations, no schemes. Let’s simply communicate as normal people. Allow Pasha and me to live our lives, and we’ll be happy to have you visit. Really happy.»
«And the pies?» the mother-in-law asked suddenly, childlike.
«We can learn to bake pies together,» Alina smiled. «If you’d like to share your recipes.»
«I have one…» Vera Nikolaevna brightened. «A cabbage and mushroom pie. My grandmother’s recipe. I never gave it to anyone; I thought I’d pass it on to Marina…»
«Mom!» Pavel warned.
«Oh, sorry, son,» the mother-in-law lowered her eyes guiltily. «Old habits…»
«Alina, would you like me to teach you how to bake this pie? Though it takes quite a bit of time — the dough must be rested properly…»
«Of course I’d like to!» Alina replied sincerely. «Maybe we can bake it together for Christmas?»
«For Christmas?» Vera Nikolaevna looked at her son hopefully.
«Definitely, Mom,» Pavel nodded. «Come to our place on January 7th and we’ll cook together. And Alina and I will celebrate New Year as a couple, okay?»
The mother-in-law paused, smoothing the wrinkles on her skirt:
«Alright, son. You’re right — it’s your celebration. And as for me… perhaps I’ll even go back to dancing. I’ll find out if there are any classes available…»
She got up from the sofa and headed for the door. Before leaving, she turned around:
«Alina… dear, forgive me if you can. I truly only wanted what was best. I just didn’t understand…»
«Everything’s fine, Vera Nikolaevna,» Alina replied softly. «The most important thing is that you understand now.»
When the door closed behind her mother-in-law, Pavel wrapped his arms around his wife:
«You’re amazing. I couldn’t have handled all her intrigues.»
«I just see how much you suffer,» Alina pressed against him. «And besides, she’s truly a lonely woman, afraid of losing the most precious thing she has.»
«But that’s no reason to try and destroy our happiness.»
«Of course not. But now that everything’s out in the open, maybe she’ll finally understand that she isn’t our rival. That we can simply be a family — without intrigues and manipulations.»
Pavel kissed his wife on the head:
«So, do you really want to learn how to bake her signature pie?»
«Absolutely!» Alina smiled slyly. «First of all, it’s delicious. Secondly, it’ll make her feel needed. And thirdly…» she hesitated.
«Thirdly, what?»
«Thirdly, I’ve longed to learn how to cook something special. Something that’s ‘ours’ — a family recipe. So that someday our children will say, ‘Remember Mom’s pie made with grandma’s recipe?'»
«Children?» Pavel looked at his wife in surprise. «Are you trying to tell me something?»
«No, not at all!» Alina laughed. «It’s too early. First, we have to finish the renovation and settle in… I’m just thinking about the future. About how we’ll live going forward.»
«And how will that be?»
«It will be wonderful. Without unnecessary complications, without others’ expectations. Just loving each other and enjoying every day.»
Pavel looked thoughtfully out the window:
«And what about Mom… do you really think she’ll change?»
«Not immediately, of course. Old habits don’t vanish overnight. But if we’re patient and consistent, I believe everything will work out. The key is to make her understand that she isn’t losing a son, but gaining a new family.»
«You’re so wise,» Pavel smiled.
«Not wise, just practical,» Alina winked at him. «By the way, we still need to buy a Christmas tree. And get the ornaments out of storage.»
«Exactly! How about we go tree shopping this Saturday? There are such beauties at the market these days…»
«Sure! But first, we need to hang the curtains in the bedroom; they’ve been in the box for two months now.»
«Agreed. Listen, maybe we should finally order some curtain rods? I can’t stand the thought of fiddling with the drill again…»
«No way!» Alina playfully threatened him with a finger. «We decided to save money. You said every penny counts.»
«Alright, alright,» Pavel relented, pulling his wife close. «But don’t complain later when the renovation takes up your entire weekend.»
«I won’t. But once we’re done, I’ll feel such pride! We did it ourselves, with our own hands…»
There was an unexpected ring at the door. The couple exchanged glances.
«Could it be that Mom’s come back?» Pavel frowned.
Alina opened the door. Standing on the threshold was the neighbor from the ground floor:
«Hello! Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to let you know — the residents here have decided to decorate the yard with a Christmas tree for New Year. Maybe you’d like to join us? Every year we celebrate separately, but we thought, why not have a communal celebration for the whole building?»
