Nina sat with her legs drawn up beneath her amidst scattered magazines and glossy catalogs of wedding dresses. Outside the window, a gloomy October played with the last leaves, yet inside Nina felt light and joyful. There were only two months left until the wedding! Nina flipped through the pages, stopping now on one style, now on another.
«Maybe this one?» Nina held a magazine closer to the monitor, showing the picture to her friend over a video call. «Is it too extravagant?»
«In my opinion, it’s perfect!» Masha exclaimed, simultaneously typing something on her keyboard. «Has Vanya seen it yet?»
«You kidding!» Nina laughed, quickly closing the magazine. «They say a groom shouldn’t see the dress before the wedding—it’s bad luck.»
Nina got up from the sofa, dusting off her soft, fluffy lounge pants. Masha was mentioning something about a stylist and a salon, but Nina’s thoughts had already wandered. It had been almost a year since she and Vanya had been together. These were her first truly serious relationship, where everything was planned and reliable. No more rebellious artists or rock musicians, perpetually broke. Vanya was an engineer at a construction company with a good salary, plans for the future, and steady work.
The only thing that slightly bothered Nina were Vanya’s parents. Margarita Pavlovna, a stately woman with a severe look that seemed to pierce not only Nina but her entire lineage up to the seventh generation, and Nikolai Petrovich, a gaunt, always taciturn man who, at the table, answered only with “yes” or “no,” and spent the rest of the time seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
«Nina!» Masha impatiently brought her friend back to reality. «Are you even listening to me? I’m asking, when did you book an appointment with the stylist?»
«Sorry, I got lost in thought,» Nina said, rubbing the bridge of her nose. «Next Thursday, in the evening.»
When the call ended, Nina returned to thoughts of Vanya’s parents. At the last meeting, Margarita Pavlovna had not missed an opportunity to needle her daughter-in-law:
«Cutlets, dear, have to be made with love,» her mother-in-law said, setting the plate aside. «My little Vanya likes them juicier.»
«I’ll definitely keep that in mind next time,» Nina tried to smile, though her jaw was tense.
«And where did you bake the bread?» Margarita Pavlovna inspected the table.
«I bought it at the bakery…» Nina began, but Margarita Pavlovna already shook her head as if to say, «I knew it.»
«Vanya likes homemade bread. I always bake it myself.»
Vanya never reacted to such remarks. He just smiled, as if it were an innocent joke rather than constant attacks on Nina. Only once, when Margarita Pavlovna began to criticize Nina particularly harshly, did Vanya place his hand on Nina’s wrist and say:
«Mom, enough, alright?»
But it didn’t sound very convincing.
By the way, Vanya’s parents lived in the countryside, nearly three hours away from the city. They rarely visited. Nina tried not to think about it—in the end, she was marrying Vanya, not his parents.
Occasionally, Vanya would throw out odd remarks about how boring life was for his parents in the village, that they needed to be rescued from there. Nina took it as just typical sonly concerns.
The sound of a key in the lock interrupted Nina’s thoughts.
«Baby, I’m home!» Vanya burst into the apartment, laden with bags. His light brown hair was damp from a light rain, and a satisfied smile played on his face. «I bought the wine you wanted!»
Nina rushed over, helping him remove his jacket.
«And what are we celebrating?»
«Nothing, I just wanted to make you happy.»
The evening was unfolding perfectly. They sipped wine, watched a comedy, and laughed. Vanya talked about a new project at work, making plans for the future. And everything seemed almost perfect. Almost.
«By the way,» Vanya casually mentioned after the movie ended, «my father called today. He complains that mom got really down in the village.»
«Maybe they should see a doctor?» Nina suggested, settling more comfortably on the sofa. «There are excellent modern antidepressants available now.»
«What does depression have to do with it?» Vanya raised his eyebrows. «They’re just bored. The neighbors left, the store closed… Everything is getting tougher.»
«Maybe they should move to the district center? There are more opportunities there,» Nina proposed.
«Yeah, but how are they going to afford living there?» Vanya countered as he finished his wine. «Their pension is small.»
«Well, you help them,» Nina reasonably noted.
«Yes, but…» Vanya fell silent for a moment, gazing out the window. Then he smiled oddly and blurted out: «Honey, it’s a good thing you have a big apartment! My parents can take one room, since they’re tired of living in the village!»
Nina froze. That moment reminded her of a strange dream in which she was desperately trying to run but her legs wouldn’t move. The individual words made sense, but together they didn’t add up in her mind.
«Are you joking?» Nina forced out a nervous laugh.
«Why would I joke?» Vanya reached for the wine bottle, pouring himself another glass. «They’re having a hard time, you know. And here we’re going to help them. You’re not against it, right?» he asked in a tone as casual as if he were asking if she wanted to go to the movies tomorrow.
«Vanya,» Nina set her glass on the table. «But we never even discussed this. And besides, my apartment isn’t that big. Three rooms, one of which is my office.»
«Well, the office can be moved to the kitchen,» Vanya suggested lightly, as if he were merely talking about shifting a flowerpot on the windowsill.
«Wait,» Nina straightened up. «You didn’t even ask for my opinion. You just presented it as a done deal.»
«Well, you can’t kick them out!» Vanya looked at her in surprise. «Why are you getting so worked up?»
«Because it would be normal to discuss it first—find out what I think, and then decide,» Nina said, feeling her heartbeat quicken.
«They’re my parents,» Vanya’s voice was edged with irritation. «I warned you, wasn’t that enough?»
«Nina took a deep breath, trying to speak calmly. «Vanya, this is my apartment. I bought it with my own money, money I worked for for five years.»
«I thought you understood that family is shared,» Vanya turned away dramatically, folding his arms across his chest. «But it turns out you’re too attached to your own space for my parents.»
Nina couldn’t believe her ears. Where did this idea of “a space for my parents” come from? They were talking about a full move.
«Listen, maybe we could rent an apartment nearby for them?» Nina suggested. «I could even help pay for the first few months.»
«Why spend money when we have your apartment?!» Vanya threw the TV remote onto the sofa. «I don’t understand what the problem is!»
«The problem is that you didn’t even ask me!» Nina raised her voice, which was extremely rare for her. «You decided for both of us without caring about what I wanted!»
«Am I supposed to ask for permission to help my parents?» Vanya leapt from the sofa.
At that moment, Nina was struck by the realization. Vanya didn’t even consider her opinion. He had already made up his mind. And they weren’t even married yet. What if Vanya decided to quit his job and live off her income? Or decided to sell her car without asking? Who knows what else!
«Vanya,» Nina began.
«You know what,» Vanya interrupted, «if you can’t accept my parents, maybe we need to reconsider our plans altogether.»
Nina froze. Was he really making their relationship contingent on whether Nina was willing to let his parents live with them?
«Are you serious right now?»
Vanya fell silent, his gaze boring into Nina. Suddenly, a wave of heat rushed over her.
«Maybe we both need to calm down and talk tomorrow,» Nina said as she rose from the sofa, heading for the bedroom.
«What else!» Vanya abruptly grabbed her wrist, not letting her go. «We’re going to settle this right now.»
His grip was so unexpected and strong that Nina froze, not believing what was happening. Who was this man? Was he really the Vanya she had spent the last year with?
«Let me go,» Nina whispered.
«I won’t let go until we decide,» Vanya insisted stubbornly.
«Either you let go of my wrist right now, or I call the police,» Nina stared right into his eyes. «Your choice.»
For several seconds, a heavy tension hung between them. Nina didn’t look away, though she trembled inside. Finally, Vanya relaxed his grip, leaving a reddish mark on her wrist.
«Sorry,» Vanya mumbled as he stepped aside. «I just hate that you won’t help my parents.»
Nina rubbed her hand, feeling the growing hurt inside. Does this man really not understand what just happened? He grabbed her, caused her pain, and now acts as if he’s the victim?
«I’m going to sleep,» Nina said quietly. «We both need to cool off.»
«Sure,» Vanya flopped back onto the sofa and turned up the TV volume demonstratively.
The following days turned into a tense truce. Nina and Vanya behaved politely but coolly. Their conversations were limited to trivial household matters: «We’re out of bread,» «I’ll be late today,» «Masha got called to the doctor.» There was no talk about the parents or the upcoming wedding.
On the morning of the fifth day, when Vanya left for work, Nina’s phone rang. The caller ID showed «Margarita Pavlovna.» Nina sighed deeply, gathering her strength, and answered:
«Good morning.»
«It won’t be good!» Margarita Pavlovna’s voice was sharp, like a whip crack. «I heard you don’t want to have us over! Well, fine, we’ll manage without you since Vanya has already decided everything.»
Nina froze, phone in hand, trying to process what she had heard.
«Margarita Pavlovna, Vanya and I are still discussing this…»
«What is there to discuss?» the mother-in-law interrupted. «My son said we’re moving in two weeks. Nikolai has already arranged for a truck for the furniture.»
The room seemed to sway before Nina’s eyes. Had Vanya already set a moving date? Without even telling her?
«Margarita Pavlovna, I’m sorry, but I need to make a call,» Nina said hurriedly, hanging up.
Her hands trembled as she dialed Vanya’s number. He didn’t answer. Of course, he had a meeting. Nina sent a message: «Your mom called. She said you’ve already decided on the move. We need to talk today.»
The response came only three hours later: «Yes, we’ll talk in the evening.»
The day dragged on endlessly. Nina couldn’t focus on work; her thoughts kept returning to the conversation that awaited her that evening. When Vanya finally returned home, Nina was already waiting in the living room, composed and determined.
«Hi,» Vanya said, looking tired but calm. «Let’s talk.»
«Let’s,» Nina gestured to the chair opposite her. «Your mom said that you’ve already set a moving date. Is it true?»
«Well, I roughly planned it,» Vanya shrugged, avoiding her gaze. «What’s the delay?»
«Vanya, I want you to listen to me,» Nina tried to speak calmly. «This is my apartment. These are my boundaries. I’m not ready to live with your parents.»
«Are you really upset about one room?!» Vanya waved his hand irritably. «You have three! Don’t my parents deserve even a corner?»
«It’s not about the room,» Nina shook her head. «It’s about you making decisions without considering me. This is the second time you’ve cornered me. First, you say the parents are moving in, then you set a date. And you have no interest in what I want.»
«Because your opinion is selfish!» Vanya sprang to his feet. «I thought you were kind and caring, but it turns out…»
«What turns out?» Nina also stood up. «That I have an opinion? That I want to be considered? That’s called self-respect, Vanya.»
«No, that’s called selfishness!»
Nina looked at Vanya’s flushed face, at his clenched fists, and suddenly realized—she would have to fight for her personal space all her life if she didn’t set a boundary now.
«You know, Vanya, I’ve been thinking over these past few days,» Nina slowly removed her engagement ring from her finger. «And I’ve realized that I’m not ready to marry someone who considers my opinions insignificant.»
Vanya stared at the ring in her hand without blinking.
«You can’t just cancel everything.»
«I can,» Nina said firmly. «And I’m canceling.»
Leaving the ring on the table, Nina walked out of the room. The next hour she spent packing Vanya’s things into a suitcase. When she returned to the living room, Vanya was still sitting on the sofa, but anger now burned in his eyes.
«So, that’s it?» he spat through gritted teeth. «You’re just abandoning me?»
«Vanya, this isn’t revenge,» Nina answered wearily. «I just realized that we view relationships very differently. It’s better to part ways now than to torture each other later.»
Vanya abruptly stood up and snatched the suitcase from Nina’s hands.
«You’ll regret this. You’ll understand what you lost.»
As the door slammed behind him, Nina sank to the floor and finally burst into tears. Not because of the breakup—she knew deep down that she had done the right thing. She cried from exhaustion, from the tension of the past few days, from realizing how many things had to be canceled: the restaurant, the dress, the photographer… Yet strangely, that prospect didn’t scare her.
The phone rang as it grew dark outside. Margarita Pavlovna.
«Yes, I’m listening,» Nina tried to keep her voice even.
«What have you done?!» Margarita Pavlovna almost screamed. «Vanya told me everything! Are you heartless? You kicked the boy out over nothing?!»
«Margarita Pavlovna…»
«Silence! My son loved you, and you… You’re so greedy, so selfish! You’ve destroyed a family!»
Nina listened to this torrent of accusations, holding the phone to her ear, yet strangely remaining calm. When Margarita Pavlovna finally finished her tirade, Nina said:
«I didn’t destroy a family. I didn’t create one. Goodbye.»
And she hung up.
The following days were filled with a flurry of tasks: canceling the restaurant reservation, notifying the guests, sorting out the dress… But with each resolved issue, Nina felt lighter. It was as if she were shedding an invisible burden.
A week after the breakup, Nina met Masha in a café.
«How are you?» her friend asked with concern.
«You know,» Nina stirred her coffee thoughtfully, «I feel light. I thought I’d be miserable, crying, feeling sorry for myself. But instead, I feel… free.»
«Don’t you regret it?»
«Not for a second,» Nina smiled. «I realized something important, Masha. It’s better to be alone in my own apartment than with moochers I never even invited.»
«Good thing you saw his true colors in time.»
«Yes,» Nina nodded. «Can you imagine what would have happened if we had married? Instead… my whole life is ahead of me. And I know for sure—I’ll never let anyone decide for me again.»
Outside, the autumn sun shone. For the first time in a long while, Nina caught herself breathing deeply. Without fear or doubt. The breakup with Vanya, which seemed like an ending, had actually become a beginning. A beginning of a life in which she had finally learned to value herself and her boundaries.
