Olya came to after an excruciating headache. With great effort, she managed to pry her eyes open, and she had no idea where she was or how she had ended up there. Her memories seemed to have been wiped clean. Pitch darkness surrounded her, and nearby, sounds could be heard. These cries cut through her aching head like the toll of a bell.
Summoning all her strength, she got up from the bench and decided to find out what was causing the noise. Rounding the corner, Olya saw two young men trying to snatch a purse from an elderly woman’s hands.
«Hey, what are you doing?» she shouted with all her might.
«Bro, check it out—here’s another one,» one of the young men said as he headed toward Olya. The other followed him.
Taking advantage of the moment, the old lady pulled out her phone and dialed 112: «Hello, please come quickly to Lenin Alley, house 25. I was attacked—they tried to rob me—and now they’re harassing the girl.»
«A patrol is already on its way to your address. Someone from the area already called,» the operator replied.
After hanging up, the grandmother decided to take matters into her own hands: «Hey, isn’t my purse of any interest anymore?»
«Back off, old woman. We have more important business here,» one of the attackers snapped.
Finding nothing better to do, she picked up a stone from the ground and threw it in their direction. The guys got distracted from Olya and turned to face her.
At that very moment, the police arrived. The culprits were detained, the pensioner’s statement was taken, and they left.
«What’s your name, my savior?» asked the old lady as she came closer.
«Olya.»
«And I’m Svetlana Vasilievna. Dear, you don’t look well. Come with me, I’ll make you some tea. I live here.» She pointed to the nearest house.
«What savior? Someone did call the police.»
«Yes, but you weren’t afraid to intervene, even though it could have ended badly. Come with me.»
Ascending to the second floor, Olya squinted at the bright light in the apartment.
«Don’t be afraid, come in,» said the hostess, gasping as she saw her guest in the light. «Quickly take off your shoes and let’s go to the bathroom. We need to treat your wound. My goodness, what happened to you?»
In the bathroom, Svetlana Vasilievna began treating the wound on Olya’s head. «Vitka, bring my little suitcase from the bedroom!» she called.
A few minutes later, a little boy of about seven appeared.
«Don’t just stand there like a post. This is Aunt Olya—she saved me. Help out, come on, I’ve taught you everything.»
Twenty minutes later, they were having tea in the kitchen.
«Svetlana Vasilievna, I remember nothing. Only my name, and nothing else. I don’t even know how I ended up here.»
«You were hit hard on the head. Perhaps there are some documents in your pockets?»
«I didn’t even check.»
The boy quickly fetched Olya’s jacket from the hallway. After rummaging through the pockets, she found only a photograph. It showed her with a young man. On the back, it read: «Never give up, sis. Kostik.»
«I have a brother.»
«That’s good. That means someone will be looking for you. Tonight you’ll stay with us, and tomorrow we’ll decide what to do.»
Olya couldn’t sleep for a long time. She tried to remember something about herself, but to no avail. The headache worsened from the tension, and eventually, exhaustion took over.
When she woke up, the clock showed noon.
«Awake, beautiful.»
«I’m sorry—I didn’t think I’d sleep this long.»
«Don’t apologize; there’s no rush. I’ve already called some acquaintances. There are no reports of missing women with the police, but they’ll be checking. I left your description. And we need to show you to a doctor. I’ve arranged something at the hospital.»
«But I don’t have any documents.»
«That’s not important. Many people in our town owe me a little,» Svetlana Vasilievna smiled.
«You know how many lives my grandmother saved. She worked as a surgeon,» Vitia added proudly.
«Shh. One doesn’t boast about saving lives—it’s every doctor’s duty. But over the years, one does accumulate acquaintances. Now I’m retired. I’m looking after him while his father is away working.»
Olya decided not to ask about the boy’s mother, deciding it wasn’t her business.
After a hearty lunch, Svetlana Vasilievna and Olya went to the hospital. Olya was taken to various offices, underwent examinations and tests. The final diagnosis came like a sentence: amnesia caused by a head injury. The doctors assured her that her memory would eventually return, but that treatment needed to continue for now.
«You’ll stay with us for now,» said Svetlana Vasilievna at dinner. «I’ll provide you with medical care no worse than what you’d get in a hospital.»
«Thank you, Svetlana Vasilievna. You know, when we were at the hospital, I somehow knew the names of the medical equipment. Although that doesn’t mean much—anyone could know the names. Maybe I worked in a hospital?»
«Time will tell. Don’t worry or stress. The main thing right now is to take care of your head.»
It had been two weeks since Olya had been living with Svetlana Vasilievna and Vitia. During that time, they had grown very close. Olya tried to help around the house. She learned that Vitia’s mother had abandoned them two years ago after finding a wealthier man who didn’t want to be a stepfather. After the divorce, Dmitry—Vitia’s father—discovered that his ex-wife had left enormous debts. Now he was working off those debts in shifts. According to Svetlana Vasilievna, his hardship was not so much financial as it was emotional—he had loved his wife very much.
«Svetlana Vasilievna, I feel perfectly fine. I can’t keep depending on you all the time. I need to find a job. But how can I do that without any documents?»
«Well, we’ll figure that out, Olenka. But only if the doctors permit.»
Olya did not feel burdened by Svetlana Vasilievna at all. On the contrary, she became an indispensable helper, and the elderly woman was very grateful to her. Moreover, the holidays were about to end soon, and Vitia would start school—bringing even more responsibilities.
When the doctors gave the green light for her to work, Svetlana Vasilievna took her to another department of the hospital.
«Here, Olenka, meet my old friend Andrey Pavlovich. You’ll work as a cleaner in his department. Do you agree?»
«Of course, I agree. Thank you very much. Nice to meet you. When can I start?»
«Tomorrow. And today, familiarize yourself with the department and get your uniform.»
That evening, upon seeing a cake on the table, Vitia became delighted:
«Are we having a celebration?»
«Yes. I got a job. More precisely, your grandmother helped me with that,» Olya smiled.
«And now you’ll leave us?» the boy asked sadly.
«No one is going anywhere. Who would let her go? She is now like family to us.»
Their cheerful laughter was interrupted by a knock on the door. Olya hurried to open it—neighbors often visited with requests for Svetlana Vasilievna. Sometimes they came to have their blood pressure checked, sometimes to ask for advice. Although she always grumbled that they should go to the doctor instead of her, people still came, knowing they would receive help.
This time, a man with a bag stood on the doorstep. Olya didn’t recognize him immediately, only when a joyful Vitia shouted:
«Dad’s here!»
The boy immediately started telling his father about Olya, and she blushed at his praises of her as a heroine.
Later, when Dmitry put Vitia to bed, the adults gathered in the kitchen.
«That’s the story, son. Now you know everything.»
«Why didn’t you at least warn me over the phone? I looked so foolish when Olga opened the door.»
«You’re always in a hurry. You didn’t even inform me of your arrival. Are you staying for a long time this time?»
«What, are you tired of me already?» the man laughed.
«You’ll get your come-uppance soon enough!» said Svetlana Vasilievna, pretending to wave a towel.
Dmitry was set up to sleep on a folding bed in Vitia’s room.
«Svetlana Vasilievna, maybe I could sleep there?» Olya asked timidly.
«He’s the father and hasn’t seen his son in a long time. And we girls need separate rooms as well. So that’s not up for discussion,» Svetlana Vasilievna replied sternly, making it clear that the discussion was over.
Days passed unnoticed. At first, work was difficult for Olya, but then she found special pleasure in talking with the patients. Listening to their stories about life and illnesses, she often caught herself thinking that she knew how to treat various ailments. But she attributed that to overheard conversations among the doctors. No one complained about her, and even the usually strict Andrey Pavlovich stopped reminding her that she could be fired at any moment, despite Svetlana Vasilievna’s recommendation.
The only thing that troubled her was the complete absence of any memories about herself. She often looked at the photograph and wondered why her brother hadn’t been looking for her.
On weekends, the four of them often went out together for walks. It felt to Olya as though she had always lived with this family. Vitia had become especially attached to her. She feared that the boy would grow too attached—because sooner or later she would remember everything and leave. And although she tried not to admit it to herself, that too would feel like a loss.
Today, work was a bustle. From early morning, everyone was running around doing something. Olya received countless orders. Later, she learned that an important guest was expected for an inspection, so everyone strove for perfect order. Olya wasn’t too anxious about the arrival of this person—she always conscientiously did her job.
Only one last ward needed cleaning. Today, a new patient had been admitted there. As she was cleaning, several doctors entered the ward. Ignoring Olya, they began discussing the patient’s diagnosis and symptoms, arguing and trying to prove each other’s points. The noise made Olya feel a bit dizzy, and she sat down. As usual, no one paid her any attention.
When the dizziness subsided, she approached the patient. Acting almost on instinct, Olya checked the patient’s pupils, measured the pulse, examined the monitor readings, and reviewed the nearby test results. The doctors fell silent as they watched her actions.
Then, turning to them, she said, «You’re all mistaken. This patient must be urgently transferred to the neurology department and undergo additional tests.» She scribbled something on a scrap of paper and handed it to one of the doctors. «Here is the probable diagnosis.»
Her supervisor was the first to regain his senses.
«How dare you even touch a patient? You’re just a cleaner who knows nothing about medicine! Get out of here, and I never want to see you here again!»
Realizing her mistake, Olya decided to leave the ward as quickly as possible—in fact, to leave the hospital altogether.
Svetlana Vasilievna was extremely surprised to see Olya home earlier than expected.
«What happened?»
Olya lowered her gaze and recounted everything.
«Hold on. There’s some rationality in what you’re saying—I mean about the diagnosis and the patient. I’ll make a few calls now. Which doctor did you give the note to?»
Twenty minutes later, Svetlana Vasilievna returned to the kitchen.
«I have both good and bad news. Which should I start with?»
«Let’s start with the bad.»
«That old codger won’t take you back to work. And the others will be afraid too.»
«And what’s the good news then?»
«You turned out to be right. The doctor decided to verify your assumptions and conducted additional tests. The patient is already significantly better. And that means your memory has started to return.»
Olya smiled. Those words of hope truly outshone the bad news. She would find a job.
That evening, Dmitry cheered his mother: he had found a job in the city and no longer planned to leave. «Enough wandering,» he said. Then he asked if he could temporarily live there, while continuing to rent out his apartment. «After all, it’s not easy to be alone with Vitia.»
Of course, Svetlana Vasilievna was pleased with this decision. She hoped that it wasn’t only she and her grandson who would keep her son in the city.
Three days later, there was a knock on the door. Standing on the doorstep was a young man whom Svetlana Vasilievna recognized immediately—he was Olya’s brother. She invited him in.
Upon seeing her brother, Olya felt dizzy. She instantly recognized him—after all, she had looked at his photo many times during the day. He jumped up and supported her so that she wouldn’t fall.
«Sis! Forgive me! I didn’t know anything!»
«Don’t spout off so quickly—you see, she’s not feeling well. She’ll take a pill now and then we’ll talk calmly.»
Later in the kitchen, Kostik recounted his story:
«I went abroad to negotiate contracts for the supply of medical equipment. We inherited a clinic from our parents, where Olya worked as the chief physician. We split the duties: I handle the documentation, and she deals with the patients. I called the clinic—they said Olya had taken leave. When she didn’t answer my calls, I assumed she wanted some time alone after breaking up with her fiancé, whom I caught in the bedroom with another. And when I returned, it turned out that her assistant had unilaterally arranged her leave since Olya hadn’t shown up for work. I got so angry! I started calling all our acquaintances and raised an alarm about her disappearance. When I was about to contact the police, Ivan Alekseevich called. He had recently been in your city and suspected he’d caught a glimpse of Olya in a hospital—though, oddly, in the uniform of a cleaner. So I headed here immediately. I found out from the chatty nurses about the cleaner who made the exact diagnosis on a difficult patient. I showed them a photo—they recognized her. And finding the address wasn’t hard at all.»
«I came here to clear my head and check out the city. I wanted to open a new branch in another city and escape my burdensome memories. And while I was walking in the city, someone struck me from behind,» Olya said softly.
Four months passed.
«Dad, is Olya really coming today?»
«Definitely, son. Don’t disturb me—I’m getting ready for her arrival.»
«Oh, look at him getting ready! As if stuffing a chicken in the oven and wearing a clean shirt is something special!» laughed Svetlana Vasilievna.
«Dad, is she never going to leave again?» Vitia persisted.
«If your dad is more decisive, then no.»
«Mom, stop! I already said—I’m getting ready.»
That evening, everyone gathered together in the kitchen as before, only now Kostya was also there.
Raising her glass, Olya said, «I am endlessly glad that fate brought me together with such wonderful people. We have decided to open a clinic here, and I’m staying.»
«Hooray!» Vitia immediately shouted, and Olya ruffled his hair.
«I’ve missed you very much too, and now I’m not going anywhere. I promise.»
«And you all promise to take care of her,» said Kostik, winking at Dmitry. He, like Svetlana Vasilievna, had understood everything long ago.
