Can we call you mom?» — the children, whom Varvara didn’t know at all, asked her. «Can we?» They had wanted to ask for a long time, but were too afraid! «You won’t leave us, will you? Grandma says that our parents, Ivan and I, are in heaven. But they’re buried in the ground… So grandma is lying?»
Varya checked the number of food containers and carefully placed them in her large bag. There were twenty in total. She tried to lift the heavy bag to take it to the exit, but Uncle Misha appeared just in time and took the load from her.
«Where are you going, girl? You’ll hurt yourself!»
Uncle Misha was a van driver, and Varvara, along with several volunteers from the rehabilitation center, delivered food to the homeless. Three times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays — they collected food, divided it into boxes, and delivered it to those in need.
It was hard to work and do charity at the same time, but Varya took pride in helping people who found themselves in difficult situations. She knew all too well what it was like to be poor and unwanted. She had recently left the orphanage, where she had been since childhood, and stayed there until she turned eighteen. She had excellent grades and graduated with a gold medal. She also loved drawing and music.
The walls of her small room were covered with certificates and awards, but they hadn’t helped her find her parents. After graduation, she enrolled in a medical college to become a nurse and later continued her studies part-time in pharmacy.
Varya balanced her studies, hospital work, and volunteering. There was almost no time for herself, but the belief that she was doing something important gave her strength, and the fatigue seemed to fade away.
Uncle Misha stopped the van near a small 24-hour shop where the homeless usually gathered. Varya, her friend Sveta, and Dmitry, who had recently joined their group, unloaded the bags of provisions and began distributing food to the people. Hungry and cold, the recipients immediately opened the boxes of warm soup and mashed potatoes, quickly devouring the contents. For those who needed more, there was always a second helping, and the volunteers would leave only when everyone was fed.
It was especially hard to see the elderly and children, who suffered more than anyone else. Varya handed out clothes, toys, and hygiene items collected by caring citizens. Sometimes the volunteers bought essentials with their own money, even if it meant sacrificing the little they had left. Once, Varya even gave away ten thousand rubles that she had saved up for a new jacket.
«I’ll just wear the old one for now,» she thought. «It doesn’t have holes, it’s clean. And it’s not even that old. It’s perfectly fine!»
Many of her colleagues and classmates couldn’t understand her selflessness. Seeing her wear the same clothes for months, some teased her, and others openly mocked her.
«Varvara Sergeyevna,» the accountant said to her one day before payday, «they’ve written you up for a bonus. Maybe you’ll give it straight to some homeless person?»
Varya looked at her calmly, and the accountant immediately fell silent.
Sveta, her friend and fellow volunteer, often told Varya that she needed someone by her side. Not just company, but a real partner.
«You can’t live your whole life alone,» Sveta would say, «there are so many guys around! Like Dmitry — why not?»
Varya just smiled in response.
«How can you just start dating someone like that? And I don’t have the time.»
But Sveta was adamant.
«Billions of people live on the streets, you can’t help everyone. But you can and should help yourself. What if something happens to you? Who will bring you a glass of water? It’s serious.»
«Maybe you’re right,» Varya agreed, «but it still feels strange. I can’t just fall in love with the first person I meet.»
Nevertheless, her friend’s words stayed with her, and she decided to start a relationship. Igor worked as an ambulance driver and often visited the hospital where Varya worked. One day, after apparently gathering the courage, he invited her to the movies. Varya agreed.
Igor was the complete opposite of Varya. He didn’t share her values, and stories about homeless children and the elderly didn’t affect him at all.
«Only the strong survive,» he would say. «It’s always been this way, and always will be. I don’t understand why you humiliate yourself for them. If they die — it’s their fate!»
Varya was outraged by his views, but she hoped he would change. She even suggested he join her volunteer work, but Igor just laughed.
«What, do I have nothing else to do? I have plenty of suffering patients! I’m already working for almost nothing! Why would I waste my time on strangers?»
Varya and Igor dated for just a couple of months. Varya grew tired of his carelessness, love of drinking, and irresponsible attitude toward life. One day, when she came to their date, she expressed everything to him directly.
«Igor, I don’t want to see you anymore. I’m sorry, but we’re not a match. I don’t accept your views, and you don’t support me. It’s better we part ways.»
«Oh, look at you,» Igor smirked. «What did I do wrong?»
«Everything! You spend your weekends with a bottle, you always smell of alcohol. You mock me for helping people. Let everyone stay in their own place. Goodbye!»
Varya turned to leave, but Igor caught up with her, grabbed her, and slapped her across the face. Varya held back tears, broke free, and tried to walk away, but he didn’t let go.
«Where do you think you’re going?» he hissed. «We’re not done yet!»
«I’ll scream,» Varya said. «I’ll attract the attention of passersby and call the police! Let me go!»
Igor reluctantly let go of her hand, and Varya ran. She spent the whole evening at home, crying. Until that moment, she had tried to see only the good in people, but now her faith in humanity was deeply shaken.
Igor continued trying to contact Varya, sometimes threatening her, sometimes begging her to come back. To avoid his harassment, Varya had to change her phone number and move to a new place. Sveta insisted that she go to the police, but Varya was confident he wouldn’t bother her again. She threw herself into her work, hoping to forget what had happened.
A few months after the breakup, a new doctor joined the hospital where Varya worked. Ilya immediately noticed the modest, polite, and pretty Varvara. When he learned that she did volunteer work, he was sincerely impressed.
One evening, as the volunteers were loading food for the homeless, a luxury car drove up to them. Ilya stepped out and waved Varya over. Opening the trunk, he showed her mountains of food and clothing bags. Even the toys were brand new and carefully arranged separately.
Varya was astonished:
«How much did you spend?» she asked.
Ilya smiled and joked:
«Do you count other people’s money? I did this from the heart… Please accept my help!»
From then on, Ilya came three times a week with a full trunk, and Varya said it felt like he was sent by fate. Ilya smiled — it was clear he appreciated such words.
Thanks to Ilya, the group of people they helped grew significantly. The volunteers took several low-income families under their wing. Ilya bought toys, household appliances, medicines, and much more — everything the needy requested.
After work, Varya and Ilya often walked in the park, and Varya shared stories about her difficult childhood. However, Ilya rarely talked about himself, remaining a mystery to her. One day, Varya asked him directly where he got such resources. Ilya replied that he was just lucky with his family.
«My father won a large sum in the lottery,» he explained, «then opened his own business, preserving and increasing the capital. He wanted me to continue his work, but I chose another path. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since childhood, and I went to Moscow to study surgery with a school friend. My parents supported my choice, and I’m very grateful to them.»
Varya extended her hand in surprise:
«Usually young people with such opportunities choose very different activities than helping the homeless and orphans…»
«I guess I’m not like everyone else,» Ilya laughed, «but girls your age rarely care about such things.»
Varya and Ilya spent a lot of time together, both at work and outside of it. Soon, Ilya confessed his love to Varya. At first, she was skeptical, but the care and attention he showed gradually melted her heart.
Ilya suggested she move in with him. Varya expected to see a luxurious mansion or penthouse. To her surprise, it turned out to be a two-room apartment in an old building. The interior was minimalist, almost ascetic. Books on medicine, philosophy, and psychology were stacked all over the apartment. Varya felt a bit uneasy. She asked Ilya if he was comfortable living there, and he replied that he was.
Varya added some coziness to Ilya’s strict environment, pasting light wallpaper and decorating the walls with her paintings. She turned the spare room into a kind of music studio and played her guitar there in the evenings. Ilya usually lay on the floor, deeply immersed in his books. When he got tired, he’d come to Varya’s studio, listen to her play and sing, and then energetically applaud, which both cheered and embarrassed her.
One day, during another distribution of aid, Varya noticed two children sitting a little aside: a boy about seven and an older girl. She approached them and asked why they hadn’t been here before.
«I didn’t see you last time,» she said.
The girl explained that they were here to earn money, pointing to a violin case in front of her.
«I play, and he sings,» she explained.
Varya fed the children and gave them hot tea. The girl told her that they were trying to raise money for their grandmother’s medicine.
«She’s very sick,» the girl said seriously. «She needs pills all the time. But her pension is small…»
Varya and Ilya drove the children home. The girl opened the door to the apartment, and the visitors saw an elderly woman lying in bed. She was scared of the strangers, but her granddaughter reassured her:
«Grandma, they want to help… Don’t worry, they’re good. They fed us…»
Ilya spoke with the woman briefly, then went somewhere. He returned with a package, bringing the necessary medicine. The elderly woman burst into tears:
«Thank you, kind people,» she whispered with trembling lips. «I’ve been lying here for so long, I can’t get up. At least Vanya and Nastya help…»
She reached out and stroked the boy sitting at the edge of the bed. Nastya, meanwhile, was busy in the kitchen, preparing a modest dinner.
After dinner, Varya wrote down the grandmother’s phone number and gave her own number to Anna Sergeyevna, telling her to call if she needed anything. Ilya took out his wallet and gave Nastya several thousand rubles.
«For now,» he said. «I’ll give more later.»
Nastya didn’t refuse, quickly hiding the money in her Russian language textbook and putting the book in her backpack.
«Thank you, uncle,» she thanked him.
When Ilya asked where their parents were, the girl just shrugged.
«Grandma says they’re in heaven. But if they were in heaven, they wouldn’t be buried in the ground, right?» she said sadly.
Ilya decided it was better not to say anything and quietly left the apartment.
Since then, they regularly visited Anna Sergeyevna and her grandchildren, and soon she was able to get out of bed. Nastya and Vanya no longer had to earn money on the streets — now they spent their evenings studying. Anna Sergeyevna thanked them every time, repeating that without their help, the children could have been left orphans.
One day, over tea, she asked Varya and Ilya how long they had been married. They exchanged glances.
«Actually, we’re not married yet,» Ilya admitted.
Anna Petrovna said:
«Well, I thought you were a couple. A very nice couple. Don’t take too long to get to it.»
Varya blushed, and Ilya promised that they would seriously think about her advice.
When they were sitting in the car, Ilya asked Varya what she thought about marriage. Varya scratched her head thoughtfully.
«Is this a proposal?» she asked seriously.
Ilya smiled and started the car.
«We’ll talk about it at home,» he said.
Ilya stopped the car near a store.
«I’ll buy something for dinner,» he said as he got out of the car.
Varya stayed inside, waiting for him. Looking out at the street where the shop windows glittered, she thought about his words. I wonder, she thought, how his parents would feel about their son marrying an ordinary nurse? Deep in thought, she didn’t notice when a car stopped next to her. The honk snapped her out of her reverie, and she turned to see what was happening.
A young man approached the car and knocked on the window. It was already quite dark, and Varya had to squint to see the unfamiliar face hidden by a hood. It was Igor.
Varya lowered the window slightly and stared at him wordlessly.
«Nice car,» Igor sneered, examining her. «Picked up a rich guy?»
Varya turned away and told him to leave. But he ignored her words.
«We need to talk. Maybe you’ll come out?» he suggested.
Varya remained silent. He smelled strongly of alcohol. The tension grew… Fortunately, Ilya came out of the store just then and walked toward his car. Seeing him, Igor quickly disappeared. Ilya noticed the frightened look on Varya’s face and asked:
«What happened? Did that guy scare you?»
«It was Igor,» Varya confessed. «He says he wants to talk to me.»
On the way back home, they crossed a bridge. When they entered it, Ilya noticed in the rearview mirror a car that was rapidly approaching from behind. The car was right behind them, overtaking other cars. Ilya tried to move to the right, but the pursuer followed him and sped up. Ilya used all his skills to shake them off, but the car kept following them. The first impact was quickly followed by a second, then a third.
Ilya cursed and told Varya to check her seatbelt.
«Hold on!» he shouted and stepped on the gas.
Igor attacked from the other side, and once again jerked the wheel sharply. Varya screamed, then everything went dark. When she came to in the hospital, she learned that there had been an accident. Drunk Igor lost control of the car during the collision with their vehicle, and the ambulance driver died. Ilya and Varya were seriously injured but survived.
Varya met Ilya’s parents in the hospital. They came to visit her, introducing themselves as her future father-in-law and mother-in-law.
«Hello, dear,» Ilya’s mom said, smiling warmly. «We’ve been waiting for this meeting. Ilya has told us so much about you. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I can see you’re strong.»
Varya recovered in a couple of months. Ilya took care of her around the clock, staying by her bedside. The recovery process was slow, and Ilya personally oversaw her treatment: selecting medications and scheduling procedures. After being discharged, Varya asked Ilya to take her to Anna Sergeyevna. She admitted she missed the old woman very much. Ilya didn’t object.
When Anna Sergeyevna heard what had happened to Varya and Ilya, she sighed heavily and lamented.
«It’s a good thing it turned out fine. I was starting to worry why you hadn’t been here for so long. Now I understand…»
By that time, Vanya and Nastya had returned from school. They ran to hug Varya, but Ilya sternly told them not to overwhelm her.
«You’d better hug me,» he joked, and the kids immediately ran to him.
A month later, Varya and Ilya decided to register their marriage. The wedding was modest, with just close family. Ilya wanted his best friend to be the witness on the groom’s side, but he couldn’t come because of work. He sent a gift, his apologies, and promised to visit them in the future.
A month after the wedding, Anna Petrovna fell ill again. She now required constant care. Ilya hired a nurse, and Vanya and Nastya moved in with them. Ilya told Anna Sergeyevna that he and his wife wanted to take care of her grandchildren. Anna Sergeyevna agreed. Vanya and Nastya often visited their grandmother along with their new parents. Anna Sergeyevna finally found care and love in her old age.
For her birthday, Varya received a special gift. Early in the morning, Nastya was the first to congratulate her. She handed Varya a huge drawing that she and Vanya had worked on for a whole week and played a piece for her on the violin.
«Happy birthday, mom,» Nastya said at the end of her performance and kissed Varya on the cheek.
Varya was stunned: could such a short word bring so much happiness? Then Vanya came with his congratulations and also called her mom. The young woman, who had suddenly become the mother of two children, teared up: now she had found a purpose in life.
