Nina pushed open the gate and rustled along the sandy path worn down beside the garden beds. Right at the porch, Aunt Galina was waiting — in an old robe, barefoot, wearing worn slippers. She was holding her lower back as if it reminded her of her age.
«Finally,» the woman sighed and hugged her niece tightly, pressing her close with a deep breath. «I’ve been alone all week, worrying, thinking I wouldn’t wait for you.»
Nina placed her bag on the bench and sat down beside her.
«How are you, Auntie?»
«Oh, you know… My blood pressure jumps like a ride at the fair. And at night — my heart pounds so hard I can’t fall asleep. But now that you’re here — thank God. The greenhouse needs some fixing; the window latch is stuck somewhere. And the raspberries need pruning — I’ve let it all go, no strength left.»
«Of course, we’ll do it,» Nina nodded. «But first, tea?»
«Tea is a must. And then, off to work. It’s all going to be yours, Nina. I’m not working for nothing.»
The house was stuffy with steam from the samovar and the scent of chopped onions that Galina had already peeled for lunch. She skillfully chopped herbs, glancing at her niece now and then.
«Listen,» she began, «you’re not a kid anymore. You have a job, your own salary. But you’re still alone. Maybe it’s time to think about something bigger?»
Nina raised an eyebrow slightly.
«Like what?»
«Well, a job is good. But you need stability. A man with a home, a family… You’re a good girl, kind-hearted. But what does one person have? Old age, cats, and blood pressure pills. I’ve lived life — I know what’s important.»
Nina sighed but smiled.
«I’m fine for now. I like my job.»
Galina shook her head, as if too tired to argue.
«You’re still young; you don’t understand much.»
After lunch, Auntie called Nina to the gate. At the gate, leaning on a bicycle, stood a tall man in a sports jacket.
«Here’s Valera!» Galina brightened. «Meet our neighbor. A decent man: two-room apartment, lives alone, steady job.»
Valeriy extended his hand.
«Nice to meet you.»
«Well, stop standing there! Talk, warm up!» Auntie pushed them happily. «I’ll check on the cherries — the sparrows have gotten too bold.»
As soon as Galina left, Nina took a half step back.
«Sorry, I find these meetings difficult…»
Valeriy shrugged.
«Don’t worry, I understand. Galina Petrovna just asked me to drop by. Thought maybe you needed help around the house.»
The next evening, already holding a plate of strawberries, Nina carefully said:
«Auntie, thank you for trying… but Valeriy is a good man, just not right for me.»
Galina fell silent, stirring sugar into the compote for a long time.
«Not right? I tried so hard! I care about how you live. You understand, all my possessions will be yours. But I want to see you choose correctly.»
Nina lowered her gaze.
«I appreciate everything you do for me.»
Galina snorted, as if deciding to postpone this conversation for better times.
On Monday, without even changing clothes, Nina entered the doctors’ lounge. Andrey, a doctor, was flipping through some papers, making notes in the margins.
«Nina, you know,» he began, «I thought maybe you should take some advanced courses? You’d get a certificate, and then we could talk about a raise.»
She even sat on the edge of the table, surprised.
«What courses?»
«For dental assistant with an extended training program. Three months, evenings. I sent two before — they were satisfied.»
Nina nodded, already imagining taking notes, flipping through textbooks…
But she immediately remembered — Auntie, greenhouse repairs, pruning raspberries, blood pressure pills…
On Friday evening, she sat at the table, legs pulled up, staring at her phone. Her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed.
«Auntie, I need to talk to you. I signed up for the courses.»
Pause.
«What courses?»
«Advanced training. It will help me at work…»
«Why? You’ll waste money, lose time. Those courses are just a way to take advantage of people. I’m advising you for your own good! I want you to settle down properly, not chase dreams!»
«This is important to me,» Nina answered firmly.
No reply. After a few seconds — a short busy signal.
Over the weekend Nina still came — with a cake and a first-aid kit. She knocked for a long time. No one opened the door. The neighbor, a woman in a plaid robe, leaned over the fence:
«She says she feels bad at home. Very upset.»
Nina stood for a bit. If they didn’t open, it meant she was offended. And she left. A week later — a call. Auntie’s voice was muffled but calm:
«My pressure went up after all that. I thought you’d at least call… If I’m not needed anymore — just say so.»
That same evening Nina packed and left. Rain, electric train, taxi.
«Finally,» Galina greeted without looking her in the eyes. «I thought… maybe you could move in with me? It’s hard alone. And it’s uncomfortable for you in the dorm. I’m not keeping all this just to leave it to someone else.»
Nina froze in the doorway. The kettle was whistling, two glasses and cookies on the table. Cozy, but not for her.
«I’ll think about it,» she answered quietly.
The next week was especially hard. Nina was late, lost documents, forgot her gloves. Once after a shift Andrey stopped her:
«Are you okay?»
She sighed as if surfacing for air.
«Auntie wants me to move in with her. I even dropped the courses. She says she cares. And I… feel like I’m suffocating.»
Andrey nodded, then softly said:
«Caring is wonderful. But when someone starts deciding for another what they need, that’s no longer care.»
«But she thinks about me!»
«Did anyone ask you what you want?»
Nina was silent, only looking down.
The next day, during lunch break, Galina showed up at the clinic. She walked confidently past the reception:
«Where’s Nina? I need to talk to her.»
Everyone in the staff room turned. Nina came out pale.
«Auntie, what’s wrong…»
«I can’t sleep peacefully!» Her voice rang out, almost shouting. «That doctor has confused you! You’re young, inexperienced — easy to fool!»
Nina clenched her teeth. Colleagues looked away, pretending to be busy.
«Let’s go outside, talk,» she whispered.
«Got ashamed?» Galina raised her voice. «That’s your thanks! So many years I worked for you, and you…»
Nina sharply answered:
«Don’t touch my mom. She wanted me to be happy. Not live by someone else’s rules.»
Galina fell silent. As if really looking at her niece for the first time.
«Understood,» she said quietly. «So all my involvement is just meddling.»
That evening she called again. Her voice was tired:
«After our talks, my pressure shot up. I wanted good for you, but it seems all in vain. Maybe fate really didn’t give me children because I have a hard character.»
Nina sat on the bed, barefoot touching the cold floor. Silently pressed «end call.» The room seemed empty.
For the first time in many years — no one nearby telling her what to do. Only silence. And a strange feeling, as if a many-years-old burden fell off her shoulders. Easier to breathe.
A month passed. At the cafe near the clinic — a queue, music, spring light outside the window. Someone touched her shoulder:
«Nina?»
She turned — Dmitry. A former classmate. Same freckles, same shy smile.
«You still love cinnamon cappuccino?» he laughed.
They sat at a table, started talking. Reminisced about university, student years, silly New Year’s concerts. Dmitry became a programmer, recently returned from Novosibirsk.
«Remember how we dreamed of going to Georgia?»
«Yes. I even bought a suitcase — but never went.»
«Maybe we’ll still go?»
Something warm trembled inside. An almost forgotten feeling — to be heard. Not judged, not controlled, but just next to someone interested in how you feel.
«Which ending do you prefer — honest or open?» Dmitry asked one evening.
Nina thought. And for the first time in a long while answered not «I don’t know» or «maybe,» but firmly:
«I like when something remains between the lines. When not everything is explained to the end.»
When Aunt Galina heard about the new acquaintance, she immediately tensed:
«Is that the one? From university? The one you liked then?»
«Yes,» Nina nodded. «We met by chance. He’s normal. Calm. Doesn’t pry, but listens.»
Galina snorted skeptically:
«Where does he work? What does he earn?»
«Programmer,» Nina shrugged.
«Oh, programmers — here today, gone tomorrow. And if he left earlier, that means he’s unserious. Why do you need such pitfalls?»
Nina stayed silent.
The next day the phone rang again. Galina:
«You’re a smart girl. Don’t you understand? He appeared now, when you became independent. Courses, money, freedom. Men feel it. They come to use you, then disappear. I’ve seen many like that.»
Nina turned off the phone and stood by the window for a long time. Outside the glass — city, rain, flickering lights. Inside — unusual clarity. Fragile, but real.
In the evening Dmitry offered to pick her up after work. Nina watched from the window as he parked by the bus stop. Didn’t hurry out — just sat, fingers trembling on the armrest. Then took a deep breath and got up.
«Tired?» she asked, sitting in the car.
«No. And you?»
«A little. My head is pounding from everything.»
«Shall we go somewhere quieter?»
«With pleasure.»
They drove out of town. No music, no extra words. Stopped by the river — old bench, children’s swings, a fence leaning with age. Dmitry took out a thermos:
«Coffee. Bitter.»
Nina took it, warming her hands.
«Auntie called again,» she finally said. «Begging me to come: the roof is leaking, pressure’s jumping, no one to weed the raspberries. I’m not even sure if she’s really ill or just wants me nearby.»
«Maybe both,» he said.
Nina was silent:
«I’m tired of always choosing between her and myself. As if there are no other options.»
«And do you ever choose just yourself?»
She didn’t answer at once. Then, unexpectedly even for herself, she said:
«Sometimes it feels like she put something inside me… that constantly whispers: ‘You must.’ Even when we’re not together.»
«Then decide for yourself. Be near — but by your own will. Or not be — also by your own choice.»
Nina looked at him. He didn’t rush or expect a perfect answer. Just was there.
On Saturday they stopped by Auntie’s — unannounced, just passing by. Galina opened the door in an old robe, squinting irritably:
«And who’s this now?»
«Auntie, meet Dmitry. We studied together, then met again. He’s good. Easy to be with.»
«I already told you about this,» Galina interrupted. «Do you even listen to me?»
«I just thought it would be nice. He’s kind, calm. I feel good with him.»
Nina turned to Dmitry:
«Wait here a minute, okay?»
She went inside. Galina was already in the kitchen, not turning around, started:
«I treated you like my own. And you — no gratitude, no responsibility. All one-sided. Live how you want. But don’t count on inheritance — I’d rather leave everything to the orphanage, at least they’ll say thanks.»
Nina stood in the hall. Wanted to take off her jacket but changed her mind. Turned sharply and left. She had nothing more to hear.
«Let’s go,» she quietly told Dmitry. «We’re not welcome here.»
At home in the evening, she sat on the bed. The phone rang again — Auntie again. Nina didn’t answer. Only listened to something ringing outside the window — wind on the wires or a passing trolleybus.
A few days later Galina called again. Her voice was softer:
«Ninochka, I baked a pie, your favorite — blueberry. If you want — come.»
Nina was silent for a long time. Wanted to hang up but answered anyway:
«Thank you. Maybe next week. I’ll see how work goes.»
«Alright,» Galina sighed. «I’ll wait. Just don’t disappear.»
After the call Nina realized — this time she didn’t feel pulled back. No thread tugged.
On Friday she and Dmitry went to the movies. Afterwards, at a cafe, he suddenly said:
«I’m going to Kostroma tomorrow. To a hackathon. Want to come with me? We’ll walk, relax, change scenery.»
«And the courses?»
«Take them with you. I’ll arrange internet for you.»
Nina laughed.
In Kostroma they walked by the Volga, drank wine on a bench, argued about Jarmusch films. At the hotel she fell asleep immediately for the first time in many months — no worries, no inner tension. In the morning, looking in the mirror, she noticed: her face hadn’t changed, but somehow felt freer.
On the way home she opened her phone. A message from Auntie:
«Where are you? I’m already worried. I froze the raspberries, the fridge is full.»
Nina typed a reply, erased it, started again:
«I’m in Kostroma. All is well. I’ll call when I get back.»
Sent it. Added nothing more.
At the clinic Andrey met her in the corridor:
«How was your weekend?»
«Unusual. Thanks for supporting me then. Without you, maybe I wouldn’t have dared.»
He nodded:
«The main thing is not to stop. And not to justify yourself. You have the right to live as you need. Even if someone calls it selfishness.»
Nina smiled. For the first time — without a shadow of doubt.
She walked down the corridor like over a bridge that just stopped shaking. Without looking back. Not waiting for blessing. Now she knew: you can move forward even when you weren’t invited. You can love — and owe no one for it. You can be yourself — and that will be enough.
