Maxim stuck up abruptly on the bed; this nightmare had troubled him for ten years, and every time he awoke, he was covered in cold sweat. He could still hear the voices:
— You only make me hate you! The moment we met is cursed! Avoid me!
His feelings for Valentina did not change after many years. He never saw her again after those serve words became the last thing he said to her.
But at that time, he couldn’t share anything properly since his memories had seemingly vanished. He didn’t know how he got home, why Valya’s friend was there, or, for that matter, how he and Rita ended up under the same blanket.
Their first meeting happened in a park area when Rita and Valentina were trying to prepare in a boat, but unsuccessfully.
— Ladies, do you need some help?
Rita, the more extrovert of the two friends, immediately took notice of the attractive young man. She laughed and replied:
— With a companion like you, I’d go to the ends of the earth!
Maxim became intrigued by the modest Valya and began actively courting her. At first, Rita poses signs of jealousy, and the friends were on the brink of conflict, but later Rita noticed:
— You can’t force someone to be affectionate…
Their relationship blossomed beautifully. They even felt destined for each other—so much so that they had already chosen names for their future children: Maria for a daughter and Victor for a son.
After that, a phone call buzzed through from Rita requesting assistance.
She insisted on a face-to-face meeting. Maxim agreed to meet at a little-frequented restaurant…
He recognized the magnitude of the tragedy. Valya’s neighbor noted him that she had hastily left town, taking only the most necessary belongings. Hence, the sewing machine and most of the toiletries were left behind in the rented apartment.
However, a week later she spotted that she had found some kind of sleeping pill into his coffee, intending to destr0y their relationship.
Even after ten years, Maxim still couldn’t suffer from the loss of his beloved.
One day, returning from a business trip, he saw a girl on the roadside selling clothes. Among the many garments, his gaze was caught by a familiar coat which is one of the pieces that Valya had once worn.
Maxim slowly approached the girl. When she turned around, her eyes reminded him of Valya’s—as if a sharp object had pierced his heart. He said:
— Greetings. Are you selling clothes?
— Yes, these items are of high quality, — the young interlocutor replied. — They were made by my mother; they’re practically new.
— I’ll buy everything in one go.
— Do you really need these items?
— Without a doubt, they are very… special.
The girl smiled—a smile all too familiar. This was Valya’s daughter, Maxim realized.
— If I tell you, will you still buy them?
— My goodness, that’s far too much! — the girl exclaimed, tucking the money into her pocket and handing back the change.
— My mother passed away a year ago after a long illness, — the girl said. — My dad tried to help her, but medicine proved powerless.
Maxim stared at the girl in surprise.
— No, no, that simply can’t be. Valya couldn’t have left this world, — he whispered. — This is definitely not Valya.
— Please, what is your mother’s name? — Maxim asked.
— No, — his subconscious cried out. — Just no. For ten long years, he had cherished the hope of finding her, of meeting, of seeing her…
— Her name was Valya. My stepfather is Volodya, — the girl continued.
— He’s a wonderful man who worked hard to save my mom, and he ended up with back problems. Now he has difficulty moving; he isn’t able to work. He needs treatment, but there isn’t any money.
— And who is your biological father? — Maxim asked hoarsely.
— I don’t know; my mom never mentioned him.
— I’d like to have a word with your stepfather.
The girl looked happy:
— Will you scold him for me for selling? He never forced me to do it; on the contrary, he strongly opposed it. After all, they belonged to mom…
The girl looked at him strangely.
— You knew my mom?
Maxim sighed deeply.
— I’m not sure, but most likely, yes.
She pondered for a moment longer, then nodded.
— I think you’re not lying. South Street, our house is number three.
— Perhaps you’d come with me?
— Alright, I’ll go. My name is Masha, — the girl said.
At home, they were greeted by a man leaning on a crutch. He looked at Maxim warily.
— Sweetheart, how could you get into a stranger’s car?
— You are Volodya? — Maxim said quietly.
The man turned to him, studying his face for a long moment, then added in a low voice:
— So, you’re Maxim? How did you find us here?
Maxim was taken aback.
— You know me? — he asked.
— Valya spoke of you.
— She disappeared without even giving me a chance to explain,
— Alright, come in.
After Maxim finished his story, Volodya was surprised.
— I suppose something like this only happens in the movies. Fortunately, you’ve arrived. You’ll take care of Masha, won’t you?
Maxim looked at Volodya and Masha in astonishment.
— Of course, I can help. It won’t be a problem.
— You do realize that Masha is your daughter? You even bear a resemblance.
— What? — the girl gasped.
— Could you show me where Valya is laid to rest?
The man nodded.
— Daddy? But why is my other daddy talking to a photo of mom?
— Volodya, what is keeping you here? — he finally asked.
— Nothing much. I was fired because I couldn’t cope anymore… At present, there’s no work.
— I want to take both of you with me, if you don’t mind. To my city. I’ll help you with treatment, with finding work, with housing. I have my own company, and there’ll be a job for you. It’s the least I can do to show my gratitude. And I want Masha to live like a queen.
— You’re right. Masha is a wonderful girl; she deserves far more than I can support her.
They shook hands, and then the sound of children’s laughter rang out between them.
— Wow! Now I have two daddies! — Masha exclaimed, and they joyfully embraced.
