— Maybe you should spend a week at your mother’s? — Anatoly deliberately avoided Natasha’s gaze, pretending to be fully immersed in reading news on his phone. — Aunt Sveta and Lenka are coming, you know how picky she can be.

Natasha froze near the stove as she prepared his favorite syrniki. For the third time in two years, Tolik requested her to «disappear» during the relatives’ visit. Inside, something fractured, as if a fragile glass shattered.

— Alright, — her voice emerged unusually muted. — I will go.

«For the last time,» a clear thought flashed through her mind.

She mechanically flipped the syrniki, watching the golden crust softly brown. Two years. Two years filled with hope, hints, anticipation of a proposal. Two years during which she behaved like the perfect girl — cooking, cleaning, waiting. A nanny, housekeeper, a convenient woman — but neither loved nor officially a wife.

 

Finally, Tolik looked up from his phone:

— Why so glum? I’m not sending you away forever. Just a week — that’s all.

She placed the breakfast plate in front of him:

— Of course. A week — and that’s it.

The word «that’s it» echoed loudly like an alarm in her mind.

Once the door closed behind Tolik, Natasha sat alone in the kitchen, allowing herself for the first time in two years to truly reflect. To not push her thoughts aside, nor drown them with usual excuses like “he’s just not ready,” “need to wait,” or “everyone goes through this.”

At thirty-two, it’s essential to confront reality clearly. Especially when reality first sends you to your mother so you won’t get in the way of «important» relatives.

Her phone felt incredibly heavy in her hand. The ringing extended endlessly.

— Mom, — her voice betrayed a trembling tone. — May I come over?

— Natasha? — worry instantly seeping into Polina Egorovna’s voice. — What happened?

— Nothing, Mom. I just… Can I come? For good.

A pause hung. Natasha nearly pictured her mother carefully selecting her words:

— Of course, dear. Do you need any help? I can…

— No, Mom. I’ll manage. I’ll be there tomorrow.

Surprisingly, packing went smoothly. Two years of life condensed into a single suitcase and a gym bag: cosmetics, clothes, a few books. Most possessions she had purchased herself — Tolik rarely spoiled her with gifts, preferring to «invest in the future.» The future they never truly shared.

Her hands acted on autopilot while fragments of memories swirled in her mind. How thrilled she had been when he proposed living together. How she hinted toward marriage. How she expected a ring for every holiday and birthday. How skillfully Tolik dodged those conversations.

«At least the apartment is ours, not rented,» she reassured her friends. «At least, it’s a stable relationship,» she convinced herself. «At least, I’m not alone,» she whispered at night, swallowing tears.

She decided not to leave a note. What could she say? «Sorry, I’m tired of being convenient»? «Don’t look for me, just admit I was temporary»? It all sounded pitiful and melodramatic.

Keys were set gently on the hall table. She double-checked the stove was off and windows closed — old habits die hard. She took one last glance at the apartment. Strangely, no tears nor regrets surfaced. Only weariness mingled with a strange new sensation — relief?

The suitcase obediently rolled on the asphalt. Spring in St. Petersburg was unusually warm, as if nature supported her decision to start anew.

Her hometown Yaroslavl greeted her with cherry blossoms scattered and a cool breeze. Her mother waited quietly on the platform — completely gray-haired, yet familiar and dear. Silently, she embraced her tightly.

— Let’s go home, daughter.

At home, they sipped lemon tea, and Natasha opened up. About two years of hope. About «going to mom» trips. About finally understanding that being convenient is not the same as being loved.

— Remember, — her mother gently stroked her hand, — how as a child you always wanted to be the good girl? Pleasing everyone, being liked by all?

— Yes, I remember. I grew up, but the habit stayed.

— That’s alright, — Polina Egorovna poured more tea. — What matters is you understood it. The rest will follow.

Later that evening, her phone buzzed. Tolik. She stared at the screen until the call cut off. Then a message arrived: “Where are you? Why have the things disappeared?”

She didn’t respond to that message nor to the subsequent ones. Her phone exploded with calls — Tolik had clearly not anticipated such a turn. Hours later, he sent a lengthy apology promising to “fix everything.”

«He should have fixed it earlier,» Natasha thought and for the first time in a long while, she slept peacefully.

Morning transformed her. It felt as if a heavy backpack she had hauled for two years was finally dropped. She called her old company — they needed an accountant. She scheduled an interview.

— Natasha! — Maria burst into the office like a little whirlwind. — When did you get back? Why didn’t you call?

Maria Sinitsyna, her ex-colleague and best friend, appeared unchanged across those two years — vibrant, loud, always ready to save the day for everyone.

— I returned yesterday, — Natasha smiled. — Came to check if you need accountants.

— We do! — Maria clapped her hands. — Oh, that’s great! So, what happened? Your Tolik…

— Ex-Tolik, — Natasha said firmly. — I left.

Maria whistled:

— Finally! I kept wondering when you’d wake up.

— You never said anything.

— And you would have listened? — Maria chuckled. — Okay, moving on. The point is you’re here. And guess what? We have an architect on a project… Sasha Melnikov. Smart, handsome, and importantly, single!

— Maria, — Natasha shook her head. — I’m not ready for that.

— I’m not suggesting it now! — her friend winked conspiratorially. — But it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye out.

Sasha Melnikov appeared as a tall, dark-haired man around thirty-five, with an attentive gaze and surprisingly gentle smile. As the architect in charge of the firm’s new project, Natasha, the accountant, often met with him.

— Are you new here? — he asked once, dropping by with project estimates.

— Just returned, — Natasha corrected. — I used to work here.

— Why did you leave?

— Love, — she smiled faintly. — Or what I thought was love.

He paused, looking at her with newfound curiosity:

— And now?

— Now I work.

From then on, he visited her more frequently. Sometimes for work, sometimes just casually. He shared his projects and sought her opinion. Once, he brought coffee:

— I noticed you always drink instant coffee. That’s a crime against taste.

The aroma was divine. Natasha took a sip and closed her eyes in delight:

— Thank you. You’re right; it tastes incredible.

— Sasha, — he smiled. — Shall we drop formalities?

She nodded, hiding a smile behind her cup:

— Natasha.

Now, coffee appeared on her desk every morning. Maria winked knowingly but kept silent — apparently having learned her lesson.

After three months, Natasha nearly stopped flinching at phone calls — Tolik had finally ceased attempts to «restore the past.» Work progressed well, and her mother was happy to have her home. Every morning, a perfect cup of coffee awaited on the table.

— Natasha, — Sasha sat on the edge of her desk. — There’s an architecture exhibition opening. Shall we go?

She lifted her eyes from the monitor. Something in his look conveyed more than a mere colleague’s invitation.

— Is this a date? — she asked directly.

— Yes, — he did not hesitate. — If you’re ready.

She paused. Three months felt like enough time to realize: she was genuinely ready.

— I am.

The exhibition proved fascinating. Sasha explained the projects and highlighted details unnoticed by non-specialists. Afterwards, they strolled through the evening city, and he held her hand — simple and natural, as if it was always meant to be.

— I was married for two years, — he suddenly revealed. — It didn’t work out. Then, I was afraid to start over.

— And now? — she echoed.

— Now, I’m not afraid.

He kissed her — gently, as if seeking permission. She responded, feeling warmth spreading inside — genuine, not artificial.

Tolik showed up unexpectedly — simply appearing at the office doorway with a bouquet of roses:

— Can we talk?

Natasha felt chill. Two years of being convenient, two years fearing loneliness — all crashed upon her at once, threatening to bury her new life just beginning to take shape.

— There’s nothing to discuss, — she surprisingly heard her voice sound firm.

— Come on, Natasha, — he stepped closer. — I was wrong back then. Who hasn’t been? Come back. It’ll be different.

— Really? — she looked at him, feeling she didn’t recognize him. How could she have mistaken his condescending smirk for a smile? That possessive stance for care? — And exactly how will everything be different?

— Well… — he hesitated. — We could take a trip. Or…

— Get married? — she prompted the word he had carefully avoided for two years.

He grimaced:

— Natasha, come on. What are you starting? We were good together.

— You were comfortable, — she corrected firmly again. — But it hurt me. Leave, Tolik. This is the end.

— What’s happening? — a calm voice sounded behind Tolik.

Sasha stood in the doorway, tall and composed. Natasha felt panic recede. Two years ago she was alone. Now — she was not.

— And who are you? — Tolik spun around, smirking unpleasantly.

— Alexander, — Sasha stepped forward beside Natasha. — Natasha’s companion. And I think she asked you to leave.

— Oh really? — Tolik whistled theatrically. — Quick, Natasha. And here I was thinking…

— No, — Natasha cut him off. — You didn’t think. About me or our relationship. Because there was none — only your terms and my silent consent. It’s over, Tolik. I no longer agree.

She hardly recognized her own voice — so calm and confident. Tolik tried to respond, but his words had lost meaning. The important truths were already spoken.

Sasha took her hand — simply and confidently, showing he was there. That she wasn’t alone.

The bouquet lay scattered on the floor — Tolik had thrown it down on his way out. Natasha watched the fallen roses, thinking two years ago such a gift would have made her forgive anything. But now…

— How are you? — Sasha asked quietly.

— Good, — she smiled, realizing it was true. — Truly good.

That evening, they walked along the embankment. It was late May, lilac perfumed the air intoxicatingly, and Natasha reflected on life’s strange ways — sometimes one must lose everything to find something new.

— What are you thinking about? — Sasha hugged her shoulders.

— How terrified I was of being alone. So many years fearing I wouldn’t meet someone like you if I didn’t stop fearing.

He was silent, then seriously said:

— I was afraid too. After the divorce, it seemed I never would again… Then you appeared. So real.

She pressed closer to him:

— You know, I suddenly realized: no matter what happens next, the important thing is I won’t pretend to be someone else just to please anyone.

— And you don’t have to, — he smiled. — I like you just as you are.

They stood on the bridge, watching the sunset. Much lay ahead — both joyful and challenging. But the key step Natasha had taken was learning to respect herself. The rest would follow.

She returned home feeling surprisingly light. Her mother met her at the door, carefully observing:

— Is everything alright?

— Yes, — Natasha embraced her. — Now, everything is truly alright.

That night, she dreamed a strange dream: standing at a crossroads with a sign pointing to «Past» and «Future.» She chose the future and woke with a smile.

The next morning, a cup of coffee awaited her at work. On the lid, a note read: «Will you have breakfast?»

«I will,» she replied by message.

Sasha appeared five minutes later:

— I was thinking… Maybe we should look for an apartment? For us.

She paused. Two years ago, she moved in with a man hopeful for «later.» Now things were different.

— Are you sure? — she asked directly. — This is a serious step.

— I am, — he took her hand. — I don’t want to rush, but neither do I want to stand still. We both know what we want and what we don’t.

She squeezed his palm:

— Alright. Let’s start looking.

Key Insight: Sometimes embracing happiness demands stepping away from comfort zones and learning to honor one’s true self. Only then can a new chapter filled with genuine love and respect begin.

In conclusion, Natasha’s journey underscores the vital importance of self-respect and courage to change. Leaving behind what is convenient but hollow opened the way to authentic connection and a hopeful future. It is a profound reminder that choosing happiness often requires sacrifice but ultimately leads to personal liberation.