Surprise

– Are you kidding? Nikita was amazed, “how can this be?” You’re only twenty-one years old! And why didn’t you say anything before?!

Alla clung to her husband, faithfully looked into his eyes:

– I was afraid that you would stop loving me and change your mind about getting married.…

– And now? What are you counting on now?!

***

They met by chance. Alla bought a lot in euroopt, went outside with two huge bags, and there was ice. The girl slipped on the steps and probably would have fallen if someone’s strong arms hadn’t caught her literally in flight.

– Be careful, – she heard a velvety male voice next to her, – hold on to me…

Feeling that she was firmly on her feet, Alla looked up at her savior:

– Thank you very much…

– Why are you so loaded? – the stranger asked with a smile, – yes, in this weather?

– I’m waiting for my parents to visit, – Alla replied simply, – they’re going to check on how I live in the city. That’s…

– I see. And how far do you have to carry all this? Can I give you a ride?

– Oh, come on. Inconvenient. You’ve already helped me. I’ll walk myself. Slowly. There’s my house, right next to it.

Alla, stepping carefully, went in the indicated direction. The man went his own way…

All day he tried to concentrate on his work, but in vain: a beautiful stranger constantly surfaced in his memory. That’s what he called her in his visions.

“What a lovely creature,” he thought, “an open look, minimal makeup, it seems there was not even lipstick. And blush… So gentle, barely noticeable… And the voice… the word trickle… no, I have to find her. She said she lives very close by.…

Nikita was not a ladies’ man, rather the opposite: he was very wary of the fair sex, all the time waiting for a trick.

The reason for this was an unhappy first love, which ended in a banal betrayal. Since fifth grade, Nikita has been in love with a classmate who, after seeing him off to the army and promising to wait, six months later married the son of some businessman.

When Nikita returned, she, not a bit embarrassed, gave out:

– Nikita, don’t worry about it. If it calms you down, know that I still love you. However, loving and getting married are two different things. Well, what can you offer me? Living in a rented apartment or, even better, in a dorm? With an ever-empty wallet? No way. I want to live a normal life. I hope you understand me.…

Nikita understood everything. I suffered for a long time. I even started drinking. But then he pulled himself together, got a job, entered the university in absentia…

And now, he is a thirty–year-old, single, quite successful man who dreams of a girl he has seen only once in his life. And then only briefly.

And all because my heart warmed up. He’s been waiting for this for so many years. And now it’s skipped a beat. And he didn’t even recognize her name.…

For two weeks Nikita loomed in that very euroopt. I was waiting for a beautiful stranger. And she appeared.

In the evening after work, Alla went to buy something for dinner… She was very confused when a man literally threw himself at her feet with the words:

– I’ve finally found you!

Recognizing her savior, she smiled:

“Why were you looking for me?”

– We forgot to get acquainted! I’m Nikita, and you?

– My name is Alla, – the girl looked curiously at the excited man, – and what’s next, Nikita?

– Next? And then we will have a great dinner at the restaurant! Do you agree?

– I don’t know, it’s so unexpected…

– Agree, Alla! – the man coaxed, – I have so much to tell you…

He told her everything about himself. About first love, about the years of loneliness, about how glad I am that I met her and considers it a gift of fate…

Alla listened attentively… She liked this man, so touching and a little naive, more and more…

They started dating. Almost every day. And the more they met, the more attached they became to each other. They had a good time together, despite the fact that Alla turned out to be a chaste girl, she did not let Nikita near her.

At first, the man was surprised by this, and then he was really delighted. Now he was absolutely sure that Alla was destined for him and was waiting only for him!

He introduced Alla to his mother. Alla took Nikita to her parents in the village.

Nikita liked everything there very much. A simple way of life, simple relationships. Hospitable hosts.

It was there, in the presence of his parents, that Nikita proposed to Alla…

The closest people were at the registration: That’s what Alla wanted. She said that she did not want a big celebration, but she dreamed of a real honeymoon. Nikita agreed. I bought vouchers. The departure was planned a month after the wedding.

And for the second week the newlyweds lived together. Nikita couldn’t believe his luck. I flew home every day after work as if on wings…

On one of the wonderful family evenings, Nikita thought that Alla was worried about something.

– What’s the matter with you, my love? “Are you well?” he asked solicitously. Are you all right?

“We need to talk,” the young wife replied quietly…

– Speak up, I’m all ears.

“I don’t know how you’ll feel about this,” Alla began, choosing her words with difficulty.

– I’ll be fine, – Nikita saw that his wife was very worried and tried to calm her down, – no matter what happens. You know how much I love you.…

– I understand what I should have said earlier.… But I couldn’t…

– Alla, don’t Tomy, – Nikita has already begun to strain, – have you stopped loving me?

– No, of course not. Only… Sorry… I have children… two…

– what? Are you kidding? Nikita was amazed, “how can this be?”

– I’m not kidding.…

“But you’re only twenty–one years old!” When did you get there? And why didn’t you say anything before?!

Alla clung to her husband, faithfully looked into his eyes:

– I was afraid that you would stop loving me and change your mind about getting married.…

– And now? What are you counting on now?!

— I don’t know. I hope you will understand and forgive me.…

– Forgive me?! Me?! Nikita still didn’t believe what he had heard.…

– You see, I, like you, had a sad story in my life. We loved each other very much. When he found out that I was pregnant, he left me. I was scared. I was only seventeen at the time. When his son was born, he came to his senses and asked for forgiveness. I’ve forgiven you. We started living together. A year later, my daughter was born. And while I was pregnant, he got another one for himself. Arishka was six months old when he left me again. Now with two children.

– And where are your children now? It’s a nightmare… I’ve been to your village.… Your parents didn’t say anything. They also hid it, it turns out…

– The children are still living with relatives. They don’t have their own children, so they suggested that I leave the kids with them.

– And what about the parents? Nikita persisted, “don’t you feel sorry for your grandchildren?

– They visit them regularly, but they refuse to take them in. They say they can’t handle it.

– I see. The family is something else…

– Why are you doing this? I didn’t want this to happen. Mind you, I didn’t force myself on you. You found me yourself.…

–Yeah…,” Nikita said, “and you played your innocence cool.”… I even believed in your chastity…

– I was just afraid to get too attached to you. I thought: maybe we won’t succeed…

– Did we succeed?

– Of course! We love each other!

– And you can say that after such a monstrous lie? You could have told me all this a hundred times before the wedding! But no! You’re talking about it now that we’re already married!

– And what has changed? It was the only thing I was hiding. Now you’re my husband and I don’t want to cheat on you anymore. But whether you will be able to accept what I have said depends on your love.

– That is, if I agree to raise your children, then I love them. And if I refuse, does that mean no?

– If you refuse, they will stay with my relatives. That’s all. If you want, I won’t even date them.

– In other words, are you ready to give up your own children for me?

– I’m ready.

– But this is monstrous! Don’t you understand?!

– I just love you very much.…

Nikita couldn’t hear it anymore. He grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the apartment.

I walked the streets for a long time, trying not to think about anything. I tried to calm down.

Then I decided to visit my mother. He just needed to talk to someone.…

“I don’t know what to say, son,” his mother said thoughtfully, after listening to Nikita, “here you have to decide for yourself.

– What’s to decide, Mom? I know everything in advance: if I agree, it will be bad for me, if I refuse, I will deprive the children of their mother and they will all be unhappy.

– Then don’t rush to do anything. Think about it. Although… I can’t imagine how you’re going to live with a man capable of such a thing.…

– I can’t imagine either.…

– So maybe it’s better for you to get a divorce?

– I love her, Mom.…

– Then I don’t know…

Nikita stayed with his wife. He offered to take the children, but Alla refused:

– I don’t want to put such a burden on you, – she said quite calmly, – let them live with relatives, and we will visit them.

– In what capacity? Nikita asked wearily, “they probably already call your aunt mom.”

– And let them. They’re fine there, I’m sure. And this is the most important thing.

– Look for yourself, – Nikita threw back in response and did not return to this topic.

They visited the children several times. Watching his wife messing with them, Nikita couldn’t help but think:

– I wonder what will happen when we have a baby? What if something happens to me? And then what? Will she take him here too?

A year later Nikita filed for divorce…

I couldn’t live like this…

And love has disappeared somewhere…