“Are you serious?” Anna looked at Svetlana Gennadyevna questioningly. “My grandmother asked to send me a letter six months after she leaves this world?”
“Yes, my dear. Here it is,” Svetlana Gennadyevna handed Anna an envelope.
The envelope was sealed, and the “to” line was addressed to Anna.
“Thank you, Svetlana Gennadyevna,” Anna smiled. “I miss her so much. It’s such a pity people don’t live forever…”
Then Anna remembered that she was actually a librarian and asked:
“Don’t you want to borrow something to read?”
“No, dear. I have plenty of unread books at home. By the way, come over for tea sometime. Let’s chat,” Svetlana Gennadyevna nodded to Anna and headed for the exit.
Anna looked around the empty library hall and opened the letter.
She read it once, twice, three times, then threw it on the table.
Her grandmother wrote that on the hospital’s third floor, there was a secret room where something important to their family was kept, and that Anna had to find it.
“What nonsense?” Anna muttered.
She had expected a farewell letter where her grandmother would say how much she loved her, but instead…
“Wait a minute!” Anna muttered again. She remembered that the hospital’s deputy chief doctor was Dima, her ex. “Nice try, Grandma, but no,” Anna decisively put the letter in her bag. Just then, visitors came into the library and Anna finally got to work.
………………..
Actually, Grandma did like Dima. She was sure Anna would be happy with him. Anna herself believed it until the very end, but then Dima fell in love with another woman, and she let him go in all directions. Later, though, his love faded and he tried to come back to Anna, but she thought: if he fell for someone once, he can fall for a second and a third, so would she forgive every time?
“Anna, understand, he just made a mistake. Take him back and everything will be fine,” her grandmother said, but Anna no longer trusted Dima and said they were not meant to be.
“Hm…” Dima smirked. “So you want to live your whole life with cats?”
“No. I want to live my life with the person I love,” Anna shot back.
“Well, we’ll see, we’ll see where you find that love. Our town is small, not much choice. You should be glad I noticed you,” Dima declared.
“Dima, please go. Our relationship is over,” Anna said quietly but firmly.
Actually, Dima was right. She lived in a small provincial town, was over 30, worked as a librarian, and probably wouldn’t meet anyone else because the good guys were already taken.
………………
“Anna, hi!” Anna was walking home from work when her neighbor stopped her at the entrance. “Did you hear the news?”
“What news?” Anna asked.
“They want to demolish our hospital,” the neighbor replied.
“Why?” Anna was surprised — it wasn’t just any hospital, but the city’s clinic where all residents went whenever something happened.
“They say it’s unprofitable. We’ll have to go to the neighboring town, and a shopping mall will be built here instead,” the neighbor said sadly.
“Thanks for the info,” Anna nodded and went home.
Actually, she found it even funny: so the hospital is unprofitable, but the shopping mall won’t be? Hmm… Who will go to that mall?
“They just cut the funding, so they’re trying to save money,” Anna thought.
At any other time, she would have just forgotten about the hospital. It was obvious it would be inconvenient to have to go somewhere else. People would get used to it. But now she felt uneasy: if the hospital was demolished, she wouldn’t be able to find the secret room her grandmother wrote about. On one hand, she hadn’t planned to look for it, but on the other, she was curious — could such a room really exist?
Anna wondered how to get into the hospital.
…………………….
“So you want to read to children who are in the hospital?” Dima looked at Anna thoughtfully.
“Yes,” she nodded.
“Why? Tell me — why?” he asked. “Seems like a strange idea to me.”
“Nothing strange. I watched a show that said kids find it hard to stay in hospital. And elderly people too, actually. They’re all happy when someone visits. I can not only read, but also perform tricks. Talk to those whose relatives don’t come,” Anna explained. “Dima, the idea’s great. I think your management won’t mind. Plus, the administration will notice such an innovation and it’ll be a plus for you,” she added.
“I don’t know, I don’t know…” Dima got up and paced the office. “We’re moving soon, so to speak. The hospital is closing and some doctors are going to another hospital in a neighboring town,” he said. “So I don’t know if there’s a point in implementing what you suggest.”
“You can try. If you like it, then do the same after the move,” Anna shrugged.
“Okay, let’s try,” he said. “Come to the second floor tomorrow evening. The third floor is already closed. We’re not admitting patients there anymore, sending them to the neighbors. Preparing people, so to speak,” he added.
“Thanks, Dima! I won’t let you down!” Anna smiled. The fact that the third floor was closed didn’t worry her — she was sure she’d figure something out.
……………….
“Miss, where do you think you’re going?” Anna jumped in surprise. A moment ago no one was near her, and now a man stood there.
“Oh, am I going the wrong way?” Anna feigned surprise.
“Yes, this is the third floor, you need the second,” the man said sternly.
“Oh, what’s wrong with the third floor?” Anna pretended not to know why she shouldn’t go there.
“Nothing wrong, they’re just trying not to admit too many patients there,” the stranger said, then added, “It’s a shame they’re going to demolish this building. It’s beautiful and surely historic.”
“Historic? Right, probably,” Anna said. They chatted a bit more and then went their separate ways.
One day they met again in town, greeted each other, and finally got acquainted.
……………………
“Anna, how far you’ve fallen!” Dima approached her in the hospital after she had read to the kids and played with them and was about to leave.
“What do you mean?” Anna asked.
She thought Dima was already at home, but he was still here! And today she and Igor were planning to check out the third floor again.
“You’re friends with the plumber! Aren’t you ashamed?” Dima looked at her mockingly. Anna shrugged.
“Why should I be ashamed of that? By the way, being a plumber is a great profession. It means that person has skills in the right places. Unlike some others,” she shot back. Anna was honest — she never judged a person by their job, salary, or skills. What mattered to her was the person, their soul, and how her heart responded to them.
“I earn enough money for guys like your Igor to fix everything for me,” Dima snorted.
“If that’s all you wanted to say, I’ll be going,” Anna prepared to leave.
“Anna, maybe you’ll forgive me now?” Dima asked.
“Dima, I forgave you long ago,” she answered.
“So maybe…” Dima started.
“No,” Anna cut him off immediately. “No.”
“Am I interrupting?” Igor’s voice suddenly sounded.
“Of course not,” Anna said happily. “Sorry, Dima, we have to go.”
Anna quickly took Igor by the arm and dragged him outside.
“Aren’t we going to the third floor today?” Igor asked.
“I don’t know. You see, Dima is here. And who knows when he’ll leave,” Anna replied.
“Well, we can go through the back door,” Igor suggested.
“Really?” Anna was surprised. “Then let’s do it. We’ll have to pretend we left. And also pretend we’re in love,” Anna added shyly.
“Dima’s your ex?” Igor asked.
“Yes.”
“Many girls would want to be with him,” Igor said.
“I know,” Anna was silent for a moment and then added, “I don’t want to be with him not because I’m afraid of competition, but because I don’t trust him anymore. He betrayed me.”
“I understand,” Igor nodded. “I was betrayed too. That’s why I’m here, in this small town, working whatever job I could get.”
“Who betrayed you? A girl?” Anna asked.
“No. Colleagues. They took credit for my ideas and I was fired in disgrace. But it doesn’t matter now. Give me your hand, let’s pretend we’re in love.”
Anna held out her hand, and her palm sank into his. All her nervousness disappeared. She felt calm and confident.
…………………….
“By the way, Dmitry Petrovich doesn’t let me go to that floor,” Igor said to Anna when they were on the third floor again.
“Strange, why? There’s nothing here, no equipment,” Anna was surprised.
“I don’t know. He said the floor is unsafe, but I see nothing unsafe,” Igor said. “Also,” he added, “for several weeks, a couple of men have been coming and going up to the roof and doing something there…”
“Maybe they’re fixing it?” Anna asked.
“Maybe, but I think they’re doing the opposite — trying to damage the roof so the hospital will be demolished faster,” Igor replied.
“No, you don’t think so,” Anna waved it off. “Dima wouldn’t do that. If they close the hospital, he’ll be fired!”
“Are you sure?” Igor asked.
Anna looked at him thoughtfully and shook her head.
“No.”
Then Igor and Anna entered another room with a cupboard. It was empty. They could see that immediately because its doors were wide open and there was nothing on the shelves.
“Look, there’s a door,” Igor pointed to a corner of the room, and they rushed there. Five agonizing minutes passed while Igor fiddled with keys.
“Done,” he said. He pressed the door handle and opened it.
This time they were lucky: behind the door lay old medical records, some photographs, a bunch of written notebooks…
“Igor! Could it be we found it?” Anna whispered.
At that moment, the light flickered on. Anna and Igor looked at each other and without speaking hid behind a table. The light went out again. Then a door creaked. Anna’s heart pounded fast. She was truly scared and grabbed Igor. Then the door to their room creaked and… no one entered.
“Probably the wind,” Igor said. “I’ll check.”
As soon as he got up, the bright light turned on again. Igor froze, then hurried toward the exit. The light went off again. Igor went into the corridor, then returned to Anna.
“No one’s there. Probably a glitch. Were you scared?” he asked her.
“Yes,” she nodded.
“That’s all for today. I’ll deal with the lights tomorrow,” Igor said.
“You’re a plumber…” Anna was surprised.
“I’m a handyman here,” Igor smiled.
…………………..
A few days later, Anna arranged a meeting with Dima, pretending to bump into him at his favorite café. She wanted to find out where he would work after the hospital closed.
“Can I join you?” Anna approached him.
“Oh! Anna! Of course, sit down. Are you alone?” Dima asked.
“Alone,” Anna nodded.
“Where’s your plumber? Did you break up?” Dima raised an eyebrow.
“We’re just friends,” Anna said. “And I don’t know where he is now. He doesn’t answer to me.”
“Is that so… I see. Looks like I have a chance.”
Actually, Dima had no chance, but Anna decided not to say anything and just smiled.
Then they chatted about this and that. Anna asked:
“Listen, when the hospital closes, what will happen to you?”
“To me? You’re worried, huh?” Dima brightened.
“Well, yes. I’m worried,” Anna nodded.
“Don’t worry. They’re transferring me to the neighboring town for the same position. And in six months I’ll become director. My dream will come true,” Dima’s face became satisfied. “So I’m a good catch.” Dima took Anna’s hand. She wanted to pull it away but knew she shouldn’t.
“I’m happy for you,” Anna smiled.
That day, Anna had to hang out with Dima and let him escort her home. Then she quickly ran away so he wouldn’t ask her out.
……………………..
After that meeting, Anna began avoiding Dima. She said she was sick and stopped going to read to the kids. She started coming by the back door and then going with Igor to the third floor.
Together they reviewed all the documents they found, but Anna found nothing about her family.
One day, a note fell out of one of the notebooks: “Leave this place, or you’ll regret it.”
“Igor, I think someone knows we’re looking for something here. Look at the note — it’s recent! Modern!” Anna said.
“I don’t know. I didn’t tell anyone about our search. Did you?” Igor asked.
“I didn’t tell anyone either,” Anna sighed. “Igor, there’s only one room left, and I think we won’t find anything there. We passed it a million times, and it was empty!” she added.
“What about Dima?” Igor asked next. “I saw you together.”
Anna looked at Igor in surprise.
“So what?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Igor grumbled. “Let’s go on.”
Anna and Igor inspected the last room and left it. Disappointment was written all over Anna’s face. She leaned against the wall and punched it. There was a dull sound. She hit it again — same sound. Then she turned and faced the wall, stepped right, and knocked on the wall — the sound was normal.
“Igor, shine the flashlight!” she asked.
Igor pointed the beam at the wall, and they realized there was a small door.
“Probably for storing a bucket and mop,” Anna said.
“Don’t want to be disappointed, huh?” Igor laughed.
He opened the door, and indeed they saw a bucket and rag, and next to them were several old notebooks and envelopes.
Somehow, Anna understood that this was exactly what they were looking for.
Then the light switched on, just like before. But that time it went off; this time footsteps sounded, and Dima appeared before them.
“So, did you find what you were looking for?” he asked mockingly.
Anna was silent, Igor too.
“Well? What’s inside?” Dima went to the cupboard and looked in.
Anna quickly grabbed the notebooks and held them close.
“It’s mine,” she said.
Dima smirked and reached for the notebooks. Igor stepped toward them. How it would end, no one knew, but at that moment the light went out and the ceiling collapsed.
“Well, here we go,” Igor said. “Let’s get out of here fast.”
The three of them ran toward the exit by the back door.
…………………
How they got out — Anna didn’t understand herself. It seemed to her that she was walking and everything was collapsing behind her.
Dima walked beside her, calling emergency services on the phone. Then they evacuated all the patients outside, and Anna, taking advantage of the chaos, quietly moved away and eventually went home.
At home, she examined her haul: photographs, letters, and documents related to the hospital’s history. It turned out the hospital building was historic and actually couldn’t be demolished. And the most important document for Anna was her grandmother’s diary. But how it got there was a question.
…………………
Time passed.
And yet the hospital was closed. Or rather relocated. A new building was specially built for it, and the old one was restored. Now it’s the city museum.
Dima remained the hospital’s deputy chief doctor. He believes Anna is to blame for what happened.
Anna and Igor started dating and eventually got married.
But one part of this story wouldn’t leave Anna’s mind — why, why did her grandmother keep her diary in the hospital? Why did she write that strange letter and ask for it to be delivered?
Too many questions, no answers.
“Hello, Svetlana Gennadyevna!” That day Anna decided to visit her grandmother’s friend and find out everything possible.
“Anna, hi!” Svetlana Gennadyevna was glad to see her. “Tea?”
“Of course! By the way, I brought cake,” Anna smiled.
Then they drank tea, Anna talked about her life, asked Svetlana Gennadyevna about herself, and wanted to smoothly bring up the letter when suddenly Svetlana Gennadyevna said:
“Your grandmother was right after all: you and Igor are a wonderful couple.”
“Igor?” Anna was surprised. “I thought she wanted me to be with Dima.”
“She did. For some time,” Svetlana Gennadyevna nodded. “But then she saw how he behaved and changed her mind. But she met Igor and realized you two are perfect for each other. She knew she didn’t have much time left, so she wrote that letter and put the documents, photos, and her diary where the bucket and rag are kept — that was me. I worked as a cleaner there. Later, when the floor was closed, I was fired,” she added.
“Hm… then why didn’t she just tell me everything? I don’t understand…” Anna looked at Svetlana Gennadyevna confused.
“Oh, you would’ve just listened to her. Yeah, I know you,” Svetlana Gennadyevna waved it off. “But here you had a puzzle you had to solve. And the most interesting thing is, our plan with your grandmother worked. And that’s what matters!”