The summer sun was merciless as Olga returned home from work. Tired, she sighed as she opened the door to her spacious seaside home, the one she had long dreamed of. The house was a manifestation of her hard work and ambition, a symbol of the success she had achieved together with her friend and business partner, Sveta.
They had come a long way from simple clothing sellers at the market to owners of a thriving chain of stores throughout the city. Olga remembered how she and Sveta started their business: a cold winter morning at the market, when they, frozen but determined, set up their goods on the stalls; endless negotiations with suppliers; nights spent on calculations and planning. Gradually, their efforts began to bear fruit: first they opened a small shop, then a second, a third, and now they had a whole chain, known throughout the city.
No sooner had Olga crossed the threshold than a familiar voice greeted her:
– Olya, what’s for lunch?
Olga suppressed her irritation and turned to the source of the question. It was Marina, her husband Andrey’s sister. Marina, along with her husband Grisha and son Sasha, had come to stay a month ago and during all this time had not lifted a finger to help around the house. Olga glanced at the kitchen: scattered belongings, unwashed dishes, half-eaten breakfast plates, Sasha’s toys on the floor. She remembered how thrilled they were when she and Andrey finally managed to buy this house, how they chose furniture, argued about wall colors, and planned every detail. But now this house, their shared dream, had turned into a thoroughfare.
Holding back her irritation, Olga snapped:
– Whatever you cook, that’s what you’ll eat. I’m in a hurry, and don’t call me for trifles, I’ll be very busy.
Without waiting for a response, Olga turned and left the house. She quickly got into a pre-called taxi and gave the address of the cafe where she had an important meeting planned with Sveta. On the way, Olga reflected on her life. Her business was thriving, she had achieved a lot: Sveta recently bought a luxurious apartment in the city center, and Olya had finally realized her long-time dream—building this luxurious house by the sea. But instead of enjoying the fruits of her labor, she felt that her home was gradually becoming a source of stress due to uninvited guests.
The taxi was approaching the cafe when the phone rang. Sveta’s name flashed on the screen. Olga felt a twinge of anxiety: usually, they didn’t call each other before a meeting unless something unexpected happened.
– I’m almost there, – Olga said, answering the call.
– Sorry, but we’ll have to postpone the meeting, – Sveta spoke quietly, her voice clearly embarrassed.
Olga became alert. Sveta never changed their plans at the last minute without reason. Over the years of their friendship and joint business, they had learned to rely completely on each other. If Sveta canceled the meeting, something serious had happened.
– What’s wrong? Are you okay?
– Yes, yes, everything’s fine, – Sveta hurried to reassure her. – Just… don’t laugh. Well, go on, tell me what happened.
– I went out for shopping this morning and bought shawarma at a stall. The smell was incredible, – Sveta confessed with a hint of shame in her voice.
Olya already guessed where her friend was heading. This was not the first time Sveta had succumbed to the temptation of street food, despite all previous unpleasant experiences.
– How many times have we had this? – asked Olya, trying not to sound too stern. She remembered their last year’s trip to an exhibition in Moscow, when Sveta was knocked out for a whole day due to a similar experiment with street food.
– I know, but I really wanted shawarma, – Sveta tried to justify herself.
– Do you need me to bring anything? – offered Olya, understanding that her friend was not feeling well. – Maybe some medicine?
– No, nothing. Just drink plenty of water and rest. We’ll meet when you feel better. If anything, write, I’ll come anytime.
– Thanks, you’re the best, – Sveta gratefully replied and ended the call.
Olga sighed and turned to the driver:
– Sorry, plans have changed. Please take me back.
The man smiled, probably having heard their conversation, he nodded and turned the car around. As the taxi drove back, Olya looked out the window at the city passing by. Approaching her home, Olga got out at the gate and entered through the open gate. She frowned, noting once again that her request to close the gate was ignored. It was unsafe—there had been thefts in their area, and the open gate was an invitation for thieves.
Olga tiptoed up to the house. She was just about to open the door when she heard Marina and Grisha discussing plans to rearrange her house:
– We could open up the gazebo, and make a swing for Sasha nearby. He would be out in the fresh air, it’s so wonderful, – Marina dreamily said.
– You’ve thought it out well. And we could also build a separate exit, make a personal kitchen for us, so we see less of that Olya. Then we’ll really start living, – added Grisha.
Olga couldn’t believe it when the so-called guests decided they could take part of her house. She entered the house and got to work. The woman opened a window overlooking the place where her husband’s relatives sat. She waited for Andrey to enter the room and loudly said:
– Andrey, explain to me what’s happening?
– What do you mean, darling? – Andrey asked, puzzled.
– About your relatives. When are they leaving? I’m tired of feeding and entertaining them. They’ve visited enough. I want to see my own family this summer, so let yours clear out of my house and quickly, – Olga blurted out.
Conversations outside stopped. Andrey looked at his wife in surprise.
– Olenka, be quiet.
– I’m in my own house, and if your relatives don’t understand that they’re no longer welcome here, it’s their own fault. They’ve been here almost a month. Were you waiting for them or did they come on their own? – Olga asked.
Andrey didn’t know what to say. His sister and her family had arrived uninvited, and Andrey just couldn’t refuse her.
– Alright, let’s not argue, but make sure they’re gone by the end of the week. I hope you understand. Kick out your kin however you want. If you can’t handle it, tell me, I’ll definitely be able to.
Andrey wanted to say something, but then Marina and Grisha burst into the room. Marina was holding a phone.
– Mom, she wants to kick us out! We have nowhere to go, our apartment is sold, and we have a child! Tell her! – Marina squealed.
Olga smiled: her plan had worked. Marina had put the call on speakerphone, from the speaker came the piercing voice of the mother-in-law:
– Olya, how dare you kick out my daughter? She has nowhere to go!
Olga took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She expected this conversation, but still felt anger boiling inside. Nonetheless, she kept her voice calm:
– These are not my problems. They came uninvited and have been living here for a month. Hospitality has its limits.
Realizing she couldn’t persuade her daughter-in-law, the mother-in-law changed tactics and started pressuring Andrey:
– Son, say something to your wife! If she kicks out Marina…
The manipulation worked. Andrey, succumbing to his mother’s pleas, also began to beg Olya not to kick out Marina:
– Olenka, maybe we can find a compromise? You can’t just throw them out on the street like that.
Olya looked at her husband, and at that moment something inside her finally broke. She realized that it was all over with Andrey. Years of misunderstanding, his inability to put their family first—this had led to this breaking point.
– Alright, – Olya calmly said to everyone present. – You have half an hour to pack your things and leave my house. If anyone is still here in half an hour, I will call the police.
Marina gasped, Grisha turned pale, and from the phone came outraged screams of the mother-in-law. Andrey tried to calm his wife, placing his hand on her shoulder:
– Ol, let’s discuss this…
But Olya removed his hand and firmly repeated:
– Half an hour. And that includes you, Andrey. Time starts now.
Exactly half an hour later, all the uninvited guests stood at the front door with suitcases. Andrey was still trying to persuade his wife to change her mind, but Olya silently opened the door, making it clear that the conversation was over.
Soon after, Olya divorced Andrey. The process was painful, but Olya felt that she had made the right decision. Gradually, life got back on track: Olya fully immersed herself in work, expanding the business with Sveta, engaging in self-development, and making new acquaintances. The pain from the divorce subsided, giving way to a sense of freedom and new opportunities.