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Anna’s salary was enough only to pay for utilities and the minimum set of groceries. Two weeks before payday felt endless. The one-room apartment, bought before her marriage to Sergey, was small but hers. Anna was proud of this achievement. Sergey moved in with her even before their wedding. He earned a little, working as … Read more

— I don’t like this haircut. I’m not going to pay. The blonde had been arguing with the salon receptionist for half an hour, where Nastya worked as a manicure and pedicure specialist. — Miss, you only trimmed the ends. It’s not a “haircut.” — Oh, is that so? Then what is it, by law…? … Read more

– Artyom, are you even listening to me? – Huh? Yes, yes, of course, Elina, – Artyom hurriedly sipped his tea, trying to look focused. – I’m asking, which color is better for the wedding: peach or ivory? Artyom thought for a moment. Honestly, he didn’t really understand the difference between those colors, but decided … Read more

Anna already knew that going there was a lousy idea. But Dmitry was persuading her with his usual bored tone, as if discussing the weather or the dollar exchange rate. “It’s just mom… Let’s not make a tragedy out of this. We’ll go for a couple of hours — that’s all.” Anna stood by the … Read more

Elena was rubbing her hands with antiseptic after finishing the last session of therapeutic massage. The patient — an elderly woman suffering from sciatica — nodded gratefully while paying for the procedure. Elena carefully folded the money into her wallet. Every bill counted: tomorrow she needed to buy groceries, the day after — pay for … Read more

Yulya, please remember… you have to be careful,” her mother didn’t just say it. She implanted that feeling in her, as if she already knew: it would hurt. Yulya didn’t argue. Not because she agreed. She just didn’t want to. She had no strength left to discuss anything. The door slammed behind her. She paused … Read more

The café smelled of cinnamon, caramelized milk, and something sweetly unsettling, as if the air carried the fresh tension of an autumn storm. Darya sat by the window, holding her cup close, as if hoping the coffee would not only invigorate her but also help her “come down to earth” a little, distract her from … Read more

When Artyom was given a new bus, his heart froze with joy — it felt as if they handed him the key not just to a vehicle, but to a new life. One without the grinding of the old gearbox, the smell of diesel in the cabin, and the constant fear that the suspension would … Read more

Andrey frowned as he heard his mother’s hoarse voice over the phone. “Mom, why are you breathing so hard?” “I just caught a little cold, son. I’ve been coughing for a week — it just won’t let up.” “Then go see a doctor! At your age, you can’t take colds lightly.” “I did. The doctor … Read more

I was sitting in the kitchen, staring into an empty cup. Outside, the rain poured relentlessly, and inside me grew a heavy emptiness. Andrey and I had argued again. He slammed the door and left, leaving me alone in the house of his parents. I felt like an unwanted guest, crushed, lost. “Are you okay?” … Read more