5. Brother 18

8.

It was about five. Both phones near the store were again broken, and the phone near the entrance was besieged by a whole crowd of people willing to call. Maybe ask the lady on duty? Or seize the moment? Haile, his tall friend, kept talking and talking. Nitram, immersed in his thoughts, did not forget to nod in the right places – he doesn’t want to be asked “what’s happening, dude?”

But suddenly both Haile and everything around floated somewhere and the earth swayed underfoot. Another hallucination? Like last night when he was returning from friends. But yesterday they drank, and now...

Haile's surprised voice brought him back to reality:

- Hey, Trammi, she’s like the baby I saw with you some days ago, oh, yes! Quite right!... which you locked! - and Haile burst into a fist. - And I told you - remember?

Nitram shuddered. No, it can't be! But his heart pounded like mad; blood rushed to his head, and for a few moments he lost the ability to think, and only moved his legs, fearing to stumble.

Yes, this is she - her figure, her blue jacket and a funny red hat. But what is she doing here? Doubts flooded with renewed vigor. What does she want here? This is not the place for a decent girl. It turns out...

Keeping her in sight out of the corner of his eye, he slowly walked past; stopped near the entrance, mingling with the group fighting for the phone. Well, Haile guessed to leave him alone without question, he just sly winked goodbye. Yes, he perfectly remembered Haile's words: "If she doesn't suit you, let me know!" - he said, leaving the Mengistu’s room. And here she is - for a new victim?!

Martha also looked at him, although she could not see the face because of her myopia, but those striped trousers tucked into white boots - she could not be mistaken. Is it really him - standing there and looking, just standing and looking? And she slowly, sideways, slightly moved and hid behind the trunk of an old apple tree, perfectly aware of how stupid it all looks from the outside.

He separated from the crowd and took a step forward, then another timid, uncertain step. A figurine in blue emerged from behind a tree and also took a step towards him. "Oh, what huge blue eyes!" - and no longer able to think, Nitram moved straight to her.

- Hi! Who are you waiting for?

- You.

- Me?.. No, I do not believe it.

- Why didn't you come on Sunday?

- I came! I was there, but I didn't find you.

- No, it is not true! I was exactly at three, and you weren't there.

- Yes, I was late, just a bit, less than five minutes, and even five minutes you did not wait for me!

- Ok, well. Why didn't you call?

- I called!

- Really? Nobody told me.

Martha looked at him and suddenly he seemed so beautiful to her, so desired.

"My God, where were my eyes before!"

- Probably, that's how it should be, probably, it’s not necessary to tell about my calls,- he continued in an offended voice. - Spoiled my mood!
- And mine.

- And yours?.. No, I do not believe it, - and added in surprise: - I’d call you anyways. Let's come in?

previous http://proza.ru/2020/10/04/985

next http://proza.ru/2020/10/05/1500