Seledka pod shuboy v Lonдongraде

                Seledka pod shuboy v Lonдongraде.
               (Herring under a Fur Coat in Londongrad)
 

                Oh, how I love salty herring,
                With boiled potatoes and beets quite daring
                All smothered in mayonnaise divine
                And washed down with vodka, so fine!



       Once upon a time, in the heart of London, there lived a young woman named Anya-Josephine, who had a deep passion for the game of chess. She spent countless hours studying every move, reading books on strategy, and watching videos of the greatest matches in history, all with the dream of defeating the great grandmaster, Vladimir Kramnik.
       One Friday evening, after finishing her study session, Anya-Josephine decided to treat herself to a Russian dinner at the renowned Rasputin restaurant. As she stepped inside, the aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering stews filled the air. The cozy space was filled with murmurs of conversation and clinking glasses. She scanned the room for a spot to sit and noticed a handsome man across the room who met her gaze and smiled. She felt a spark of recognition when he smiled at her.
       Anya-Josephine made her way to an empty table, and soon the man joined her, introducing himself as Vassili. They ordered a variety of Russian dishes, including borscht, blini, and pelmeni, and shared bites of each other's meals. The young woman marveled at the depth of flavor in each dish, and Vassili explained their historical and cultural significance.
       As the night wore on, they talked about their shared love of chess, and Vassili shared stories of his time competing in tournaments in Russia. Anya-Josephine listened intently, hanging on his every word, as they sipped on glasses of icy-cold vodka.
       After dinner, Vassili walked her home, and they exchanged numbers, promising to stay in touch. Over the next few weeks, Anya-Josephine and Vassili met up frequently, exploring new restaurants and trying different cuisines. They spent hours analyzing chess games and discussing strategies, and with each passing day, their connection deepened. However, Anya-Josephine couldn't shake the feeling that Vassili was hiding something from her. He was elusive about his past and seemed to have a dark side that he kept hidden from her.
       One day, as they sat in their favorite pub, Vassili received a phone call that sent him into a frenzy. He abruptly left, leaving Anya-Josephine confused and hurt. Later, she learned that Vassili had a troubled past and was involved with a dangerous group of hackers. She realized that their connection was built on a foundation of secrets, and she had to make a choice about whether to continue the relationship or not.
       Anya-Josephine ultimately decided to confront Vassili and demand the truth from him. He reluctantly opened up about his past, revealing that he had been involved in illegal activities selling game passwords in his youth but had since turned his life around. Anya-Josephine was relieved to hear that Vassili had put his troubled past behind him and was now living an honest life after graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in Anthropology. She forgave him for keeping secrets from her and decided to continue their relationship.
       They worked on improving their chess skills and honing their strategies, entered a local chess tournament, and to Anya-Josephine's amazement, Vassili emerged as the champion. Overjoyed and proud, she realized that their connection was built on a foundation of mutual respect, trust, and love. Soon, the pub where they had first met became their special place, a haven from the outside world where they could be themselves and indulge in their passions. Their love story blossomed over plates of Seledka pod shuboy (Herring under a Fur Coat) and black caviar.
       As they sat across the chess board, making their moves and strategizing, they often attracted a small crowd of curious onlookers. Anya-Josephine and Vassili would exchange playful banter as they played, their competitive spirits driving them to be their best selves. They would laugh and tease each other, never taking the game too seriously.
       One summer day, as they were playing in the park, Vassili surprised Anya-Josephine with a small velvet box. Her heart raced as she opened it to find a beautiful diamond ring. Vassili dropped down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. Overwhelmed with joy, she said yes and they embraced in a loving hug, the cheers of the onlookers ringing in their ears.
       They were married in a small ceremony at the local church, surrounded by their closest friends and family. The wedding reception was held at the Rasputin restaurant, where they had shared their first date. The tables were filled with plates of delicious Russian cuisine, and the air was thick with the sound of laughter and joy.


NB.

Oh, how I love salty herring,
With boiled potatoes and beets quite daring
All smothered in mayonnaise divine
And washed down with vodka, so fine!

But let's not forget the black caviar
On black Russian bread, it's quite bizarre
A delectable treat, fit for a czar
And perfect with a shot of icy cold bar.

Why bother with a shrink, oh please
When beauty can soothe all our unease
This delicious feast is the key
To happiness and stress-free glee!

                ХВВ 02.05.2023