Chapter - 2. Obsession Vladislav Koptsev

                             AN OBSESSION.    

    When I came to the beach, I spread out my mat and lay down and watched as a group of young guys and girls played volleyball not far from me. I haven't played this game for a long time, but I loved it very much. As a child, we often played volleyball in the yard with the guys. We had a real volleyball court with a net and we played enthusiastically until dark, when the ball was barely visible. I decided to join them and started playing with excitement. Doing such somersaults, falling on the sand and successfully hitting the ball, that all the players began to look at me with respect. Sometimes there were even isolated exclamations from the spectators sunbathing nearby.- The guy plays great. A good player always enjoys well-deserved authority, and the girls looked at me with admiration and, as I noticed, tried to hit the ball at me. I, in turn, sent them the ball so that they could easily take it. Giving the ball to one or the other. I especially liked one. She had a pleasant appearance and a pretty figure. Noticing that she went to the sea to cool off, I followed her.
- That it got hot, I turned to her.
"Yes," she exclaimed joyfully. - And you play so well. You probably play volleyball.
"Yeah," I said evasively. The girls respected the athletes. We swam for a while. Here I also showed a class by swimming in different styles and diving. Since childhood, I have been involved in swimming at a sports school. As we began to approach the shore, I started jokingly splashing water on her . Laughing, she also began to splash in response. After fooling around a bit, we got out of the water and sat down on the sand.
- And you are a good athlete, she said with respect. You swim so well.
"There's not much," I said, showing off. And what is your name?
"Masha," she said.
- And my name is Vlad.
- It's a pleasure. And Vlad is your full name or an abbreviated one.
- Full, abbreviated, - I joked and we laughed.
"To tell you the truth, I didn't like my name. And I deliberately shortened it. Well, what kind of a name is that for a grown guy. Vladik. It's kind of childish. And the full Vladislav will break your tongue while you pronounce it. The second abbreviation somehow sounds more masculine, but I didn't like it either. Vlad. Blat. Bulat. In general, my parents called me by the wrong name, that I somehow expressed it to them when I grew up. Everyone has names like names, but I have some kind of kindergarten. According to what Mom told me, son, you have a beautiful name. Vladislav means to own glory. I don't need this stupid fame, let the one who needs it take it, and they would have come up with a better name for me. Mom laughed at me at the same time.- It's a very beautiful name. Don't make it up.
- And where did you come from? I asked her. She named the city.
"Is it a good city," I asked her.
- We have a big river there and a beautiful embankment and a beautiful city.
- I wasn't there. We need to come and see it.
- Come here.
- I will definitely come if a beautiful girl like you invites me.She blushed slightly.
- Come here.It's good there, you'll like it. She ignored my compliment.
- And you've been here a long time.
- No, it's only been a few days. I came with a friend to a woman I know and we rent a room from her. Great, I thought. So she can rest here as long as she wants until she gets tired. This is a good option for her. However, it seems to me too. A thought flashed through my mind.
- My friend and I are studying at the pedagogical institute. So we came to the sea together to relax.
- And when did you manage to get so tanned? She looked at me in surprise.
- We live on the river. We have such a beautiful nature. Forests along the river banks.
- The tan suits you very well. I tried to win her over. She looked at me carefully and said nothing.
- If I had such a wife, I would never let her go alone. I asked just in case, having already burned myself then. Although it was obvious from everything that she was not married, a sophomore student and there was no ring.
"I'm not married," she said.
- And I'm not married either. Which I am very glad about.
"Why," she asked in surprise.
- Because if I were married, I wouldn't have met such a wonderful girl. She was a little embarrassed, but didn't say anything. I saw. That she likes me. I realized this back when we were playing volleyball. I noticed how she glanced at me briefly, admired my successful punches. It was very easy and simple with her, and she was so direct and open, without any problems and very pretty and so sweetly embarrassed that I involuntarily admired her. Why didn't I meet her before. And I got caught in the net of this little girl with her dark magic that entangled me
She poisoned my soul with her charms. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get rid of them completely. Well, nothing like a bright soul like my new friend's will help me get rid of this obsession. She asked me something, but I didn't hear her, lost in my thoughts.
- You can hear me. She touched my shoulder. I woke up.
- Sorry, I was thinking. And let's switch to you, it's easier this way. You don't mind.
- No, she said.
- That's good.
- You, you, care about something very much. You're in some kind of trouble.
- Just like that. Nothing. Everything is fine. I said. - So you are a future teacher
"Yes," she said.
- And how do you deal with children. I couldn't have done it. My nerves wouldn 't hold up . I would have slapped you on the back of the head.Yes, he would have scolded me with stronger words.
- Yes, you need to have patience with children, but the main thing is to respect them, you can't do without it, they feel it. But also to be moderately strict and principled. Be able to interest them in your subject. To demand discipline and teach them to be responsible and executive. Watch your speech and appearance. To be obligatory and not to make impossible promises. Oh, she realized, I've given you a whole lecture on pedagogy. It's like I'm passing a test. You're probably not interested in this.
- Firstly, not you, but you, and secondly, you tell me so interestingly that for a moment it seemed to me that you were my teacher. She laughed merrily.
- Here's another thing, what kind of teacher am I? Oh, yours. She got better. I liked her more and more. She seems like a girl , but what a smart girl. And how serious she immediately became when she started talking about her specialty and children. She apparently understands children well. She'll probably make a good teacher, the kids love them, and she's also pretty.
- I remember being in love with a teacher in fifth grade. I was absolutely thrilled when I listened to her. And when I accidentally found her hairpin after class, which she accidentally dropped. He kept it in a box and sometimes took it out and admired it.
- Yes, it happens, she said thoughtfully. And then, after a pause, she said. -
- You know, to be honest, it seems to me that you are... I can't, I can't get used to saying you yet. Can I speak both this way and that, she said, as if it were quite childish. I laughed.- Tell me. whatever you want, whatever is convenient for you until you get used to it.
- It seems to me that you, no matter how seriously you treat me, as a schoolgirl. Praise me, say compliments, but somehow abstractly and mechanically, by the way. That's what they say to a child, not a woman. I listen to you and sometimes it seems to me that you are not interested in me and you are thinking about someone else. I was taken aback. Another clairvoyant. One is not enough for me, but another has appeared. Did they conspire or something?
"Masha," I said to her, "everything I'm telling you is completely sincere and serious. I speak as I see fit and I don't hide the fact that I want you to like me. And I treat you like an adult woman. Many of your peers have already managed to get married. And I want you to be interested in me. And you are no longer a schoolgirl, but a future teacher. You have such knowledge that people much older than you look helpless on many questions that you know the answers to. And you're very perceptive. And I'm very glad that I met you. She listened to me in silence. She paused, and then, suddenly, she said.
- You talk like that and act so confident. It feels like you have a lot of communication experience. Here she hesitated, but after a pause she finished anyway.- With women. And you treat me somehow condescendingly, look at me as a naive, inexperienced girl.  What they say to take from her. And you don't see in me.... Here she faltered and fell silent. And suddenly it dawned on me what she meant.
- You're saying that I don't see you as an adult woman, but treat you like a teenager. Masha suddenly blushed at my words, but remained silent.
- Masha, I treat you quite normally.  And I'm glad I met you. And we barely know each other, we just met. Where did you get such thoughts from? We'll have time to talk about everything else and get to know each other better. And why do you care so much? You'd better tell me what your plans are for tonight, what you've decided to do.
- I don't know yet.
- And I do not know, so let's meet and then find out. She smiled, "come on."
- That's good. Great. But to what you just told me, I can also quite frankly tell you something. I get the impression that I was taken and placed under a microscope and one future teacher carefully examines and studies me, dropping some kind of solution on a slide so that I would not twitch very much. And when he finishes his research, he will think about what I should do with him next. To set free or to kill. She smiled.
- Well, confess Masha. Let me go or not.
"It depends on the results of the experiment," she replied. Then we burst out laughing together. - There are no words, you are just a clever Masha. I liked her more and more.
- And let's take a dip Masha. - Come on. We rushed into the water. She was a good swimmer. I grew up on the river. I thought. We haven't been out of the water for a long time. After swimming and freezing a little, the water was cool, we went ashore. She 's a great girl. I thought. It's good that I met her. And let's play some more, get warm, I suggested to her. "Come on," she agreed. And we joined the players. During our absence, the composition of the players has changed by more than half . I was inspired by meeting such a wonderful girl, I played with abandon and fun. Hitting unthinkable balls sometimes even with his foot when he couldn't reach. Giving out such a candle that everyone looked up. We played for a long time and finally I decided that I would play a little more and go see Masha off. I looked back and looked at the place where I had left my things. And froze. I saw her. This fatal woman. She was lying on her side and watching us play. Our eyes met. I immediately lost interest in the game. I didn't know what to do. I left the circle, telling Masha.
"I'm going to take a dip," and without looking at her, he went to the sea. She obviously noticed how my mood suddenly changed when I looked in the direction of this spectacular woman who was lying not far from us. I went into the water and couldn't collect my thoughts. It felt like I was hypnotized. Again, there was some kind of uncertainty and stiffness, as if I had been replaced. My thoughts were confused. What to do . We need to explain to Masha somehow, let her go home. I'll see you tomorrow. No, it's better after tomorrow. I thought feverishly. I came out of the water, Masha was walking towards me, she also decided to rinse off.
- What happened, Vlad.
- Masha, I need to go home urgently, or rather, I need to meet with one person.  Well, we need to talk now. I was confused in my words.
- You go, let's meet here tomorrow for lunch. Or after tomorrow, in general, something like that. She looked at me and suddenly said.
- It's because of this woman. I stared at her in disbelief.
- No, it's not. And then he blurted out for some reason.
- yes. Well, I'll be right there, anyway. I'll explain everything later. It was necessary to decide on something. The best thing, of course, is to pack up and go home with Masha. But something didn't let me in. I was completely confused and didn't want to lose either one.  No wonder she came to the same place where I so unsuccessfully decided to meet her, and she so arrogantly and contemptuously turned me down. I was thinking. And she didn't leave when she saw me. On the contrary, she looked at me with obvious approval and curiosity while I was playing. It probably means something for a reason. And she didn't look away when I noticed her and stared at her, not believing that it was really her. I liked the way I play. She looked the way Roman women probably looked at gladiators. Admiring their pumped-up muscles and agility. But all the same, they remained for them only slaves and victims of these cruel games. Suddenly, a crazy thought flashed through my mind. Well, I came to this, I became her victim, a toy for entertainment. I thought. That's it. I will go. I'll pack my things in silence and leave. No, I'd rather lie down a little, just for show, so that she doesn't think that I'm very offended by her, and because of this I immediately left. I'll just ignore her. And I won't even look in her direction. But what about Masha. That's what needs to be done. We need to call Masha here and defiantly collect her clothes and leave with her. I finally decided. Don't let this arrogant person think that the world has converged on her like a wedge. I quickly found a replacement for her. A pretty girl and even younger than her. Don't let him turn up his nose too much. I'm going to go rinse off, otherwise I'm covered in sand, find Masha and leave with her. I jumped into the water, swam for a while and went to Masha. But she was no longer there. She's gone. I was offended. I decided that I had something in common with this woman. That's it, I've lost Masha. She will not forgive me for this, She is a little shy, but with a character.
   Having treacherously acted towards Masha and having lost her, I went to my "Roman matron" who had so embarrassed me. She was lying very close to my things, just like that time. And she was looking in my direction. I came up and still couldn't resist mumbling.- Hello. He dried himself with a towel and lay down on his mat, covering his face with a damp towel.
- I was offended. Suddenly I heard her voice. I didn't even immediately understand who she was talking to and took the towel off my face and looked in her direction. She looked at me with a smile, mockingly.
- No, what makes you think that. I squeezed out of myself.
"I'm offended," she said affirmatively. I felt a rush of heat after her words. She's playing with me like a cat with a mouse trapped in her sharp claws. Confident in herself and her irresistibility . He's having fun. Realizing that I had fallen into her net. A predator. He doesn't like to let go of his victims. I was winding myself up . She saw Masha and me perfectly well and clearly guessed that she left because of her. Otherwise, why would I be left alone and come to her as if to my mistress. Now he enjoys an easy victory over me. In general, my imagination was running wild. And I vaguely began to realize that I was attributing to her something that wasn't even close to real. It's probably not for nothing that she told me then that I have a rich imagination.

- Are you playing well, have I been watching you? Suddenly she said. - I saw how easily you hit the balls. Have you been playing volleyball? He's asking me straight out, like Masha, I thought.
- No, it's not.- I was just getting carried away with it. We used to play with the guys a lot. I've learned something.
- Well done, you play great. We fell silent again.
"You're still mad at me." I paused.
- Don't be angry, I was wrong. I was in trouble and I wasn't in the mood. I was very upset. And you got into my hot hand. And she decided to take it out on me. I thought.
- Sometimes I'm not offended. It's my own fault, I started bothering you with all sorts of nonsense and behaved very stupidly. It's unpleasant to remember myself. She smiled.
- Well, why nonsense, you told everything so interestingly and even made up a whole story about the kidnappers. He also volunteered to protect me. I saw that you wanted to please me, but you didn't know how or what to interest me in.
- And that I liked it . I asked.
"Who knows," she replied.
- And what's there to know, it means you didn't like it.
- Look how touchy he is. Or maybe he liked it. She said with a sly smile. I did not believe what I had heard and was puzzled by the abrupt change in her mood and attitude towards me, recalling our first, such an unfortunate acquaintance for me. It was a completely different woman. Friendly, affectionate and friendly. When I heard these words from her, I immediately forgot about all the things I had said to her out of annoyance. That she is a pannochka from Viya and a witch, and a predator, and a bloodthirsty Roman matron, and besides, that she is also married. And even about Masha, whom I treacherously abandoned for her. It was like a bright ray of light fell on me . And I, inspired by a still timid hope, immediately cheered up and cheered up.
- Help yourself, she said and handed me a big juicy peach. I knelt down next to her, took it, and in a voice changed with excitement, babbled.
- thanks. And suddenly he felt an irresistible urge to kiss her . Women are very observant and she felt it. She looked at me intently and shook her head, covering my mouth with her palm. A few minutes ago, I couldn't even imagine such a thing. Not only did she say with a smile that she liked me, but she also gently covered my mouth with her hand. And I, feeling the warmth of her palm, kissed her hand tremblingly. At that moment, I was over the moon with happiness. She gently stroked my cheek and turned to the sea, began to look at the endless expanse of the sea spread out in front of us, sparkling in the sunlight, the blue sky above it and the white, as if weightless, slowly floating clouds. I turned and also began to look towards the sea, shimmering with azure colors in the rays of the bright sun, at the swift seagulls rushing along the shore with screams, and at that moment I was immensely happy.
- And what are you doing tonight, Lena. I asked. For some reason, I still couldn't switch to you with her the way she addressed me.
"How do you know my name?" I don't think I mentioned him to you. I told her how I saw her at the restaurant.
- I see, she said. Yes, we were celebrating my friend's birthday.
- So, what about the evening, I got bolder.
"I know you like me," she said. But it will all pass, trust me. We don't need to meet. It won't do any good. I see you're a good guy and I like you too. But life circumstances often develop in such a way that, alas, not all of our desires and our dreams are destined to come true. I am married and have a child. You'd better take care of your girlfriend, she's pretty and so young. She really likes you. I saw the way she looked at you. You shouldn't have offended her. Make peace with her. I think she'll forgive you. Her words made me numb. And when he came to himself a little, he said.
- To tell the truth, I was looking for you on the beach yesterday. And then I met you quite by chance when you and your friends were going to a restaurant. When I saw you back then, you made a very strong impression on me. You looked so cool. I was just in awe of admiring you. And then he followed you. I'm sorry for this frankness. Maybe you don't like that I've been following you. But I am saying this quite sincerely. And then, when I was walking home, I was very annoyed that I met you so dressed up and beautiful, which upset me even more, because I knew perfectly well that I had nothing to hope for. I even began to regret that I came here and met you. And when he came home, he got drunk out of frustration with his friend. To be honest, I feel like a stone on my soul and I think about you all the time. She looked at me carefully. And then she said.
- How inexperienced you are. I shouldn't have attacked you then. There are so many good girls here. Find the one you like and forget about your obsession. You're just imagining it. It happens that way. You just haven't met the one you like yet. That pretty girl you were playing volleyball with was looking at you with such admiration. So take care of her. It suits you very well. So young and pretty. And never intrude into someone else's life. It ends badly. So, my advice to you is, don't complicate your life and don't have unnecessary illusions. The sooner you figure it out, the better for you. Why would you go after a married woman when there are a lot of pretty girls here? I can see that you're not a bad guy. So find yourself a girl who will reciprocate your feelings. Or you have other plans. She chuckled. You're looking for something hot.
- I'm not looking for anything. I answered her hotly. It's just that you're very kind to me right away
 I liked it. And there's nothing I can do about it. And I don't need anyone else.
She looked at me intently. And then, somehow mysteriously, she said.
- See that you don't have to regret it later. It won't do any good.
After her words, I suddenly realized that after my actual declaration of love to her, she had caught me in her net and was deciding on something. Is it really possible? I couldn't believe it.
- I agree to anything just to be near you, Lenochka. I blurted out.
- I'm ready for anything for you, for you. I am ready to fulfill your every whim and every wish.
"Well, what am I going to do with you now?" An unexpected admirer of mine.
- I would do anything for you. She smiled and said.
- Calm down, I don't need anything from you. It's all so strange and so unexpected.
- And where did you come from? I told her my city.
- And what are you doing.
- I graduated from a technical institute and became an engineer. I told her proudly. 
- I decided to come here for a rest. I've only been here for a few days and when you saw me, I was very interested in you and liked you very much... I understand everything, but if you don't like me, tell me and I'll leave.
But if you'll let me, I'm even ready to be just your friend, or rather, just your acquaintance. It doesn't oblige you to do anything. Well, like on a train, fellow travelers quickly get closer and just talk or play cards there, so as not to get bored on the road. She thought about it. And after a long silence, she said.
- It all looks very strange. Don't you think so? Does it bother you that I'm married and maybe my husband will be here soon? And if I said that I like you, that's no reason for us to date. So pull yourself together, think about it soberly and put it out of your head. Okay, I have to go.
"And me," I asked her stupidly.
"I don't know," she said, grinning.- All this is so amazing and unexpected. And after a while she added.
- You know, I even feel sorry for you. Poor boy. Did you really just fall in love when you saw me? Well, wow. He has love at first sight. And who. A married aunt.
- What are you, you're an aunt. You're a beauty. I am simply captivated by your beauty.
I was confused in words, inspired by a ghostly hope. She started packing and I
I tried to see her off. But she said there was no need to see her off.
-- But tomorrow, when I can. Will I be able to see you, I asked her.
- I don't know. Maybe I'll come as soon as I can. But don't flatter yourself too much and take care of your girlfriend, otherwise you won't have to regret losing her later. It's better for you, trust me.
"I won't regret anything so much as losing you." I said with difficulty. She smiled.
- How persistent and passionate you are. I'm even starting to like it.
"So I can hope to see you again."
- Well, I don't know.  There's no need for all this. And we don't need to see each other. Go take a dip and cool off a bit. I just don't have the words.
- But we can just see each other on the beach sometimes. I'll guard your things when you go swimming. Are you sorry that I'll be around sometimes? We'll play cards there, even if he comes.
"You're not crazy by any chance, my dear.
- Okay, I get it, we won't see each other again. I blurted out.
- Well, don't be offended. You've got me so confused. I'll think about it.
Just that I was over the moon with happiness and suddenly I felt like I was doused with ice water. I couldn't say a word out of surprise and excitement.
"I have to go, they're waiting for me," she said. She got up, packed her things and threw on her bright robe with a low neckline, seductively and alluringly revealing her high breasts, from which it was difficult to take her eyes off. She held out her hand to me as she left. In a fit of emotion, I grabbed her and began to kiss her. I can't say a word. She pulled her hand free, patted my cheek and said.
- Goodbye, my good one. And she walked slowly, gradually moving away. Until she disappeared into the shadows of the trees.
   I couldn't believe what was happening. I did not expect such a blow. And suddenly the thought flashed through my mind why I didn't stop her. I had to catch up with her, hold her back. To say that it's impossible, that I agree to anything she wants. And I stood silently like an idol , unable to utter a word . Maybe she was waiting for these words. You idiot. It's over, where to look for her now. Confused, I didn't know what to do. And suddenly I thought, why is she doing this to me? She brought it closer, reassured, and immediately hit the asphalt with her muzzle. It was like she was really playing with me. Or she was taking revenge on me for something. Just for that. And you didn't do that to Masha, a sneaky thought flashed through.
She left, leaving me completely at a loss. But remembering her words, I suddenly felt that she was playing with me. And the thought crept into my mind that she was like an insidious cat, slightly strangling her victim so that she would not escape, gave me a ghostly hope. Without saying yes or no, she played with me and left. While. For a while. To have some more fun and fully enjoy her power over the unfortunate victim she caught. She was quite sure that she could not escape anywhere and her fate was decided. Is this really possible and it's not the end of the game yet. What I'm thinking about. I thought listlessly. Apparently, after yesterday's drinking, my imagination and feelings were too sharpened. And I'm behaving, I must honestly admit, somehow not quite normal. He accosted a married woman out of the blue. She's right, there aren't many girls here, why am I falling for her like some kid? We need to get this over with.  Otherwise, I'm definitely acting like some kind of minted one. She's right about that. I even agreed to play cards with her husband. It's kind of idiotic.
She explained everything clearly and clearly. What can I say, she's married and has a child. She loves them. She said that she should drop everything and rush into my arms. What a fright. Which, by and large, I could count on. It's a pity, of course. To lose such a woman. But there's nothing you can do about it. Stop deluding yourself. Yes, I was unlucky. Today I could say I had two women, one of whom I liked, and the other I was just crazy about. And as a result, there were none left. Today was clearly not my day, I smiled bitterly, and lighting a cigarette, went to the sea to cool down and cool off a little, as she advised me when leaving.
   What can I say. Our life is not predictable. And sometimes it brings such surprises that sometimes you just wonder. And no one knows what might be waiting for him tomorrow. Of course, I couldn't have known then what to expect either. But further events began to unfold in the most incomprehensible way in a way that could not even be imagined. Torn by conflicting feelings, I stared after her and did not know what to think or what to expect next...
   And then something happened that could not have been dreamed of in even the most fantastic dream. All these amazing and exciting events of those days still cause me a vague excitement when I think about them. And sometimes I can't even believe that this could have happened to me that summer. In what an incredible maelstrom of events I will suddenly find myself, which will spin and carry me, against my will, into the abyss of those amazing and very strange and terrible events that happened to me in this resort city, thanks to a chance acquaintance with this femme fatale...








© Copyright: Vladislav Koptsev, 2024