Capter 3. An unexpected meeting that changed the c

 An unexpected meeting that changed the course of events.

                Chapter 3.

Disappointed and annoyed, I headed home. I didn't want anything. I collapsed on my bed and smoked silently, staring at the ceiling. Soon Lyosha came and looked at me in surprise.
- Well, you smoked here. It's impossible to breathe. We need to open the window and leave the door open, let it air out.
- What's the matter with you, are you sick or something?
- No, it must have overheated in the sun. I replied to him.
- Why would that be? It's even kind of weird.So go to the infirmary. Svetlana will treat you.
- Yes, there is no need for this, it will pass by itself.
- Well, look. Or maybe I'll go to the infirmary and call Sveta. She'll get you back on your feet right away. She's such an experienced medic. Everyone praises her. She's a paramedic and understands sores as well as any doctor. And he looks after the sanitary condition in the dining room. She's strict. He doesn't let anyone down.Everyone is afraid of her there. So, should I call her?
- No, you don't have to. I said.- I don't need anything.
- Well, my brother, you've gone completely limp, I see. Lyosha saw my depressed state, but did not ask about anything and did not get into my soul. Well done, I thought of him with gratitude. A real military man. He doesn't ask unnecessary questions. And he doesn't go where he's not asked.
- Well, look, it's your business. - Lyosha told me . - And you shouldn't refuse to let her see you. You know, she has such a cool figure. And she's all of herself, pretty. In this short white coat. Like a candy bar. You'll get better as soon as you see her. I guarantee it. I go in to chat with her sometimes. And recently I pretended to be sick. He said that my side hurts, maybe it's appendicitis, I tell her. She laid me down and began to feel with her hands and press with her thin fingers. And he asks me. - It hurts here, but it doesn't hurt here. - And, you know, she was wearing only a short, light robe and there's almost nothing under it, it's hot. And when she bent down to me, the robe opened, and there was such a view, I'll tell you, you'll rock. Lyosha ranted with admiration.   
- They are so gorgeous, so appetizing, well, they are cast and almost touch my face. I was already sweating and barely restrained myself from kissing her. But I was afraid. I'd definitely get a punch in the face. And she noticed it and tells me. And you know that a curious Barbarian had her nose torn off at the bazaar. And I tell her, well, I'm not a Barbarian and we're not in the bazaar, but in the infirmary. She laughed and told me. Yes, I've heard a lot about your exploits, you won't miss a single one, heartthrob. I've felt all the girls in the dining room. And I tell her. - Yes, that you are Svetochka.  It's bad people spreading gossip about me. I'm very shy and modest. And she shook her head and flicked me jokingly on the nose with her finger. You're a fake, you say. You don't have anything. He's healthy. - And her legs are so cool. When she sat down on my couch. To listen to me with his stethoscope, the robe opened and I stared at them. And she noticed it, smiled and covered them, wrapped it up and told me. - I see how humble you are. That's how I'd be undressed here. What are you blinking at, you don't have enough girls in the dining room. And I tell her. - No one can compare with you. She laughed and told me.- Go ahead, heartbreaker. Just don't lean too hard on the wine, it's hot now and it's very harmful. So I can say I don't drink at all. - Yes, I see, - he says, - you already smell of wine in the morning. Free. - He says, - I'm not detaining you anymore. And I told her. Thank you, they say, I will never forget your kindness and your unearthly beauty. She laughed and told me. - Go be a boyfriend already. I don't find anything in you. But still, come back in a few days and I'll check you out again. And if you feel pain in the abdominal area, be sure to come. Don't delay it. She's cool and very responsible. And you see, she's so attentive. She guessed that I was pretending, but she was worried anyway, she didn't just send me away, you never know what.
- Or maybe she liked you, so she decided to examine and feel you again. Lyosha broke into a smile at my words.
- Yes, listen, next time you would tell her that there is something wrong in your lower abdomen, let her look at it. Tell me that there seems to be something preventing you from walking there. Let him look at it. Laughter roared from my words, we both laughed for a long time, almost to tears. The joke was, of course, not very good, but it caused such a reaction, because Lyosha was under a degree, and I, as it were, discharged from my abnormal nervous state. And I immediately felt somehow better. Well, to hell with these women. They're the only problem, I thought. And my mood lifted. Lyosha left and I thought about it. Well done. He never gets discouraged and does not get lost with women. That's the only way he deals with them. Yes, many of them throw themselves at him. It's not enough for him to have girls from the cafeteria, so he's already got to the nurse. Rather, she turns out to be a paramedic, as Lech told me. Who has already found out everything here. Yes, she was an attractive young woman. I often saw her in the dining room, where she visited to check the sanitary condition and quality of the prepared food, as Lyosha explained to me. Lyosha left, and I was left alone with my sad thoughts. I was lying on my bunk and smoking. She was standing in front of my eyes. I remembered it for the hundredth time. How Lena gently, somehow motherly stroked my cheek, and how I kissed her warm palm. Her slender, beautiful fingers and her hand. As she told me.- Goodbye, my good one. And how amazing she looked at the restaurant back then. These soul-wrenching memories overwhelmed me with despondency and longing. I stayed like that until the evening, and I didn't go to dinner. Soon Lyosha came.
- You're still lying here and didn't go to dinner.
- I don't want to eat.
- Well, you give it. Okay, now, let's figure something out. He said and left. Half an hour later, he returned carrying a healthy bag. Here are the girls who supplied us. Yes. I saw the Light in the dining room. I told her about you. She asked if you had a fever. I said I didn't think so. Well, I also asked if there was a cough, if there was a headache or a sore throat. I said there didn't seem to be anything like that. He says he's kind of overheated. She asked if you had fainted. I said I didn't think so. He doesn't seem to be in the mood, he's moping about something. Well, she said she's busy right now. But if he feels bad, I should definitely call her. Well, how are you? Maybe he should call her.
- No, I'm fine.
- Then maybe a couple drops. As one of my friends used to say in such cases. - We do not drink, but we are being treated.
- Well, come on. I'm just going to go to the store and get a bottle. Oh, come on. I have. Sit down and tell me what the girls have gathered for us. The girls did their best, of course. So much food was put in, it was possible to feed the whole platoon. - Maybe we'll call the neighbor. Lyosha asked.
- Yes, I don't mind. Only then will you deal with his wife yourself.
- Okay, I'll go see where he is. Soon Lyosha returned and said that he would come back later. He can't right now. The wife is at home. She's going out with the kids soon and he'll drop by.
- Well, pour it out.I said to Lyosha. He poured the wine and I tipped the glass over with pleasure. It's gone. We perked up. Jokes, anecdotes and stories about interesting life events and various adventures related to women began to pour in. And then, remembering his story about the Light, I told him jokingly.
- But seriously, you would still go to Svetochka, since she invited you and told her that you were ill and there was something wrong there, well, what we were talking about.  I bet she won't hesitate to pull off your pants and start examining and feeling you, making sure everything is in order there. She is a medical worker and is obliged to examine the patient. There are no forbidden places for doctors. And they are calm about it. And then you see, maybe she'll like it and she'll treat you in another way. Maybe something will break off for you. Lyosha stared at me with drunken eyes and asked incredulously.
- Do you think? And then, all at once, like two stallions, we laughed again at this stupid joke. 
"That's a good idea," Lyosha said.- It would be nice to soak up such a number. We were already drunk and perceived reality in a somewhat distorted way. Any joke seemed funny and funny to us, and we felt like heroes. After a while, our neighbor Vasya looked in on us. He brought a liter jar of wine with him. And he said, "Oh, I see you're having fun, telling jokes. We poured him a glass, but he refused, telling us that he would not have a strong one, but would drink his homemade drink for the company. dry wine.. Then we told him about my offer. He also laughed with us and said that if it wasn't for his wife, he would love to
I'd like to see a doctor. She's a good woman. In general, the fun continued. Vasya also told us a couple of stories about his adventures in his youth. Talking about army service and women is a favorite topic in the conversation of tipsy peasants who like to remember their army service, telling what heroes they were there and making jokes about women in such terms that it was not intended for women's ears. After drinking with us, Vasya soon hurried, fearing that his wife would catch him and left. We sat with Lech for a while longer and he got ready to dance, and pulled me with him. But I refused and fell into bed and immediately fell asleep.
   When I woke up in the morning, shaved hastily and put myself in order, I began to think about what to do. Go look for her, or at least Masha. She won't be so sad, and maybe I'll get over this obsession with her.  It was still early and there wasn't much of a hurry yet. I'm going to have breakfast and then start my search, I decided. Lesha's bunk was empty. He often disappeared at night, Although he was not to be found during the day, he left in the morning and disappeared for the whole day, but I did not ask him anything. He went to his sister, who worked in the dining room. They had their own big company and they spent all their time together. He'll tell you if he wants to.  It even suited me, I could lie on my bunk and smoke as much as I wanted. Lyosha did not smoke and could not stand tobacco smoke. And when he was at home, I went out on the veranda. I found him in the dining room. He was sitting at a separate administration table in the company of canteen workers and they were having an animated conversation about something. When he saw me, he waved at me to approach them. I went over and greeted the girls, whom I had already met thanks to Lyosha.
- Well, how are you feeling, have you recovered? He asked. We had a good time yesterday.
- Yes, it's all right. He's as good as new. After your medicine. The girls laughed.
- Well, that's great. What are you doing today?
- And what else to do at sea, I'll go swimming and sunbathing. Come on, you'll keep the company and we'll take the girls.
- no. We're at work, we can't. We only go swimming in the evening. They answered.
- Yes, I'll be busy until lunch too. Said Lyosha.Here it is necessary to help the girls to fix something.
- Do you need any help?
- No, I can handle our electrician Kolya. Have a seat, the girls will feed you now.
After breakfast, I went to my room and met our doctor Sveta on the way. We said hello and she asked
- How are you feeling?  Lyosha told me that you felt bad yesterday. What happened?
- Yes, probably overbought. I was whole yesterday in the sun on the beach. Everything is fine now. Apparently I smelled of alcohol after yesterday and she felt it..
- Oh, well, it's clear.She told me. Lyosha and I were probably treated yesterday.
- yes. So we sat for a little while.
- You don't need to be in the sun today, sit in the shade and put something on your head. But it's better to stay at home until lunch, lie down. And in the evening, when the heat goes down, you can go swimming. And lean less on alcohol. In hot weather, it is very harmful.
- thanks. Yes, we are not particularly keen on this. So sometimes a glass before dinner.
- I know how these "drinks" of yours end. you start before dinner and finish before going to bed. She laughed, shook her head and went to her room.
When I got home, I fell into bed, I began to feel sleepy and I fell asleep unnoticed. Yesterday's feast had an effect. When I woke up a couple of hours later, I went to the beach. To look for my irresistible sirens. After going around the whole beach, I didn't find anyone. They probably won't be here anymore. They decided to avoid me, I thought dejectedly. I will walk once more to the pier itself, where passenger boats carrying vacationers to a nearby large port city and on various excursions docked. And in the evening I'll go to another beach located at the other end of the city if I don't find anyone here. Passing by before lunch in search of friends hiding from me. Tired of walking on the sand in such heat and quite hungry, I headed to the dining room. When I arrived, my neighbors at the table, the young couple had already left and one of the teachers, Olga, whom Lyosha introduced me, sat down with me. She was a pretty woman. About thirty years old, who supervised the interns. She told me that they were celebrating one of the girls' birthday in the evening and she was inviting me to a holiday party.
- Come and sit with us after dinner. The girls cook various delicious dishes. They're trying. This will also be an additional practice for them. We have agreed with the administration. So come, or maybe you'll find a girlfriend among them. I have them all, as a selection. And our birthday girl is very good. My girls have noticed you and when they see you, they whisper to each other, wink and laugh.They like you. They told me to call you.  - Well, since the teacher herself invites me, how can I refuse. And the birthday girl, she won't mind. She laughed.
- On the contrary, she will be very pleased. She was too shy to invite you. But the girls told me that she told them that it would be nice to invite Lyosha's friend to the birthday party. There are few guys and no one to dance with, we don't have enough cavaliers.
- Well, if that's the case, how can I refuse. Okay, I'll be there. Thanks for the invitation. Just what to give her.
- Well, we don't give expensive gifts, you know, they are students. So, we throw off a little and buy some inexpensive thing. Then I charged flowers and a bottle of wine, And this is for a gift, I handed her the money. 
- Well, that's too much.
"It's okay," I told her.
- You know, it won't be very convenient. 
- why? 
- Well, how to say it. With this amount, you can buy a gift, at a price almost comparable to ours, from the whole team. It won't be very correct and will confuse our girls. Many people live on a scholarship and they will feel uncomfortable. Or they may take it as a hint of your special affection for the birthday girl. Why embarrass her and give her an excuse for unnecessary conversations. This is a women's team, it has its own specifics.
- So it's not that much money. There's nothing to talk about.
- Well, for you.  For those who work, it may be a small amount, but for them you understand. Okay, we'll pick up something for her with the girls  That's probably enough," she said, taking some of the money from me, and take these away. I will then give the gift to you, and you will give it to her.
- Okay, whatever you say. You know better, you know your team. Thanking her again, I left the dining room and went back to look for my missing person on the beach. After going around the entire beach and finding no one, annoyed and tired, I swam a little in the sea and, exhausted from the heat and walking along the beach in a useless search for my women who had gone somewhere, lay down in the shade of a large spreading tree growing on the edge of the beach and imperceptibly dozed off. When I woke up and looked at my watch, it was already five o'clock. Wow, I slept, I thought, and began to get ready to go home. I had to iron my trousers and shirt and get ready for the party. I didn't look for anyone anymore, realizing that it was useless and went home. But I decided to pass by the place where Lena and I parted. Not far from him, the guys were playing volleyball, as they were then. I stared at them and suddenly stumbled and almost fell. I saw her. I came anyway. Knowing that he could meet me here. It's probably not easy, I thought, delighted. She said that we shouldn't meet and still came to the same place. Why would she do that? There's something behind it. My lady must be up to something. Wow, I've been looking for her all day, and she found herself. I thought with a smile. My mood instantly lifted and some kind of courage appeared. I was ready to jump to her for joy. She was lying on her stomach and looking at some glossy magazine. She was wearing a bright, tight swimsuit, and on her head was a spectacular wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. She looked amazing. A beautiful swimsuit, this hat and glasses suited her very well and attracted the attention of others. While I was walking towards her, I noticed how men stealthily stared at her magnificent figure in a colorful swimsuit, and women, grimacing with displeasure, looked jealously at her and at their peasants. Approaching her from behind, I asked her. - Woman, I won't bother you if I lie down here.
- Of course you will, he said, turning to me.
- Oh, it's you. She pretended to sigh, as if she hadn't recognized me. You are so touchy that I dare not refuse you. Make yourself comfortable once you've come.
- Thank you very much, but I had no hope.
- What did you not hope for?
"That you would condescend to let me land here." Are you a pilot?
- Why did you decide that?
- As far as I know, only they land.
- Yes, you're right, and also parachutists.
- Are you a parachutist?
- In my dreams.
- Oh, I see.
- In dreams of seeing you again. And admire your beauty. She laughed.
- Just look at him. He pretended to be so modest, but in fact it turns out that he is not like that at all. Look at how nimble he is. He won't go into the closet for a word.
- No, it's not. Simply. When I saw you, my muse visited me.
- So you are also a poet to everything it turns out.
- yes. Of course.
 - Well, then read me something from your writings.
- Please.
 - I'll tell you what's more.
  What else can I say?
  Now I know in your will.
 - Punish me with contempt.
 - Well, it's vulgar and stupid. I wish you hadn't said that. I waited
the other one, it seemed to me at first that you were more advanced. And you're ordinary, and you didn't finish talking. You disappointed me. I'd better go for a swim. Rather than listen to this nonsense.
- Oh, I'm sorry. I mixed up the verses out of excitement. It's not my me, I'm sorry. Here. listen.-
 
  I'm in a hurry to come to you. 
  Now I know in your will.
  To control my unhappy fate.
  I want to tell you without guile.
  You just managed to bewitch me.
  I am consumed by a fierce passion.
  And I'm ready to fall at your feet.
  But in an indifferent and cold gaze.
  I feel only your secret desire.
  To captivate me, but not to love me at all.
  And enjoy some kind of secret revenge.
  And for some reason it is cruel and insidious to ruin.
  I feel in my soul that your plan is terrible.
  But charmed by you, to believe in it.
  I can't and I don't want to, and I agree to everything.
  What drives you, what will become of me.
  I don't know, and I've accepted my fate.
  But just to be with you
  To caress you, to call you my beloved.
  And I don't give a damn about the insidious fate.
  I'm giving her to you, she's in your hands.
  Now you have to decide my fate.


- Wow. You made it up yourself.
- I just scribbled it impromptu. I'm not a poet. So, I sketched it under the influence of your charms and wine. He was a bit of a giveaway. I've never written poetry at all, but suddenly I found inspiration. I didn't think to read them to you. I thought you'd make fun of me and blow me to smithereens. They're kind of not quite perfect and not very foldable. But after your words... 
- Oh, you know, I liked it. The main thing is with feeling. And your style is kind of old, it smacks of the romance of the past centuries. And I adjusted the beginning specifically for Pushkin's poem. I didn't expect this. And you turn out to be an intellectual.
- Now your darling is happy, I hope.
- Just in time you remembered this tale about the goldfish. It's all written there. And we know how it all ends. You understand me.
"Where's your girlfriend?"
- What girl?
- Do you have more than one of them?
- That's the one. A volleyball player.
- Oh, you mean Masha. So she didn't like me and she left me.
- Oh, I don't believe it. I saw the way she looked at you.
"She rejected me, just like you. So I walk around and suffer, abandoned by everyone. At least go and drown yourself.
- So what's the matter? Go drown yourself.The sea is nearby. Show me the way.
- How cruel and heartless it is. Now I see that I wrote it very correctly about you. All you want to do is ruin me. Just because I don't understand.
- And unlike you, I've been looking for you all day. Hoping to see at least out of the corner of my eye.
- I warned you that you would not look for me and we should not meet.
- I remember, but it was beyond my strength. And here it is a cruel ending.
- Okay, stop ranting, you were going to go somewhere, so go. He can show you the way so that you don't get lost or take you by the handle.
- What callousness. No, to comfort me, to caress me, she pulls me into the water to watch me drown. Such a wonderful-looking woman and so cruel. I even think of you as My Lady.
- That's why.
- Why ask about it, you look very much like her. Just as heartless, cruel and treacherous. It's a good thing you don't have a dagger. I think you would have used it without hesitation. 
And at least you will come to me later, when I drown, to put flowers.
"I'll be there," Lena said mockingly, defiantly.
- And what are your favorite flowers.
— I don't know. Roses, probably. Yes, I actually like different things. Then I'd better bring them to you.
- Like this. I'm not going to drown myself.
- And why do you drown yourself, I will bring them to you in a cafe, where we will meet and celebrate my miraculous salvation. I hope you won't mind. It's much more pleasant than going to the churchyard. alone. Feeling remorse for the soul you have ruined. Then she laughed and said look how nimble he is already dragging me to the cafe. He will get out of any position.
- And if I don't agree.
"Then I'll keep my promise." And keep in mind, I'll leave a note before that, that it's all your fault. You pushed me away and ruined an innocent soul who loves you. They didn't calm me down, they didn't reach out, but kicked me so that I would fall into the abyss faster.And then the whole beach will point at you and shout at the same time.- People look. Here she is a cruel destroyer. She ruined a beautiful young man.
- So you're also a blackmailer, it turns out. Just look at him. And how sweetly she sings.You can listen directly. Yes, what can I say, you have a rich imagination. I did not underestimate your abilities, I pretended to be an innocent lamb, but it turns out that he does not put a finger in his mouth. I can imagine how many women I've messed up. And how many women have he tried to seduce, or rather not only tried.
- Not alone. Or rather, none. None other than you.
- Look at him. It doesn't even unlock. And with this one, as you called her Masha, that didn't work out.
- I am devoted only to you. I ranted, inspired by her attention and that she liked my jokes and jokes and that she was in a good mood, and laughing, supported our playful conversation. I was on a roll, as they say. And it did follow immediately, but of a slightly different nature. Looking towards the sea, I suddenly saw Masha. She was standing next to a group of volleyball players playing and looking at me. A stocky, muscular guy was standing next to her and was talking to her. I was taken aback and didn't know what to do. How she appeared at the wrong time. It was only Lena and I who started to establish a relationship with you. She's going to send me away now. Or rather to Masha. Which haunted her, and to which she referred me all the time.
- Well, why did you stop talking, - Lena asked me and looked where I was staring at in confusion.
And isn't that your Masha standing there," she said, glancing in the direction where she was standing. It's easy to talk about. And why are you so confused, like a naughty cat. That he seduced a girl and left her. He decided to defect to me. One is not enough for you.
- I hardly know her. We just met.
 Oh, dear. Well, go to your Masha, why are you standing rooted to the spot.
 I didn't know what to do. It's all stupid, somehow it turned out. After all, I didn't know this Masha at all, I didn't really have time to get to know her. And now she was bothering me a lot, being here at the wrong time. I even got mad at her. Why did she come here? You saw me with Lena. I should have guessed what was going on.
"I don't know her at all. I told Lena. We met when I was playing volleyball with her and we didn't see each other for more than an hour.
- What kind of cowardly men you are sometimes and how you like to lie. Lena said.
But then something happened that I did not expect at all...
 





© Copyright: Vladislav Koptsev, 2024
Certificate of publication No.224062900595