When Valentina married Artyom, she was only twenty-two girl. She believed he is her desitny.
From the first days, the mother-in-law greeted him with caution. Her look spoke for itself: “You are not a match for my son.” Valya tried her best – she cleaned, cooked, adjusted.
Artyom was silent. He grew up in a family where his mother’s word was law. Even when she began to feel weak, she attributed it to fatigue.
The diagnosis happened suddenly.
The doctors shook their heads. That night, Valya cried into her pillow, hiding the pain from her husband.
One day his mother-in-law came to him and quietly said:
– You’re young, you have a long life ahead of you. And with this one… she’s just a burden. Why do you need her? Take her to the village, to Aunt Dunya. It’s quiet there, no one will judge you there. You’ll have some rest. And then you’ll begin a new life.
He didn’t answer.
For illustrative purpose only
Valya was silent the whole way.
“It will be quiet here,” he said. “You will feel better.”
“Will you come back?” she muttered.
He didn’t answer. He just nodded briefly and left.
But d3ath was in no hurry.
Three months passed. Six. And one day a paramedic came to the village. Young, with a kind look. He started visiting her, putting in IVs, fiddling with medicines. Valya didn’t ask for help – she just didn’t want to pass away anymore.
And a miracle occured. First, a little bit – she got out of bed. Then she went out onto the porch. Then she reached the store. People were amazed:
– Are you coming back to life, Valyusha?