Shimmering sunbeams peeked into the kitchen and immediately left. A few seconds later, the faint screech of brakes could be heard. Gotesa waited impatiently for her parents’ return, eager to finally understand what had happened to her and how she had ended up at home after the report. But even more, her thoughts tormented her about Christian: where had he gone, why had he left without saying goodbye…
Trying to find any explanation in her head, she placed the freshly prepared salad on the table and started brewing coffee.
The doors opened — Christian was the first to enter. Nastya’s eyes immediately lit up with joy. Following him into the house were Isabella, Svitlana, and Dmytro. Seeing the guests, she quickly added water to the coffee machine and invited everyone to the table.
“Sweetheart, meet Christian’s mother,” Dmytro said, glancing at Isabella.
“Very pleased,” Nastya replied.
“Okay, you all sit here while I talk to my daughter for a bit,” added Svitlana.
“Mom wants to talk to you.”
Nastya grew a little nervous. She didn’t know what to expect — a serious conversation about what had happened to her, or about her relationship with Christian. Or maybe something else? So many thoughts… it felt like her head was about to explode.
She asked her father to watch the coffee, and she went with her mother to her room.
“Nastenka, tell me, what do you remember about that day?”
“Nothing,” the girl replied. “Only reading the report, but my thoughts… it felt as if someone kept cutting them off. I can’t remember anything…”
“I understand. Well, nothing — memory returns with time. Maybe you’ll soon recall what actually happened. I won’t disturb you, just rest. We will definitely help you.”
“Mom, please call Christian.”
“Of course, he’ll come soon.”
Svitlana closed the door with a pleasant smile and returned to the kitchen. Nastya just wanted to see him once more. Simply sit next to him — even briefly.
“Nastya remembers nothing. That’s good. But she’ll have to be told everything very soon. I’m afraid to even imagine how she’ll take it.”
“Are we not being too harsh on her?” Christian asked, staring at his mother.
“We have no other choice, and you know that very well. By the way, she wanted you to visit her.”
The boy rose from the table and headed toward Gotesa’s room.
“Just don’t you dare tell the truth,” his mother’s voice called after him from the kitchen.
Pushing the door open slightly, he saw Anastasia standing facing the window, as if looking into the distance. He tried to enter as quietly as possible. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he looked at the girl, who seemed completely unaware of what was happening. Her eyes were empty. She looked like someone who had lost all her loved ones in war and now wandered alone across the land in search of fate.
Christian picked up the guitar leaning by the window and slowly, softly strummed an improvised melody that came to him while watching Anastasia:
It’s like a dream, burned-out houses,
Somewhere a scream echoes, like a baby crying.
Tears blind the eyes, darkness all around,
And only a bitter voice: “Father, save me…” it pleads.
Why does fate break us all this way?
Why so much evil in the world and so little good?
I went to the cry that tore my soul,
But I saw only a dying son…
He lay in the dirt, amid the ruins,
Saw me and whispered:
“For what is all this, what have we done wrong?
Is there no other fate for us?”
And once the native wind sang across the field,
It was so pleasant, but now among the bodies,
It raises dust, hovers over them,
All that the war has left behind.
Christian put the guitar down and turned to Nastya.
“I’m sorry… It’s my fault that you…”
“No, it’s my fault. I came up with that stupid topic for the report. I didn’t mean to put you in trouble.”
“What do you mean? It’s okay. The only thing — it’s a pity we never went to the concert…”
“Why didn’t we? I, for example, just got back from a concert,” the girl smiled.
“Oh, your mood has already improved. Good, I should go now. I’ll come by tomorrow.”
“Christian, may I ask one single question… What happened that day?”
“Nothing special. We defended the report, our class teacher disappeared — and still hasn’t returned. As if turned to ashes and blown away…” he smiled and left.
“I don’t…” the girl wanted to call after him, but he no longer heard…
Gotesa lay down on the bed and smiled. Even though he didn’t answer her question — he had lifted her mood, which she needed most right now.
Taking a new book from the shelf, Nastya opened the first page and began reading. Her eyes ran over the lines, her thoughts were in the day she barely remembered, and her heart — with him. And only with him…
(A voice dissolves into the void) “Do you know what the exiled are planning?”
In response — not a sound, not a rustle. Even the wind, in such silence, would seem a meaningful answer. A few seconds later — a new sentence:
“Or maybe you could spare them? They have already fully atoned for their guilt…”
And again, a minute later:
“You are right. But if not them… just imagine what will happen.”
…
“Let Your will be done in all things!”
“Sweetheart, get up, it’s time for breakfast. You’ve barely eaten anything for almost two weeks. You need to regain your strength, especially with how you’ve been feeling.”
The girl woke up, went to the door, and slightly opened it.
“Yes, Mom, I’ll get dressed now.”
The door closed. Nastya sat on the bed, picked up the guitar, and tried to replicate the melody Christian had been humming. But realizing it wasn’t working, she began dressing and went to the kitchen.
A freshly baked cake aroma hit her nose.
“Is it a celebration?” Nastya asked.
“Of course, a celebration. My beloved daughter — in a normal, healthy state. Besides, you need more glucose for recovery.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t you remember anything at all?” Svitlana asked.
“Absolutely nothing. How did I get home? I didn’t teleport. Who brought me?”
“I don’t know. Dad was at work, and I was at a parent meeting in Kola. When we returned, you were already home.”
“I simply have to find out everything from Christian. Surely, he’s the one who brought me home. Which means — he’s the only one who knows what I don’t,” Nastya thought, jumped from the chair, dressed, and ran to Christian in hopes that he would be home…