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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Dad, are you serious? I\u2019m not going to work here!<\/p>\n
\u2014 But you will, Pasha. And don\u2019t even think about resisting. If you keep this up, I\u2019ll just turn my back and leave you to deal with it on your own. Think about how many troubles you\u2019ve already caused.<\/p>\n
Pavel snorted and turned away. What\u2019s gotten into you? Things used to be simpler: he would pull off his stunts knowing that Dad would always bail him out\u2014even if it meant calling the police chief, the family\u2019s best friend. But now, the old man seems to have lost his mind.<\/p>\n
This time, Pashka really overdid it: he broke a policeman\u2019s nose and staged a race in a patrol car that ended in an accident. Apparently, his father had arranged some special punishment with the police chief.<\/p>\n
Pasha sighed as he looked at the gray hospital building. Once, just five years ago, he had graduated from medical school. His final year had turned into non-stop partying\u2014the freedom fueled by his father\u2019s money. His childhood dream of becoming a doctor had evaporated, replaced by mindless revelry.<\/p>\n
\u2014 So, who am I supposed to be here? Hopefully, at least the chief physician?\u2014 he tried to joke.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Wrong guess, son. You\u2019re going to start at the very bottom\u2014as an orderly. Maybe you\u2019ll find yourself a good local girl who\u2019ll teach you something worthwhile, not just how to party.<\/p>\n
\u2014 What?! Dad, are you kidding me? Carrying pots, or what?<\/p>\n
\u2014 If necessary, pots too. Ever since you started spending your time only on bar glasses, you haven\u2019t done anything useful. Remember: one complaint from the head nurse\u2014and you\u2019ll end up behind bars. By the way, your mother still doesn\u2019t know what you\u2019ve become\u2026 It\u2019s better that she never finds out.<\/p>\n
Those words hit Pasha like a bolt from the blue. He felt anger and resentment boiling inside him.<\/p>\n
\u2014 So you think there\u2019s no hope of redeeming me? That I\u2019m hopeless?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Exactly. You\u2019re not just lazy, you\u2019re a stupid lazy. You have no real friends, only leeches. I never thought my son would turn out to be such an empty person.<\/p>\n
Ivan Nikolayevich turned around and left, leaving his son bewildered. Resentment mixed with confusion\u2014how did their once warm relationship turn into cold condemnation?<\/p>\n
Nina Sergeyevna, who had accidentally overheard the conversation through the window, began to ponder. She hadn\u2019t meant to eavesdrop, but when she heard Ivan Nikolayevich\u2019s name, she decided to stay. In exchange for that employment arrangement, he had gifted the hospital new equipment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother rich kid who wants everything at once,\u201d she thought. She had always found such people incomprehensible: endowed with enormous opportunities yet completely indifferent to life. One could study abroad, start a business, become an influential figure\u2014but he chose a life of debauchery.<\/p>\n
Nina herself had clawed her way through hardship all her life. She grew up in a poor family where her parents drank, and she had to take care of her younger sisters and brothers. She worked, studied in the evenings, and scrimped on food. Now, at forty, she had become the chief physician\u2014but had paid a high price for her success: the absence of a family and close relationships.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, let him work. Though he won\u2019t last long,\u201d she decided as she looked at the new employee. He was about thirty, and besides partying and entertainment, he hadn\u2019t taken an interest in anything. What was the difference between their stories? Only in their choices.<\/p>\n
The workday ended. Nina removed her white coat and glanced around the quiet hospital corridors. The day had passed without incident. She noticed the new orderly several times\u2014young, self-assured, and already attracting the attention of several nurses. \u201cAnother handsome fellow who will dazzle naive girls,\u201d she thought with a touch of sadness. Men like him rarely turn out to be reliable husbands.<\/p>\n
At the cafe, her longtime friend Olga was waiting. They often met there after work to discuss everything that had piled up over the week. Olga, like Nina, had devoted her life to her career: she had studied, worked tirelessly, and now was a well-known lawyer in the city. Both of them had found no time for a personal life or children. Olga often joked that they were some sort of \u201cimproper\u201d women.<\/p>\n
Putting on her fur coat, Nina left her office. But she had barely taken a couple of steps when someone suddenly bumped into her, nearly knocking her over. She gasped, but some strong arms caught her.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Sorry!\u2014 a voice said, too brisk for a mere accidental collision.<\/p>\n
Looking up, Nina met the gaze of two bright brown eyes that showed no sign of remorse at all. On the contrary, they looked at her with unabashed interest.<\/p>\n
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\n\u2014 What do you think you\u2019re doing?\u2014 she demanded.<\/p>\n
It was Pasha, the new orderly. He scrutinized her from head to toe and even whistled.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Who would have thought that in such a remote place one would encounter such beauties! My name\u2019s Pasha, and yours?<\/p>\n
Nina blushed at his audacity. His hands were still holding her too tightly.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Let go immediately!<\/p>\n
She freed herself and was about to scold him, but he smiled:<\/p>\n
\u2014 It\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve seen anger adorn a woman. What eyes you have! One could get burned. And what are you doing tomorrow evening?<\/p>\n
Nina froze. After all, she was the chief physician! How dare he behave like that? But then she remembered that she was wearing an expensive fur coat and high heels, and she had no badge showing her title.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Go work,\u2014 she said coldly and hurried toward the exit, feeling his gaze on her back.<\/p>\n
Olga immediately noticed her embarrassment.<\/p>\n
\u2014 What happened, Nin?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nothing special,\u2014 Nina tried to brush it off.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Don\u2019t lie to me. I know you. Your eyes are shining, your cheeks are flushed\u2026 It seems you\u2019ve fallen in love!<\/p>\n
Nina laughed.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Olga, have you lost your mind?!<\/p>\n
\u2014 All right, maybe I got a bit ahead of myself,\u2014 Olga smiled. \u2014 But that\u2019s exactly the first impression.<\/p>\n
Nina recounted her recent encounter with the new orderly.<\/p>\n
\u2014 So, what? Is he at least handsome?\u2014 asked Olga.<\/p>\n
\u2014 What about that\u2026 He\u2019s barely thirty,\u2014 Nina snorted.<\/p>\n
\u2014 So what? Nowadays, a ten-year difference is nothing. Moreover, no one will give you more than thirty.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Olga, stop! I don\u2019t even want to think about it.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nonsense. We\u2019re not getting any younger. It\u2019s time to take everything life has to offer while we still can.<\/p>\n
The next day, Nina had a day off. Usually, she spent them at the hospital\u2014checking documentation and handling planning. Her family had long since dispersed: her siblings had settled in different cities, and her parents had passed away early, unable to cope with endless alcohol problems. Now, work was the only meaning in her life.<\/p>\n
In the morning, Nina woke with an unusual feeling. For the first time in a long while, she didn\u2019t feel like rushing to work. Olga\u2019s words echoed in her mind: \u201cYou must live for yourself too.\u201d And she decided that today would be that day.<\/p>\n
She visited a beauty salon in the morning and finally realized a long-held idea\u2014she changed her hairstyle. Then she headed to the shopping mall, where she bought several items she had long dreamed of: a playful dress, a bright jacket, and a few other trinkets. As she left the store with three large bags, she almost bumped into Pasha.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Miss, where are you looking?\u2014 his voice rang out right behind her.<\/p>\n
It turned out that she had gotten distracted and was walking on the road instead of the sidewalk. When Nina turned around, she was met with a broad smile.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Is that you? I didn\u2019t recognize you! Something must have happened since yesterday\u2026 You\u2019ve become even more beautiful,\u2014 he said as he picked up her bags.<\/p>\n
Before she could object, Pasha was already walking alongside her with the bags.<\/p>\n
\u2014 How did you carry all that? It\u2019s like a whole wardrobe here!<\/p>\n
Nina felt confused. They reached her car, but the \u201cBeetle\u201d was completely blocked in by other vehicles. The owners were nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Should I call a taxi?\u2014 Pasha suggested.<\/p>\n
\u2014 No, I\u2019ll manage on my own,\u2014 she tried to refuse.<\/p>\n
But he stated firmly:<\/p>\n
\u2014 I\u2019ll give you a ride.<\/p>\n
When Nina tried to retrieve her bags, he looked into her eyes and asked:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Are you afraid of me?<\/p>\n
She felt as if a wave of heat had washed over her.<\/p>\n
\u2014 What are you saying!<\/p>\n
And before she knew it, she was sitting in his SUV, not understanding how she\u2019d ended up in this situation.<\/p>\n
\u2014 How about dinner?\u2014 Pasha suddenly suggested.<\/p>\n
\u2014 No,\u2014 she replied curtly.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Why? Is it really that scary?<\/p>\n
She hesitated, not knowing what to say. He stopped at a restaurant, and after her uncertain wave of the hand, they went inside.<\/p>\n
Three months later, Nina watched sleeping Pasha and marveled at how he had changed her life. The nine-year age difference now seemed insignificant. He had become an integral part of her world, although inside she always harbored a worry: what would his strict father say?<\/p>\n
At work, colleagues whispered among themselves, but Nina didn\u2019t care. The only thing that troubled her was Ivan Nikolayevich\u2019s reaction. Pavel said that his father could be stubborn and even dangerous when angry.<\/p>\n
However, Pasha turned out not to be such a bad person after all. He continued working as an orderly, despite his situation. Patients loved him for his responsiveness and sociability; he had become the heart and soul of the hospital.<\/p>\n
A month later, his \u201cpunishment\u201d was due to end. Nina understood that perhaps their story would end along with that term. Yet she was grateful to fate for having experienced true feelings.<\/p>\n
And recently, she had learned another piece of news: she was soon to become a mother. Pressing her hand against her belly, Nina smiled. Now she had something priceless that would stay with her forever.<\/p>\n
The farewell was brief and awkward. Pasha appeared unexpectedly in her office.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nina, I\u2019ve taken care of everything. I\u2019m ready to leave.<\/p>\n
\u2014 All right. I wish you good luck,\u2014 she replied, trying to maintain her composure.<\/p>\n
He looked at her intently.<\/p>\n
\u2014 You speak as if we will never see each other again.<\/p>\n
Nina struggled to hold back her tears.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Isn\u2019t that so? Your period of correction is over. We have different lives, Pasha.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nina dear\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2014 Just leave. Don\u2019t complicate things any further. Long farewells lead to nothing.<\/p>\n
Pasha left silently, and Nina sank onto her desk, hiding her face in her hands.<\/p>\n
Two days later in the evening, there was a knock on the door. Ivan Nikolayevich stood on the doorstep, his gaze stern.<\/p>\n
\u2014 What happened with Pasha?\u2014 Nina asked anxiously as she let him in.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Pasha is fine. Except that he lost his mind and decided to marry a woman who, in his eyes, is only good enough to be a mother,\u2014 he said sharply.<\/p>\n
Nina froze, trying to process what she had heard. Her heart began to beat faster.<\/p>\n
\u2014 I don\u2019t understand\u2026 Who are you talking about?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Don\u2019t pretend you don\u2019t know! You\u2019re an adult, experienced, and he\u2019s just a kid. Why do you need these games? For money? Or just for entertainment?<\/p>\n
Her indignation turned to anger:<\/p>\n
\u2014 How dare you?!<\/p>\n
But Pasha\u2019s father wouldn\u2019t let her finish:<\/p>\n
\u2014 If I see you with my son again, you\u2019ll lose your job. And no one will ever hire you again!<\/p>\n
Nina felt the world spinning around her. She staggered and fainted.<\/p>\n
She regained consciousness from a gentle touch on her cheek. Before her eyes was a concerned Pasha.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Hi. How are you? My father and I nearly got into a fight. He was trying to help, and I thought he was hurting you.<\/p>\n
\u2014 He won\u2019t forgive you,\u2014 she whispered.<\/p>\n
\u2014 He already forgave you. He admitted that he thought there was nothing serious between us. He promised to come by later and apologize to you in person.<\/p>\n
Nina managed a weak smile, yet doubts continued to torment her.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Why are you here, Pasha?<\/p>\n
\u2014 To be with you,\u2014 he replied without hesitation. \u2014 Marry me.<\/p>\n
She shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u2014 It\u2019s impossible. We\u2019re too different.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Is a nine-year difference really a reason to refuse love?<\/p>\n
\u2014 When you\u2019re forty, I\u2019ll be fifty,\u2014 she retorted.<\/p>\n
He laughed.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Then I\u2019ll shave off my beard to look older!<\/p>\n
Despite the seriousness of the moment, Nina couldn\u2019t help but smile.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Pasha\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2014 Yes?<\/p>\n
\u2014 I\u2019m pregnant. We\u2019re going to have a child.<\/p>\n
He looked at her for a long while, then quietly said:<\/p>\n
\u2014 I will do everything to make you the happiest woman. I promise to be the perfect husband.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dad, are you serious? I\u2019m not going to work here! \u2014 But you will, Pasha. And don\u2019t even think about resisting. If you keep this up, I\u2019ll… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n