Читать книгу Note. Novel - Natalia Katsay - Страница 4

We followed the car with our eyes. She disappeared over the horizon, soon everything became quiet again around.

Nothing else reminded of the incident, except for the jeep left behind, near the tree and the young man, the son of this strange woman, who at that moment opened his eyes. I noticed that he raised his head and looked around in confusion, and quietly asked:

– Where’s my mom?”

My father told him what had happened and hastened to assure him that everything would be fine.

– Where am I? What is this place? – What is it?” he asked, confused. Then she added – “And where’s the minibus?” Where is everyone?

How could my father answer all these questions. Gradually, the young man came to his senses and finally remembered everything about the accident and was very glad that no one was injured; after learning that his mother had left him here for three months, he became very sad.

I wanted to come over, but my father waved me to stay where I was.:

– Wait, my daughter, he’s not up to talking right now; even a slight excitement is stressful for him. Let him calm down.

As soon as he gets into bed, I thought, I’ll go up to him and meet him.

The father decided not to delay the examination and therefore went for a familiar doctor. By that time, Mom had prepared a bedroom for the young man.

My mother brought the stranger into the house, supporting him by the hand. Then she escorted him to the bedroom.

The room that served as our living room overlooked our garden. A lake could be seen in the distance.

The living room was furnished with carved oak wooden furniture, with large cupboards and armchairs upholstered in beige velvet. The walls were covered with wallpaper that looked very much like tapestries. The figures on the tapestries were depicted as heroes in ancient costumes, ladies and gentlemen were relaxing in nature. But at the same time, our living room did not look too solemn and was very cozy; here we usually received guests, celebrated holidays and just drank tea.

That night we sat in the living room for a long time and discussed what had happened. And the young stranger was already fast asleep.

– Mom, do you like our guest? I asked as soon as Mom entered the living room. “Tell me about him.”

“A very nice young man,” Mom replied. A very charming creature. He’s about your age, very nice.

– He’s just handsome! And he has a nice voice! Mom added.

“Did you notice there was another woman in the car?” my father asked me. – But she never got out of the car, even when the wheels were changed. I just glanced out of the window.

“No, Dad, I didn’t notice anyone,” I replied.

My father described a black woman of terrible appearance; she looked out of the car window, grinning and nodding her head, crowned with a colorful turban. She sparkled with the whites of her huge eyes, and bared her teeth, as if gloating over everything that was happening.

– And what, these guards! I said.

“That’s right,” my father said, leaning back in his chair. – A bunch of criminals. I hope they don’t kill anyone on the way. Notorious gangsters, but they know their business: they quickly put the cars in order.

“Maybe they’re just tired after a long journey,” Mom said.

– It should be noted that they look terrifying; their faces are somehow huge and dark, they look sullen. “I don’t like all this; I hope when this young man comes to his senses tomorrow we will find out everything,” mom said.

“I don’t think he wants to talk about it,” my father said.

His mysterious face intrigued me, and now it was even more interesting to me what that woman whispered to him before leaving.

And as soon as we were alone, I immediately asked my father about that conversation. I didn’t have to persuade him.

– I see no reason to hide it from you. The woman said that she did not want to inconvenience us by taking care of her son, and then added that her son was a nervous creature, in poor health, but did not suffer from seizures and was in his right mind. She told me about it herself, I didn’t even ask about anything.

– Very strange! I said. – Why did she need to tell us about it at all?

“Well, anyway, what’s said is said,” the father laughed. – I have to say, there’s still something left for you to hear. The woman said: “I’m going on matters of vital importance – » she stressed, “on very secret and urgent matters. I’ll be back for my son in three months. Until then, he won’t tell you who we are, where we come from, and everything about our family.” That’s it, period. Then she was silent for a few seconds and looked at me very sternly. It must be very important to her. You saw how quickly they left. I hope I did the right thing and didn’t do anything stupid by leaving this young man with us.

I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to see our guest and talk to him. I waited for the doctor to examine him and let me go up to his bedroom. You can’t imagine how shocked I was by such an event in my life, this strange appearance of a new friend.

The doctor, who was brought by his father at night, had already finished examining the young man by that time. It was the middle of the night, but to go to bed when this happens, and also a mysterious guest! Well, no way!!!!

The doctor came into the living room, he said that the young man was in perfect health. His pulse is steady and even. He received no injuries, only a slight nervous shock, which will soon pass without a trace. So it won’t hurt him, my visit, of course, with his consent. After receiving the doctor’s approval, I asked my mother to ask if I could stop by for a few minutes.

Mom immediately returned with an answer. The stranger really wanted to meet me. And I rushed to him like a bullet.

Our guest was laid in one of the most beautiful rooms of our dacha. But, perhaps, a little heavy. The wallpaper on the walls was dark gray, almost black, and there were red poppies of extraordinary beauty on them. However, the gloomy appearance of the room. Softened by a beautiful white, translucent organza, a carpet lying near the bed, the same white color and a beautiful dark gray pattern on it, a white bed made of wrought iron. In general, everything was combined and it was very beautiful.

Floor lamps shone near the bed. The young man was sitting; he was wearing soft silk night pajamas. His legs were covered with a quilt, which his mother had covered him with at the scene of the accident.

I went to his bed and wanted to talk to him, what is it? But I could not utter a word, I was seized with horror and fear.

And the following happened. I saw the same face that had been standing in front of my eyes since I was a teenager, that once bent over my bed, the same face that I remembered with horror for many years, but no one suspected what was in my soul.

The young man was very handsome. At first, his face was as sad as I remembered it.

But the next moment it lit up with a strange smile: he recognized me.

We were silent for perhaps a minute, then he spoke. I still couldn’t say any words.

– That’s so wonderful! – exclaimed the guest. – Three or four years ago I saw your face in a dream; it has remained in my head forever.

– And really, miracles! I said, trying to cope with the horror that seized me and deprived me of speech. – Three years ago I saw you too, but I don’t know if it was a dream. I can’t forget your face. It is constantly in front of my eyes.

His smile became softer, and the strange grimace on his face disappeared; his face shone with charm, and the dimple on his left cheek gave him charm.

I became more confident and continued the conversation in a friendly way: I came closer and shook the guest’s hand and told him how happy we were all for his unexpected visit, and especially for me.

I am a very timid and shy girl, and then I began to feel uninhibited and even brave. He squeezed my hand with his own, his eyes sparkled, he smiled again and blushed.

The guest returned my greeting. My surprise did not leave me, I sat down on the bed next to him. He said:

– I will tell you a dream in which I saw you. It is so strange that the dream was so clear; we have not seen each other like this, and for the first time we see each other like we have become now.

I was about sixteen years old; when one night I had a strange dream, I woke up and saw that I was in some unfamiliar room, completely unlike mine; the room was furnished with furniture that I had not seen before. It seemed to me that no one was sleeping on the bed, and in general, the rooms were empty, there was no one but me. I looked around; I remember I really liked the lamp, which resembled an old iron candelabra for two candles – I would recognize it out of a thousand if I saw it again. For some reason, I crawled under the bed, but then, I heard someone crying; On my knees, I looked up and saw you. Yes, I’m sure it was you: a beautiful girl with light brown hair and huge brown eyes, and scarlet lips – it was your lips. You were the same as you are now, I saw you as clearly as I see you now. I liked you very much; I got on the bed and hugged you; we fell asleep. I woke up from a loud scream; you were sitting and screaming loudly. I got scared, slipped to the floor and, as it seemed to me, I lost consciousness. I woke up at home, in my room. I haven’t been able to forget your face since. I didn’t make a mistake – you are the same girl I saw in my dream.

I, in turn, told my dream that I had seen, to the amazement of my new acquaintance.

– It’s hard to say which of us scared whom – — he smiled. – If you weren’t so beautiful, I would probably be very scared; but we were teenagers, and I have a feeling that I met you three years ago, which means I can call myself your close friend; apparently we were destined to become friends. Tell me, do you feel the same attraction to me as I do to you? I’ve never had a girlfriend, would you agree to become one? He sighed, his beautiful blue eyes burning with passion.

To tell the truth, I had strange ambiguous feelings for the charming stranger. I, like him, was “inexplicably attracted”, but this feeling was mixed with fear. However, it should be noted that attraction prevailed. His beauty and endless charm caused a trembling excitement in me, my heart beat faster and my interest became more and more.

The guest leaned back on the pillow; I felt that he was very tired, and hurried to wish him good night.

“The doctor recommended,” I said, “that you rest more. A good sweet sleep will not hurt you, but will only benefit. My mom will be sitting with you all night.

– That’s very kind of you, but I won’t be able to sleep if there’s someone in the room.” I don’t need any help, I’ll be fine. And I’m sorry, but I always close the door at night.

Once, our house was robbed, since then, I’m terribly afraid of thieves now. I won’t bother you. This is already my habit; please don’t be angry with me. And can we switch to You? I nodded my head in agreement.

For a moment he touched my hand gently and whispered:

– Good night, dear; I hate to part with you. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, just don’t wake me up too early.

He didn’t take his eyes off me. The look was kind of dreamy, he took a deep breath and leaned back on the pillow and whispered again:

– Good night, dear.

In our youth, we often make friends and even fall in love at first sight. His enthusiasm was so pleasant to me, although I did not understand what caused such delight. I was flattered that he immediately confided to me the secret of his childhood. Yes, he was destined to become my closest friend.

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