Читать книгу Golden сarriage for Cinderella. A novel about love - Svetlana Mirrai - Страница 7

Time passed. The green leaves changed and turned yellow, but soon they too were gone. The bare branches stuck out absurdly in different directions, and the knots were intertwined with each other, like snake-haired monsters. It was the end of December. People were bustling on the street, and in the shops, gift packages with shiny ribbons, snowflakes, decorated Christmas trees were dotted in the windows, and everything was seasoned with flashing lights and garlands. During this time, I got a job in a Moscow beauty salon. I had to get used to Moscow life and learn how to work in the capital, so I was in no hurry to open my own business.

– Vlada, go, you have a client.

Nadia, the salon administrator, came into my staff room.

– Thank you, honey.

I put the unfinished glass of tea in the sink for dishes. A young woman was waiting for me in the hall. After a couple of hours, the work was ready.

– Coloring the roots, tinting and styling, – I told Nadia.

– That’ll be three and a half thousand.”

The client handed the money to the administrator and left.

– Vlada, I’ll come tomorrow at nine in the evening, – Nadia, my new friend and work colleague, said in the voice of the lord. – And we will immediately go to Sokolniki Park for the Christmas tree, it will be so interesting, I have thought everything through to the smallest detail.

– I would like to, – I tried to hide my true mood.

Peter has been in touch very little lately, referring to the large pre-New Year’s employment.

– At five minutes to ten, girls, have you overworked today? Julia, our manicurist, asked loudly.

– Yulka, the red – haired beast, – Nadia said with a grin, – a cold bed is waiting for us, but you run to your overseas prince and faster!

A few more minutes we finished our tea and a little later went outside, closing the salon door with a key.

– See you tomorrow, Nadenka.

And I walked briskly along the snow-dusted sidewalk.

– Taxi, – waving her hand, Nadia ran up to the car.

“Yandex-taxi” was written on a car painted under the brand, and, apparently, at the moment it was standing alone waiting for a passenger. Nadia was very assertive by nature, but with a sense of humor. Her red curls stuck out awkwardly from her hood. She gave her address to the taxi driver, quickly got into the car and closed the door behind her. The car let out a roar of brakes and disappeared from sight.

The next day I was preparing for the New Year. Last night, together with Nadia, we decided to share the responsibilities of preparing a festive dinner. I had a few salads and a baked festive goose stuffed with apples. And Nadia was supposed to bring dessert, French-style meat, a couple more salads and champagne. I spent the whole day in the kitchen, and in the evening, out of impotence, I fell on the sofa and fell asleep. When the doorbell rang, I realized that I didn’t have time to do half of the things.

– Here you go, Sonya, a taxi is waiting for us, and you’re not packed yet. Quickly put on jeans with some kind of jacket and hit the road. I didn’t come alone,” Nadia drawled cheerfully, and I realized that she was drunk.

She went to the table and put some prepared dishes with food and a cake with huge roses, which she brought from home.

– Where did you get so drunk? I asked in surprise, zipping up my jacket.

– We congratulated each other with a neighbor! At first she came to visit me, then I went to her, and then she came to me again,” Nadia replied and burst out loudly with her bright and infectious laughter.

I was getting ready quickly, like a soldier on alert. And after a couple of minutes we went outside.

When we got closer to the taxi, I saw a huge female figure, she occupied most of the cabin.

– Hello, Happy New Year! I said, opening the door and getting into the back seat.

– Hi, my name is Sofa, – said a large, obese woman in a low voice. I’ve heard a lot about you, Vlada. You probably already realized that I’m Nadia’s neighbor.

– I think it will be more fun together, – I muttered to myself and turned away, looking out the window at the kids who were running around in the yard, pretending to be riders on horses. It was unclear to me why Nadia took her with her.

– And I also thought that the three of us would be much more interesting, – Nadia said cheerfully, reading my thoughts.

When we reached Sokolniki Park, the Sofa opened the door in the car, caught on something with its foot and rolled out like a bun, right on the sidewalk. Nadia managed to catch her before she was completely sprawled out in the snow, and so they went to the park in an embrace. I just noticed the package in Nadia’s hands.

– What’s in the bag? I asked.

“Oh, and this is fuel for warming,” Nadia said cheerfully.

Soon we entered Sokolniki Park. The Christmas tree was huge and glowed with multicolored lights. The floodlights illuminated all sides of the park, it lay beautifully on the snow, on the Christmas tree, cutting further into the horizon, taking the rays far to the stars.

A lot of people gathered around. And we moved closer and closer into the crowd, and more and more dances with children formed around us, their happy faces were everywhere. A man with an accordion sang nearby, he danced, calling on everyone to sing along with him. Suddenly, two men dressed in the uniform of paratroopers fell at our feet from the crowd, the third, the largest and very tall man, scooped up two in an armful, having gathered a hand full of snow, and began to rub their cheeks with cold to bring them to their senses.

– What are you guys, you haven’t spent the old year yet, and you’re no longer in good condition. Stand straight and listen to your commander! – he commanded.

The men obediently tried to straighten their chests and draw in their bellies. And then they noticed us.

– Girls, Happy New Year!

– Boys, and you! Nadia answered cheerfully.

– And let’s spend the old year together with us in a warm company, – one of the paratroopers suggested. – I’m Sanya, the most important one in our position and rank is Yura, and next to me – he pointed to a friend who was barely standing next to him – Roma.

– I… I… Roma,” said a middle – aged man, stammering and barely moving his tongue, he was the drunkest of the three.

We also called our names together and took out a bottle of champagne from the bag. We fiddled a little with the bottle stopper, and here is the victory, she loudly banged to our applause. Nadia poured champagne for everyone in a plastic cup.

– I propose a toast! – she said cheerfully.

Everyone froze in anticipation. Even the paratroopers obeyed Nadia.

– For us, the beautiful, and for you, the infidels…

– Well, Nadenka, you offend, all three of us are not married, – said Sanya. “I suggest we get to know each other better,” and he held out his hand to Nadia.

– I have a toast too. We spend the old year so that all the bad things go away with it, and only all the good and good things remain in the New Year,” Yura said, looking at me affectionately.

We all joined together under the clinking of disposable cups.

Time runs fast in its own way, the years fly by unnoticed. One year is replaced by another, and a series of years takes childhood, youth, youth is replaced by maturity. All people have a New Year in different ways. Some are sitting at home with their family and quietly celebrating the holiday at home, while others are in large companies having fun and dancing. And no one will ever tell you how to meet him correctly.

– Now everyone look carefully over there, – Nadezhda stretched out her hand forward, where she was pointing, the skating rink was visible through the trees.

– It’s cool, we’ll celebrate the New Year standing on the ice. Let’s see who’s wearing what? Sasha said, laughing.

– And you, Sasha, I strongly do not recommend going out on the ice at all. You don’t even stand well on the ground,” I said, looking at him ironically.

Sasha gave me a positive nod in response and remained obediently standing in place.

The rental was a small house and stood in the thick of trees not far from the skating rink. Putting on my skates, I boldly stood on the ice and quickly slid across it. Yura also knew how to skate, and we drove several laps together. Nadia also rode on the ice with us. Having rolled enough, we went to the park. Sofa, Roma and Sasha did not even approach the skating rink, but were all the time at the Christmas tree, cheerfully looking at us.

As we got closer, the Sofa took another bottle out of the bag. Cotton – and champagne is spilled. Sasha brought us all together, and we organized a small circle and began to sing softly:

– Under the wing of the plane, the green sea of taiga is singing about something…

Suddenly an unfamiliar figure of a man squeezed into our circle, and he said in a commanding voice:

– Drinking alcoholic beverages in a public place, Article 20.20 of the Code of the Russian Federation “On Administrative Violations” states that…

– Who will you be? Yura asked.

– Andrey Yuryevich, major of the Police Department of the Department of Internal Affairs in the Western District of Moscow, I can also show documents, – the man said, frowning, holding out a red certificate.

– Yurievich, and I’m also Yura, the New Year is today! Let’s better join us, we are military paratroopers.

– Okay, then we’ll drink cognac now, – Andrey Yurievich took a small bottle of three-star cognac from the side pocket of his jacket.

Two other tall girls joined us, they were together with Andrey Yurievich.

– Hooray, Happy New Year, – everyone shouted together, raising their cups up.

– Girls, let’s get acquainted, my name is Sasha.

I pulled Nadia’s sleeve and whispered softly in her ear:

– Let’s get out of here.

We took the Sofa by the arms, and the three of us began to leave the park.

– Vlada, where are you going? – Yura was following me.

– To celebrate the New Year, we spent the old one, – I replied.

– Can I come with you?! Yura asked in a pleading voice.

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” and I shrugged in response.

– Maybe we’ll meet after all, leave me your phone number? – the obsessive groom did not lag behind.

I decided not to explain anything, waving goodbye to him.

– Nadenka, I’ll find you, honey, – Sasha shouted after us, he could not stand still at all and staggered from side to side like a pendulum in a clock.

We returned home an hour before the New Year. Nadia busied herself with the table setting.

And I hurried to the kitchen to put the goose with apples in the oven.

– The chimes will strike soon! Nadia said, hastily laying out the dishes and cutlery on the table.

Quite unexpectedly, the doorbell rang.

“Who could it be?” Nadia asked.

– Most likely, they made the wrong apartment, I’m not waiting for anyone, – I replied to my friend and continued fussing in the kitchen, laying out hot goose on plates.

“Only Santa Claus can come at this time, but I’ll take a look anyway,” Nadia replied and went to the door.

There was a click of the lock, and suddenly a melody came from the entrance, someone was playing the accordion and singing:

– Five minutes, five minutes,

The clock will strike soon.

Five minutes, five minutes,

Make up those who are in a quarrel!

I wiped my hands on a towel and also went out into the corridor to look at the artists.

The girls, like military men on command, lined up along the wall, but only the commands were distributed not by the military commander, but by Santa Claus himself, his staff was huge, beautifully decorated with tinsel with a star on top. He hit it three times and, as if by magic, took out a bottle of champagne from his red bag.

– The New Year is already on the threshold, so let’s raise our glasses, friends! Santa Claus said happily.

The guy smiled and sang again:

– Oh, like with Santa Claus

I want to get acquainted!

My beauty is not enough —

I’ll pay extra with moonshine!

Santa Claus with the Snow Maiden

They go everywhere together.

In every house they pour

They have two hundred grams each!

– Uh-uh,” the girls chimed in.

Nadia stamped her foot and danced with the accordion player.

– Well, why are you standing in the entrance, now the chimes will strike, come in, sit down, – I hospitably invited everyone home.

The guy in front of us politely bowed and sang:

– And my name is Artem,

The whole house knows me,

Day and night I’m on the accordion

I repeat “Waltz Boston”!

He bowed to us once more and introduced himself:

– Artem is my name, hello everyone!

The young man was at most twenty-five years old, he was a tall, fair-haired guy with excellent posture and a beautiful actor’s face.

I put all the guests at the table, there were enough seats for everyone. And at this time, on TV, the president’s congratulations were already coming to an end, the anthem began to play, we all got up from the table, and with a glass in my hands, I said:

– Let’s make our innermost wishes under the chimes and drink champagne. May all your dreams come true in the New Year!

When the chimes struck twelve, our eyes met with Santa Claus, and I began to realize that they were familiar to me, and I recognize his long black eyelashes from thousands of other eyelashes. But I decided not to show it.

– I wish you all a Happy New Year! I will give a gift to everyone for pleasure – a poem from your mouth for me! Santa Claus said solemnly.

Artyom took the accordion again and sang ditties:

– I fell in love with Santa Claus.

Oh, he’s a hot man!

So milo congratulated me,

That a Snowman was born.

The snowman listened to the whim

Attach the carrot from the bottom,

And when was it fulfilled —

He melted with shame.

Девочки взяли шарфы и косынки и, весело держась под руки, закружились в танце.

– Мы частушки вам пропели

Хорошо ли, плохо ли,

А теперь мы вас попросим,

Чтоб вы нам похлопали.

– Друзья, жду ваших стихов, кто что помнит, тот и рассказывает, а за это я вам конфетку с сюрпризом внутри подарю, – сказал Дед Мороз, вынимая из мешка пакет конфет с разноцветными фантиками.

– Называются стихи “Никогда ни о чем не жалейте”, автор Андрей Дементьев.

Никогда ни о чём не жалейте вдогонку,

Если то, что случилось, нельзя изменить.

Как записку из прошлого, грусть свою скомкав,

С этим прошлым порвите непрочную нить.

Никогда не жалейте о том, что случилось.

Иль о том, что случиться не может уже…

Nadezhda finished her poems to our applause.

– What a clever girl, Nadenka, here take a candy, look at what’s inside, – and Santa Claus handed a blue shiny candy to Nadia.

There was a note in the candy, she read it out loud:

– Give your kiss to someone you like.

Nadia boldly approached the accordion player and kissed him on the cheek. Artyom also took Nadia’s hand in his palms and kissed her back.

The Sofa became the next declamator. The woman stood in the center of the room, straightened her back, straightened her shoulders, she looked already sober, perhaps the champagne quickly turned her head and just as quickly faded away.

– Tell me, Uncle, it’s not for nothing

Moscow, burned by fire,

Given to a Frenchman?

After all, there were fighting fights,

Yes, they say, some more!

No wonder the whole of Russia remembers

About Borodin’s day!

After reading the poem to the end, the Sofa was flushed with excitement, and we applauded standing up, and emotions overwhelmed us.

– I read it extraordinarily, – said Santa Claus and held out a candy with a surprise.

The sofa took it and modestly sat down at the table.

– What is written there, read it! Nadia said, trying to take the candy from her friend’s hands.

– I’m on my own. Tell me about your love, if it is in your heart,” it was written in block letters on a small piece of paper. The sofa began to look around the room, she was looking for something with her eyes, as if peering into every detail of the interior. And when she saw the icon of the Kazan Mother of God on the window behind the curtain, she came up, knelt down and, bowing her head down, said softly, almost in a whisper:

– Oh… God, how I love you! I’m sorry for everything…

In the silence that reigned, she silently got up from her knees, wiped the tears that appeared on her cheeks, and sat down at our table.

I was next.

– In the morning in the rye nook,

Where the matting is paid in a row,

Seven were foaled by a bitch,

Seven red-haired puppies.

Santa Claus praised me, too, handed me a candy with a surprise. In my note it was written that I should share my innermost dream and desires.

– I want my beloved Peter to be with me now, – with these words I tore the piece of paper into small pieces and threw it up.

– And wishes must be fulfilled, because I am a magical Santa Claus, – and hitting the floor three times with a staff, he took off his beard and hat.

“It’s hot at your house, Vladochka,” Peter said with a smile and gently hugged me.

– So you know each other? And I’m thinking how Santa Claus can come to visit, this just doesn’t happen,” Nadia said cheerfully.

– But you did believe in a fairy tale a little? Peter asked.

– They believed me,” the girls laughed in response.

“But she’s here and hasn’t left you yet!” “Get dressed and go downstairs, and Artyom and I will be waiting for you outside.”

Such a pleasant feeling when on a warm winter day soft and fluffy snow falls in white flakes on the face and clothes. It’s just as good when, wrapped in a soft, warm blanket in the bitter cold, you sit at home and drink hot tea with lemon and melissa. It is also good when your loved one envelops you with his tenderness, and you feel his love, it warms your heart, carrying it through the years.

Volleys of flickering fireworks greeted us as we stepped outside. Right at the entrance, the kids were fussing, setting up their festive fireworks and throwing firecrackers at the feet of passers-by. I looked around, Peter and Artem were nowhere to be found. Shifting from one foot to the other, the Sofa said:

– I’m freezing…

And then a white limousine appeared around the corner of our house, it drove up to us slowly and gracefully.

– Girls, – Artem shouted, opening the window of the limousine, come to us, the carriage is served.

The limo stopped at the entrance. The lambo door leaf turned 130 degrees. Peter was sitting at the very entrance and was holding out his hand to me like a footman. There was a spicy vanilla smell in the cabin, and music was playing softly. Leather seats stretched along the limo, and on the opposite side there was a bar with wine glasses and champagne.

– How do you like my surprise, Vladochka? – and Peter put his arm around my shoulders.

– It’s a very nice idea, but the biggest gift is your unexpected arrival.

– I really wanted to see you and give you and me a holiday.

– You did great.

– No, honey, it’s just beginning. Something very pleasant and unforgettable is waiting for you now.

Our limo was moving smoothly and quickly along the highway. We were happy that night, and the memory of such moments leaves burning bright stars for a lifetime.