Chapter 10
Nadiya
– Enough! – I groan. – I’m coming, I’m coming!
My neighbors are, let’s say, peculiar. At the slightest disturbance, they call the police. And the sound of fists crashing down on my door might also trigger a police call.
I pull the door towards me and lift my chin.
— Fire?
Idar looks at me sternly, pressing his lips into a thin line.
— What did you promise me yesterday?
I sigh. Actually, I have a valid complaint. After all, I didn’t keep my word. Even though I promised to come.
— I… I stayed up late and fell asleep.
This is almost true.
Almost…
It’s strange that Idar didn’t raise the whole house yesterday. Although, judging by my husband’s appearance, he only woke up recently.
Sleepy, with a streak on his face, but nevertheless wound up and ready for a scandal.
“I don’t care about the reasons, Nadiya,” he says unexpectedly sternly.
“Listen, what’s the big deal? I stayed with my family. I didn’t go out to clubs or restaurants, I was just at home. Please don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. I don’t believe for a second that it’s really important to you to have me around.”
Idar takes a step forward, trying to enter the apartment, but I stand in the doorway, ready to defend myself and not let Yunusov into my brother and my house.
“Nadi,” Idar narrows his eyes, “I don’t care about the reasons, understand? You. Promised.”
“And you promised to help me with my brother. I can’t leave him alone.”
Yunusov looks behind me, but Nazarka is in his room, so there is no one behind me.
“I told you—I’ll solve it. It’s very little that’s required of you. Just live in my house and keep a low profile.” The longer Idar speaks, the louder his voice becomes. He doesn’t seem to be shouting, but the tension is beginning to suffocate him. “What’s so difficult about what I asked, Nadiya? Or are you incapable of such a simple task? Why should I run around the city looking for you?”
– Don’t exaggerate. You knew where I was. Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be down.
“No, I’ll wait here,” he tries to enter again, but I block the way.
— Do you want to sit by the door? Yes, please.
I push Idar. He apparently didn’t expect it, because he recoils, and I slam the door in his face.
“Was that your husband?” Nazar says, driving out into the hallway.
– Yes, it was Idar.
“He’s kind of unbalanced,” the brother squints.
“Like all horsemen,” I smile.
– Nadya, are you sure he won’t hurt you?
“He won’t hurt me. And if he tries, I’ll cut his tendon,” I say, fanning my fingers, demonstrating the action of those same tendons.
“You sometimes make such terrible jokes,” he says, smiling.
“It’s professional. Besides, you know I’m harmless,” I walk up to my brother and kiss him on the back of the head. “I’ll cook you some porridge and then I’ll leave. But I’ll be back this evening. And I really hope you’ll move in with me in the next few days.”
He doesn’t want this.
Nazar doesn’t go outside unless he wants people to stare at him, but now he’s moving into a house with strangers.
I feed my brother, take my things and, after saying goodbye, go outside.
Idar sits in the car, smoking, exhaling smoke out the open window.
“Allah!” I sit down next to him. “Do you want to smoke? You could at least go outside.”
He gives me a displeased look, but gets rid of his cigarette.
— Are these all your things? Another backpack?
“I don’t have many things,” I shrug.
I save money and buy myself only the most necessary things.
Idar drives out of my yard silently. The road is silent again.
When we approach the house, I even get lost.
I guess I expected to see a new house built in a modern style.
But this one looks quite ordinary. An average-looking house, quite cozy at first glance. Surrounding it is a garden with drooping flowers and trees with yellowing leaves.
“What’s wrong?” he asks dryly.
“It’s fine. I just expected to see something darker.”
Like your soul.
– Let’s go into the house.
I follow Idar, looking around. Everything here is quite simple, but the decor exudes taste without being pretentious.
– I have work. I’ve already wasted a lot of time with you.
– That’s very kind of you.
Idar turns sharply, takes a wide step towards me, and I automatically step back and rest my back against the wall.
“Did anyone ever teach you to keep your mouth shut?” He looms over me, but doesn’t touch me.
– No. They only taught me to bite.
– Allah sent me a wife.
I restrain myself from jabbing my middle finger into his face.
— Your bedroom is upstairs. Don’t go into the backyard.
– What’s there?
– Just don’t fucking go.
Idar moves away from me and heads towards the exit.
– I’ll be back in the evening.
Or better yet, don’t come back at all, but go straight to Olesya.
My husband leaves, and I walk through the rooms. There aren’t many of them, and there’s not much to see. There are no books, no interesting interior details.
I don’t go into the backyard, but I see that there is a huge enclosure there, in which a massive Staffordshire Terrier runs around.
Now it’s clear why he shouldn’t go there. The sight of that dog gives me goosebumps.
When the front door slams, I follow the sound.
“Did you forget something?” I ask and stop.
Because Olesya is looking at me, most likely hating me with all her heart.
Simply magnificent.
And yet, in our marriage there will be three of us.
