Wait a moment, he said. I stepped off the train at your station for a second, and when I got back my belongings were gone. I looked out the window and saw some man walking away with my bag. I chased after him, but he vanished.
What didnt you just go back to the carriage and sort it out later? asked Tetiana. I was looking for that man, and while I was searching my train left.
Tetiana was exhausted after a long shift. She worked in a small flower shop in the city centre, which was always crowdedespecially before the New Year.
It was freezing, snow fell every day, and Tetiana trudged along the sidewalk, wrapped in her warm down coat. She hadnt even managed to sit down all day. She kept walking, dreaming of getting home and collapsing into bed.
Lost in thought, she didnt notice a stranger approaching. She stopped and looked at him. He was a man of about forty, oddly dressed. She stepped aside to avoid him.
Excuse me, could you help me? the stranger suddenly asked.
She froze, surprised.
I, the man shook his head, closed his eyes for a moment. I was on a train heading to my daughters wedding, and then this happened
He hesitated, glancing sadly at Tetiana. She tried to move around him again.
Wait, he repeated. I got off at the station for a moment, and when I returned my things were missing. I saw a man with my bag through the window, chased him, but he disappeared.
And you couldnt just get back on the train and deal with it later? Tetiana pressed.
I was searching for that man, and meanwhile my train left
So you should have gone somewhere to ask for help, Tetiana began to get nervous.
I asked everywhere. They told me to wait, but the next train wont arrive for a few hours. I didnt want to stay in the station. My bag had everythingclothes, documents, money. I needed to wash and warm up. Ill return everything, he pleaded, looking at Tetiana.
Youre really something. Cant you at least give me the keys to the flat? Tetiana snapped.
Everyone avoids me. God, why does nobody believe me? he raised his head, his sad eyes scanning the sky, evoking Tetianas pity.
She examined him critically. His clothes were shabby, but perhaps his belongings really were in the bag. He seemed to speak and behave normally.
Fine. Come to my place; youll catch a cold otherwise. Ill figure something out with the clothes.
Thanks. Youre very kind. Others didnt even listen to me, he said, following Tetiana.
She entered her apartment and sat on a small chair in the hallway, longing for sleep.
Go to the bathroom, Tetiana nodded toward the narrow corridor door. Ill look for some clothes for you. By the way, whats your name?
Mykhailo, he answered, finding the light switch and locking himself in the bathroom.
Soon the sound of running water came from behind the door. Tetiana sighed; her rest would have to wait.
Her brother lived in Kyiv, and some of his clothes were left behind.
No problem, it wont cost anything.
She gathered what she needed, knocked on the bathroom door, and when the water stopped she told him she had placed the clothes on the nightstand in the hallway.
She poured soup into a bowl and set it to heat in the microwave, then sat down, drifting into thoughts. If her mother arrived now, she would misunderstand everything. What would she think seeing Tetiana heating food while a man was bathing?
Lord, let my mother be delayed at the shop or with a friend, she whispered to herself.
But the Lord was busy elsewhere and didnt hear. The lock clicked on the bathroom door.
Tanya, are you home? her mother called, and Tetiana peeked out of the kitchen. Oh, I thought you were in the bathroom. Whos in there then? her mother squinted, trying to spot her daughter.
Mom, dont shout. The man got left behind by the train. Hell sort himself out and leave, Tetiana tried to calm her.
Did you prepare Alexeis clothes for him? What happened?
I told you, he was left behind. His stuff disappeared.
God. And you brought him home? You dont even know him! Didnt you think? I just got back home. Maybe we should call someone? her mother fretted.
Mom, stop the nonsense. He was everywhere. Waiting for the train takes ages. Hell bathe and go, Tetiana repeated more quietly.
The bathroom was silent; the water stopped. The door opened and closed again.
Did you take the clothes? Tetiana guessed.
Her mother sat facing the doorway, waiting.
Soon Mykhailo entered the kitchen, looking a bit embarrassed and guilty. Tetiana realized he had overheard their conversation.
So, tell me, how could something like this happen to such a strong, healthy man? her mother asked, staring him in the eyes.
Im sorry for intruding. I was on my way to my daughters wedding in Kyiv, and now I have no phone, no documents, no money, he gestured helplessly.
What brings you to us? Were not exactly near the station, the mother probed.
Mom! Give the man something to eat. Stop interrogating him, Tetiana snapped. Sit down, Mykhailo, Ive warmed up some soup for you.
When I was little, I used to pick up cats and puppies on the street, and now Im bringing men home she muttered, moving aside to make room at the table.
Eat, Mykhailo. But be carefulif you like my mother, you wont be leaving this place, Tetiana said with a hint of sarcasm.
You spend all day at work, no personal life. Youre about to turn thirty, time to marry. How can I not worry if youre not settled?
Mom, stop. Mykhailo might think were actually gonna marry him, she joked.
Dont worry, Tetiana reassured him.
Enough, thats it, her mother waved her hand and went to another room.
Your mother is serious, Mykhailo remarked, setting his plate down.
She raised my brother and me alone, so she worries Ill end up alone with a child, like she did.
I see. Where do you work?
In a flower shop. How will I buy a ticket without a passport, and I have no money? Tetiana asked, concerned.
They promised to help. Can I have a phone? I need to call my daughter to tell her I wont make it to the wedding, and also a friend
Just a moment, Tetiana said, heading to another room.
Mom, what are you doing? her mother was pulling out valuablesa gold ring and some jewelryfrom a box.
Quiet, her mother hissed. If he I dont know who, Ill take this to Aunt Masha, and she disappeared down the corridor.
Tetiana didnt try to stop her; it would be useless. She placed a phone on the table in front of Mykhailo and moved to the window.
Mykhailo called his daughter; from his expression Tetiana saw the girl was upset that her father wouldnt attend the wedding. He then called someone else, asking Tetiana for the house address.
Soon a driver will pick me up. I shouldnt have travelled at all. My wife didnt want me to meet her new husband, and my daughter invited me. So the trip was pointless, Mykhailo sighed.
Who are you, if a driver is coming for you? Tetiana asked, surprised.
He was starting to like her. In his brothers clothes he looked decent, even if a bit small.
We run a small techrepair business with a friend. He told me not to drive, saying I dont know Kyiv and a wedding isnt the place for it.
So I took the train instead of a plane. Dont worry, give me a few more hours and Ill be on my way, he tried to convince either himself or Tetiana.
Tetiana watched Mykhailo and thought her mother was rightif she came home from work to find a man waiting, children would be there, and life would finally have meaning. She was almost thirty, still living with her mother, with no prospects.
There had been Leonid onceshe fell in love, wedding plans were underway, but she once came to his place from work and found him with her friend. She lost both the fiancé and the friend.
Youre kind. Everything will be fine for you, Mykhailo said abruptly, interrupting her thoughts.
And you? Why are you alone? You have a business, youre smart.
Yes, I realized I went to the wedding alone. Im divorced, didnt have a good wife. Modern women are cautious, men the same. Youre tired after work, and I didnt let you rest. Sorry for bothering you.
They talked for a while longer. Darkness fell outside when Mykhailos phone rang.
Its probably Sasha, hes arriving, Mykhailo apologized and took Tetianas phone.
She thought, Now hell leave and Ill never see him again. The dull, monotonous days will return.
The car is downstairs. Thank you very much, Mykhailo placed the phone on the table and stood up.
I wrote down my number so you wont have to look for me. Im Mykhailo from the train. I guess you wont call me back, he said, looking at Tetiana inquisitively.
If you ever need help, you can count on me. Thanks again. Ill return the clothes, dont worry. Please apologize to your mother for me; she probably thinks Im a bad person, Mykhailo said with sad eyes, and Tetiana nearly burst into tears.
A stranger, a random person, and she didnt want him to leave. But who was she, and who was he? Tetiana smiled.
Dont get into such situations again.
No, from now on Ill travel only by car or plane. No more trains, Mykhailo joked.
Tetiana watched him disappear into the snowy twilight, step out of the building, walk to his car, wave from the window, and vanish.
Did you let him go? her mother asked from the doorway when she returned.
Youre angry that I brought him home, now you ask why I let him go, Tetiana tried not to show how upset she was.
Hes a good guy, you can see that.
Why did you rush to hide the jewelry?
Because Im not very smart her mother sighed.
Three weeks passed. On the eve of the New Year, Tetiana felt as if Mykhailo were a dream. Everything seemed unreal.
She worked on December31st. The shop owner kept apologizing, promising to help personally because the customer flow would be huge.
Tetiana looked out the window and suddenly saw a real Santa Claus near the shop, shouting at passersby, handing out sweets, and heading straight inside.
The doors opened, and she saw himdressed in a red, embroidered fur coat, a hat, a white beard, and a big sack on his shoulder. He chatted with the owner, his voice familiar to Tetiana.
Finally, Santa approached her.
I knew you were working, so I decided to surprise you, lift your spirits. Did it work? Mykhailo, now looking hopeful, said.
It worked, Tetiana laughed.
I guess Ill have to work alone today, the owner sighed loudly on purpose. Go home, Tetiana, with Santa. Ill manage here myself. Enjoy life.
Tetiana didnt need convincing.
A month later she quit her job and moved to Kharkiv, to Mykhailos place
Her mother was happy.
She settled my daughter, now she can finally rest. Kids will come later. Who else will help but a grandmother?
It seems everything bad is called fate, everything good a lucky accident, and they rarely exist without each other.
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Wait a moment,” he said. “I stepped out for just a second at your station, and when I returned to the carriage, my belongings were gone.
