«Yes.» A smiling housekeeper went into the living room and served Ruslan breakfast and a cup of coffee. «Ruslan greeted me already and gave me a flower pot with irises.»
She put his meal on the coffee table, petted his head like a mother would, and left. Then Ruslan got up and held out the carnations to Lana.
The girl drew close. Watching his reaction, she extended her arm, and seized his hand with the bouquet. Ruslan stood still gazing at her. She saw his face go bloodless and red spots blush on his cheeks, like cranberries on the snow. He gasped, trying to normalize his breathing, but he could not.
Suddenly he pulled Lana to himself and embraced her with such passion that the girl was amazed. She heard his moan, and, chuckling, she asked, «Do you greet all the females like this?»
He laughed and gently pushed her away.
«It’s just a Russian tradition,» he said, smiling. «You can ask everybody who knows. In school we greeted even janitors, as in Russia most janitors are women.»
He turned and left the house, and for a long time a puzzled Lana just looked at the flowers, not understanding what to do and how to react to such odd treatment from this mysterious Russian guy.
* * * * *
That evening all the adult Russians assembled in a small hall decorated with flowers and banners, and a smiling Oleg took the microphone.
«I would like to pronounce,» Oleg greeted them, «a toast in honor of the charming ladies in this room and city. To hope that they enjoy this special holiday in their name and would like to congratulate them for their lovely work here, because of the way they keep this town on its toes. A big thanks to all of you here and happy 8th March, ladies! Be happy!»
Uttering cheers, the Russians raised their goblets. Husbands kissed their wives, and Ruslan did the same with Marina.
Marina and Oleg were taking her guitar by turns and all the Russians sang their favorite songs. Then they put on a tape with native melodies.
Sharing their memories, the Russians felt nostalgia fill their souls, and, trying to be blithe in the present, they drank and danced.
Holding hands, Vlad and Nina looked at each other like newlyweds.
Browsing through their memories, they both remembered the day when Vlad moved into Nina’s apartment, as it had happened exactly seven years ago.
All Vlad’s belongings took up only two suitcases, so the young couple did not even take a taxi, but went by bus.
As they entered they heard music. It sounded very familiar, but the young people did not realize at once that it was the wedding march by Mendelssohn. Nina’s mother, Alla, stared at them, and they were astonished, but guessed that the music simply came from the radio.