“Where are you? I’m standing outside with the kids at your door! Mom insists you have to let us in!”
“We’ve already left,” Egor repeated firmly. “We won’t be in town for a whole week.”
“How could you do this?!” Kristina yelled. “Mom can’t take care of the children; her blood pressure is unstable! You must come back!”
Yulia had always been known for her warm and open nature. Married to Egor for a year, life would have been pleasant if it weren’t for the Sunday evening gatherings at the home of her mother-in-law, Lyudmila Ivanovna.
Lyudmila delighted in hosting her son, his wife Yulia, and Kristina with her children. Kristina, having divorced, was raising her two kids alone, relying solely on child support without any further assistance from her ex-husband.
As usual, the dinner table was laden with plentiful dishes, and the wine bottle was quickly emptied. For the first time, Yulia declined alcohol, mindful of her workload the next day and a wish for adequate rest.
“I’m not feeling up to it,” she smiled, pushing away her glass. “I have to be up early tomorrow.”
Her mother-in-law snorted skeptically, Kristina frowned disapprovingly, but Egor shrugged without pressing the issue. He had attempted to joke about Yulia’s refusal once but stopped after receiving a sharp look from her.
While the adults exchanged thoughts about neighbors, politics, and nostalgic reminiscences of “the good old days,” Yulia quietly directed her attention to the children. Four-year-old Nikita and six-year-old Dasha sat absorbed in their mother’s phone.
“Would you like me to teach you how to make paper frogs?” Yulia offered.
The children’s faces lit up with surprise; evidently, few had ever played with them or suggested shared activities. Within thirty minutes, paper frogs and swans decorated the table, and Nikita carefully sketched a “portrait of Aunt Yulia” with a pencil. Kristina took note of the animated atmosphere and nodded in approval:
“You manage them so well! Dasha usually won’t let anyone near her.”
“They’re delightful,” Yulia said sincerely.
Little did she know, this innocent evening was to mark the beginning of a new “tradition.”
The days that followed passed placidly. On Wednesday night, as Yulia and Egor concluded their dinner, she cautiously suggested, “Perhaps we could visit the movies this Sunday instead of the usual gathering at your parents’?”
Egor raised his eyebrows, surprised by the idea: “The movies? What about Mom? Won’t she feel hurt?”
“You said yourself you’re tired of those obligatory evenings,” Yulia reminded softly. “Let’s try doing something just for ourselves, at least once.”
Egor frowned and scratched the back of his head but agreed to consider it. Yulia didn’t pressure him, allowing time to think.
By Friday morning at breakfast, Egor unexpectedly smiled: “I thought about your suggestion. Let’s go to the evening showing. I’ll call Mom today to let her know.”
Although happy, Yulia’s delight was brief.
During his lunch break, Egor stepped outside to make the phone call.
“Mom, I wanted to discuss Sunday,” he began cautiously.
“How nice to hear from you, son. I was just about to call. Kristina is going away for the weekend and leaving her kids with me. So Sunday’s gathering is off, as usual,” she replied.
“Well, that’s perfect. Yulia and I were planning to…” Egor started but was cut off sharply by his mother.
“Great! That means you’ll come here to watch the kids. I’m exhausted from them, and you, Egorushka, ought to help your sister,” she instructed.
“Mom, I wasn’t finished…”
“What else could there be? What scheme has that woman come up with now?” Lyudmila Ivanovna’s voice grew icy.
“Why insult her?” Egor retorted gently. “We wanted to enjoy a movie together.”
“What nonsense! You just want to have fun. You’re not young anymore!”
“Then what are we? Old?” Egor asked bluntly.
“Not old, but you should be thinking of the children, not taking leisure trips!” she yelled. “That’s final. I expect you here Sunday morning!” Then she abruptly hung up.
Egor stared at his phone, clearly torn between not wanting to offend his mother and tiredness of continual obligations. He was unsure how to tell Yulia that their Sunday would be spent at his parents’ house.
Yulia waited eagerly for the weekend. Their paychecks arrived Friday, and that evening, she and Egor had planned a long-anticipated movie date. Electronic tickets were downloaded, and she had already tried on a new dress she intended to wear.
When the doorbell rang, she hurried happily to open it but froze upon seeing Egor. His expression was darker than a brewing storm.
“What’s wrong?” Yulia asked, sensing trouble.
Without a word, Egor went to the kitchen, tossed his phone onto the table, and let out a deep breath.
“Mom said Kristina left and the kids are with them. She needs our help with Dasha and Nikita on Sunday.”
He recounted their conversation in detail. With every word, Yulia’s irritation grew, her fingers tapping nervously on the countertop.
“Here’s the plan,” Yulia stood quickly. “We’ll go to your mother’s in the morning to help with the kids, but at exactly five o’clock, we leave — just in time for the six o’clock movie.”
Egor looked up in surprise, expecting an outburst but receiving calm resolve instead.
“So, you’re not mad?” he questioned.
“No. The kids aren’t at fault,” Yulia answered calmly. “But this is the first and last time. Next time, either say ‘no’ to your mother immediately or go on your own.”
Just as she turned to leave, Egor embraced her from behind, kissing her neck gently.
However, Sunday did not unfold as planned.
Lyudmila Ivanovna opened the door with a triumphant expression.
“Finally! I’m exhausted. Cleaning up after them has worn me down!” she complained.
The children were indeed restless. Dasha cried because her mother had left again, while Nikita ran through the apartment energetically. Yulia clenched her teeth and quickly took control — she brought out colored paper and clay, played children’s songs on the phone, and prepared a light soup with meatballs.
By four o’clock, the household had settled. Then Lyudmila Ivanovna suddenly claimed, “My head aches. I think I’ll lie down.”
“Let me run to the pharmacy while we’re here,” Egor offered.
“Why while you’re still here?” the woman dramatically exclaimed, pressing her hand to her forehead. “My blood pressure is high.”
Yulia glanced at the clock, then towards her husband.
“I’ll check your pressure now.”
She fetched the blood pressure monitor and carefully observed its reading.
“130 over 90. You’re fine, but rest until we leave.”
Lyudmila Ivanovna flushed, realizing her daughter-in-law had seen through her ruse.
After some time, Yulia whispered to Egor, “We should head out or we’ll be late.”
However, Lyudmila Ivanovna clutched her son’s arm desperately.
“Where are you going? The kids can’t be left alone!”
“They won’t be alone but with you and dad,” Egor stated firmly for the first time.
“But I’m ill! You saw for yourself!” she shouted.
Yulia quietly took Dasha’s hand and seated her beside the resting grandmother.
“Grandma’s sick. Be quiet and watch cartoons until Mom returns.”
Then she looked to Egor and declared, “We’re leaving.”
Outside, Egor exhaled deeply, relief washing over him.
“Sorry,” he said.
“Not now,” Yulia interrupted. “We’re late for the movie.”
They rushed down the street as if they were teenagers sneaking out. In the dark cinema, Yulia felt Egor take her hand.
The film was surprisingly enjoyable. Laughter and quiet squeezes of her hand accompanied the moments on-screen, and as lights dimmed before the screening, Egor kissed her temple softly, reminiscent of their first date.
Afterward, they stopped at a quaint café, sipping cappuccino and iced latte, discussing the film and their forthcoming vacation plans. It was as though the dullness of their routine had blinded them to their youth, only to now be rediscovered.
“You know,” Egor smiled suddenly, “I realized today that…”
His thought was interrupted by a message from Kristina.
“Hi, brother. I just left Mom’s, and she was crying. You and Yulia are so selfish. The kids cried when you left, and I expected you to watch them all day, as agreed. Thanks for letting us down!”
Egor frowned and showed the text to Yulia.
She read it calmly, then shrugged.
“We never discussed anything with Kristina,” she said. “And she never personally requested anything.”
“But…” Egor appeared confused.
“No,” Yulia reassured, placing her palm on his hand. “I’m not apologizing for spending time together. You saw how suddenly your mother ‘fell ill.’ She was just trying to keep us from leaving.”
“You’re right, but I still feel uneasy.”
“Uncomfortable being uncomfortable?” Yulia smiled, while Egor remained silent.
Interestingly, Lyudmila Ivanovna did not call her son for the entire week. It was unusual, as she typically checked in every two days with questions about his health and meals.
Yulia asked Egor if he was sure everything was alright with his mother.
“If something serious occurred, I’d know,” Egor said, though his voice betrayed doubt.
The final workweek before their anticipated vacation arrived quietly. They told no one but had booked a cozy wooden cottage by the river, complete with a porch, sauna, and a dock. It was a dream — a week free of calls and responsibilities, immersed in nature.
On Friday, Yulia was freed early from work. Home, she kicked off her shoes and began packing. Clothes lay open on the bed; fresh tea steamed in the kitchen; soft music played from the speakers.
“Swimsuit, sunscreen, the book I’m still reading…” she murmured as she folded items.
Egor was expected by eight. She left him a grocery list for the evening, which he fulfilled diligently.
The following morning, both awakened at eight. Sunshine filled the room while the city slumbered. They enjoyed a relaxed breakfast—Yulia preparing ham omelets, Egor pouring coffee.
“Today, our vacation begins,” Yulia said with a smile, finishing her coffee.
Egor nodded, though concern shadowed his eyes. Standing at the door with suitcases, he looked uncertain.
“What’s wrong?” Yulia asked.
“None of my relatives know we’re leaving,” he said quietly. “Should I call Mom once we arrive so she doesn’t worry?”
“Yes, you definitely should.”
They loaded the car and set off on the quiet Saturday morning road.
Yulia played her favorite songs, lowered the window to let in fresh air. Egor checked the GPS periodically.
More than halfway into their trip, Egor’s phone began ringing—Kristina calling.
“Don’t answer, you’re driving and it’s almost over,” Yulia advised softly.
Still, the calls persisted. Then their mother’s name flashed on the screen.
Egor pulled over abruptly and stopped the car.
“I have to take this call,” he said.
Yulia nodded silently.
Before he could greet her, a furious voice blared:
“Have you lost all decency? Why won’t you let Kristina and the kids in? They’ve been waiting outside your apartment for fifteen minutes!”
“Mom, we—” Egor tried to explain but was interrupted again.
“She’s out there with two children! And where are you? Probably sleeping, lazybones!”
“We left,” Egor finally said.
“Where?”
“To the dacha, for a week.”
Silence followed before Lyudmila Ivanovna hung up.
Egor placed the phone in his lap and exhaled deeply.
“Call your sister,” Yulia said softly. “You should have told them about our vacation plans earlier.”
Egor dialed Kristina, who answered with a sharp voice:
“Where are you? I’m standing with the kids at your door! Mom said you have to let us in!”
“We’ve left,” Egor reiterated firmly. “Won’t be in town for seven days.”
“How could you?” Kristina screamed. “Mom can’t watch the kids; her blood pressure is bad! You have to come back!”
“We don’t have to, and the house is already paid for,” Egor said.
“I hope your vacation is miserable! Rain every day!” Kristina spat and hung up.
Silence engulfed the car. Even the music was turned off, having been stopped before the call with Lyudmila Ivanovna.
Egor restarted the engine and they continued their journey.
“Are you alright?” Yulia asked after a few kilometers.
He was quiet before nodding. “Yes. It’s just… I’ve never done this before. Now, both of them will be upset. I do everything for them… all the time… I even forgot how to properly relax.”
Yulia reached out, covering his hand with hers.
“I understand. We’re almost there.”
Rounding the bend, the river appeared. The car turned onto a dirt road leading to the dacha. Sunlight danced on the water, and the scent of pine and freshly cut grass filled the air. Upon arriving, Yulia smiled at the sight of the small wooden house with its blue porch.
“Beautiful,” she whispered.
Egor turned off the engine and closed his eyes momentarily. His shoulders seemed more relaxed than they had in a long time.
After unloading their belongings, they wandered quietly around the property. The dacha was cozier than the photos had suggested: a tidy garden with raspberry bushes, a hammock strung between two pines, and a small dock with a boat.
“Shall we swim?” Yulia nudged, pulling out towels.
They spent the day by the river — swimming, sunbathing, laughing at Egor’s failed fishing attempts. That evening, they grilled food surrounded by the crackling of firewood and the chirping of crickets.
Key Insight: In that peaceful moment, they rediscovered the joy of shared time, rekindling the youthful spirit beneath years of routine.
“You know what I realized?” Yulia leaned back in her wicker chair. “We could do this every weekend.”
Egor nodded with newfound certainty.
Their phone remained off inside the suitcase. For the first time, choosing silence was deliberate.
The next dawn, as sunlight streamed through the curtains, Yulia awoke sensing someone’s gaze. Egor sat nearby, watching her with a gentle smile.
“What is it?” she asked, stretching.
“Just… thank you. For this trip. For reminding me we have a life of our own.”
Yulia sat up and kissed him.
“This is only the beginning.”
Outside, the river flowed calmly, and for the first time in long while, they felt truly free.