She starts explaining them to me, names, origins, what colors mean what, her voice rising with excitement with each sentence. She lights up from the inside, glowing like one of her orchids.
I should be bored.
I should be thinking about the job I left unfinished for the night, the calls I need to return.
Instead, I’m standing here, listening.
Actually listening.
I don’t even realize I’m smiling until she suddenly stops short, eyes widening in embarrassment.
“Oh God, I’m babbling.” She clasps her hands together. “Sorry. I just—sorry.” She presses her lips to gats to stop herself from babbling more, a deep blush climbing up her neck. “Let’s move upstairs,” she says quickly, leading me to the third floor apartment she shares with Andrei.
“What did you bring?” she asks.
“Varenyky,” I say, gauging her reaction. It was not a huge risk, every Russian loves the dumpling-like comfort food.
“What kinds?” she asks with a smirk.
“Potato, cabbage, cheese,” I say, taking the containers out and setting them on the large coffee table in her living room. “And for dessert, I brought cherry ones.”
She lights up at that. “Cherry is my favorite!” The joy on her face makes the risk of coming here worth it.
“Let me get some plates and placemats,” she says, turning towards the kitchen, Vanda right at her heels.
I settle on the long couch, looking around the apartment. It’s small—probably a far cry from where she grew up—but warm with a simplicity that suits her just perfectly.
She walks back in, Vanda still paddling behind her, and sets down the placemats, plates, and napkins before returning to the kitchen. Vanda settles in front of the small fireplace.
Natalya returns a moment later with two seltzer waters before joining me on the couch.
“Thank you,” I say, before doling out thevarenykyon each of our plates.
“No, thank you for the food,” she says. “I would’ve forgotten to eat today if you didn’t bring it.” I don’t like that at all, and make a mental note to make sure she eats every day, at least while Andrei is gone.
For a while, we eat in comfortable silence. She sighs softly and leans back against the couch. I glance at her and for a second I can’t look away.
She’s so damn beautiful
“How are you doing without Andrei around?” I ask, trying to distract myself with small talk.
“Not bad, I guess…” she says with a shrug. “I’m holding up pretty well but I miss him.” She looks away, taking a small sip from her coffee cup. “He’s been such a constant in my life—the only thing that didn’t suck. Having the type of parents we did was hell, but Andrei shielded me for most part. He’s always been my protector and not having him around right makes me feel…vulnerable?”
Her voice cracks on the last word.
My chest tightens with emotions I can’t define right now. But one thing is certain; I’d protect her with my life. Right now. In this moment.
“I—I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m telling you all this,” she says with a conscious laugh. “You’re just really easy to talk to.”
Easy to talk to?
No one has ever said that to me before.
People usually talk around me.
Or at me.
Or not at all.
