– And you if only “to fill in plum”, – I answered, muffling in a scarf. – Here tell what we waited for? It was impossible to leave for a week earlier? Were stayed: on the train, aboard the plane there are no tickets.

– It also is clear, – the sounded reproach remained unaddressed. – Where to take them the thirty first?

By a proshkandybala, did not turn sour carrying out old year, children any more.

– And here, check out “vertukha”.

The killed trudging towards, “in smoke” the man, departing to snow, the first estimated reception of hand-to-hand fight.

– Yes, so nothing, – having inclined over floundering in a snowdrift, the guy approved.

…Failing during deep snow, I went after the rocking back Round whom occasionally called by Artyom. Was angry. Not only that missed all tickets, except the regular bus Oryol-Kharkiv, so also it was necessary to celebrate New year in roadside cafe on the suburb of Kursk. In festive night the winter pleased with snowfall and, as a result, the blocked highway.

We were en route more than five hours, shivered in the chilled piece of iron. A peculiar way to leave the city of the first salute left to us if not sideways, then the aching fifth points, for certain. Even the hope glimmering in the beginning to see the country, the travel duration which somehow is brightening up, died. It remained with two crippled bodies of the cars flaunting on departure from Oryol about a post of GAI there. Further the woods, snow and ice-covered asphalt on which our transport “rushed” no more than 40 km/h stretched.

Having creaked brakes, one more sufferer drove to a roadside. Caught up with us, left along the same route, only on an hour later, Ikarus.

…At the opened door the high footboard was come off by the girl. “My interiors began to move”. The breeze played her lungs as down, hair and, also gently, as well as picked up, returned back on thin shoulders, threw below a belt. Slightly audible perfume aroma, naturally, accepted for its own, proceeding from a young body reached me, began to smell. Graceful, not on weather the dress emphasized symmetry of a figure.

Regained consciousness from the fact that Round furiously shook my hand.

– You what, fell asleep? – shouted directly in an ear, having lost any hope to revive me.

Having guessed the reason of a sudden stupor, began to explain:

– No, Brother. Such not for us.

Probably, words were heard more loudly, than followed, and the girl turned back in our party. All its look showed discontent – the answer to our attempts to discuss and define to whom it suits and to whom is not present. Finally, having pricked with green eyes, passed by, disappeared in cafe.

An hour later, travelers already guzhevat in a roadside snack bar. Among abundance of alcohol of worthy snack was not and there was not enough money for it.

– We came to drink, – Artyom shone, overturning the next glass of smelly cognac in a throat, jammed a bread piece.

– You though juice bought, – inattentively supporting a conversation, I furtively watched the stranger who settled behind the next little table.

– Today juice from mine a sock! And still glass…

So, increasing the pace, the people moved ahead till the nights ahead. Every minute at our table new people appeared. Soon it was necessary to shift two, and later, and three tables together.

Despite “fair prices”, by ten o’clock money practically ran low. The enterprising friend “was afraid” Orthodox Christians from whom the scar from whom two, in case of refusal threatening to damn, ran out on the street and from time to time came back with a quarter-liter bottle of vodka of “a green serpent”.

– In little shop is cheaper nearby. Let’s go, I will show.

… – That, please, – hiccupping, Artyom ordered quite decent, on quality, vodka.

Having wiped goods, the woman handed to already regular customer a bottle of “Pepper brandy”.

…Someone imprudently bakhnut a full glass of this potion and with protruding eyes rushed off in a toilet.

– But though with all the heart, – carried out unfortunate an amicable laughter.

I did not react. Round found my look wandering on the beautiful little girl again.

– Now we will make.

Having jumped from a chair, flew on alcoholic couples directly to it. Took seat nearby, blurted out something, and the crash of a slap in the face muffled music.

Having flashed, it promptly approached me.

– Let’s go, we will dance!

From the feasting brotherhood removed tables several meters, the bartender made radio more loudly…

– You can put hands on a waist, – the people twitching around pushed it to me. – In general, the fact that you embraced, not a waist any more. Closely. We go on air.

Having thrown with the first sheepskin coat, jumped out on a threshold. It was necessary to pass afterwards.

– And to wipe! Here, correctly! – jumped out of shop Round. – On, take, – put to me in a hand the next bottle. – I quickly, now will carry “буэ” in the subsoil shining a whiteness, – and hid behind the cafe building.

The dream stood to me in a half-turn. I saw the scarlet, touched by a smile lips. In the light of a hinged lamp they shone: and calling, it is also repellent at the same time. It seemed both an angel, and the demon, seemed something fantastic, illusive, unreal, very close and absolutely inaccessible.

Wind, developing hair, hid her face, prevented to understand the hidden thoughts.

– Well what you will tell?

On eyelashes snow fell, thawed, forcing the person to sparkle.

– Do not look to me in the face, – horrifying from where my own voice reached, nothing of that kind is resolute I was going to speak.

– I will not look, – turning away, she laughed.

– I know you.

– Tell, – from the little girl, filling me with courage, readiness for rough protection flew.

– … When kept for you our first appointment, having grabbed a hairbrush, ran away into the room. —

With astonishment thin threads of eyebrows rose. The snowflake fell on eyelashes. The burning breath, blew off it away.

– Thought you will not come. You will be afraid! – having quickly oriented, supported nonexistent memoirs.

– Then, in a little rough, violently softened voice roofing felts the reproach, roofing felts joy was heard.

– Rough?! Yes I that day caught a cold, – having turned back, slightly pushed me in a shoulder, – of course, rejoiced and afraid, and suddenly will not come.

– I already then knew all your tenderness, felt force which is concealed inside.

– And from where you knew it?

– Felt.

– And! Well continue.

– Offered…

– I remember, I remember. Ran to shop and brought a huge bouquet of flowers, presented, standing on one knee. I then still asked: “You suggest to meet?”

– As these words and as they meant to me much were easily pledged to you. Strange similar questions still seemed to me, I did not suggest to meet, I offered the life. And in your voice hope notes appeared, vigilance completely evaporated. Having whispered “Till tomorrow”, lit up joy which could not constrain any more, and was behind a door.

– And you remember how for the first time kissed me?

– On this very spot.

It umostitsya quickly on alone standing shop. Safely attracted the little girl on the knees. It did not resist. On the contrary, gentle hands embraced a neck, drugged a smell of perfume. She smiled,

– In a disco drank and when danced, removed lipstick from your lips.

– No, not so. Only once managed to kiss. I was discharged, having come round.

– But here, about a fir-tree, after dances still drank and defense failed. We kissed to lip pain. They at you for the morning swelled up. And after even admitted how in that evening after our first conversation saw the falling star and rejoiced, taking this sign for the answer of destiny written by someone from above.

… – Maids, you шо pisat? – the voice of Artyom was identified at any distance. Having gone on need, the guy also round the corner found to himself the company.

– Yes! And you that enviably? – the female voice answered.

– No, I pisat too. And who whines there? To someone it is bad? – under its stumps snow began to creak.

– Leave alone it, – the same voice was indignant.

– I want to help.

– Stop to put it in a throat fingers. It has the.

– So what does not put?

The second slap in the face in an evening forced the guy to recede. Having taken away from me binge, it returned to cafe and at once jumped out back.

– Estimate, only came. I got nothing, – the friend who was left without alcohol, was going to shop.

– And, you coo? – blurred in a pleased smile.

– Come on, – the girl was confused, hesitating, got up from my knees. – Still, Artyom… Generally, excuse.

She refused to be strong more and more considerably: looked for supports in my hand and a look.

– As always beat for the truth. Go with me, and that you will die.

– And what at you with the person? – I, of course, guessed an origin of red points, but nevertheless, decided to specify.

– Yes, in general, not clear from where there the fir-tree undertook. It seems at once was not.

– What, children? Did not understand, – the tired shop assistant asked again.

– Of course, did not understand, – muttered Round, trying to count the trifle got from a pocket. – You do not talk slang!

– Who I am I do not botat!? Still as I botat!

– Well, then this, – pointed a finger at a quarter-liter bottle of vodka of doubtful production, but suitable at the price – and it is possible not to wipe!

We returned on a shop. Темыч, without wishing to share with anybody, abused from a throat directly on a threshold.

– And what at us happened later?

– When came, rushed to my embraces. Wanted and to reproach for long absence and to embrace as it is possible stronger. Joy in eyes, happiness in the movements – everything told about sincerity of the flashed feelings. I strong embraced you and very long kissed directly in a corridor. For us it seemed impossible to come off from each other. “Pass, pass”, – at last, wakening, entrained, invited both in the room, and in the middle of the heart. Being exhausted, embraced for a waist which bends the wide sports suit could not wash away, kissed on a neck. Covering eyes, you threw back the head back. And we did not move a little for a long time, did not stop tenderness. “Mother will arrive only tomorrow”, – seductively whispered the attracting lips.

I kissed you, solved all hidden desires. Touching by fingers of smooth skin, too whispered, being afraid to break beauty of the moment. My hand groped a doggie on an olympic sweatshirt lightning, pulled it down.

“Rather, we put on!” – you shouted in the morning when the knock at a door sounded, it was covered with a blanket, in search of linen rummaged around a hand a floor.

– “Yes where these socks?! – you shouted already. – About! Look!”. You remember how took out from under a sofa two couples at once? Last time forgot. And I all thought that it stinks, as from the good man. As it is mother did not notice!?

– And I am already a good man! “A bit earlier come!” – kissed at parting, already in advance beginning to miss…

– And all this was? – coming back to reality, the girl at me on a lap longed.

– Of course, I love you. I love, it is so strong that cannot even be presented.

Just imagine, were called just friends several weeks ago. And later, I remember, made a declaration of love. Put the head to you on knees, were silent, I listened to your heart and admitted. And you also just answered that you know it long ago. But itself did not admit.

– Forgive. I will make it now, in thousand time. Present that we went to the past, to that room… I love you. And, of course, I remember everything. You are such silly. I loved you always. Unless did not notice? Suffered, did not know how to start talking with always lonely and mysterious. Dreamed us at night, in the afternoon in memoirs, waited for return. But you were not, and only cold embraced for shoulders. And your friend received for the truth, blurted out to me in a face that I will be yours.

– Hold, – the friend who jumped out from nowhere put the key allowing to spend night in the nearest hotel in a hand.

…On a black dress, sparkling, tinted by lunar a fair hair fell. The brought eyelashes, the dark red lipstick on thin lips extended with leg hairpins…

– For a moment it seemed to me that it not you and if you, all the same not for me.

– It I, I and only yours, – kissing, left hundreds of beautiful spangles on my face.

Its linen slid off on a floor…

Everything mixed up: the clothes scattered about the room, hair, wet after a shower, burning the whisky which is slowly thawing near candy candles, somewhere beating midnight chiming clock, fireworks behind the chilled window. The silence which is broken off by wind howl.

I sometimes ask that little girl whether there was everything? And, as then, embracing, the wife whispers to me “Yes”. And I trust in the incident, I trust in the past which managed to be turned into the present only over time. And, of course, I trust the friend who from year to year is going with traces of fir-tree pricks on a face, who did not buy the new watch, in exchange given for our night in hotel. And Round still remembers the bill for the minibar drunk by us which is made out it.

– Though the bubble would take out. Choked with a hawthorn, – I hear from it with enviable constancy.

The rejected paradise

– Why it is necessary to you? To it practically nothing!

– And what? You will think, on heels of years is younger, – beat off red-haired the girlfriend.

– Give better with us, children ordered restaurant, a sauna…

– Not, I to darling.

– Oh! What words!

– Yes, I love. Why you are so? Itself acquainted us! Igorek with your younger brother studies?!

– So you drank all juice from me: in a dream saw it, acquaint!

– Do not make mischief! Honestly I speak: dreamed! You will tell, just like that?

– And what, glyadelka you play with it or cards there …? Throw it rather!

The last words were beyond insignificant talks which Ira got used to answer long ago laughing, never listening attentively, not penetrating… That all were a joke, let caustic, let bothered, but not demanding from it any actions.

– My business, – Ira following the green eyes flashed, the monologue of attacking came to an end. – Though in cards, though in glyadelka …, you that? Itself you will look for more young soon., – but the last appeared to anything, and the girl became silent. Its external tranquility was broken nervously shaking, running in search of cigarettes, fingers, but pockets neither on the fitting jeans, nor on the same blouse emphasizing a figure were not. Continuing to be nervous, without knowing how to end a conversation, again in a row looked for hours, this time pondered upon value running the shooter.

– I am late! – having screamed, grabbed from a bench a handbag, took to the heels.

– Give, give, rush to the milksop, – was distributed following, – take away cigarettes, under a bench failed!

– Keep together with the rage, – Ira on the run turned back.

And Nadia, without wishing that, saw all what could not admit to herself in the mild forgiving smile. But enlightenment lasted a moment, the tested envy was soon forgotten.

“I am late, I am late”, – a tongue twister Ira chattered, thoughts being already far from reduced where it is only possible, are expensive. The huge heels increasing already considerable growth of the girl cut sparks from narrow stony paths, but not invitingly clinked on the district asphalted roads.

– Hi! – she rejoiced to darling. – Forgive, was late as always.

They were still divided by decent distance, but Ira could not be silent. She wanted to blurt out all formalities at once and not to spend on them time when accepts a kiss, will feel the pleasant shiver in a body turning hot evening into a long-awaited cool.

– Well, here and I! – she continued to shout, embracing Igork, bowing to lips of darling.

– What you shout at all street, – being confused not for yourself, but for it, the guy discharged Ira a little, looking around. And let for passersby it is indifferent, and nobody paid attention to them, all seemed to it on the contrary.

– Well be not angry, – again Ira too loudly answered …. Already kissing the guy on all, excluded repeated reproaches.

Inhaling a smell of her body excited with jog, burying in the red hair giving a lilac, Igorek forgot about delay, forgave excessive fieriness.

– Hi, children! – it waved a hand, shining bracelets on wrists, having noticed his friends observing them I will meet.

And they answered with easy bows of the head, and that without realizing some, whispered mild greetings in reply. Tried to guess – what she will tell Igork, represented how it to listen to its voice intended to you to one?

The silence was included into the small yards of the small town, the night cool recovered the nature, old chestnut avenues breathed freshness. Everything is silent. Did not pursue the word, ruptures of embraces did not come. Soon for two there was one breath, lovers divided the twilight. Only occasionally night was dispersed by patches of light of headlights of far cars or incidentally scattered light from kitchens of the first floors. It became somehow uncomfortable, and at the same time Igorek managed to admire small girl’s face freckles, its bright, streaming on gentle shoulders, curls. Light accompanied with a gryukanye of pans, getting stuck in foliage, died away also suddenly, as well as appeared. And then he felt the elastic, nestling on it breast, came off scintillating lips, considered bright-red waves of hair and the eyes shining near the moon now.

– As strongly I love you, – her whisper joined singing of invisible crickets, it was interwoven into a rustle of the foliage calling an easy breeze.

– I you too, – shy answered Igor, attracting the girl to myself, hiding inconvenient confusion.

She gave in, kissed, was discharged and, loudly laughing, again nestled on lips of darling.

Unexpectedly the sun ascended.

– Till tomorrow. No, to today. It is good that to today, – without ceasing to laugh, Ira interrupted herself, corrected the crumpled blouse.

– Let’s go to a holiday?

– As you will tell. On the square – so on the square, to the park – so to the park, I do not care! Do not worry, – not in forces to leave she came back, laid down transparent palms on strong shoulders, – from where you have money? How many is – is so much and if absolutely …, so at me are.

– It is obligatory for you to remind of my age, that you are a student?!

– Forgive, I am so… And you noticed, I do not smoke?! You remember …, oh yesterday! – fitted a finger to lips, and against the background of a red varnish of nails lipstick was more clearly designated by places unfinished the guy. – Oh! Already the day before yesterday! You asked me to leave off smoking, I any more never threw…

***

– Means so. Now in a shooting gallery, then on the square, – Stas as the senior for all company planned evening.

– I will not go, – Igorek quietly indecisively responded.

– Aaaa …. To the freckled you will run?! – Stas teased, and the others willingly picked up.

– Anything. Freckles will pass with age.

– No, will not pass! Forgot? I with it in one class studied! That in fifteen years was freckled that now in twenty. And lanky fellow invariable. I remember two times on final with it danced, after even imagined offered …, and it …, generally, the lanky fellow. Besides awful!

– And what then danced? – someone from children interfered.

Stas reacted with a furious look, but right there, having been with the answer, calmed down.

– It was a pity, here and danced. And in general, leave alone, give better about evening we will talk. And you blow to the is more red. Crashed on full! You do not write verses yet? You look, reddened. Precisely writes! Fell in love!

– Fell in love nothing!

– Well of course, only to it also you run! You are able to run at us! Though you are able to do everything recently! Jack of all trades: both in soccer, and in study. And to it everywhere the layman. Go, go, she will make the good child of you!

“Why I told them that she after kisses laughs?! Especially to Stas, – Igor regretted, going on a meeting with beautiful. – And it can it is right, can so she scoffs? And still these freckles …", – tormented with the bothered and already seldom avoiding thoughts, reached the avenue of the park.

Ira was not yet, she continued houses to preen the feathers in front of the mirror.

– It is time to think of life, communicated…! Future, what? – again mother piled on the agony, disturbed and spoiled mood.

– How you think what earrings it is better? – being afraid to be late, Ira threw out at once all jewelry of a casket on a table.

– Fie you, I to it one …. For whom you dress up? For whom it is better? On girlfriends look …, and you, what is worse?

– Mothers, if you do not cease, we will quarrel! – having thrown jewelry, Ira frowned.

– Yes because of whom to quarrel?! Found too! How you will live?

– Let’s live! Do not worry!

– And so know: from me you will not get paid peanuts any more! It is not enough to support to me of you, so also provide friends of your juveniles!

– As you can!

– It you as can? Give still become pregnant from it!

– And what? I will want and will become pregnant!

– Then home be not put!

– I can leave right now!

– Good riddance! You will want to eat, you will return!

Having shut the door with a bang and having heard following dissatisfied grumble of mother, Ira jumped out to the yard. Ran by the girlfriends who are taking seat in the car and, without noticing the views of foreign guys eating it, rushed off on a meeting with Igor.

The pink dress was brightly drawn among monotonous dresses of people, the girl came up because of turn and, having noticed Igor, habitually waved to it with a hand. “All behind, the main thing – I with it”, – there were her last thoughts before a usual greeting.

– Hi, my darling! – the voice blew over the walking crowd ringing. – Forgive, was late!

– What you shout again! How many it is possible to speak…!

This time Igor was not mistaken – passersby did not lose sight of them. But as the reason of attention served not shouts, and a translucent dress, harmonious suntanned legs and happiness electricity scattered by Ira.

– … Let’s go, we will look how the youth kisses, – two women approached them.

Lovers turned back.

– Sorry, – one of them whispered, nudging the second to flight. – You saw as her eyes shine, and there are no tears! – women shared impressions, without caring for proximity of discussed.

– Here you see, everything is good. In total nonsense! – kissing the guy, forced it to embrace herself for a waist. – Let look, let envy! – her laughter, childly happy, floated over the heads. People smiled, became to each other warmer.

Already being sorry about the made decision to appear in public …, “moreover and on credit got”, Igor seized the girl by a hand, dragged in darkness of the park. Ira, hardly keeping up with him, sprained legs on the garbage scattered around, beat heels a frequent tattoo from the broken paths.

– Well what you? – having stopped, rubbed peredavlenny darling a wrist. – I can and kiss in public, it is not a shame to me!

– Enough! Sit down on a bench… and stop to laugh!

Without knowing how to splash out anger, Igor strong seized the girl and, realizing the powerlessness, became greedy, also the evil her is sick to kiss. His hands did not know refusal in anything. More and more persistently and more safely he demanded proximity.

– You want? – nevertheless Igor decided to ask, without weakening a grasp at all.

– I do not know, – its voice for the first time grew dim.

– And at you was?

– Is not present …. I am afraid …, but if you want… if it is so necessary, then I agree, I agree to everything. Only be more gentle, to me it is painful…

Voices abated, only rare couples sighed in undercover places of the sleepy town yes the strongest of the noisy companies finished drinking the remains of a holiday and wine. Slightly rustling, small beads in pools the rain laid down. He held her moist palm and quickened the pace. She did not do up the tousled hair and did not laugh any more, did not joke.

– You will come tomorrow? – its voice shivered, she did not want, but asked. – Do not embrace, at first answer.

– Of course, I will come, – having carelessly waved away, Igorek burst out laughing.

He laughed and the next evening, telling about a love affair to friends. Stas encouragingly patted him shoulder and congratulated on the won victory.

Both of them laughed, and the others were silent. Smoking one cigarette for another, also I was silent. Already felt sick me from the received nicotine dose, but I continued to smoke and consider a dirty pool at myself under legs. I knew that I will not see a welcome wave of her hand any more, now, hiding a wet face in hair, having taken off shoes with the broken-off heels, Ira went home and whispered to the one who did not come any more: “Today I was not late”.

12 След.

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Sergey Strelyaev

I am your fifth element

When there is no sense in names