Fabulous Moscow
Maria Lazinskaya-Prupes
For dear Nael
I am very grateful to God and fate that meeting you
© Maria Lazinskaya-Prupes, 2020
ISBN 978-5-0051-8928-8
Created with Ridero smart publishing system
Preface
«One of the laws of life says that as soon as one door closes, another opens. But the trouble is that we look at the locked door and do not pay attention to the opened».
Now I’m thirty-seven years old. I have two wonderful children, and this is the best thing that’s left after six years of a failed marriage. I divorced my husband at thirty-six. For many years I loved my husband, so very hard going through a divorce.
2019 has come. For some reason from the first day I had a feeling that this year will be very happy for me.
Letter…
Today I received a letter from Nael. He is going to come to Moscow in May. Nine years ago, when we spoke with him in Cuba, he said that he wanted to visit Russia. And finally, he decided to get a visa and plans to spend about a month in the capital. I will be on vacation during this period and plan to spend a week in Moscow. We agreed with Nael to see the main sights of the capital together, visit the Tretyakov gallery, to see the ballet «love Story» and the opera «Iolanta» at the Bolshoi Theater.
Apparently now again it is time to look at my life differently…
I’m thinking, meeting Nael nine years ago was no accident… For some reason, during the difficult periods in my life, I received letters from him… He sent me his photos from different parts of the world. His letters always gave me positive emotions and, like the artist’s brushes, sometimes added bright colors to my gray days. I’ve always looked forward to the photos from his travels.
This year fate is very generous to me for gifts…
Even his name «Nael» in Arabic means «gift». Meeting Nael is definitely a gift.
Nine years passed.
It was like a moment,
But that autumn day
I remember now.
That warm first evening
On beloved Cuba
Accidentally or not by chance…
I met you.
Memories…
I met Nael on October 24 in Cuba. Then I was traveling with my boyfriend.
We decided with Dmitry to stay for a couple of days in Havana in the famous hotel Nacional de Cuba (in the hotel once stayed Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra…), and then continue our vacation on the famous beaches of Varadero.
That evening, flying up to Havana, Dmitry and I quarreled. Checking into the hotel, went for a walk each on its own route.
I went to Malecon, where the Cuban youth was having fun. I hoped that Dmitry is somewhere behind. Looked around, but I couldn’t see him on the horizon.
The mood was at zero, and the excessive attention of the Cubans caused irritation. I wanted to climb into some corner of the bar with a glass of cocktail and be alone.
I went back to the hotel and went to the terrace bar. Picked a table in the corner of the bar, ordered a rum and coke and a mini-cigar.
Remember an interesting middle-aged man walking up to my table with an open smile, burning eyes and black curly hair down to his shoulders.
I wanted to be alone, there was no desire to meet someone and talk, but the stranger, apparently not understanding me, sat in the chair opposite.
The man was a very interesting conversationalist. He spends six months a year traveling the world. And now he was just finishing his two-month trip to Cuba and quite by chance this evening stopped at the hotel Nacional de Cuba to explore the interior of the famous hotel.
We talked about an hour. When I said that I was tired after a long flight and I was going to rest, he asked me my phone number. I wrote him my number on a napkin and said goodbye.
In November I received a message from Nael, he was interested in my impressions of the trip to Cuba. After he congratulated with New Year and Valentine’s Day.
It’s been seven months since we met. In May Nael went on a trip to Estonia. He planned to live in Tallinn for two months and invited me to join him. At that time I was again in a quarrel with Dmitry, we parted again and I was plunged into depression, so I decided to accept his invitation. Then I hoped that this week in Tallinn, communication with a person who has a different language and culture, will bring me out of depression and bring me back to life.
Maybe the Universe sent me signs not by chance… And warned that I should not continue relations with Dmitry… and in the future to marry him…
I bought tickets, booked a hotel room and flew to Tallinn.
I remember our walks in the old town. He acted as a guide, showed the most interesting places. We went with him to museums, the best restaurants and cafes of the city. He has a very interesting philosophy of life and every new day he considers his birthday.
I remember one evening, after another walk, Nael called me to his room to show a magnificent view of the Gulf of Finland and the city, which opened from the windows of his room at the Swissotel.
When we were in his luxurious room, Nael tried to kiss me. I told him not to do it. Then I still had feelings for Dmitry. I was ready for a friendly chat with Nael, but apparently he had another interest to me. I remember our conversation:
– I don’t know you at all… and I can only offer you friendship, – I replied. – It’s time for me to go, it’s late… I want to sleep.
– Are you sure? Sleep?! – He smiled.
– Yes, sure.
– Okay, then I’ll walk you to your hotel. One look was enough for me to understand that you are a good person. I’m a good person too, but I’m not a saint, and it’s not enough for me to be friends with a girl that I like.
He walked me to the hotel. I apologized to him. He said: «See you tomorrow.» I didn’t know when we will meet again… Now I could offer him only friendship.
From that trip to Tallinn I have a video from the roof of the Radisson Blu hotel, where I captured a beautiful panorama of the city and Nael.
First day in Moscow
Nael arrived in Moscow a week earlier and came to the airport to meet me.
I got my luggage and went to the exit. I was very worried… Haven’t seen a person in years.…
Nael stood in the middle of the arrival hall. He looked, as always, very elegant. Looking at him, you can immediately note the impeccable taste.
I approached him and he kissed me on the cheek.
– I’m so glad to see you, – I said.
– Welcome to Moscow! – He answered, smiling.
He took my suitcase and we headed for the exit.
Nael gave me a present: I will spend a week in Moscow at the Ritz Carlton hotel, which is located in the heart of the capital, near Red square.
– Welcome to your home in Moscow, – He said, opening the door of the luxurious suite. Nael booked interconnecting rooms. – I think I made the right choice, and this is the best hotel in Moscow near Red square. I need your passport to complete the registration. In the meantime, you can get some rest,