Back home, Olga couldn't shake the memory of how Leonid had gazed at her – his happy eyes never leaving her side. His sparkling humor endeared him to all her girlfriends without exception.
«Olga, you're lucky! Clever, polite – and with a bright future,» Galina said with unmistakable envy. «What a handsome young man with those blue eyes!»
«What future? Have I not grown up with railroads? Do you think I haven't seen a mechanic?» Olga retorted, trying to deflect her true feelings.
Yet deep down, she knew she wasn't being entirely honest, not only with her friends but with herself. She couldn't bring herself to admit that Leonid Mirachevsky meant more to her than just a friend. Perhaps, it was because he had never spoken openly about his feelings either.
«What have I done? I fear I've hurt him. But really, Central Asia isn't all sunshine and roses. I was merely showing sympathy,» Olga tried to rationalize her actions.
In that moment, it seemed he wanted to say something, but after her foolish remark, he never found the courage to do so.
And now, a completely transformed Leonid arrived in Lazirky – an urban resident, a student at the esteemed Moscow State University of Railway Engineering.
How did he end up here?
«Imagine, I was traveling from Kamyanyets to Moscow, via Kiev, of course. And on the platform, I literally bumped into Ivan Shramko. Remember him?» Leonid explained.
«The redhead? Of course! We were almost neighbors,» Olga recollected their most adventurous companion in their quest for knowledge during their «gymnasium journeys.»
«He informed me that you're no longer a student and have become a teacher here in Lazirky,» Leonid continued. He paused briefly, then with determination, he added, «I realized I couldn't miss this opportunity.»
He fell silent, turning away from the window. Then, speaking much more softly, he continued:
«I'm surprised you didn't notice. But you've always been somewhat independent, haven't you?»
And finally, he smiled once again.
«I came here to marry you. Will you accept?»
The gravity of his words left Olga stunned, momentarily silent.
«Aren't you going to say anything?» Leonid looked puzzled.
Olga's eyes flickered with uncertainty. «To say or not to say it?» she pondered. «You've never directly spoken about your feelings before, have you?»
Before Leonid could respond, Olga continued, «No, of course, your sentiments were evident without words. And it wasn't just me,» they shared a synchronized smile. «But you never made any moves, did you? And then you disappeared.»
Leonid turned serious.
«That's true. But what could I have offered you back then? I was a poor student,» he explained. He silenced any objections from Olga with a decisive gesture. «No, listen! You deserved better than that.
And you're right – I am still a student now. However, I stand on much firmer ground, and I'm confident in it!»
Olga listened in amazement, realizing that there was much she didn't know about her childhood acquaintance and that many more revelations were yet to come.
After a moment's silence, as they gazed out the darkening window, Leonid continued, «And then I disappeared… You remember, it was during the vacations: you went to your father, and I had my practice…»
«But you never even mentioned going to Moscow!» Olga interjected.
«I wasn't planning on it!»
«Did you decide overnight?»
Leonid chuckled. «Looks like we're having our first disagreement!» he said playfully, pulling the slightly resistant girl closer. However, Olga gently pulled away.
«Listen…» Leonid's expression softened. «During the vacation, I worked part-time as a driver's assistant, commuting back and forth. That's when I met my uncle in Moscow – remember, I mentioned him? Vitaly, my mother's brother. He's an amazing man! He and his wife, Rebecca, treated me like family. They don't have children of their own. It was his idea – I might not have realized it immediately. I might have waited a couple more years. But then everything seemed to align perfectly: I graduated technical school, got my diploma, completed two courses at the Institute of National Education in Kiev, and Moscow's top university. Uncle Vitaly guided me on what to do.»
Leonid continued, justifying his decision, «So, everything fell into place swiftly. I had to make a quick decision – the school year was about to begin…»
Olga's heart softened at his sincere explanation, and she sought to change the tone of the conversation, lightening the atmosphere.
«Do you remember how we used to joke about the abbreviation of the name of our institute in Kiev?» she asked with a smile.
Leonid breathed a sigh of relief. «I knew you'd understand. You've always been so perceptive. Good girl!»
He tenderly embraced his beloved once more, and this time, she didn't pull away. Leonids unwavering determination and calm confidence won her over completely and irrevocably. The next day, they married right there in Lazirky, without delay, as if he feared she might change her mind.
There wasn't much to pack: only a few belongings and, of course, her cherished books. They had been a solace to her during the long winter evenings in this remote wilderness. As they arrived at the station in the dark, a blizzard was beginning, likely the last one of the year after the thaw had given way to cold once again.
In a small waiting room, the couple sat together, their happiness apparent in their own unique ways. They were completely alone at this late hour, waiting for a train that was running a little behind schedule. Olga glanced at the wall clock, her nerves starting to show.
«Do you feel anxious?» Leonid asked gently. «Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'm sure you'll enjoy life in Moscow.» He observed Olga's excitement, contemplating that she was not just a bride but a soon-to-be wife.
Olga managed a weak smile in response, but Leonid misunderstood her emotions. While he noticed her growing anxiety, he didn't quite grasp the depth of her feelings.
Suddenly, the tranquility of the moment was shattered by heavy footsteps approaching the waiting room. A dense figure emerged in the doorway, and Anton Kravchuk opened his coat to reveal a rifle. Olga cried out in shock, and Mirachevsky stood up slowly, prepared for the unexpected turn of events.
For a moment, the two young men stood facing each other in tense silence. Leonid made a move as if about to say something, but the angered rival aimed his rifle at him. Olga pressed herself harder against the hard bench, fearing the direction of the muzzle.
«Did you think you could do that to me?» Anton's demeanor had transformed from courteous to that of an enraged predator. His heavy breathing, flaring nostrils, and bloodshot eyes gave him an intimidating appearance. The dim lamplight and the lantern outside the window seemed to accentuate this.
«Oh, now I see… Unfortunately, this realization came too late. I should have heeded the warning…» Olga thought to herself.
«You thought you could play games with me?! Let's play then…» The miller cocked the rifle. Apparently, this was the very weapon that had eluded the police.
Having survived the nightmares of the Civil War, Olga was all too familiar with how such situations often ended. This terrifying scene felt real, not like a bad dream.
«You don't like losing, do you?» Leonid's voice sounded distant to Olga.
«I have the final say!» Anton threatened once more, the muzzle of the rifle still menacingly close.
«This