Katya jumped up abruptly and shook her entire body.
The old sofa creaked piteously, protesting the abrupt shift. The girl threw an apprehensive glance at it, wishing it wouldn’t come apart totally. She then peered around the walls. Winter was fast approaching, and she had no idea what to do next.
Her stepfather insisted that she leave her ancestral village. According to him, Katya became a “stain” on the family’s reputation because she lost her capacity to communicate after her mother di:ed. He stated, “Now I don’t have to explain to everyone that you weren’t born mute?” I still have three children to marry off. So what? What a horrible family!”
Katya herself had long wanted to leave. It had become unbearable at home. But in the city, a new misfortune awaited her: along with her documents and money, all chances to start a new life had disappeared. She went to the police station to explain, to ask for help. But only wheezing came out of her throat. She was taken for a drunk. They kicked her out without warning.
The first month was a real struggle for survival. Katya didn’t know how to ask. Shame kept her back straight even when her legs were already giving way. There was a time when she simply sank down by someone else’s fence, pressing her forehead to the ground, and decided: enough . It’s better to die here than to humiliate herself every day.
That’s where Malvina found her.
This woman was a legend of the area. A real queen of the local street. The homeless obeyed her without question, and those who dared to object, she knocked out without ceremony – her size allowed it. She looked at Katya for a long time in silence, then came closer.
– Hey, what are you sitting around for? This is my territory!
Katya was silent, staring at the ground.
– What, are you mute?
The girl looked up and nodded.
– That’s it. Then why are you lying there? Do you think you’ll die beautifully?
Katya nodded again.
– Silly girl. Get up. Come with me.
She obediently stood up and followed the woman. She led her to an old basement. There were only beds and a few of nightstands inside, but it was cozier than imagined. Malvina had planned a special treat. Katya exclaimed, “My God, how the homeless live…they have it almost normal here!”
The woman poured her some hot tea and gave her a notebook and a pencil.
– Eat. Write everything you know. Because you are on my turf, I need to know everything about you. Right down to the last detail.
Katya nodded. She remained overnight. She fell asleep almost quickly, exhausted and hungry. Malvina instructed her to relax, and in the morning she took her to a little house.
– Get established here. You will not survive on the streets. You’ll aid here by showing and caring for the graves. They’ll pay you a small wage, but you’ll make ends meet. Anyway, there is always work to be done in the cemetery. If anyone wants to become involved, you know where to find me. Come on, we’ll sort things out. Well, goodbye.
Malvina turned around and fled, not even looking back.
Katya had acquired this little house two months ago. It had belonged to a caretaker before the role was eliminated. Now it was her own little corner, albeit a half-ruined one. Local old ladies informed me that people used to live there, and Katya was now next in line.
She filled the bucket with water and drank a few drinks. The nightmares had long stopped coming. But today, they returned.
Five years ago, it all began in the city. Katya came to college with her village friend Svetka. After the first exam, they slept overnight in the dorm to avoid being late for the second one.
In the evening Sveta suggested going for a walk:
– Katyusha, let’s go, okay? Let’s just walk, see the city. Why are you acting like a stranger?
– Afraid…
– What’s there to be afraid of? Let’s just sit and look at the lights.
But that evening she almost lost more than her voice.
On the embankment, a trio of inebriated men caught up with them. Svetka was the first to get terrified, running away so quickly that she didn’t even look back. Katya was encircled. She tried to move away, but she was surrounded on all sides. Her jacket was ripped off, but she was unable to scream. Not a single sound. Only silence and sadness.
Then he appeared. A guy. Young and confident. He flew into this group like a hurricane and started fighting back. Katya waited there, terrified, until he returned her garments.
“Put it on,” he replied simply.
— From textile?
Katya nodded.
– Let’s go, I’ll take you there.
They had almost reached the dorm when she began to shake. First a slight tremor, then stronger, stronger… Tears began to flow down her cheeks. Her body shook as if in a fever. The man sighed heavily.
“Well, that’s it,” Katya thought to herself. “And I was waiting for the hysteria to start.”
But the tears had long since dried up. After twenty minutes of uncontrollable crying, it was as if something inside had let go, as if all the accumulated fear had come out.
The man looked at her carefully and asked:
– What is your name?
Katya opened her mouth… but instead of words, only an inarticulate moan escaped from her throat. She looked at him in horror, tried to say at least something – again, nothing. Only a wheeze. Another wall between her and the world.
“I see…” he said thoughtfully. “Okay, go ahead. Go and rest. I think it will pass by morning. If not, go straight to the doctor. Got it?”
Katya nodded. He smiled, trying to calm her down:
– Everything will be fine. Don’t worry.
He turned around and quickly disappeared into the darkness. Katya entered the dorm. Sveta was already in the room. Seeing her, she cast a short, almost indifferent glance.
– Why didn’t you run after me?
Katya silently looked into her eyes. Sveta looked away:
– What would have changed? They would have dealt with us collectively. At least you would have been safe.
The girl moved slowly towards her bed, burying her face in the wall.
She wasn’t expecting what happened in the morning. The voice never returned. The exam was failed, and she was ordered to leave the classroom. The hostel also made it clear: pack your belongings. There’s no explanation. It’s simply that this is the order.
Katya stared up at the brightening sky, half-asleep. She recognized the pattern: if she was encircled by three guys in a dream again, it signified that disaster was on the way. Sometimes not with her, yet always extremely close.
As soon as the light came up, Katya grabbed a bucket, a hoe, a tiny shovel, and waste bags. She returned to where she had finished cleaning the day before. She cleaned everything: tombs, alleys, even those that no one asked for. She felt that since fate had brought her here, it should be clean and beautiful. Her life had taken this direction for a reason.
The old ladies who often visited the graves of their relatives noticed the changes. They brought food, sometimes money, and once even a whole package of warm clothes. It was priceless – the nights were getting cold.
Katya approached one of the fresh fences. There was almost nothing to clean up – obviously the family had been here recently. Only dried flowers remained, which she carefully collected.
– You won’t eat this?
Katya shuddered and turned around abruptly. The face of a boy of about eight years old showed living hope. He was staring with interest at the candies and cookies on the grave.
At first Katya wanted to scare him, as a guard should, with a stern look and a warning gesture. But the boy only sighed:
– Yes, I know that I shouldn’t… I’m just really hungry.
Katya waved her hand and gestured for him to follow her. The boy nodded and trotted after her, chattering incessantly:
– I’m not a beggar! I just ran away. Dad brought his new girlfriend home. I said to him: “If you’re going to get married, I’m leaving.” And he said: “It’s none of your business.” So I left. I’ve been partying for five whole days!
Katya stopped, looked at him with disapproval, took out her worn notebook and a pencil stub. She wrote:
“Do you even understand how worried your father is about you?”
The boy frowned:
– I don’t care. She’s more important to him now.
Katya wrote down again:
“He told you so himself?”
“Why talk? Everything is clear anyway,” he answered stubbornly.
Katya just shook her head. She opened the door of her little house. Mishka looked inside with curiosity:
– Are you mute?
Katya helplessly spread her arms, then took out the food: a loaf of bread, cutlets, vegetables – everything that kind people gave. The boy pounced on the food like a hungry puppy.
Katya watched him eat and wrote:
“What’s your name?”
– Teddy bear.
“Do you remember your father’s number?”
He froze warily:
— I remember… Why?
Katya quickly scribbled:
“I won’t tell him anything. I can’t do it myself. But if you want him to find you, I’ll help . ”
Mishka broke into a smile:
– Exactly! You can’t talk. What a great idea!
Katya handed him the phone and gestured for him to dictate the number. She typed a message and sent it. Then she pointed to the sofa and wrote:
“If you wish, go to sleep. I will clean up in the meantime.
– Are you planning to call your father?
Katya glanced away and added:
“Later. “I need to go to work right now.”
“Well, then, I’ll sleep!” the boy cheerfully agreed, dropping into the sofa.
Katya wrapped him in an old blanket that local grandmothers had once given her and headed outside.
She returned a few hours later. Mishka was still sleeping. However, there was a quick sound of brakes at the entrance, followed by a knock on the door very immediately.
Katya opened the door. A man stood at the threshold. Tall, hollow cheeked, and untidy, his eyes were filled with both pain and relief.
He gazed at her. Froze. Then he spoke quietly:
– It’s you.
Katya nodded and pointed to the sofa, where Mishka was dozing soundly.
The man sat on the edge of the stool and took a big breath.
“He still doesn’t speak?” he asked, looking at Katya.
She shook her head. When he asked if she had been to the doctor, she just spread her hands helplessly. The man looked around the little house, nodded to himself, as if he understood: who had time for doctors now?
“Don’t think I don’t love him,” he said quietly. “It’s just that after his mother left, he became too sensitive. He often takes things personally. And then this girl came – a specialist from the farm. We spent a lot of time together, and he apparently misunderstood everything.
Katya nodded, feeling her heart warm from these words.
“Dad, were you really not planning on getting married?” Mishka’s voice suddenly rang out, waking up from the conversation.
– Not a bit, son. I would discuss everything with you. We would decide everything together.
The boy rushed to his father and hugged him tightly.
— Let’s go home!
“Let’s go,” the man smiled, but was in no hurry to leave. He looked at Katya:
“And what’s your name?”
Katya took a notebook and wrote
Kate.
– And I’m Kirill. Here, – he handed her a business card. – Come to my office tomorrow. I’ll take you to the doctor myself. And don’t even think about refusing!
Katya smiled and nodded. How kind they were, both father and son. Before leaving, Mishka also hugged her tightly.
– You come! If dad said he would help, then he will definitely help!
She nodded again. She wasn’t going to refuse. For the first time in a long time, there was a glimmer of hope in her chest – small, fragile, but real.
The doctor examined Katya for a long time, studying the notes she had written in her notebook, shining a light into her eyes and throat, and testing her reflexes. Then he turned to Kirill.
Will you leave her with us?
“I hope I can,” he said.
– Okay. Let us try. Most likely, these are the results of extreme stress. The vocal cords appear to have turned to stone. Psychosomatics. We will work on hypnosis, therapy, and speech restoration.
Kirill nodded.
– Of course. I’ll pick her up now, we’ll go shopping, and we’ll be back in a couple of hours.
– Great.
When they were already leaving, the doctor lightly nudged Kirill with his elbow:
– A pretty girl… Maybe it’s better for her to keep quiet?
“Well, Mikhalych, you’re something else…” Kirill shook his head, although he himself didn’t notice a hint of a smile in the corner of his lips.
— The ideal bride would be…
Two weeks later, Katya said her first word. Completely by accident. She tripped, struck her toe, and, unable to control herself, yelled out:
– Ow!
The nurse laughed.
– Typically, the first word is “mama” or “dada”. For you, it’s “ouch”!
Kirill and Mishka arrived less than half an hour later. Katya was still shy, and speaking was tough for her. She spoke! After years of silence, her voice returned.
– Now you’ll live with us,’ Kirill decided. – Mishka will have you chatting till the end. He’s an expert at chattering nonstop. Then we’ll think about where to go. You should surely study.
When Katya finally got in – albeit not to the university she had hoped for in her youth – Mishka took the chat with his father seriously:
– Dad, if you marry Katya, I wouldn’t be against it.
Kirill smiled slightly and raised an eyebrow:
– Why is that so?
– Because she’s normal! She doesn’t pretend to be a princess, she doesn’t show off. And if she can’t do something, she doesn’t pretend, she says it straight. That’s the whole reason.
Kirill laughed:
– Okay, Mishanya, I’ll take your advice into account.
But the boy had already run away, pleased with himself. And a month later he was happily spinning around the wedding cake at a noisy, joyful celebration – where his father and Katya, hand in hand, stood before the guests as newlyweds.
