The capital was buzzing with the hustle and bustle of coming holidays. Crowds were rushing on sleighs along the main streets. The bakeries and confectioner shops were full of guests; hot chocolate and sea buckthorn tea were flavouring at the doorstep. The shopkeepers did not think to stop their trade even for a minute. The week would pass, the joyful fervor would subside, everyone's purses would become empty; then they could rest.
I got stuck in one of the places with my sister. She and her friend had decided to go shopping, and it was my responsibility to accompany them. We had already been to the tailors and haberdashery, had coffee, and admired the fairground hustlers, but the girls in the eager of being entertained, were unstoppable.
At the momemt they were hanging around one of the jewelry counters, having dragged me to the most expensive jeweler's. I wandered along staring at the pieces with a meaningless gaze. Until I came upon a little thing that caught my eye. It was a thin silver bracelet with a molded rose fixed in the middle. Its petals were covered with black enamel — pretty unusual.
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'Picked anything out for yourself?' Ksenia hung around my neck, hugging me from the back.
'No. Are you finished?' I pulled sister away from me.
'Yes. We'll pay and go. Are you sure you didn't choose anything?'
'I told you. Nothing.'
'When are you going to get a girlfriend so I can help you with the presents?'
'I'll do it myself.'
'Of course not.' My sister said indignantly, adjusting the fur collar of my coat. 'You have no taste.'
'As if you have any.' I rolled my eyes — that's what my sister was all about: self-righteous, pushy, and oppressive.
'Cheeky!' She slapped me on the shoulder in a fake indignation.
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***
In the evening, at the table where the whole family gathered, there was a mood of celebration and joy. Though a reunion was compulsory, we were glad to see each other, for the occasions were not so frequent.
