ЛИЛАК

Глава 1: Соседи

The bell had already rung, but no one in the class moved, waiting for the teacher to announce the homework. Frowning, I looked out the window. Despite the good morning weather, it had completely spoiled. Clouds had thickened in the sky, and I regretted not bringing my umbrella.

"Lilac, are you listening to me?" the teacher's voice seemed distant.

"Yes," I replied, turning towards her.

After glancing at me once more, she addressed the whole class, "Today is our last literature lesson. After the break, I expect an essay from each of you on the topic 'How I measure my happiness or what happiness is'. Final grades for the first quarter will be given during this hour. Thank you, class dismissed."

As we got up from our seats, we bid farewell to the teacher and left the literature classroom. In the corridor, I took out my sports jacket from my bag, glad that I had brought it for physical education class. It didn't quite match my classic skirt and ballet flats, but staying warm was more important. I didn't want to spend the holidays sick with a cold.

Looking at myself in the mirror near the main entrance, I was satisfied. I didn't look as bad as I had imagined.

Outside, it was chilly, the wind gently swaying the tree branches, and the sky had turned completely gray.

"Lilac, are you heading home?" Nuria appeared next to me. She sat with me in physics class. Sometimes I felt her chatter would be the death of me.

"Yes, let's go."

"The first quarter is already ending," she sighed and looked at me. "Where are you thinking of applying?"

"I haven't thought about it yet," I replied. My parents wanted me to apply to the law faculty, but they left the final decision up to me. I was glad they considered my opinion, but I still couldn't decide on a profession. These thoughts led me to the conclusion that I had no goals in life. Everything had been decided since childhood, and I had become so accustomed to others deciding for me that I never really thought about what truly interested me.

"Oh, how I envy you," Nuria sighed again and, catching my questioning gaze, added, "You can go to any university."

"If only it were that simple."

"Oh, come on! I envy your brains!"

"Do you think my brain is any different from yours? You know, you could also learn," I said with some irritation. I never understood people like her, who never tried to achieve anything in their lives and envied those who worked hard and saw results from their efforts.

"No, I don't have the patience for that," she waved dismissively. "I hate studying!"

She waved goodbye as she turned onto another street.

"Okay, see you tomorrow!"

"Bye!"

Watching her go, I shook my head. There are so many people like her in the world. Perhaps she creates a balance, or maybe her attitude towards learning will lead to her downfall. Either way, we are all on the brink of destruction, but some just know how to prolong their time.

I still had halfway to go home. Walking down the valley slope, I saw a figure ascending. As he passed by me, there was a distant rumble of thunder, and he turned, stopping to look at me. A drop of water rolled down his face, and then the rain poured down as if from a bucket. Turning, the guy approached me and opened an umbrella, sheltering me from the downpour. I looked at him with surprise.

"Is your name Lilac?" he asked.

I nodded in astonishment, looking at him.

"Your mom sent me. She said you forgot your umbrella."

His words reminded me that we were supposed to have new tenants move in today. I hadn't had a chance to meet them because my classes started earlier. We had a large farm where several workers worked, but we needed more help around the house. Mom often complained about how hard it was to manage everything alone.

I did help her, of course, but most of my day was spent at school. So Dad decided to hire someone to assist her. One woman agreed to work for us, but on the condition that she could bring her children. She had two of them. Maybe the one standing next to me was the older one.

"Thank you," I said gratefully and added, "You moved in at a bad time."

The guy looked at me with surprise and caution. I realized my words could be misunderstood and hurried to explain.

"I mean, you didn't pick the best weather. It'll be tough settling in with rain outside."

"It's alright. We don't have that much stuff," he simply said. He didn't seem very talkative, and I decided not to bother him. I felt a bit awkward with his shoulder almost touching mine. On the way home, I stole glances at him. He was very tall, with large, oddly shaped brown eyes, a straight nose, thin lips, and short-cropped hair. I couldn't call him handsome, but his face was pleasant.

On the street, we were met by Mom. She was wearing a yellow raincoat with a hood.

"Thank you, Adan," she said to the guy. He nodded and, leaving the umbrella in my hand, ran into the house. As I understood it, our new neighbors were allocated a small temporary house with two small rooms. Sometimes in winter, we moved into it when the cold became unbearable. In villages, winters were always harsh, but it was especially difficult to heat a house with seven rooms. For three family members, it seemed huge. But I didn't complain. I loved our house.

"Change clothes and help me," Mom said.

Entering my room, I dropped my things, changed into warm clothes, and put on a green raincoat on top. Stepping out into the yard, I headed to the stable where we kept our domestic animals. It was a large room divided into two halves. In one half, we kept sheep, and in the other, cows and a few horses.

Passing by the horses, I stopped near a chestnut mare. Her name was Fergana. She was my favorite. We often rode together outside. Stretching out my hand, I gave her a carrot that I had sneaked from the kitchen.

"Lilac, bring the buckets," Mom commanded. She was handing out hay to the cows. Standing next to her was some woman. I guessed she was Adan's mother. There was something similar in their features.

Taking the buckets, I handed them to Mom. Then I began to throw hay to the cows and water them. Meanwhile, Mom and the other woman started milking the cows. My task was to take the buckets of milk and pour them into a container, handing it back. This went on for about an hour.

When we finished, Mom sent me to have lunch. In the fridge, I found potato soup made in the morning and brewed myself a cup of tea. Through a small kitchen window, I could see the neighboring house. I still couldn't get used to the new family living there.

Suddenly, the heavy outer door of their house opened, and the head of my new neighbor appeared. A moment later, his figure fully emerged. He was wearing only a black t-shirt and sweatpants. Trying not to get wet in the rain, he ran, but stumbled along the way and fell into the mud. A smile crept onto my lips. I couldn't decide what amused me more — how he fell or how awkwardly he got up and tried to shake off the dirt, visibly annoyed. Maybe both moments.

Noticing that the guy turned his head in my direction, I bent down. I didn't want to embarrass him. I learned from his mother that he was a city boy, not used to rural life and its inconveniences.

When I looked up again to glance out the window, Adan was no longer outside, and the rain continued to pour. I loved the rain, but not the mud it left behind. In the city, the roads were paved, and walking in the rain was no trouble, but here it was impossible to pass without getting at least a few steps dirty.

"I would love to live in a city where I can stroll along illuminated streets in the evenings, passing between tall buildings and admiring shop windows. I couldn't understand why our new neighbors moved here from the city. Many villagers, including my parents, dream of leaving here. Mom convinced Dad to sell our house as soon as I finish school so that I can live and study in the city. She didn't want to let me go alone, afraid she'd miss me terribly, but I knew that wasn't the only reason she wanted to move to the city. She's always dreamed of living in a big city.