Into the Ether - Complete

Summer of Love: Part 6

The next morning I was all puffy eyed, and Dimitri was worried.

"Milaya? What's wrong?" he asked with concern, seeing my face as I stood up to go to the bathroom.

"Nothing," I mumbled, pushing past him and going into the bathroom, carefully locking the door behind me so he wouldn't follow. I could hear him rattling the handle in frustration. I knew a flimsy lock wouldn't keep him out if he were determined to get in, but the rattling stopped; he'd obviously decided to wait me out.

Consequently, I spent a long time in the shower. I shampooed and conditioned my hair, shaved my underarms and what I could reach of my legs. And then I stood and cried for fifteen minutes before finally stepping out and toweling down. Grabbing my vitamin e cream, and taking a deep breath, I unlocked the door and walked to the bedroom. Dimitri followed and sat down on the bed watching me warily.

"Roza? Is something bothering you?" he asked.

"No," I said, refusing to meet his eyes.

"It's just you look upset. Why don't we have a little cuddle and you tell me what's worrying you?" he coaxed.

"I'm putting on my cream," I said dismissively, moving out of his reach when he moved his hands towards me. I sat on the bed, slathering vitamin e over my belly, breasts, thighs and then standing up to also do my bottom. I could feel Dimitri's eyes on me, but I paid him no heed – moving about my tasks quickly and efficiently. I slipped on my bra, some panties, and pulled on a dress. My shoes were on my feet, and my keys in my hand, before Dimitri appreciated I was leaving. I walked straight out of our unit and knocked at Olena and Yeva's door.

"Please? Roza tell me what I've done wrong? I'm sorry, and I love you," he implored as his mother opened the door.

"I told you I'm fine!" I growled, stepping into Olena's arms and promptly erupting in tears.

Olena cuddled me tightly, stroking my hair and mumbling soothing things to me in Russian. I instantly felt calmer, although the irony that it was the same way Dimitri calmed me was not lost on me.

Dimitri was talking to Olena in their native tongue, although the only words I recognized were Mama and Roza. I don't know what she said to him, but after a moment I heard him say, "I love you, Roza," in a defeated tone before he closed the door and left. That caused another torrent of tears.

"Mama? Make some tea for Rose," Olena instructed, leading me over to their sofa. For once Yeva was quiet, obediently moving into their kitchenette to start the brew. She was still in her nightdress – something I suspect she might also have had since her St. Basil's days. I made a mental note to buy her some new ones for her birthday. That's if Dimitri and I were still together then.

Olena gave me a few minutes to compose myself, looking as though having a hysterical daughter-in-law arrive before breakfast was a commonplace occurrence. Yeva brought the tea over and sat it to steep on the side table, seating herself in an armchair and pulling out knitting from her ever-present net bag. Olena disappeared into one of the bedrooms, coming out a few minutes later dressed for the day. She poured three cups of tea, passing one to me and taking a sip of her own.

"Rose? What's wrong?" she asked kindly.

"Dimitri's hiding something from me," I wailed. "I heard him on the phone when I got up to go the toilet last night. He said he didn't want to keep something from me, that he wasn't sure how I'd feel about something, but he wouldn't say anything about it. He sounded like he knew I wouldn't like whatever he was hiding, but he agreed to hide it anyway! We're meant to be having a baby together in two weeks - how can I do that if I can't trust him?!"