The Russian Next Door

CHAPTER 29 - The Belikovs

We were there. I could feel the cold sweat on my back. Why was I so nervous? Because this was the first time Dimitri was showing me a part of him. And it was one part of him that was so important to him. Every time he talked about his family, he only had loving and caring words for them. I didn't want to fuck up something.

Somewhere on the left side of the house, a head popped at the window. It was a kid. Maybe Paul. As we got out of the car, the front door opened and the little kid was there. Then, he turned his head and roared something in Russian. The only words I could distinguish were ''дядя'', the equivalent for uncle from what I remembered, and ''Dimka''. Dimka? Was this Dimitri's nickname? It sounded sweet.

In exactly 3 seconds, everybody was out of the house, ready to welcome us. It was such a beautiful sight. We went closer, and I could feel my palms begin to sweat.

'Dimka, you didn't tell us you were bringing your girlfriend over. We would have prepared somehow. How could you?' this was Viktoria speaking, as she was punching her brother's arm. She was standing out from the crowd. Yeah, she had all the common features of the Belikov family, but her personality was visible from a distance. She had purple streaks covering her hair, was dressed a little different than everybody, and her attitude was so I-don't-care style. Dimitri was right; I may get along with his youngest sister.

I spoke quickly: 'Oh, no. We are not a couple. We are just friends.' and it hurt me to say those words. Viktoria looked at me, throwing a look that said I-don't-believe-your-shit-but-fine-I-will-let-it-pass.

'This is Rose. She is my neighbor back in Moscow.'

'Hello!' was the only thing my mind could manage to pull out.

One by one, all Belikov women hugged Dimitri and told him something in Russian. Then, to my utter surprise, I got the same treatment. Olena, Dimitri's mother, welcomed me into their house and told me that she was glad one of Dimitri's friends was there.

When it was Viktoria's turn, after she hugged me fiercely, she told me: 'I am happy that you are here. You know, every friend of Dimitri's is part of the family. And I think I like you. Maybe the two of us would get along.'

'I hope that too.' I responded.

Then she turned around and said: 'You know what мама, now we have two more persons who can help us decorate for Sunday's party. Isn't that nice?' What party? Why didn't Dimitri tell me about that? I haven't packed anything special. Not a single dress. I am going to murder him in his sleep.

When it was Yeva's turn, Dimitri's grandmother, she hugged him, and while she passed in front of me, she gave me the stink eye and murmured something in Russian. It seems that this woman doesn't like me. I knew that something was going to go bad. But after she left, Viktoria pulled me away and told me: 'Don't worry about her. She acts crazy all the time. And she has all these witch things going on. It's better to ignore her. It totally works for me. Oh, and don't let her fool you. She knows English.'

As I was an unexpected visitor, the Belikov family decided to let me sleep with Viktoria, in her room. I didn't mind at all. That girl had something that made you love her instantly.

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The next day, Viktoria pulled me out of bed around 6 a.m.

'Come on, we have so much work to do!'

And we really did. We helped Olena into the kitchen, cutting vegetables and washing dishes and setting plates, just to make her work easier. Then, we helped Dimitri set up the tree into the living room. The last thing Viktoria and I had to do was to set up some more lights on the porch.

I got up a ladder and started hanging the lights that Viktoria would hand me.

'Rose, I have an idea. Stay right here, I'll be right back.' and she went back inside.

I remained up the ladder. But there was one thing that wasn't right with a little bulb. So I reached up, trying to move it in the hopes that it will light up. That's when I slipped. I expected to hit the rough alley. I closed my eyes and clenched my fists. But I didn't. Strong hands were now around me, pulling me into a hard chest. Dimitri. I opened my eyes and stared into his. We were just staying there, staring at each other, the air beginning to thicken.

Someone coughed. 'Hi, friends.' it was Viktoria. Dimitri put me down in a second. Well, this was embarrassing. 'What happened?'

'I, I fell off the ladder.'

'Oh my God, are you alright?' I nodded. 'Thank God Dimka was here to rescue you.' Yeah, thank God.

The day ended without any other embarrassing events.

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It was the day of the gathering, the 25th.

'Vika?'

'Huh?' she asked as she was picking out a dress from her closet.

'Is it going to be okay if I don't come to this little gathering?'

'Why wouldn't you? And what would you be doing all evening?'

'I'll stay in your room or something like that. I have nothing to dress up with. Dimitri didn't mention anything about any party. All I have is a couple of pants and shirts.'

'Oh, Rose, don't be stupid. My closet is your closet. Wait here. I, in fact, have the perfect dress for you.'