Chapter Five
1095 Words
MASHA
“Masha, come on! Tell us! How did he propose?” Karen asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
The table fell silent as all eyes turned to me. My stomach tightened. My future husband hadn’t yet proposed, our engagement had been more of an agreement, an unspoken understanding between families to save my family from going to war or going bankrupt.
But that would have sounded a little funny considering the fact that this was 2025 and such kinds of arrangements were frowned upon.
So, I lied and told my boss I was resigning because my uncle was sick and wanted to spend the last moments with me.
Being the sweetheart she was, her and the team suggested we have a last dinner together.
All was going well and my kid had been bought but unfortunately, Karen overheard me and my mother choosing my dress and cake flavors. She pinned me to the wall and made me confess that I was indeed seeing my sick uncle but I was also getting married.
“That's so sweet. Rushing the days just so he can be a part of it?” She mused.
I didn’t think of it like that but I didn't correct her either.
Everyone wrote my nonexisitent uncle a sweet get well card and the atmosphere was a little dull untill it wasn't.
The conversation shifted to my wedding and now that they were asking about my engagement, I started regretting having agreed to this.
“It was private,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Just the two of us. Very simple and romantic.” I forced a small laugh.
Which wasn’t exactly a total lie.
I hadn’t met my future husband before but I knew any man involved in the Bratva wasn't one to be f****d with. My brother proved that countless times.
I heard he was ruthless and killed for sport with no emotion in his bone. I hadn’t met him but even just hearing about his reputation was enough to scare me.
Karen sighed dreamily. “That’s so romantic. Simple proposals are the best. No need for over-the-top drama, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, But I’ve never heard you speak about him. Were you in a long-distance relationship the entire time? Before your uncle got sick, that is.”
I nodded, the knot in my stomach twisting tighter. I sipped my water, hoping to avoid further questions, and glanced at the clock.
It was almost over. Just a little longer.
However, the questions just didn’t stop,
“So have you picked a dress yet?” Emily asked.
“Will you drop your career? Oh, I hope you won’t have to. You have very talented hands!” Karen added.
More questions hit me pushing me against the wall and making me feel suffocated. Forcing another smile despite how much I wanted to curl into a ball and cry, I looked up,
“Let me just go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back!”
I stood and rushed to the bathroom like my ass was on fire needing a moment to breathe.
The sad truth was, I didn’t feel like celebrating anything.
As I turned the corner, I almost bumped into someone coming out of the hallway.
“Oh, I’m so-” My words were caught in my throat as I saw who I had run into.
“Masha?”
Right! Just f*****g perfect!
“I didn’t expect to see you here! Small world, huh?” Jane stepped closer as if we were two old friends meeting after such a long time!
“Yeah, small world,” I responded dryly. Forcing back the urge to roll my eyes.
I looked behind her, searching for him. I shouldn’t have but my stupid heart was curious to know if he brought her here.
A place he used to bring me for the past seven years and tell me about how special it was.
As if to mock my thought, Jane laughed as she crossed her arms on her chest,
“Oh my my, don’t tell me you’re thinking Matt is behind me.” She paused and stepped closer, a smug look on her face and her red-painted lips curving into a sick smile,
“You know,” she said, twirling a strand of hair in her finger “This was the first restaurant Matt brought me to back in college. We used to come here all the time. He even finger f****d me for the first time right in here.”
The air around us shifted. I didn’t want to hear what she had to say but my legs felt heavy like I had f*****g lead in my boots that felt too heavy to move, so I stayed in the same spot.
“Oh?” I replied
“Yes,” she continued, her smile growing. “The noodles here are my favorite. Matt used to choose ghe best flavors. Avoiding chili and all, cause you know,” She shrugged, “Because I can't eat chili.”
I felt my chest tighten.I forced myself to speak, though my voice was tight.
“I guess so. I wouldn't know.” I lied.
“Yes,” she continued, her smile widening as if savoring my discomfort. “Oh silly me, I forgot you're like his little sister and that would be awkward.”
“But between us girls” She leaned closer and whispered, “You don't see him as a brother, do you?” She threw her head back in laughter,
“Get over it, he only has eyes for me and you'll only end up hurt. He's only been keeping you by his side because you remind him of me. Don't you think we look alike, little sis?”
She smiled with eyes of mockery.
With that, she passed me and walked away.
I remained glued to the spot. Feeling my chest tighten, and a sharp ache spread through me.
That little ritual, of coming here for noodles whenever it rained was something Matt and I did.
I love chili but he’d insist I pick another flavour because I shouldn’t eat too much spice, and I believed him, like a fool I thought it was his way of caring for me.
But now, standing here with Jane’s words sinking in, I realized it wasn’t special at all. It was just a habit.
The realization hurt more than her words did.
I rushed to the ladies on shaky legs and washed my face hoping it would make me feel better.
I didn't.
- Writer
