When they ran into each other, they’d awkwardly look away, cancel planned meetings, and gradually disappear from her life.
In the evenings, Anna would sit by the window and watch the passersby. They were all hurrying somewhere, knowing exactly where they were going. They had goals, plans, and dreams. And what did she have? Just emptiness.
One night, she went up to the attic and got an old box. Inside were her college projects, like interior design sketches, blueprints, and drafts. Once, she had dreamed of creating spaces where people could feel comfortable. As she flipped through the yellowed pages, something inside her started to stir.
“This is all nonsense,” she muttered and slammed the folder shut. But the next day, she opened it again.
“Anna? Anna Sokolova? No way!” In the supermarket, a familiar voice called her name. Marina, her college friend, looked pretty much the same as before, except her hair was shorter and there was a new confidence in her eyes.
“Wow, so many years, so many winters! You’re still as beautiful as ever,” Marina said, giving her a hug. “How’s life? Still doing your amazing interior design?” Anna shook her head, feeling a bit awkward.
“No… I haven’t done that for a long time. There was the family…”
“Ah, I see,” Marina nodded. “You married that stuck – up lawyer from your junior year. What was his name again…”
“Igor. We… we split up.” Anna surprised even herself by saying those words out loud. All this time, she had been waiting for him to come back, but now, having said it, she realized it was really over.
