Well done, Irka. Youve found your destiny.
Ira was the most inconspicuous guest at Marinas birthday. The two girls had studied together at college. Marina sent a broad invitation to anyone who could come, but many of the girls headed home to their villages for the weekend. Ira, shy and quiet, decided to take up the offer.
She didnt usually go out, and she had just turned eighteen, just like Marina. Still, Ira chose not to celebrate her own birthday with company
She had no close friends, and her parents persuaded her to stay home, with the family, alongside her grandparents.
So thats how it turned out: birthdays at five, birthdays at eighteenhow sad, she thought gloomily.
Of course, Ira loved her relatives, but she didnt understand when she would finally become an adult and independent. When would a boy ever notice her modest femininity, her unremarkable beauty, her tenderness?
Ira dreamed of love but felt ashamed of herself. She wasnt as bright as Marina or her friend Svetlana. The other girls dyed their hair, dressed fashionably, sometimes even provocatively, especially at college events, earning remarks from teachers.
Iras clothing was always chosen by her mother, while her grandmother knitted sweaters. The grandmother complained that her granddaughter rarely wore her handiwork. Ira simply couldnt bring herself to step out in those oldfashioned knitwear; she kept them for home, and only in winter.
Today Marina had gathered the college girls and boystwelve young men in total. When the feast ended and dancing began, Ira slipped out of the apartment and sat on a bench by the stairwell.
No one even noticed she left. She was embarrassed by the unfamiliar boys, though they never paid her any attention anyway. Perhaps that was what hurt her most.
She glanced at her watch.
Maybe I should go; Mom is probably worrying I promised not to be late, she thought.
Suddenly a boy emerged from the buildingnot one of Marinas guests. He perched on the edge of the bench and stared sadly at Marinas secondfloor windows, from which cheerful music and laughter drifted.
Are you from there? he asked Ira abruptly. She nodded toward Marinas window.
So, hows Marina? Dancing? Having fun? he pressed, his eyes downcast.
This time Ira gathered courage and replied, Cant you hear? Yes, theyre having a good time
Exactly, thats what birthdays are for, the boy said. I, on the other hand, spent the day alone. No celebrationjust tea and cake with family, like kindergarten
Ira raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Same for me. Are you her friend? she asked, nodding toward the windows.
Both and neither, he answered. Id be happy to be friends with her, but she doesnt notice me. She didnt even invite me to her birthday. Weve been neighbors for ages, and she sees how I treat her
The boy fell silent. Ira sighed in understanding, then said, Dont worry. Im feeling the same way. Whats the point? No one notices us anyway. I left and no one saw. Im like an invisible personwhether I exist or not, it doesnt matter to anyone.
Come on, you, the boy tried to reassure her. Youre right, there are probably people like usunlucky
No, not unlucky. Unnoticed, unobtrusive. Maybe thats a kind of advantage. It gives us a certain independence, even freedom.
You think so? he wondered, surprised by her thoughts. By the way, Im Pavlo. And you are?
Ira.
They lingered, listening to the music and occasionally glancing at the windows, each hoping Marina would appear and invite them inside to dance. But no invitation came.
Its been nice meeting you, Ira said politely, but I should head home. I promised not to stay late.
Let me walk you a bit, at least to the stop, Pavlo offered.
Through the park they walked, chatting and smiling unintentionally at each other. Pavlo suddenly realized his attention made Ira feel pleasant and needed. He saw the blush on her cheeks, the dimples, the way she looked away when he stared at her long lashes.
He began joking, recounting funny episodes from his youth, eager to hear her bright laugh and spend more time together.
At the stop, Ira thanked Pavlo and began to say goodbye, but he lingered until she boarded her bus. She pretended to miss the first bus and boarded the second.
As she rode away, she waved at Pavlo as if they were old friends. He stood on the curb a little longer, unable to leave. The sweet girl with expressive eyes and cheek dimples had enchanted him.
Pavlo turned away and walked home, then realized he wanted to see Ira again. He had no phone number or addresshow could he? It felt awkward.
The next morning Pavlo woke up, rushed to Marinas building, climbed the stairs, and rang her doorbell.
She opened, sighing, What now Im not going out with you again, Pashо. I told you I never do.
No, I I just wanted to ask you for the number of your classmate. She was here yesterday. I need to give her something. She left it on the bench Could you give me her phone?
Whose? Marina asked, puzzled.
Her name is Ira.
Ira? Which Ira? Marina thought for a moment. Oh, Irka alright, wait a sec.
A few minutes later Marina handed Pavlo a slip of paper.
On Romeo. Quiet Irka when did she just arrive? Marina smiled and closed the door.
Happy, Pavlo clutched the note like a talisman and hurried home. He spent the whole day picking words for a conversation, nervous and excited. By evening he called Ira.
He invited her for another walk and promised ice cream. To his delight, Ira gladly accepted. Her voice over the phone sounded even softer and sweeterat least it seemed that way to him.
They strolled through the park, ate ice cream, and learned a lot about each other. Their personalities and interests turned out to be very similar.
Now its my turn to invite you, Ira said with a grin as they part ways. Next time we wont go to a park, well go to the cinema. Interested?
From then on Ira and Pavlo were inseparable. They often went to movies, museums, and after a year of dating they began traveling together, already being called a couple.
Two years after they met, they married.
Iras mother claimed it was too early for her daughter to wed, while her grandmother exclaimed,
Good job, Irka. You found your fate and got married. Thats serious business. No need to keep swapping boyfriends. With a guy like Pasha, hold on tight. Hell be a good husband, caring for you like a child. What more could you ask for?
The classmates teased, Look at the quiet oneshes the first to get married. And the boy looks so happy, hes practically glowing.
Both shone brightly. Ira and Pavlo found in each other understanding, care, and the love they had both dreamed of.
Years later they smiled as they recalled the bench by the stairwell that had brought them together for life.
