Well done, Irka youve found your fate.
Irina was the most unremarkable guest at Marinas birthday party. The two had been classmates at the same college. Marina sent out a broad invitation to anyone who could attend, but many girls spent the weekend back in their villages. Quiet and shy, Irina decided to take up the offer.
She didnt usually go out, and she had just turned eighteen, the same as Marina. Yet she chose not to celebrate her own birthday with friends.
Irina had no close pals, and her parents persuaded her to stay home with her grandparents.
Just like that, a birthday feels the same whether youre five or eighteen, she thought gloomily.
Of course, Irina loved her family, but she didnt know when she would finally become an adult and independent. When would a boy ever notice her modest beauty and tenderness?
She dreamed of love but felt ashamed of herself. She wasnt as flamboyant as Marina or her friend Svetlana. The other girls dyed their hair, dressed fashionably, sometimes even provocatively, especially for college events, drawing teachers remarks.
Irinas wardrobe was always chosen by her mother, while her grandmother knitted sweaters. The grandmother complained that her granddaughter rarely wore them. Irina could only wear the oldfashioned cardigans at home, and then only in winter.
That day Marina gathered both the girls and the boys from collegetwelve guys in total. When the meal ended and dancing began, Irina slipped out of the apartment and sat on a bench by the stairwell. No one even noticed she left. She felt embarrassed by the strangers; in fact, she was usually ignored, which upset her the most.
She glanced at her watch.
Maybe I should go home; mother is probably worried, she thought. She promised not to be late
Suddenly a boy emerged from the stairwellnot one of Marinas guests. He sat on the edge of the bench and stared sadly at Marinas secondfloor windows, from which lively music and laughter drifted.
Are you from there? he asked Irina abruptly. She nodded toward Marinas window.
Hows Marina? Dancing? Having fun? he pressed, his eyes sorrowful.
This time Irina gathered courage and replied:
What? Cant you hear? Yes, theyre having a good time
Exactly, thats what birthdays are for, the boy said. I spent my day alone, didnt even celebrate. Just tea and cake with family, like a kindergarten.
Irina raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Same here. Are you her friend? she asked, nodding toward the windows.
Both and neither. Id like to be friends with her, but she never notices 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. Irina sighed understandingly, then suddenly said:
Dont worry. I feel the same way. Whats the point? No one even noticed when I left. Im like an invisible personwhat I am, what Im not, nobody cares.
Come on, you the boy tried to soothe her. Youre right, there are people like usunlucky
No, not unlucky. Unnoticed, nonintrusive. Maybe thats an advantage, a sort of independence, even freedom.
Do you think so? he asked, surprised by her thoughts. By the way, Im Pavlo. And you?
Ira.
They listened to the music for a while, occasionally glancing at the windows, each hoping Marina would appear and invite them inside to dance. But no one called them.
It was nice meeting you, Ira said politely. I should head home; I promised not to stay long.
Let me walk you a bit, at least to the stop, Pavlo offered.
Through the park they walked, chatting and smiling at each other. Pavlo suddenly realized his attention made Irina blush; the pink on her cheeks and the dimples, the way she looked away when he stared at her long lashes. He began joking, recounting funny incidents from his youth, hoping to hear her bright laugh and spend more time together.
At the stop, Irina thanked Pavlo and prepared to leave, but he lingered until she boarded her bus. She missed the first bus on purpose and boarded the second.
As she got on, she waved at Pavlo as if they were old friends. He stayed on the curb for a while, unable to move, enchanted by the sweet girl with expressive eyes and cheek dimples.
Pavlo eventually turned and walked home, suddenly realizing he wanted to see Irina 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, frowning, and said:
What are you doing here again? Im not going out with you, Pasha. Ive told you no.
No, Im not I wanted to ask you something. I need my classmates number. She was here yesterday. I have to give her something she left on the bench Please give me her phone.
Whose? Marina asked, surprised.
Her name is Irina.
Irina? Which Irina? Marina paused. Oh, Irka alright, wait a moment.
A few minutes later Marina handed Pavlo a piece of paper.
On Romeo. Quiet Irka When did she manage to leave? Marina smiled and closed the door.
Happy, Pavlo took the note like a talisman and ran home. He spent the whole day picking the right words, nervous. By evening he called Irina, invited her for a walk and promised ice cream. To his delight, Irina agreed eagerly.
Her voice over the phone sounded softer, sweeterperhaps it was just his imagination.
They strolled through the park, ate ice cream, and learned a lot about each other. Their personalities and interests matched well.
Now its my turn to invite you, Irina said with a grin as they part ways. Next time, not the park but the cinema. Want to go?
From then on Irina and Pavlo were inseparable. They visited movies, museums, and after a year began traveling together, already being considered a couple. Two years after meeting they married.
Irinas mother warned that her daughter was marrying too early, while her grandmother proudly declared:
Well done, Irka. You found your destiny and got married. Thats serious business. No need to swap suitors. With a lad like Pasha, hold on tighthell be a good husband, caring for you like a child. What more could you ask for?
Look at the quiet onefirst to get married. And the boys so happy hes glowing, their classmates joked.
Both shone with happiness. Irina and Pavlo discovered in each other understanding, care, and the love theyd always dreamed of.
Years later they smiled when they recalled the stairwell bench that had brought them together for life.
