Listen to me carefully, the housemate continued. Either your daughter hands over the car to me, or she moves out! I wont stay in a home where Im not respected!
Where will she go?
Not my problem. Shes an adult now. Its time she becomes independent.
Kira stood in the hallway of her parents house, hearing her mother explain through the bathroom door why she must give up the car.
Think, Kira, about this! Andriy drives to work every day, and youre just a student. Isnt the bus enough for you?
The girl leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. The car had been a birthday gift from her grandfather when she turned twenty. It was old, but it was hersher first vehicle. He had said, So you wont depend on anyone, so you can decide where to go.
My car is registered in my name, Kira replied calmly.
And what of that? Were a family! her mothers voice rose. Andriy is like a father to you. Remember how he helped you with math in tenth grade?
Kira recalled. She remembered him scolding her for every mistake, slamming the textbook on the table when she didnt grasp something right away.
Stubborn as a cork! Born to be a mother! he used to say.
A hum from a hairdryer drifted from the bathroomher mother was clearly about to leave. In five minutes shed be back and the conversation would continue. Kira didnt want that.
Ill think about it, she lied and retreated to her room.
She had nothing particular to think about. She wasnt going to surrender the car. What to do next, however, was uncertain.
Kira was in her final year at the institute, earning a modest sum tutoring English. Money was scarce, but enough for basic needsif you ignored the fact that needs were met inside a house where every step she took was scrutinized and criticized.
Andriy entered their family when Kira was eleven. Her mother had met him at work. He was tall, bearded, spoke confidently, and liked to talk a lot.
She liked him. Her father was a different personquiet, thoughtful. After their divorce he moved to the capital and called rarely.
At first Andriy tried to be friendly: bringing sweets, asking about school, even taking Kira to the cinema a few times. She thought, Maybe he isnt so bad. But that phase was shortlived.
Once Andriy settled permanently in the house, everything changed. He stopped asking or suggesting; he began ordering. It was as if Kira were not the daughter of the houses mistress but a servant.
Make tea. Clean up after yourself. Dont be clumsy. Dont slam doors. Lower the TV volume. The list of demands grew daily.
And Kiras mother turned into Andriys lawyer, instantly echoing and expanding every one of his complaints.
Kira, Andriy is exhausted from work. Isnt it hard to walk more quietly?
Kira, hes right. Why play music so loudly?
Kira, think of the others.
Others meant Andriy. When Kira prepared for exams and asked him to keep the TV down, nobody cared.
Were not in a library, Andriy retorted. If you want silence, go to your room.
Kiras room was a tiny former pantry, holding only a bed and a desk. When she hid there the walls seemed to press in, the air was thin, but there was no other option.
Over time she learned to become invisiblecoming home when Andriy was asleep or away, eating in the kitchen when it was empty, staying out of family conversations.
It worked until the car issue erupted.
The next morning, her mother knocked on her door.
Kira, are you awake? We need to talk.
Kira sat up on the bed. Her mother wore a new, clearly expensive dress, hair neatly styled, and seemed ready to leave.
Im listening.
Andriy got upset yesterday. He thought youd agree to give up the car easily.
Why did he think that?
Her mother perched on the edge of the bed, staring out the window.
Kira, you understand Andriy and I are planning a wedding. We want everything perfect, invite guests, but money is tight, as you know.
Kira stayed silent.
Andriy needs a car for his new, responsible position. Hell have to travel around districts; the bus isnt practical.
Let him buy his own, Kira suggested.
What?! her mother snapped, then immediately reined herself in. Were family, Kira! Andriy has done so much for you
What exactly has he done for me? Kira asked.
Her mother faltered, choosing her words carefully.
Well he raised you like a real dad, helped with your studies
You shouted at me, thats what you meant, Kira replied.
Dont speak like that! her mother snapped, getting up. He tried! Youve always been ungrateful. Your father abandoned you, and look at the result.
Silence filled the room. Kira looked at her mother, barely recognizing the woman who had once protected her rather than defending a stranger.
I wont give up the car, Kira said firmly.
Then find somewhere else to live, her mother replied coldly and left.
Alone, Kira felt a tightness in her chest, as if breathing had become difficult. She never imagined it would come to this.
That evening, when Andriy returned from work, a heated discussion began. Kira heard their voices through the thin wall.
So, you talked to your daughter? Andriy asked.
Yes. She refuses.
Clear enough. We should have raised her differently. We were too lenient.
Shes still young, Andriy. She doesnt understand.
When will she understand? When she becomes a mother herself? No, Larisa, if we dont set her straight now, shell end up on her knees.
His wife muttered something soft; Kira didnt catch it.
Listen to me carefully, Andriy continued. Either she gives us the car, or she moves out. I wont stay in a house where Im not respected!
Where will she go?
Thats not your concern. Shes an adult now. Time for her to stand on her own.
After that exchange, Kira couldnt sleep until dawn, lying awake wondering if her mother would side with Andriy.
Two days later, her mother entered Kiras room with a serious expression.
Kira, Andriy and I have decided: if you dont want to join the family, youll have to live elsewhere.
Youre serious?
Very. Youre an adult, you work, you can rent your own place.
Kira stared at her mother for a long moment.
Fine. Ill move out.
Her mother seemed ready for tears, pleas, perhaps a fightbut Kiras acceptance was calm.
Kira maybe youll change your mind?
Whats there to think about? You made your choice, now Ill make mine.
Finding a new place took less than a week. Kira secured a room in a small shared house near the institutecheap, clean, and spacious enough. The landlady, an elderly teacher, liked her instantly, speaking softly and keeping out of Kiras affairs.
As Kira packed, her mother lingered in the doorway.
Maybe were doing something wrong she began.
No, mother, its fine. Everythings correct.
You know I didnt want to kick you out. Its just Andriy
Andriy is more important. I get it now!
Her mother broke into tears.
Dont say that. Youre my daughter.
I was a daughter, Kira replied calmly, placing books into a box.
The first weeks in the new flat were tough, not because of the choresKira adapted quicklybut because she had to accept that her mother chose a stranger over her own child.
Gradually, life steadied. Kira spent more hours tutoring, gaining more clients. Money was enough not only for rent and food but also for small pleasures.
She could eat whenever she wanted, listen to music, invite friends over occasionally. No one ordered her around, criticized, or made scenes.
Her mother called rarely, mostly on holidays.
How are you, Kira? Everything okay?
Everythings fine.
Will you come visit sometime?
Well see.
Kira never visited, and her mother understood.
Six months passed. Kira had settled into independent living when her mother called late one evening, her voice sounding weary and upset.
Kira, can I come over? I need to talk.
Of course. Come whenever.
Her mother arrived an hour later, looking exhausted, dark circles under her eyes. She sat at the table and stayed silent for a long time.
What happened? Kira asked.
Andriy left.
How did he leave?
For another woman. He met her at work. Shes ten years younger.
Kira poured tea and placed a cup before her mother.
When did this happen?
Two weeks ago. At first I thought hed come back, but yesterday he returned for some paperwork and said hes filing for divorce.
Her mother began to weep, quietly, tiredly.
I was foolish, wasnt I?
Kira had no answerwhat could she say?
They sipped tea in silence. Then her mother asked, May I stay here tonight? I dont want to go home; everything there reminds me of him.
Of course, take the sofa.
In the night Kira heard her mothers soft crying. She wanted to get up, hug her, comfort her, but a wall of accumulated resentment held her back.
In the morning, over breakfast, her mother said, Kira, I realize I was wrong. I chose him over you. Forgive me.
Mum
No, let me finish. I thought I needed a man at any cost, even if it meant losing my daughter. I thought I was nothing without a husband. Now I understand its better to be alone than with someone who poisons life.
Kira nodded.
You wont come back home? her mother asked quietly.
No, I wont. Ive gotten used to this place. And Im different now. Not the same person I was before.
What does different mean?
Im independent. Im not swayed by other peoples moods, and I like that.
Her mother sighed. Will we still keep in touch? Meet sometimes?
Yes, but not like before. Things will never be the same.
When her mother left, Kira stayed by the window, reflecting. She felt pity for her mother, but pity isnt love. Trust, once broken, doesnt mend with simple apologies.
She took the car keys, walked to the mirror, and saw an adult, selfreliant woman staring back.
Not a girl afraid of upsetting her mother. Not a student hiding in a tiny room from a strangers uncle.
She smiled at her reflection.
Well then, shall we drive into the future? she said, heading for the door.
Sunlight streamed outside. Ahead lay a whole lifeher own lifedespite others whims and demands.
And that felt wonderful.
