As the workday nears its end, Denis’s phone rings with Lika’s favourite tune—the one she set as his ringtone herself. He answers and hears her voice:
“Den, I’m at the beauty salon. Come pick me up—you know the place.”
“Got it, I’ll be there,” he replies before hanging up.
Denis knows Lika spends at least two hours at the salon, so he takes his time after work. After waiting a while, he decides to pop into the café next door.
“She’ll call when she’s done,” he thinks, settling at a table. A waiter approaches instantly, and he orders a light snack.
He finishes his food, checks the news on his phone, watches a few videos—still no sign of Lika.
“I wonder how much she’s dropping at the salon today,” he muses, though she pays for her beauty treatments herself—or rather, her father does. He’s a wealthy businessman, after all.
They’ve been dating seven months now, sometimes staying at his modest two-bed flat. But when she tires of it, she heads back home—a sprawling three-storey mansion in the countryside where she lives with her parents. Their only daughter, she’s never wanted for anything.
Lika introduced him to her parents. He could tell her mother wasn’t impressed—just a 27-year-old IT guy, what could he offer? But Lika must’ve warned her, so there were no outright jabs. Still, he knew he didn’t fit in.
Lately, Denis has realised she isn’t the wife he dreamed of—yet he hasn’t called off the engagement. Her powerful father made it clear:
“Anyone who makes my daughter happy, I’ll make happy too. But if she’s unhappy—God forbid—well…” The threat hung in the air.
Lika’s spoiled but stunning. He doesn’t get why she spends hours at the salon when she’s already gorgeous. She’s witty, clever, but also flighty and arrogant—probably from all that daddy’s money she throws around. Just yesterday, she announced:
“Den, we’re off to the Maldives in ten days. Dad’s paying. I need a break.”
“But I’ve got work, Lika!”
“Dad will sort it.”
His feelings are conflicted. After her father’s talk, marrying her feels less like a choice and more like an obligation—and it grates on him. Lika’s constant chatter about her dad’s wealth irritates him. Their relationship grows more strained by the day. He knows they’re from different worlds, yet he still plans to marry her.
Lost in thought over coffee, a voice snaps him back.
“Denis? Is that you?” A stranger grins like they’re old friends. “It’s me—Rob.”
Recognition dawns. “Rob! My childhood mate!” He jumps up, embracing him. “I can’t believe it—twelve years!”
“Look at you—all grown up, proper bloke now,” Rob claps his shoulder.
“Same to you! What brings you here?”
“Meeting my little sis, Veronica. Remember her? She’s at the conservatoire—final year. Got a concert tonight. I popped in here—classical’s not my thing,” Rob laughs.
“Of course, how’s she doing?”
“A proper talent, that one. No fancy connections—just raw skill.”
“I’d love to see her!” Denis exclaims.
“No problem. She’ll ring in forty. Fancy coming along? Unless you’re busy.”
“Just waiting for Lika—my fiancée. She’s at the salon.”
“Perfect! We’ll swing by with Veronica,” Rob says before heading off.
Memories flood back—summers at his grandma’s, next door to Rob and Veronica’s family. Their place had a big yard, a main house, and guest cottages for holidaymakers. The area was idyllic—forests, lakes, rivers.
For ten summers, Denis, Rob, and Veronica were inseparable. Then uni life took over, his grandma passed, and the house was sold.
“Those were the days,” he murmurs, smiling. “Fishing, campfires, guitar songs… Veronica was my first crush. Wonder how she turned out now?”
“Smiling at nothing—how daft,” Lika’s voice cuts in.
“Finally! Just thinking happy thoughts,” he says, eyeing her for salon changes.
“Well? How do I look?”
“Nice.”
“Nice? This ‘nice’ cost a fortune! Manicure, facial—I’m flawless, right?”
“As always,” he lies. She always looks impeccable.
“Let’s go. Guests at ours tonight—we’re expected,” she declares.
“Can’t. I’ve just bumped into Rob—my childhood mate. His sister’s joining us too.”
She pouts, ready to fuss, when Rob and Veronica walk in.
“Denis!” Veronica hugs him, kissing his cheek. “Look at you—all grown up!”
Her beauty leaves him speechless. He doesn’t want to let go—until Lika’s icy voice cuts in.
“Hello.”
“Ah—this is Lika, my fiancée,” Denis stammers.
“Lovely to meet you,” Rob says warmly.
The trio chat animatedly while Lika sulks, her silence deliberate, borderline rude.
“Remember lazing under the apple tree? Swimming in the lake?” Denis sighs.
“Ugh, I’d rather be under a parasol in the Maldives. Dad’s pool’s bigger than your stinky pond,” Lika sneers.
“Any fish in the Maldives?” Rob teases.
“Only in restaurants—where civilised people eat,” she snaps.
Later, as they part, Veronica asks, “Denis, will you visit us?”
“Absolutely. This weekend,” he says, glancing at Lika, who scowls.
Back home, she huffs, “Fine, I’ll go to this dump with you.”
His heart sinks. “You’d hate it—mosquitoes, woods, lake.”
“Better pack mineral water. Doubt they’ve got clean stuff there,” she mutters.
“Bring a portaloo and microwave while you’re at it,” he quips.
At Rob’s, their parents welcome them warmly. A feast under the apple tree, laughter, barbecues—Denis is blissful. But Lika ruins it, whining about grass, meat smells, mosquito bites, sunlight.
“Stop fussing! Go nap inside if it’s so awful,” he snaps.
At the lake, fishing, Denis asks, “Veronica, got a boyfriend?”
“Not anymore. Why?”
“You’re stunning. And talented,” he says.
Rob chuckles. “She knits, sews, even makes dumplings!”
“Lika’s beautiful too—just not the dumpling type,” Denis mutters. “More like spinning tall tales.”
“Cheer up, mate,” Rob pats his back. “Learn to cook—won’t starve.”
Denis grimaces. If he marries Lika, it’s takeout for life.
The weekend ends with exchanged numbers. On the drive back, Lika snipes, “Never dragging me there again. Maldives next week—can’t wait.”
“Actually… I’m not going,” Denis says flatly.
“You’ll lose me if you don’t.”
“No.”
Silence. Secretly, he thinks:
“I’d rather have apple trees and fishing. I don’t want to marry her—better now than after vows. And I’m not scared of her dad.”
Dropping her off, she glares. “Last chance. Coming?”
“No. I’d rather go back to the village. We’re not right for each other.”
“Fine. Forget me. Goodbye.” She storms off.
Relieved, he dials Veronica. “I’ll be there in two days. We’ll figure things out.”
“Alone?” she asks softly.
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting.”
Humming, he ignores a call from Lika’s father. No need to ruin the mood.
