I arrived at the train station thirty minutes before the train left. I was on my way to Kazan for a conference. Thoughts of work lifted my spirits, but the memory of our recent quarrel with my boyfriend brought tears to my eyes.
I got on the train. My traveling companion was a solid man in his forties. All the time he was watching me with his olive eyes.
– And what is the name of such a beauty? – The fellow asked me.
– Maria, and you?
– William.
– And where are you going, if it’s not a secret?
– To Kazan, and you?
– I have a business trip, they suggested I take a plane, but I can’t stand flights too well…
– It’s much faster by plane, though.
– I have nowhere to be in a hurry. I like taking the train, it helps to organize my thoughts, read, watch films.
– I prefer not to waste time.
– I used to be like that, too. What do you do?
– I’m a teacher in college. I’m going to a conference, I have to make a presentation there.
– I’m pleasantly surprised.
– What exactly surprised you?
– I thought you were still a student. You look model-like.
– Thank you, – I was embarrassed.
The companion shut up and looked at me with a smile. I thought he had been very handsome when he was young.
– You and I are practically colleagues, I am an assistant professor at the university.
– You flatter me a lot.
– Not a bit, you also give people knowledge like I do.
Then we had tea and talked about work. William had an enveloping voice. Gradually we both fell silent, I remembered about the guy and decided to check my messages. I didn’t have any text messages on my phone, which put me in a bad mood. My companion went deeper into his reading, and I looked out the window and thought about the fact that he didn’t really care how I was doing. Should I write him myself? No, I wouldn’t do that!
After a couple of hours, we went to get something to eat and we started talking again. He asked me if I was married. I told him I wasn’t.
– Yes, young people today aren’t in a big hurry to get married. They don’t realize that growing up and gaining experience with the person they love is so wonderful. I knew from a young age what I wanted from this life, and I knew that I was responsible for my woman, for my children, while today’s young guys hang between heaven and earth and can’t decide what they want from this life.
I looked at my fellow traveler and kindly envied his wife. William seemed perfect to me. He was handsome, intelligent, and probably had a wonderful character, if he and his wife had lived so long. I realized it was unlikely we would ever see each other again, so I could confess to him.
– You know, my boyfriend kind of tries to achieve a bright future too, but it’s very hard for him. He’s too emotional and sometimes gives up halfway through. He and I love each other, but in spite of that we often quarrel. He doesn’t compromise. I can’t even imagine how we will live with him after we get married. – With a smile I said.
– But the truth is that the stamp in the passport does not change anything. I believe that people either love each other or they don’t. Love is eternal. You, as a humanitarian should know this.
– That’s the kind of love you can’t find these days. We’ve been together for three years now, and I feel like we used to have a very different relationship. It’s like he’s used to me, and he’s no longer afraid of hurting me.
I checked my phone, there were no messages. Maybe this was our last fight. What a majestic face William had, my boyfriend was cute too, but he hadn’t accomplished anything yet, and he had a lot of attitude.
In the evening William and I went to the dining car, he invited me there, and he paid for dinner. Then we chatted for half the night. I was worried that I would never see him again. I found out that William was also going to the conference. William’s indifference made me angry, and I thought it was time to put an end to this painful relationship.
When we arrived in Kazan, William suddenly said to me:
– Can we meet and have dinner tonight?
I was confused by such a suggestion and felt embarrassed that a man twenty years older than me was asking me out on a date. He didn’t seem like such a model family man to me anymore. He had turned into a regular womanizer to me!
– I think the conference will end late and I have to get to the hotel. – I answered embarrassedly.
– I propose to exchange numbers, I would like to meet you again. – The fellow traveler insisted.
– I can’t remember my number, I’ll tell you when I do.
– Do I have a chance?
– What chance?
– The chance that we will see each other again? Take my card, I’ll wait for your call.
I jumped out of the train and rushed off. Then I tossed his card by the hotel and thought about how I’d deal with the guy after I got home.
