Sasha went to beach vacation and deliver his pregnant wife – Lika to the village to her mother-in-law to work in a vegetable garden. And when he returned…
“Lika, come on, you know I need a break too,” he said while tossing his swim trunks and sunscreen into a bag.
“And what about me, Sasha?” Lika said.
“I’m six months pregnant, and you’re sending me to your mom’s place… to work in the garden?!”
“Mom will help. Fresh air’s good for you,” he said while preparing his suitcase.
Lika didn’t explain. She knew that once Sasha decided, there was no changing it. He always put himself first.
“Bet you wore your husband out, so he ran off for a break,” her mother-in-law whispered, handing Lika an old shovel.
“No, Aunt Nina, I agreed to this,” Lika silently replied.
The heat was cruel, the air thick with the scent of earth. Lika dug, even as her back ached and her legs swelled. When it became intolerable, she would sit on the edge of the garden bed and gently rub her belly.
“Hang in there, baby… just a little longer…”
In the evenings, she would overhear her mother-in-law gossiping with a neighbor.
“She’s lazy! Women used to give birth in the fields and go right back to work! Now look at her — acting like a queen!”
The Return
“Hey, Lika!” he said casually, giving her a quick peck on the cheek, not watching how hollow it looked or how dull her eyes had become.
Lika stood silently as he kept rambling.
“The beaches were incredible! Shrimp, cocktails… Next time, we’ll go together—”
Suddenly, she cut him off.
“Sasha. I’m leaving.”
“What?”
“I said: I’m leaving.”
He laughed loudly.
“You’re serious? Lika, stop being humorous. You won’t make it without me.”
For the first time in a long time, she smiled.
“Well, Sasha… I think I’ll find out.”
She turned and walked away — feeling truly free for the first time in her life.
Freedom
Lika didn’t know where she wanted to go. She had only a little money, saved back in the village. Her suitcase with baby clothes was still in their apartment, but she decided not to come back.
Her friend Oksana, upon hearing she had left Sasha, immediately provided her a place to stay.
“Lika, don’t even think twice! I have a spare room — stay as long as you need.”
For the first time in months, Lika slept tranquilly.
Sasha Loses Control
At first, Sasha didn’t believe it. He called, texted, even showed up at Oksana’s, but she wouldn’t let him in.
“She’s not your maid anymore,” Oksana said.
Still, Sasha kept trying.
“Lika, I’m sorry,” he said over the phone when she finally gathered. “I was a fool. I’ll fix everything. Come back — things will change.”
Lika stayed silent.
“I miss you… For the baby, Lika…”
She clutched the phone.
“Do you miss me… or are you just afraid of being alone?”
Silence.
“I loved you…” he said.
“And I loved myself less and less when I was with you,” she muttered, and hung up.
A New Life
The birth wasn’t easy. However, when she held her son for the first time, she understood — everything had been worth it.
She found a job, though not right away. Oksana helped, friends supported her, and Lika slowly learned to live again.
However, Sasha tried to come back — with toys and promises.
“I’ve changed, Lika. Really…”
“You can see your son. But I am no longer yours.”
Lika closed the door behind him — and smiled.
