Morning. 08:20.I'm standing at the bus stop, waiting for the bus. While I wait, I think about life. What is life, really? Why are people born if the ending is always the same—death?At last, my bus arrives. It's packed with people; I barely manage to squeeze in.
09:05.I walk into the office. Trouble—the boss is already here. He's going to scold me now, because I was supposed to arrive exactly at nine.
"Steven! How many times do I have to tell you—stop being late?!" I hear the familiar voice."Mr. K, I didn't do it on purpose. I can't control traffic, and the mornings are always crowded.""Then leave earlier. What's the problem?"
While he was lecturing me, my thoughts were elsewhere. How are you supposed to live in a society where you're blamed for things beyond your control?Does Mr. K really think I enjoy listening to this every morning and then going to work? No! I try—I really do try…
I sat down at my desk and spent the entire day lost in thought. Maybe I should quit and walk away? But I have a wife, a family… I'm responsible.
20:10.I came home exhausted—not from work, but from the emptiness inside.My wife met me at the door, took off my jacket, and neatly hung it in the closet.
"Steven, dinner's ready. Let's go to the kitchen.""Yes, dear, just a moment," I replied.
I went into the bathroom, washed my hands and face, and looked at myself in the mirror. Is this how I'll live the rest of my life?I thought I would be happy once I had a family.And I am, supposedly— a loving wife, a good job, a cozy home in the city center. But something inside keeps whispering that something is missing.
"Steven! Are you coming?""Yes!" I answered, drying my face with a towel.
I changed clothes and went to the kitchen. My wife had made fried meat rolls—just the way I like them.I ate as if I hadn't eaten in ages.
After dinner, I settled into the living room in front of the TV. My wife cleaned everything up, washed the dishes, and joined me.The news was talking about North America, gold, the dollar—I listened with half an ear.
Suddenly, my wife said,"You know, maybe we should go get some ice cream?""I'm tired, honestly. I can barely keep my eyes open.""Oh, come on. A new shop just opened nearby. They say they sell some special kind of ice cream. Please?"
She looked at me with those sweet eyes of hers, and as always, I couldn't refuse."Alright. But quickly!"
We went downstairs.I ordered a half portion, and suddenly my wife said,"I'll have a double portion, please.""What? We just ate!""You have to understand—when a woman is pregnant, she can have a wild appetite.""What?" I couldn't believe my ears. "Pregnant? You're pregnant?""Yes," she smiled.
I couldn't contain my joy—I laughed, jumped up, and hugged her."Haha, I'm going to be a father!"In that moment, I felt as light as air.
Later, we returned home, happy and tired.22:15.I lay down on the couch, my wife sitting beside me, smiling gently.By eleven, we went to bed. I fell asleep quickly—I didn't even notice when it happened.
But in the middle of the night, I woke up in sudden terror, as if someone had jumped straight onto me.Darkness surrounded me; only a faint rustling of wind could be heard.And then—a noise from the living room. I cautiously went there, but saw no one.I looked around and noticed that our wedding photo had fallen from the top shelf of the cabinet.I picked it up, put it back in place, and thought: must have been the wind…
Except the windows were tightly shut.