Inna Antonova
Growth point

Chapter 1 The Quiet Storm

Katya stepped into the compound of the Strongbuilder construction company, and her heart immediately beat faster. In the distance, she spotted Igor's familiar figure, and everything froze inside. She paused for a moment to collect her thoughts and looked around the former factory building. The old brick walls contrasted with the new glass inserts, creating a bizarre symbiosis of past and present. Katya took a deep breath and headed for the entrance.

Inside, the atmosphere was that of a business hive. Young professionals scurried back and forth with tablets and cups of coffee, creating a sense of constant movement and progress. Katya caught her reflection in the mirrored surface of the elevator and noted how she had changed over the past month. The dress that had recently been tight around her figure now hung loosely, slightly shading her silhouette. She fixed her hair and stepped into the elevator, trying not to think about whether anyone else had noticed the change.

On her floor, Katya walked quickly to her workstation, trying not to meet her colleagues' eyes. She turned on her computer and plunged into her work, hoping that the routine would help distract her from thoughts of Igor. But then the voice of the head of the department sounded:

"Colleagues, there's a general meeting in the conference room in five minutes. Don't be late!"

Katya felt her hands go cold. She knew that Igor would be there, and the thought of being in the same room with him was both thrilling and terrifying.

In the conference room, Katya sat far away from the entrance, hoping to remain unnoticed. But when Igor entered the room, it seemed to her that the air around her was electrified. Their gazes met for a moment, and Katya felt the color rush to her cheeks. She lowered her eyes, pretending to study her notes.

The meeting began, and Katya tried her best to concentrate on the words of her boss. But his voice seemed a distant background compared to the loud pounding of her heart. When it was her turn to report on the project, Katya stood up on unsteady legs.

"Our team… – she began, and suddenly realized her voice was failing her. – Our team is working on optimizing…"

The words she had so carefully chosen the day before suddenly slipped out of her head. Katya felt the eyes of her colleagues on her and especially Igor's gaze. She swallowed and tried to continue:

"We have developed a new algorithm that will allow…"

And then what Katya feared the most happened. Igor raised his hand and asked:

"Katya, how will this algorithm interact with the existing system?"

His voice, deep and calm, seemed to paralyze her thoughts. Katya opened her mouth, but could not utter a sound. The seconds of silence stretched into an eternity. She felt a cold sweat running down her back.

"Я… it's… – Katya stammered, trying to gather her thoughts. – We're still working on that aspect of it."

The answer sounded unconvincing even to herself. She couldn't get any more words out. Katya sat back down, feeling her cheeks burning with shame. The rest of the meeting passed like a blur.

Back at her desk, Katya stared at the monitor, unable to concentrate on her work. Igor's face and his questioning look stood before her eyes. She remembered how recently she had spoken confidently at such meetings, how easily she had found answers to any questions. What was happening to her?

Katya's thoughts involuntarily returned to the house, to the monotonous days filled with worries about the children and endless attempts to please her husband. Sasha lately was increasingly delayed at work, and at home was silent and irritable. Katya sighed, remembering their last conversation, which had been more like Sasha's monologue about the dirty fronts in the kitchen.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed movement and looked up to see Igor walking past her table. Their gazes met again, and Katya felt a wave of heat run through her body. She tried to smile, but it came out more painful than welcoming. Igor nodded and walked quickly away, leaving behind a faint trace of a subtle scent of men's toilet water.

"Katya, are you okay?" – Ruslan's voice brought her out of her daze and made her shift her gaze to him. She hadn't noticed him walking over to her desk.

"Yeah, sure," Katya tried to put a carefree tone to her voice. – Just a little tired."

Ruslan crouched on the edge of her desk, his face expressing genuine concern. "You didn't seem like yourself at the meeting today. Maybe you need help with a project?"

Katya hesitated. On the one hand, she hated to admit her weakness; on the other, Ruslan's suggestion could be a lifeline in the sea of her emotional chaos.

"Thank you, Ruslan," she finally said. – Perhaps a fresh set of eyes really couldn't hurt."

They leaned over her computer, discussing the details of the project. Gradually Katya felt the tension release her. The professional conversation with Ruslan brought her back to her normal routine, reminded her that she was still a capable engineer and not just the object of her own confused feelings.

The day was coming to an end, and Katya began to pack for home. She felt exhausted, as if she had run a marathon. Taking her bag, she headed for the elevators, dreaming of being home soon and forgetting this day as a terrible dream.

But fate had it differently. When the elevator doors opened, Katya saw Igor in it. For a moment she froze, not knowing whether to go inside or wait for the next elevator. But Igor held the door open and said with a slight smile:

"Come in, Ekaterina Andreyevna. We seem to be on our way."

Katya stepped into the elevator, feeling her heart ready to jump out of her chest. In the cramped space of the cabin, Igor's scent enveloped her and she could barely breathe.

"How's your project going?" – Igor asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Fine," Katya squeezed out, trying to keep her voice steady. – Ruslan and I discussed some details today."

"Ruslan is a good specialist," Igor nodded. – I'm sure together you'll be able to handle any difficulties."

In his voice, Katya heard a faint note of… jealousy? Or did she just want to think that? She risked raising her eyes and met Igor's gaze. For a moment it seemed to her that the whole world had disappeared, just the two of them in that small cabin, floating through space and time.

The elevator bell shattered the moment. The doors opened, letting them out into the cool evening air. Katya inhaled deeply, trying to come to her senses.

"Goodbye, Ekaterina Andreyevna," Igor said. – Have a good evening."

"Goodbye, Igor Nikolayevich," Katya replied, watching him walk away toward the parking lot.

She stood for a few minutes, letting the cool breeze cool her burning cheeks. Suddenly, her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. A message from Sasha:

"We need to have a serious talk tonight."

Katya felt everything inside her clench. What could have happened? Did Sasha really suspect something? Or did it have something to do with his constant talk of moving?

With a heavy heart, she headed for the bus stop. The day that had begun with an emotional assault at work seemed to be preparing her for an equally tumultuous evening at home. Katya didn't know if she had the strength to cope with it all, but there was no choice. There was no choice but to go forward, toward the unknown that awaited her behind the doors of her home.

Chapter 2: Shadows of Doubt

Katya stepped over the threshold of the apartment, and the familiar smell of home enveloped her. It had once made her feel safe and happy, but now it seemed suffocating. She looked around the living room, where old Soviet furniture was juxtaposed with modern appliances – a visual embodiment of their family life, stuck between the past and the future.

With mechanical movements, Katya began to prepare dinner. The sounds in the kitchen merged into a monotonous rhythm: the clatter of the knife against the cutting board, the sizzle of oil in the pan, the hum of the refrigerator. From the nursery came the muffled laughter of the children, and the old clock on the wall counted down the minutes with inexorable precision. All these sounds, so familiar and once so cozy, now only emphasized the tension that hung in the air.

– Mom, can you help us with our homework? – Masha, the eldest daughter, looked into the kitchen.

Katya sighed, wiping her hands on her apron. "Of course, sweetie. I'll be right there."

She settled with the children at the dining room table, sorting out math problems and helping with reading. Suddenly the front door lock clicked. Katya flinched, feeling her shoulders tense.

Sasha entered the apartment without raising his eyes. He threw a short "Hello" and went straight to his office without even looking at the children.

– Dad, will you see how I learned to read? – timidly asked Masha.

– Not now, – Sasha threw over his shoulder, closing the office door behind him.

Katya caught herself clenching her fists. A memory flashed before her eyes: Sasha, laughing and tossing little Masha in the air. Where had that time gone? When their home was filled with laughter and warmth?

– Mom, why is Dad so sad? – quietly asked the youngest, Misha.

Katya stroked her son's head, trying to find words. "Daddy is very tired at work, sunshine. Let's not bother him, okay?"

The children fell silent, as if sensing the tension in the air. Katya tried to concentrate on their homework, but her thoughts kept returning to Sasha's cold stare.

After dinner, when the children had already gone to bed, Katya started cleaning the kitchen. The monotonous action was soothing, allowing her to forget her anxious thoughts for a while. But then her ears caught Sasha's muffled voice from the study.

– Yes, I understand… No, you'll need to apply for a visa in advance… Israel? Yes, that's a possible option…

Katya froze, listening to the fragments of phrases. Her heart beat faster. What was he talking about? Why would he need a visa to Israel? He had never traveled on business trips. Besides, what could a doctor do in Israel? She tiptoed toward the office door, trying to catch more information.

– No, she doesn't know yet… Yes, I understand the risks…

Goosebumps ran through Katya's body. She instinctively realized that the "she" Sasha had dropped was referring to her. Katya felt a lump come to her throat. What was Sasha hiding from her? She couldn't stand the suspense any longer. When Sasha's voice faded, she opened the door with determination.

– Yes?" her husband's voice sounded irritated.

Katya entered the office. Sasha was sitting at his computer, clearly unhappy about the intrusion.

– We need to talk," Katya said firmly.

– About what? – Sasha didn't even turn to her.

– About what's going on. About your secret conversations. About visas to Israel.

Sasha turned around sharply, a flash of surprise in his eyes that quickly changed to anger.

– You were eavesdropping?

– I overheard. But that's not the point. What are you hiding from me?

Sasha stood up, his face contorted with anger. "You're being paranoid, Katya. I was just discussing work matters."

– Work issues include getting visas to Israel? – Katya felt anger boiling up inside.

– Don't be ridiculous. You don't know what you want. One minute you're bored here, the next you're clinging to this life.

– Me? Clinging? – Katya's voice shook with indignation. – You're the one who's always complaining about life in Russia, about the lack of prospects for development, the lack of science. And now you're plotting something behind my back!

Their voices grew louder and louder, and suddenly the office door opened. Misha's small head slipped through the gap.

– Mommy, can I have some water?

Katya and Sasha were instantly silent, exchanging glances. Katya was the first to pull herself together.

– Let's go to the kitchen, she said with a degree of annoyance at the interrupted conversation.

When she returned to the study, Sasha was hurriedly shoving some papers into his briefcase.

– What is it? – Katya asked, feeling everything inside her clench.

– Nothing. Work documents. I have to leave, – Sasha zipped up the briefcase and headed for the exit.

In a fit of desperation, Katya grabbed the briefcase. "Tell me, where are you going? No, you're not going anywhere until we talk!"

Sasha yanked the briefcase toward him; Katya wouldn't let go. At some point the clasp failed, and the contents of the briefcase scattered on the floor. Among the scattered papers Katya saw a glossy booklet with a Hebrew inscription and a picture of Tel Aviv.

There was a heavy silence. Katya stared at the booklet, unable to believe her eyes. Sasha, quickly coming to his senses, began to pick up the scattered papers.

– It's not what you think," he muttered, avoiding Katya's gaze.

– What should I think? – she asked quietly, feeling tears coming to her throat, that you don't think you should inform me about the impending move?

Sasha silently gathered his things, including the unfortunate booklet, and quickly left the apartment, leaving Katya alone among the scattered papers and shattered illusions.

She slowly sank down on the sofa, feeling her legs fill with lead. She was losing her balance. Around her, the silence of the empty apartment was frozen, broken only by the ticking of the second hand of the old clock. They were beating the rhythm of her drowning in hopelessness. Katya looked around the room, where every thing kept the memory of their life together. An old armchair, bought with Sasha's first paycheck. A fancy floor lamp given to her for her birthday. All these objects, once symbolizing their common future, now seemed like mute witnesses to the collapse of their family.

Katya went to the window. The headlights of cars passing at breakneck speed, trying to cross the intersection on the flashing green light, flickered behind the glass. Somewhere out there, far away, among those lights of the city, immersed in sleep, was Igor. There was another world, full of possibilities and hopes. For the first time in a long time, Katya felt not only fear of the unknown, but also a strange, pinching sense of anticipation. Perhaps this night was not the end, but the beginning of something new in her life.

Chapter 3: Flying over the Abyss

Just beyond the old factory building where she worked was a stunning view of the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Finland. The creative masterminds, the mass-entertainers of their organization this year, outfitted the area for inflatable kites, involving everyone they could in the sport. Those who couldn't be dragged into the water were invited to what they considered to be a child's entertainment – launching a practice kite on the roof.

Katya did not want to reveal her talents in water kiting, so she joined the majority of the female part of the group and quickly rushed up the outside stairs to the roof.

The wind fluttered her hair. A sea of colorful kites spread out before her, dancing in the sky above the old factory chimneys. The contrast between the modern kiting ground and the time-worn building made Katya think about her own life, stuck between the past and the future.

She looked around uncertainly at her colleagues who were happily preparing their kites. The sounds of laughter and lively conversations mingled with the sound of the wind, creating an atmosphere of freedom that was sorely lacking in her daily life.

– Katya, can I help you? – A familiar voice sounded behind her.

She turned around and met Igor's gaze. Her heart beat faster as he stepped closer. "You should know what happens to me when I see you," she suddenly thought. She realized that her face was more like that of a stone statue than a living person when he addressed her. It made her embarrassed and she sank into an even deeper stupor.

– Yes, thank you," Katya mumbled, trying to control the trembling in her hands.

Igor took her kite and began to explain how to fly it correctly. His fingers accidentally touched her shoulder, which sent a wave of warmth through Katya's body.

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