The little girl took over, chirping as if she would never stop. Not even five minutes had passed and Márk already knew everything. He knew that the little girl – Lilla – had forbidden her mother to drink cold water in the heat, but of course her mother had not listened to her and now she had fallen ill. Lilla had come to the grave of her grandmother, who had died a year ago. He said that if her grandmother were alive, she would have certainly done something to spite her mother, and she would not be sick now. The girl had been going to school for a year and dreamed of graduating with a gold medal.

Mark almost sighed with relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his heart. How honest children can be! He understood it then: he could be happy if he had a normal, loving wife and children. Someone who would wait for you when you came home from work. But his Ildiko was not like that. She behaved like a porcelain doll and did not want to hear about children.

“Only a fool would sacrifice his figure and youth for a screaming child,” he always said. They had been married for five years. Now that he thought about it, Mark realized that there was not a single warm memory left of their marriage.

He set the small bucket down behind the fence, and Lilla carefully began watering the flowers. Mark looked at the gravestone—and froze. The picture showed the neighbor with whom he had made a caretaker agreement for the empty house a few years ago. The woman he knew was none other than Réka, his old friend—and Lilla’s mother.

He turned his gaze back to the girl:

“Was Aunt Réka your grandmother?”

“Yes. Did you know him too?” Lilla asked.

“Of course I did,” Márk replied with a smile. “But why do I ask?” I just saw you at his grave.

“My mother and I always come here together.” We bring flowers, clean the grave.

“You and your mother?” Mark asked, a little confused.

“Yes, I told you that mother won’t let me come to the cemetery alone.”

The girl picked up the bucket, looked around and said:

“I have to go now, because mother will worry.” And he will ask a lot of questions. I’m not good at lying.

“Wait, I’ll take you by car,” Mark suggested.

Lilla shook her head.

“Mother always says that you shouldn’t get into strangers’ cars.” And now that he’s sick, I don’t want him to get upset.

He quickly said goodbye and ran away. Mark returned to his mother’s grave. He sat down on a bench and thought for a long time. A strange feeling came over him… As if Réka had not only come home for a visit, but had come to live here again. And this little girl… Lilla. How old could he be?

Perhaps Réka had gotten married and had a child in the meantime. It was possible… Mark stood up. He also began to suspect that Réka might now be taking care of the house personally, and that he, Márk, was paying her every month, and she didn’t know about it.

But did it matter who got the money?

Mark stopped at the gate of the old family home. His heart sank. The house looked exactly the same as before. He had a feeling that at any moment his mother would come out onto the porch, wipe his tears with the corner of her apron, and hug him.

He sat in the car for a long time. But his mother didn’t come out. Finally he got out and went out into the yard. He looked around in amazement: the flowers were planted, the garden was tidy, everything was clean and tidy. Reka had done a good job. You should be rewarded for that.

The house was fresh and clean, as if someone had only left it after a few days. Mark sat down at the table, but he didn’t stay long. He decided to go to his neighbor – Réka – to explain the situation. There was no anger in his heart anymore, only curiosity and a strange, internal warmth.

Lilla opened the door.

“Oh, it’s you!” – he smiled mischievously and put a finger to his lips. “Don’t tell mom we met at the cemetery!”

Mark pretended to lock his mouth. Lilla laughed.

“Come in!” – came a voice from the room. “I feel better now, but don’t come too close, I can still be contagious!”

Réka looked at him with horror when she recognized him:

• You…?

Marek smiled:

• Hello, Reka.

He looked around and asked:

“Where is your husband?”

The question was actually unnecessary. He felt it. There was no other man in the house. Or maybe there never was.

• Mark… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about your mother’s death. Everything happened so quickly… And my job in the city is hard. That’s why I took care of the house.
• Thank you, Reka. Really. When I came in, I had the impression that my mother had only gone out for a moment. Everything was so… domestic. How long will you stay?

“Not for long.” A few days and I’ll go back to the city.

“And what are you going to do with this house?” Are you selling?

Mark shrugged:

“I haven’t decided yet.” Listen…

He took out an envelope and put it on the table.

“This is yours.” Bonus for caring.

“Mark, you shouldn’t have…”

“Thank you, Uncle Mark!” – Lilla smiled. – Mom has been dreaming of a new dress for a long time, and I’ve been dreaming of a bike!

Mark laughed:

“Good job, Lila!”

ǵս դեռ երRÓելու եմ բոլորի ու հատկապես իմ պապիկի համար. «юѽտրեչի ֱպերի» թոռնուհի (լ

ուսանկարներ) – Լուրեր Հայաստանից

Mark got sick last night. He felt like he had a fever, and the heat was burning his forehead. He knew where his mother kept the thermometer, because it was still there. He took his temperature: 39.1. Something had to be done, but what?

He sent a helpless text message to Réka:

“What should I take for a high fever?”

Less than ten minutes later, someone knocked on the door. Réka and Lilla were standing there, one with a bag of medicine, the other with a cup of tea.

“Oh my God, why did you come into the house?” Réka asked desperately. “I’m sick, and you’re even worse!”

“Don’t worry, I feel like I’ve been hit by a tractor, too.”

“Stop being so funny, lie down, I’ll give you something to lower your fever,” he muttered, but his voice was gentler than before.

Lilla hurried to the table.

“I made you some tea!” But watch out, it’s hot!

“Who? You, Lila?”

“No, the teapot!” he sneered, then smiled. “I know everything.”

Mark smiled. It was as if deep inside, long, long ago, he heard a click. It was as if something had suddenly clicked into place.

Then there was silence. Except for his thoughts.

“Reka?”

“When was Lilla born?”

The woman stopped. The spoon stopped in his hand, and all the blood drained from his face.

“Marku… why do you ask?”

“Reka.”

The woman froze, then looked at her daughter.

“Little girl, run to the store.” Please bring a lemon and some soft drink.

“Okay, mom.”

As soon as the door closed behind her, Réka slowly sat down. After a long silence, he said:

“First, let’s get one thing straight. Lilla has nothing to do with you.

“What?” – hissed Márk, but Réka raised her hand.

“We don’t want anything from you.” We don’t need money, we don’t need attention. We have everything. Please… just forget about it.

“Wait a minute… so it’s true?” Is she… my daughter?

“Assessment!” Réka exclaimed. “Don’t start!” When I found out I was pregnant… I was left alone. You’re gone. It was my own decision. I didn’t want to drag you into something I thought you wouldn’t be interested in.

“Of course I wouldn’t be interested!” – Mark jumped. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t know what you meant to me back then.” I thought it was just an ordinary outburst of emotion. An old memory.

“And now?”

“Now?” Now Lilla is my life. And you… you’re just a recurring shadow of the past.

Mark looked at him silently. His eyes were clouded.

“I think… I hurt you.” Back then.

Réka just shrugged.

“I survived.” Look around. You see, we’re happy.

Mark nodded. His thoughts were wandering. How many years had he lost? Twelve? Maybe thirteen? He could have had another life. A real one. Instead, he was busy with his career, business, traveling abroad, and at home… at home, there was a real life.

“Reka,” he said again. “What will you tell her… Lilla?”

“Nothing.” I don’t want you to be mistaken. If you left and she thought… that you were her father and she would never see her again, it would break her. I can’t stand that.

“I won’t let you down.” You won’t either.

“That’s easy to say.”

– No, Reka. It’s not easy. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever said.

That night, Mark dreamed of his mother. She was standing there on the porch, wearing a flowered apron, a sweet smile on her face, and all she said was:

– I’ve always dreamed of a granddaughter like Lilla.

In the morning, Mark made his decision. He left three days later.

Réka sat at the table, listening to his words, while Mark prepared to say goodbye.

“That’s it,” the man said. “I have some things to take care of.” A week, maybe a little longer. But I’ll be back. And not just for visitors. I’ll be back for you.

– Assessment…

– I promise that if things don’t work out between us again, if all I can do is support Lilla… then I’ll do the same. Give me a chance.

Réka looked at him for a long time. A tear rolled down his cheek, but he didn’t wipe it away.

“I don’t know, Marek.” Honestly, I don’t know.

Three weeks passed.

Réka felt that Marek wouldn’t come back. He had promised in vain. Men come and go – life had taught her that. But Lilla stood in front of the house every morning, holding on to the gate, waiting… just in case. Sometimes he said that he was just watching the neighbor’s dog. But Réka knew exactly what the girl was looking for in the distance.

Until one Wednesday afternoon it happened.

A black car pulled into the street, slowed down… and stopped right in front of Réka’s house. Marek managed to get out of it unscathed. There were bags and boxes full of presents in the trunk. Lilla stood at the entrance, looking at him in shock.

“Hello,” Mark said, as if he had just left yesterday.

Réka was leaning over her sewing machine, but she looked up when she heard the sound.

“Are you here?”

“I promised.”

“And…?”

“I’ve decided.” I sold my apartment in Budapest. I’ve taken care of everything. I don’t have to come back anymore. I want to be here.

Lilla left the room and stopped in the doorway. Her gaze wandered

“Good morning, Uncle Mark!” he said, confused.

Reka slowly got up. He hadn’t slept properly for two days. He thought and thought. But the decision was finally made.

“Lilla” he said quietly. “Come here.”

The girl approached him and looked at him curiously.

“I’d like to introduce you to your father.”

Mark dropped the bags from his hands. The world stopped for a moment.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Lilla didn’t say anything. He just watched. Then he came closer, took Mark by the hand and said:

“So it’s you.”

Mark crouched down in front of him with tears in his eyes:

“Yes… it’s me.” And I’m so sorry I didn’t visit here earlier.

Lilla hugged him.

He didn’t say anything. Words weren’t needed.

A week later, the three of them stood together in front of their old house—Mark’s old house. Sold. They did the same with Reka’s house. They decided to move. A new town, a new home. They didn’t want to forget the past—they just didn’t want it to continue to affect their future.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Reka asked.

“I’m not sure,” Mark replied. “But I know that a new life requires a new beginning.” And this… this could be ours.

They decided to look for a new home together, in a quieter town, where Lilla could go to a good school and where the shadows of the past wouldn’t haunt them.

Lilla was a little shy at first. Sometimes he still called her “Uncle Mark” and other times “Dad.” But he often hugged her, squeezed her, and laughed with her. And to Mark, that meant more than anything.

One night, before going to bed, Lilla asked,

“Dad… are you staying?”

Mark smiled and stroked her hair.

“Forever.”

A few months later, the three of them were walking in the park. Réka was sitting on a bench, knitting. Márk threw a ball to Lilli, who was running around laughing. As he watched the little girl come back to him over and over, his heart filled with gratitude.

“Réka!” he shouted and walked over to the woman.

“Do you know what the best thing I’ve ever done is?”

“That I came back.”

Réka nodded with a half-smile.

“That makes two of us.”

Lilla ran up to them, hugged them from both sides, and said,

“Now everything’s fine.”

And he was right.