Sasha went to beach vacation and sent his pregnant wife – Lika to the village to her mother-in-law to dig 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 stood in the doorway, her hand resting on her rounded belly. “I’m six months pregnant, and you’re sending me to your mom’s place… to dig in the garden?!”
“Mom will help. Fresh air’s good for you,” he waved her off while zipping up his suitcase.
Lika didn’t argue. She knew that once Sasha made up his mind, 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 muttered, handing Lika an old shovel.
“No, Aunt Nina, I agreed to this,” Lika quietly replied.
The heat was oppressive, the air thick with the scent of earth. Lika dug, even as her back ached and her legs swelled. When it became unbearable, she would sit on the edge of the garden bed and gently rub her belly.
“Hang in there, baby… just a little longer…”
For illustrative purpose only
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
Sasha came back tanned and full of cheer.
“Hey, Lika!” he said casually, giving her a quick peck on the cheek, not noticing 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.”
He froze.
“What?”
“I said: I’m leaving.”
He laughed.
“You’re serious? Lika, stop being ridiculous. You won’t make it without me.”
For the first time in a long time, she smiled.
“Well, Sasha… I guess 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 was going. She had only a little money, saved back in the village. Her suitcase with baby clothes was still in their apartment, but she had no intention of going back.
Her friend Oksana, upon hearing she had left Sasha, immediately offered 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 peacefully.
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 coldly.
Still, Sasha kept trying.
“Lika, I’m sorry,” he said over the phone when she finally picked up. “I was a fool. I’ll fix everything. Come back — things will be different.”
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 muttered.
“And I loved myself less and less when I was with you,” she whispered, and hung up.
A New Life
The birth wasn’t easy. But when she held her son for the first time, she knew — 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.
Sasha tried to come back — with toys and promises.
“I’ve changed, Lika. Really…”
But she knew better now: people don’t change unless they want to. And he didn’t want her, he wanted his comfort back.
“You can see your son. But I am no longer yours.”
Sasha stared at her for a long time, then exhaled and left.
Lika closed the door behind him — and smiled.
Ahead of her was freedom.