Although Dima had dreamed of becoming a doctor, life prepared to throw obstacles in his way. First, his father passed away unexpectedly — a loss that knocked the solid ground out from under his feet. Then his mother fell ill: nerves and the constant struggle of working two jobs took their toll. Naturally, he failed the medical school entrance exams. And now, for the second year, he was working as an orderly at the regional hospital, still hoping that someday he would become a doctor.
The day started as usual, but after lunch, he was unpredictedly asked to see the head of the therapeutic department — Andrey Pavlovich.
“Dima, there’s a delicate matter,” the doctor said.
“There’s a woman here, Lidiya Semyonovna. Very ill. She has a grandson, also named Dima — your namesake. Only… he hasn’t seen her for a long time, and she would so much like to see him at least once before she leaves us. We thought… maybe you would agree to play his role? At least for her peace of mind.”
Dima froze. A lie?
“Andrey Pavlovich, I’m not sure… It feels wrong,” he said.
“Sometimes a lie can be kind,” the department head answered softly.
“Think about it. For her, this will be the last comfort. And you’ll just help someone to pass away peacefully.”
Dima hesitated.
In the evening, exhausted after talking with the head doctor, Dima went to the store to buy bread and milk for his mother. She still needed help. On his way home, he met Marina — a girl from the neighboring building who he had liked for a long time.
“Hi, Dima! Where have you been hiding?” she smiled.
Unexpectedly, Dima suggested going together. To his surprise and delight, Marina agreed:
“Saturday — perfect!”
On the way home, he smiled. Maybe a new chapter was really starting in his life? Maybe he would finally find his own true happiness?
The next day, after finishing his shift and changing into civilian clothes, Dima went into Lidiya Semyonovna’s hospital room. The woman is small, thin, but with lively eyes — looked at him with a long gaze and faintly smiled:
“Dimochka… you came, dear…”
Dima felt a weight lift from his heart — she believed him.
Each day he came more often. Brought water, adjusted her pillow, simply sat nearby. Once she asked if he had a girlfriend. Dima thought of Marina and felt a little embarrassed. Grandma smiled understandingly:
“Tell me later how the date went. I’m curious to hear about love, too.”
However, the Saturday date ended quite differently than he had dreamed.
After the movie, they walked through the park, and Marina unexpectedly became serious.
“Dima, you’re a good guy, really. But we’re different. I want to leave, see the world, make a career… And you… you’re an orderly. It’s important work, of course, but… not for me.”
She didn’t finish, but Dima understood everything.
He silently walked her home. When he returned, his mother asked how it went.
“Nothing came of it.”, he said.
“Dima, I understand you wanted to help, but it’s not our business. Other people’s hopes, other people’s expectations… Don’t take on more than you can handle.”
He was silent.
The next day, Dima came again to the old woman. He tried to look cheerful, but Lidiya Semyonovna immediately spotted something was wrong.
“What happened, grandson? Did the girl hurt you?”
And then he told her.
“Love, Dimochka, is different. Don’t chase the one that shines. You need the one that warms.”, she said.
Then she took out an old photo album from her bedside table.
“Take it. These are pictures of my son, Alexey… your father. Look — keep the memories. I don’t need them anymore.”
At home that evening, he began watching album. Alexey — a man he only knew by legend. Suddenly, his gaze stopped on one picture — a group photo, clearly from university. Among others stood a woman. Young, beautiful, with a broad smile… Dima froze. That was his mother.
He caught his breath.
Thousands of questions appeared in his head. He had to look for the truth. Right now.
Dima practically ran out of the hospital.
Dima’s heart stopped. A conspiracy! They were deliberately speeding her passing. His own grandmother, to whom he had grown close, was in danger for the sake of an inheritance. But there was no time to be afraid — he had to act.
He shot out of the hospital like a bullet and rushed home. Bursting into the apartment, he immediately showed the photo to his mother:
“Mom, who is this?! Who is Alexey really?!”
Seeing the photo and noticing how pale her son was from excitement, the mother herself seemed surprised.
Alexey was her first and only love. When his mother became pregnant, Alexey decided to leave. He wanted to protect his beloved from family pressure. But their happiness was affected by tragedy — he passed away in an accident when Dima was not yet a year old. Left alone, without means or support, she had to temporarily give the child to an orphanage while she found work and strength to start over.
Listening to his mother, he understood that Lidiya Semyonovna — his real grandmother! And now they wanted to take her life!
“Mom, we have to help her!” he said decisively.
Late at night, when the hospital corridors emptied, Dima and his mother quietly entered Lidiya Semyonovna’s room.
“Dimochka… And who’s with you?” she muttered.
“Lidiya Semyonovna… It’s me… Katya…” his mother said.
“You don’t remember me? I loved your Alyosha… And this is your grandson. Your real grandson — Dima.”
In a few minutes, they tried to tell everything: about the past, the conspiracy, the mortal danger.
“My dear grandson… And you’re here, Katyenka…”
“Grandma, we have to leave. Right now!” urged Dima.
They quickly gathered a few things, gently helped Lidiya Semyonovna stand, and led her out through the service exit where a taxi awaited.
That night was crazy and at the same time happy for all three.
Several months passed.
Lidiya Semyonovna slowly but surely reawakened. In the small apartment of Dima and his mother, she felt something she hadn’t known for many years — love, care, belonging.
In the evenings, grandmother told him stories about his father, showed childhood photos. That’s how he learned the face of a man who was so close to him, but had long remained only a stranger’s legend.
One day, the phone rang. The screen showed the name — Marina.
“Hi, Dima. I was thinking… Maybe we could meet?” she incredulously said.
Dima smirked a little.
“Sorry, Marinachka, I’m busy. I have a completely different life now.”
He had not only found new love, but also met a girl who understood him. She is Katya, a student at the medical college.
Yes, he was still not a doctor, and the white coat hung in the closet as a figure of an hidden dream. But today he understood one thing for sure: true purpose is not a profession or a career, but the people who love you. And he had found his wway — the way of family, faith, and truth.