TURMOIL

does not even know how to talk to a girl. And then how can you say, “let’s get married” on the first date?!” “And what was your answer?” “Well, what could I really say? I said he was late, I said I’ll go and ask permission from my fiancé. I don’t know how these words came out…? I also laughed… Look, is it still worth it?” Malika cautiously pulled back the curtain. “Is he wearing a hat and a white coat?” “Yes.” “He’s leaving.” “Phew! God bless. I was afraid that he would stand there until morning.” Malika, lowering the curtain, sighed softly: “Still, it’s a pity that this happens!” “If it’s such a pity, I can get him to come back. Just need to give him a shout…” They laughed at the same time. Their laughter was interrupted by a loud doorbell. Malika, as if asking: “Who’s at the door?!”, looked inquiringly at Bagila and went to open it. Sargel seemed to be equally interested in the sound, hands behind his back as he paced between the kitchen and the office door. As soon as Malika ap- peared in the corridor, he opened the front door. On the threshold stood a young man, no more than twenty years old. “Hello!” he said, bewildered, encountering inquir- ing glances. Sargel nodded in greeting and pursed his lips. “Who are you looking for?” “I don’t know,” the guy was completely embarrassed. “There was… one person … my friend, who sent me to come to you.” “You? To us?! Interesting,” Sargel was surprised, looking first at Malika, then at the guy. Distrust of his wife had already flared up in him for a long time. “Who is this friend of yours?” “A painter. A good artist…” “So what does a good artist want with us? Does he want to paint our portraits?” The guy, apparently, realised that he did not have enough endurance to continue this conversation, leaned an object folded into white paper against the wall. “He wanted to give you this picture. I don’t think I got the wrong address… I’m sorry to bother you,” and the man ran down the stairs without waiting for an answer. Sargel and Malika looked at each other inquisitively. Malik perfectly understood the look of her husband, in which there was nothing new, except for stupid jealousy. “As if the things before weren’t enough, now

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