– I’m afraid to let my daughter go to the city!” – a woman complained to her cousin.
– What are you talking about, she is 18 years old. I moved to the city when I was 16 and thought that she would not be lost!
– It’s too early for her to build a family. Although I taught her everything, but it’s not time yet. It will be hard for me without her. I have three more children, my daughter at least helped me.
– What are you worried about, she will find a part-time job and study. And your husband is also “good”. He made a bunch of children, and he went to the other world. I don’t know how you cope with everyone! Listen, she can come to work for me in the housing office.
– You know, you’re right! The kids still need to get on their feet, and she’s an independent girl. I will miss her, but it’s inevitable, my daughter has grown up. Let her live with you. But you keep an eye on her, so that she does not make mistakes and studies well! Let her see a little bit of the world, because she will stay in that village, as I have done all my life.
– Everything will be fine!” – the sister stroked the hand of the worried woman and smiled.
Meanwhile, the girl heard everything. Her feelings were twofold. She was glad to go to the city, but she was scared because she had been there only once. She remembered the words of her late father who promised that she would study and live there.
Before going to bed, the girl thought that she had seen that aunt only long ago in her childhood, but she reassured herself that it was a relative and should not offend her. The girl herself was vulnerable and trusting.
At night, her mother packed all her things. In the morning they said goodbye and the girl went to a new life. She did not like her aunt’s apartment. There was not enough space, not like their house. And the aunt herself changed dramatically. She became angry and harsh.
– You will sleep here! I will take your salary myself, because I need to feed you and send part of it to your mother. I know you young people, you’ll soon spend it all.
The girl worked hard, cleaning the apartment and doing laundry fell on her shoulders. Over time, the aunt shifted her work duties to the girl, and she just drank tea and talked on the phone.
– I can’t look at you! You’ve been in the city for weeks, and then the countryside.
The girl tried. She went to work before her aunt woke up. Walking to the bus stop, the girl got caught in the rain. Her eyes were burning from makeup and she tried to find something in her purse to wipe them.
– Here’s a handkerchief! – a nice boy’s voice sounded nearby.
– Thank you! – the girl was happy to finally wipe her eyes.
– Why did you paint them? They are already very beautiful!
The girl blushed and did not know what to answer and looked at the handkerchief.
– Oh, forgive me, I ruined it! Let me wash it and return it to you, where do you live? I’ll write it down! – she was embarrassed.
– No need, I have more! Oh, my bus, I have to go! Glad to help, maybe see you again!
After a hard day, the girl returned home inspired. She still had some cleaning to do, but she didn’t mind that, she couldn’t get that blue-eyed handsome man out of her mind. She took a rag and stood on a chair to wipe the wardrobe. With a wave of her hand, some documents and a letter fell on the floor. The girl began to collect them and saw that the letter was from her mother. She wondered why her aunt did not say anything about it. But when she read it, tears came to her eyes.
– “My daughter, what happened to you? Why do you take all the money for yourself, your aunt should not support you, do you understand? You should send money to your sister for a new jacket! She also said that we’re a burden to you and you’re not coming home anymore! What did we do to deserve such an attitude? Or did the city spoil you? That’s not how I raised you!
The girl could not believe that her aunt had been turning her mother against her all this time. She was so offended that she started packing her things without thinking. After a while, the aunt returned and found the girl sitting on the suitcase. She silently threw the letter at her feet.
– And what? Did you think that you came to a fool who will cook soups for you? You’re wrong, in the city you have to turn every corner.
– Give me all the money I earned and I’ll leave!
– Don’t dream, my dear! Was I supposed to support you at my own expense? Here, it’s enough for the trip – her aunt threw her a few bills – don’t count on more!
The girl returned home in tears. The mother believed her and reassured her daughter.
– I felt that something was wrong here. You did well to come. Who would have thought that my sister would be so hypocritical and greedy!
Now she works in a collective farm with other girls like her. That day they were assigned to collect hay, but then the boss appeared on the horizon with a stranger.
– Meet our new agronomist, girls! Please do not bother him with stupid questions, but treat him with respect.
But they didn’t hear him anymore. They immediately pounced on whether he was married or had come to visit them for a long time, only the girl was silent and in a moment caught his eyes. Both of them smiled.
A year later the young people got married. The girl was still surprised that she could find her love not in the city, but in her native land. They had two children and they are happy.
And rumors about her aunt began to circulate in the village. Allegedly, she took a lodger, and at night she took all her money and most valuable things. That’s how you treat people, and they treat you.
