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Alina Kurpel

by Alina Kurpel

Story

With Sasha, we meet every week to record a fresh episode of my theater program. Sometimes more than once: we occasionally go to the theater together. Sasha is so delicate and gentle, kind and righteous. He could never appeal to me. Sasha says that I have a very keen sense of beauty and theater. But I think he just likes me; otherwise, he would have realized how little I understand about theater. Or maybe he has?

We are heading to the metro. We both need the blue line, but in opposite directions.

— Bye, Sasha. Have a nice evening.

— I’ll take you home.

— Why? I’ll be fine on my own.

— Can I take you home, Asya? I would really like to.

— Okay.

We reach my station. Sasha continues walking with me. I stop him—it is getting too much. He kisses me on the cheek to bid goodbye, eagerly says, “Orthodox-wise, three times,” and kisses two more times before hopping into the metro car.

“That’s it, I quit,” raced through my mind.


WhatsApp. Asya—Kim. 01.10.2016
Kim: I’ve just realized what the whole situation means. I was not able to face it before.
However, it’s time to take a break, so I will reduce my communication for a while. Even though I like you a lot, and I am happy about all your messages, and I’d still like to share everyday things with you. Like this one: I broke the Saturday tradition and didn’t play football today
Asya: It’s ok. Some traditions are made to be broken.
I am trying to understand what I have just read.
I don’t believe it’s a wise idea to keep texting each other. I don’t need this illusion of your presence in my life. On the contrary, I have to remove you from it completely.
Be kind to me please.
I need some time to perceive you differently. While for you, it might not be a big deal to end this; for me, it’s a significant challenge. I need to change something inside. It’s never an easy task.
Kim: I (unfortunately) have to agree with every point you’ve just made.



© Alina Kurpel 2023-08-29

Genres
Novels & Stories