— Tanka, there’s a traffic jam again because of you! Your rear end is so enormous that even a plane can’t fly around it! It looks like you spend the whole day licking plates before washing them!
This phrase triggered an explosion of loud laughter. Tanya squinted her eyes, wishing she could vanish into thin air so as not to hear the mockery or see the malicious faces. She couldn’t explain that her and her mom’s budget only allowed them to afford cheap ready-made meals, and that her predisposition to gain weight was completely incompatible with a schedule of eating in the morning, at night, and on the run.
Of course, Tanya should have taken up sports or changed her daily routine, but she was obliged to work in order to fulfill a promise made to her father. She needed to get an education and not abandon her mom.
Studying wasn’t easy. Her mother’s meager pension, constant exam sessions, chronic sleep deprivation due to night shifts. Anyone else in her situation would have lost weight, but Tanya, on the contrary, rounded out even more.
She listened. It seemed everyone had dispersed. It was safe to go outside. But when she opened the door, she ran into waiters again.
“— Tanya, we were just coming to see you,” they said.
Tanya grew cautious. Don’t expect anything good from them.
“— What for?”
They exchanged glances, and Tanya understood that more mockery was in store. She remembered her father’s words: “You are the brightest, the most attractive. Even if it hurts, fight. No matter what. Smile and fight.”
“— Well, ask away,” Tanya said.
“— Tanya, we have a party after the shift tomorrow. Can you close early for a couple of hours? Everyone will come with a date. Will you come? Although… You don’t have anyone. Right, who would want to hook up with such a barrel?”
Laughter drowned out everything around. Then the manager appeared.
“— What’s with the circus? Your laughter is knocking visitors off their chairs! To the hall! Move it!”
The young people ran away, and Tanya dashed outside. She had a few minutes to catch her breath. She tried to calm down, but suddenly she burst into tears. She really didn’t have a boyfriend, and perhaps they were all right. She was chubby, a loser, and no one liked her.
“I need to do something,” Tanya thought. “Completely give up food? Or see a doctor? But what would he advise? A schedule, healthy eating. And where would I get the money?”
“— Oh, Dad, what should I do? If I don’t come with a boyfriend tomorrow, I’ll be ridiculed.”
Tanya flinched. Someone coughed in the bushes. It was already getting dark outside, and she hadn’t even imagined that someone might be lurking in the twilight behind the restaurant. She stepped back a little and felt a sense of unease.
“— Excuse me if I startled you,” said a man of about thirty. “I didn’t mean to. I can’t bear to see a woman cry. Can I help you with something?”
Tanya sighed:
“— No. And how exactly would you help? I’m sorry, but you look like you need help more than I do.”
The man pointed to a bench.
“— May I sit?”
He sat on the bench, fell silent for a moment, and then turned to her and began to speak.
“— You know, I long ago realized that tears don’t solve problems; they only complicate life. A year ago I came to my senses, not remembering anything. Yes, I cried out of fear. But then I understood that tears wouldn’t change anything. I used to live somehow. Since I woke up in a basement, maybe that’s where I belong. I wandered the streets, even harassing people a bit, but no one recognized me. I concluded that I had no one. I tried to sort out some documents, but the police were rude. I understand that no one wants to deal with a homeless person. I am now nobody.”
“— Invisible,” Tanya murmured and turned to him.
“— It’s strange that I remember how to talk and eat, but I don’t remember who I am.”
And then an idea struck Tanya:
“— What’s your name?”
“— Weren’t you listening at all? I don’t remember. Call me whatever you like.”
“— You know, my name is Tanya. Perhaps you can help me?”
Tanya explained her plan to Anton. She had chosen that name because it was what her father was called.
Anton pondered:
“— This is an adventure. I like it… But how? I’m so poorly dressed that I’d belong in a dumpster rather than a restaurant.”
“— That doesn’t matter. You know what my mom is like? She’ll quickly spruce you up and dress you so that you won’t recognize yourself,” Tanya smiled.
“— You’re lucky. And your dad…?”
“— No. He’s been gone for a long time. You remind me of him. He used to say that you have to fight. If you don’t want to, I’ll understand. But if I were you, I’d fight. That’s what I want to do, and I’m asking you to join me.”
“— Will your mom accept me?”
“— Yes. She’s amazing. Come with us. I’ll write down the address now…”
“— Tell me the address and I’ll remember it. I may not know who I was, but I remember everything instantly.”
Tanya returned to work. She knew she was deceiving, but she hoped that her trick wouldn’t be exposed and that she would finally be left alone.
In the evening, when she got home, she told her mother everything. Her mom said:
“— Tanya, you’re an adult. I’ll support you. I hope everything works out. And… He’s not some criminal, is he?”
Tanya kissed her:
“— I hope not, he seems kind and harmless. It’s just that he’s unlucky. You’re the best!”
“— Yes… The best burden in the world.”
Anton arrived on time. He hesitated awkwardly at the door for a while, then took off his shoes and stood barefoot on the pristine white floor. Tanya smiled:
“— It’s all right. You’re here! That’s the main thing; we’ll figure out the rest. I hope everything goes well.”
“— How can I let you down? I…”
“— It’s too early to get into character,” Tanya laughed. “But your mood is just right. We need to stage everything so that everyone believes we’re in a romance and complete harmony.”
Tanya’s mom was wheeled in a wheelchair. Anton flinched a little, then smiled at her. Tanya’s mom didn’t walk. Five years ago she had damaged her spine and hadn’t felt her legs since.
“— Hello! Let’s introduce ourselves.”
“— I… I’m kind of Anton.”
On the agreed day, all eyes were on Tanya, yet everyone remained silent. She knew: everyone was waiting for her disgrace. In the morning, Anton walked her to the restaurant.
“— I’ll meet you at seven.”
“— I’ll be waiting.”
“— Oh, believe me, it’s me who’ll be waiting. Tanya, you look stunning. I’m truly glad we’re spending this evening together.”
“— Anton. I’m alone here. Who is ‘you’?”
“Oh, I mean, you.”
She realized that his words didn’t embarrass her at all. In fact, his compliments flattered her.
At the celebration, Tatyana noticed the stares from her colleagues. The restaurant owner was celebrating an anniversary and promised bonuses to all employees. Perhaps it was this that kept her colleagues in a good mood, and no one rushed with sarcastic comments her way.
“— Tatyana, are you alone?” the owner inquired.
“— No, Anton will be here soon.”
He was already waiting outside. She went out and didn’t immediately recognize him among the crowd. Stately, tall, elegant. Tanya felt a flutter as he approached and took her hand. She no longer saw disappointment on her colleagues’ faces. With Anton by her side, she didn’t feel chubby, clumsy, or otherwise.
In the midst of the celebration, Nastya, the chief gossip of the team, invited Anton to dance.
“— I only dance with my girlfriend,” he replied and took Tanya by the hand.
Anton stayed by her side all evening. Tanya noticed how the manager was watching her companion. She understood that this attention wasn’t accidental. And it wasn’t just that the unfortunate Tanya had found a beau. No. The reason for such keen interest lay in something else.
“— I feel as if I’m under a magnifying glass,” Anton said. “Some are giving me a nasty smirk, while others look at me as if I were a ghost. One couple even recoiled from me. Listen, how about we run away?”
Tanya nodded. They went out into the hall, and she asked:
“— Maybe we should try sorting out the documents? I’ll help. You could start a new life, become whoever you want.”
Anton put his hands on her shoulders:
“— If I get the documents and find a job, will you marry me?”
“— Wow!”
“— So that’s a ‘yes’?”
“— Yes,” Tanya replied.
He kissed her. And then they left, because the only thing they wanted was to be alone…
They returned to the restaurant where the already rather tipsy guests of the chef remained until early morning.
“— I want to sleep,” Tanya said.
“— Maybe you should ask for time off? You’re practically falling over.”
“— It’s all right.”
Tanya looked at the restaurant. There were many cars in the parking lot. The chef was heading toward the parking lot, but not with his companion. Next to him walked a silver-haired lady and a short elderly man. They both looked quite well-to-do, but in a strange way. Tanya didn’t have time to say anything when a crowd followed the chef out of the restaurant. Anton tensed. Everyone was moving in their direction.
“— Sweetie,” the woman whispered.
Anton stepped forward and, with a trembling voice, said:
“— Mom!”
The woman began to fall, and Anton caught her. The elderly man lowered himself beside them. They embraced.
“— No one expected this,” said the chef. “But I understood immediately. He reminded me of someone. Then my partner noted that your companion looked familiar to him. In short, this isn’t Anton, but Dmitry Stupin. He disappeared a couple of years ago. His parents are very… oh-so wealthy people. There was some criminal case, but this is definitely him.”
Tanya realized that she no longer belonged there. Her colleagues would laugh at her for not recognizing a millionaire in a tramp. And he would now forget about her. Who is he and who is she…
“— Nastya, say that I’m sick,” Tanya said and ran home.
“— Maybe Anton was serious?” her mom asked.
“— What does it matter?” Tanya showed the newspapers: “Sensation – the missing man from two years ago has been found…”
Her mom hugged her, and Tanya fell asleep.
“— Oh, my dear. Why don’t you believe in yourself?”
In the evening, there was a knock at the door. Her mom opened it. Standing at the threshold was Anton with a bouquet, accompanied by a woman who looked like him, and behind them men in business suits. This entire procession had gathered at the door of their Khrushchev-era apartment.
“— Good evening. My fiancée has run off,” Anton smiled. “She promised to marry me once I got the documents. Now I have them.”
Tatyana heard the voices and went out.
“— Why are you here?”
“— To arrange a marriage.”
“— You’re joking?”
“— No. We’re adults. I like you, and I…”
“— I like you for what?”
“— I’ve fallen in love.”
“— With me? I’m such a mess…”
“— That just means you’ll take up even more space in my heart. May I come in?”
Tanya stepped back, tears welling in her eyes. She looked at him.
“— Really? You didn’t come to mock me?”
“— No, Tanya. It’s all true.”
She burst into tears on his shoulder, while he embraced her and patted her head.
“— That’s much better.”
They celebrated the wedding in the restaurant where Tanya had once worked. Now she was studying and helping her mom after her operation. The doctors promised that her mom would be able to walk.
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