So, Masha and Rita found each other in the jungle of exquisite underwear - among bras, lace belts, and combinations. Masha, without any pleasure, searched for intimate goods and was full of the most black melancholy. Edik had time to give up on her and did not even try to in any way to excite in her marital enthusiasm and reward for what she had to share with his bed. When Masha thought that their marriage was hopelessly acidic, tears flowed down her cheeks. The newlyweds even stopped asking her for her opinion on the technique of sex. He guessed that she is not only not passionate about him, but, at best, trying to treat his harassment philosophically.
Rita noticed Masha immediately. Resolutely approaching her, she said:
- When I remembered that all this would cost me a penny, I too began to cry!
Looking at her, Masha immediately noticed that she had a wedding ring on her finger and, as if she had met a soul mate, she felt a kind of relief: the shine of gold, symbolizing the bonds of Hymenei, said that she had a husband, and therefore, as a woman, she also carries her cross.
- I mean," Rita said, seeing Masha's silence, "there's no better way to be comforted than to buy herself something more expensive.
- That's right..." Masha nodded with a smile.
- Nothing can cheer up a married woman like a good bra or underwear..." Rita continued, and Masha smiled again.
- How about this one? - She asked.
- Well, this one will suit you if you're going to the monastery!
- Perhaps," Masha nodded. - Too boring.
- How about this?
- I would have agreed to that at the monastery too!
- You bet!
Then they both laughed and started wandering around the shop together and going through things. Then they headed for the exit, decided to sit down and splash out their acquaintance.
Having found a small open cafe in the shade of chestnuts, they got comfortable and had a more detailed conversation.
- To Odessa - to have a rest? - Rita asked about it.
- On a wedding journey. We have just arrived from Kyiv. My husband and I... - Masha said and was embarrassed to keep silent, not daring to tell about what kind of entertainment program Edik had planned for his honeymoon.
- Were you crying because of him? Or just a bunch of chocolate?
- How did you guess? - Masha was surprised. - That's right. I cried because I was completely unprepared for family life... Now it seems to me that there will be nothing left of me but the inscription...
- What's the inscription? - in turn, Rita was surprised.
- Yes, on my grave.
Rita seemed to understand it. At least she didn't ask about anything else.
- And I'm on a business trip here," Rita said, stirring a cocktail with a straw. - I work for television, and we're doing a show about the Black Sea Fleet's military bases and the problem of separation of the armed forces in general. We were warned that we would have big problems with the local military authorities...
Masha was curious. I have never met a woman who, besides wearing an engagement ring, would be engaged in such serious matters.
- So I had to put up with it! - Rita continued. - When I came from Kyiv to get my official permission, and the whole group had already left Moscow, a local male bastard began to put sticks in our wheels.
- I don't understand," Masha said.
- Politics," Rita smiled. - That is, he thinks so.
- But why did he lean so hard?
- That's why," she said impatiently, "all the women in the world are meant to do is get their hands full. And to those who have connected themselves to politics or, God forbid, to television - especially...
So they were having a nice conversation, and Masha didn't even notice when they switched to you.
- Well, what do you do? - Rita asked her.
- So, I got married...
- I already know that" Rita smiled gently. - I saw you watering your bras and underwear with tears... I'm asking you what you're doing and what your plans are.
- At first, we were, and now I don't know...
- Now, that's just stupid. Marriage, as it were, is a questionable thing in many ways. Especially if you are not very happy in it. Notice, it's only been two weeks since you've been married, and you're already perplexed about what's going on with you.
- I don't know...
- Anyway, you should think about what to do. You're probably interested in something, aren't you?
First shyly, and then more courageously Masha began to tell about her cherished dream.
- I think I would like to become a journalist... I applied for a journalistic job. I would like to do something real. To travel a lot, to see a lot of things... Where the most important thing is happening... Maybe even make reports about the war.
Rita looked at this girl with surprise, who got married when her lips were still dry, but listened with sincere attention and spoke only when the fountain of Machine's eloquence dried up.