As Lukas stepped outside, he was greeted by the warm sun on his skin and the gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the trees. The village, though not ravaged by war, bore the scars of its aftermath. A few makeshift shelters stood alongside partially constructed buildings, a testament to the community's resilience. Lukas noticed a group of men struggling to rebuild a house, their sweat-glistened brows a testament to their hard work. Nearby, children laughed and played, their carefree shouts and giggles filling the air as they chased each other through the dusty streets, largely unsupervised.
Babushka walked closely beside Lukas, her eyes watchful as he navigated the uneven terrain on his injured leg. As they strolled, Lukas turned to her with curiosity. "Why did you save me?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine interest. "You risked your life for a stranger. Why?"
Babushka's expression softened, and she gazed out at the village. "My father," she began, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "He was injured during the first war, caught in the crossfire. The medics couldn't reach him in time... He died because of it." Her eyes refocused on Lukas. "My brother went on to pursue medicine abroad, but I stayed. My father taught me the value of life before he passed. He said, 'Every life is worth saving, if it's in your power to save them, do it. Even if it's the most evil person on the planet, save them. Their retribution comes not from our hand.'"
Lukas's eyes narrowed as he tried to process this mentality. "That's a noble philosophy," he said, but Babushka cut him off with a wry smile.
"It's stupid," she said bluntly. "It's gotten me into trouble more times than I can count. Almost got me killed, too." Her gaze met Lukas's, a hint of defiance in her eyes. "But it's what my father believed, and it's what I believe. Sometimes, it's hard to know what's right or wrong in this world, but saving lives... That, at least, feels right to me."
As Lukas listened to Babushka's words, a warmth spread through his chest, reminiscent of his mother's soothing voice. He felt a pang of nostalgia, but it was quickly replaced by the reality of his situation. "What now?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. "I'm almost fully healed. What's next?"
Babushka's expression turned practical. "Whatever you want to do, I suppose."
Lukas's mind began to wander, but he brought it back to the present. "Will I still have to leave?" he asked, uncertainty creeping into his voice.
Babushka's response was matter-of-fact. "Everyone here is just another refugee, just like some of them. You're welcome to stay. And it's convenient that you speak Russian." She smiled slightly. "Although, your staying depends on the young lady you're dying to know."
Lukas's eyes widened slightly. "Did you find out her name?"
"No," he admitted.
Babushka chuckled. "Oh, then you've made no progress. Well, keep trying before she loses her patience." Her expression turned serious. "In the meantime, it's time you got a real place to stay."
Lukas's confusion was evident. "What?"
Babushka's smile was sly. "I always have the newest refugee stay with me until we can sort out a good living arrangement for them."
As they walked, Babushka teased Lukas about his plans, "You weren't planning on staying in the clinic forever, were you?" Lukas chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. The conversation flowed easily, and they discussed everything from the village's struggles to rebuild to the latest news from the front lines.
As they strolled through the village, the houses seemed to blend together, a mix of damaged and intact buildings. They reached a small, wooden house with a thatched roof, its exterior worn but well-maintained. The door creaked as Babushka pushed it open, revealing a cozy interior with a fire burning in the hearth.
As Lukas entered, his gaze instantly met Anastasia's, who was sitting by the fire, her face breaking into a smile. However, her expression faltered as she took in Lukas's presence, and her face turned a deep shade of red. Natasha, who was sitting beside Anastasia, waved enthusiastically at Lukas, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Anastasia's reaction was immediate. She rose from her seat, her eyes flashing with anger, and approached Babushka. "May I speak with you privately?" she asked, her voice low and urgent.
Babushka nodded, and the two women stepped outside, leaving Lukas to awkwardly greet Natasha, who was still beaming at him. Anastasia's anger was palpable as she confronted Babushka. "Why have you brought him here?" she demanded. "He's a danger to me and my sister."
Babushka's response was gentle but firm. "He'll be with us temporarily, Anastasia. He can't stay in the clinic forever, and we need the space. He's not a threat, I assure you."
"I accepted to keep this a secret, I accepted to help treat him, and I accepted everything up to this point, but this is simply unacceptable," Anastasia said, her voice low and angry.
Babushka tried to calm her down, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Nothing will happen to you or Natasha, Anastasia. I'd give my life for you both. You know that."
Anastasia's anger boiled over, and she muttered under her breath, "That broken, arrogant..."
Before she could say more, she stormed back into the house, her eyes blazing with fury. She was met with the sight of Natasha chatting with Lukas, and her anger turned to outrage. She swiftly grabbed Natasha's hand, pulling her away from Lukas, and gave him a scathing look before storming off with her sister.
Babushka walked in, a wry smile on her face. "That could have gone better," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Lukas raised an eyebrow. "You should have told me this was her house and I was coming to live with them. I wouldn't have agreed to come then."
Babushka chuckled. "I brought you here because it's my house as well, Lukas."
As Babushka followed Anastasia into the other room, Lukas realized that the bond between Anastasia and Babushka went far beyond the confines of the clinic. He sensed a deep affection and trust between them, one that was rooted in more than just their work together.