Lukas caught up to Vladimir and Anastasia, and the three of them walked in silence for a moment before Vladimir spoke up. "Sergei, what kind of women do you like?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Lukas and Anastasia exchanged a surprised glance, both of them wondering why Vladimir would ask such a question. Vladimir caught their gaze and chuckled. "I'm serious, Sergei. It's a good way to get to know someone."
Anastasia's expression turned skeptical. "Why ask him that while I'm around?" she asked, her voice tinged with annoyance.
Vladimir just laughed, and Anastasia quickened her pace, walking ahead of them. Lukas watched her go, then turned back to Vladimir. "I don't know," he said, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "I've never really thought about it."
Vladimir's face fell slightly, but he nodded. "You can always tell who a man is by the type of woman he likes," he said, his eyes glinting with insight.
Lukas tried to imagine what kind of women he might like, but he came up blank. He hadn't really given much thought to women before, and he didn't know how to respond.
Vladimir pulled him in close, his face inches from Lukas's. He nodded towards Anastasia, who was walking ahead of them. "What about her?" he asked, his voice low and conspiratorial.
Lukas's eyes sparkled with a sudden, unbridled fascination as Vladimir's suggestion hung in the air. His mind began to race with thoughts he hadn't considered before, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. He even stopped walking, caught off guard by the intensity of his own reaction. Vladimir noticed the spark in Lukas's eyes and smiled knowingly, aware that his mischievous comment had struck a nerve.
As Lukas snapped back to reality, he was hit with the harsh reminder that Anastasia's feelings towards him were far from affectionate. He doubted whether he deserved a happy ending, given the circumstances. "No," Lukas said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the turmoil brewing inside him.
Vladimir chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I don't think that's what your heart says, Sergei," he said, his voice low and teasing.
Lukas found the conversation peculiar, but it was a welcome distraction from the tension that had previously hung in the air. The walk, which had once seemed daunting, now felt almost pleasant. He even enjoyed the banter with Vladimir, despite not fully understanding the old man's intentions.
As they caught up with Anastasia, Vladimir's expression turned somber. He began to tell Lukas about his late wife, his voice filled with a deep affection and nostalgia. "Sergei, my wife was the love of my life," he said, his eyes misting over with memories. "We were married for over 40 years, and every moment with her was precious."
Vladimir's words were directed at both Lukas and Anastasia, his voice filled with a gentle wisdom. "It's better to meet someone you love while you're young, so you can have more time to spend with them," he said, his eyes twinkling with a deep understanding.
Lukas glanced over at Anastasia, who was staring at the ground, her face a mask of indifference. She seemed to be avoiding the conversation, hoping to escape the weight of Vladimir's words.
Vladimir continued, his voice taking on a slightly serious tone. "I always tell Anastasia that isolating herself isn't a good thing. I don't think there's anyone she speaks to who's not twice her age." Anastasia's response was laced with a hint of sarcasm. "That's probably because most of the people in the village are twice my age... or 10 years younger."
Vladimir's expression turned thoughtful. "The war does take away men suitable for you, but what about women? You shouldn't be crippled by loneliness, Anastasia." Anastasia's response was quick, her voice firm. "I talk to women."
Vladimir's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Babushka and her friends don't count, Anastasia." He glanced over at Lukas, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. He wanted to ask Lukas about his conscription and why he wasn't at the front lines fighting. However, his gaze fell on Lukas's limp, and he stopped, his expression softening. It was clear that Lukas was medically unfit, and Vladimir's curiosity was tempered by a newfound understanding.
Vladimir's eyes twinkled as he turned to Anastasia, a mischievous glint in his gaze. "Well, what about Sergei here? You should consider getting to know him better. Given Babushka's arrangement for him to stay at your place, it seems like fate has brought you two together." His words hung in the air, and Anastasia's reaction was palpable.
The suggestion caught Anastasia off guard, and she felt a sting of surprise. She didn't immediately reject the idea or lash out in anger; instead, she laughed, the sound a bit awkward and uncertain. Vladimir's eyes
sparkled with amusement as he turned to Lukas, saying, "Anastasia, that's very cold."
Lukas, however, sensed the underlying tension and caught the drift of Vladimir's intentions. He wondered why Vladimir was trying to push them towards each other, and a spark of irritation flared within him. This time, it was Lukas who felt enraged, his emotions simmering just below the surface as he struggled to understand Vladimir's motives.
Lukas, Vladimir, and Anastasia walked down the dirt path, the silence between them punctuated only by the sound of their footsteps. As they approached the checkpoint, Lukas's heart began to quicken, his senses on high alert.
Two Soviet soldiers, armed and stern-faced, stood guard, their eyes scanning the trio as they approached. One of them stepped forward, his hand resting on the grip of his rifle.
"Documents," he barked, his voice firm but not unfriendly.
Vladimir handed over his papers, and Anastasia followed suit, her movements calm and practiced. Lukas, however, hesitated, his mind racing as he rummaged through his pockets for the forged documents.
The soldier's eyes narrowed as he examined Vladimir's papers, then turned to Lukas. "And you?" he asked, his tone a little sharper.
Lukas handed over his documents, trying to keep his hands steady. The soldier took them, his eyes almost went over the papers as Anastasia lets out a cough seeming to distract them from the inspection
"What's your business here?" he asked, his tone neutral.
Vladimir jumped in, his voice smooth. "Sergei here is a refugee from Minsk. We're taking him in, providing him with shelter and care."
The soldier's gaze lingered on Lukas before he nodded, handing back the documents. "Alright, you can pass. Be careful, the road ahead isn't safe."
As they walked away from the checkpoint, Lukas let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Vladimir clapped him on the back, a reassuring smile on his face.
"Way to stay calm Sergei," he laughed, his voice low.
Anastasia walked ahead, her shoulders stiff, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. Lukas watched her, wondering what was going through her mind.