[May 1945]
The news about war ended finally heard through Stepan's ears, as one ensemble member announced while reading Fyodor's gripped newspaper. That blond Yakutian's body slumped to the wall, together with Group 4 who still rehearsing under the shelter. He hugged Ivan and Fyodor too when everyone start to feel relieved and can get up from the floor again.
Not long after that, Alexandrov entered the room with relieved face too. It seems that old man also heard the news. Everyone wants to celebrate it right now, but Alexandrov raised his hand.
"We have to still perform a concert for the evening. Our Leader wants to celebrate it privately first. After that, I promise for no concert in advance. You all can reunited with your families after this concert. But keep alerted, in case there are additional concerts in the summer."
Everyone's faces were mixed between disappointment for the Leader's selfishness, but also happy that Alexandrov gave them the permission. And so, everyone are back to their sections to rehearse the songs for evening concert. Meanwhile, Stepan is still feeling unsure. Will he held again by Alexandrov as exception? Or maybe this is the good time to resign after the concert?
Maybe it won't hurt to propose the resignation once again....
===
The resignation letter has hastily prepared by Stepan in the evening after concert held. At least this is the only chance before Stepan cannot meet Alexandrov during the days off. He approached that old man who now was alone, staring at the dressing mirror.
"Ah, Stepan Alexeevich. What's the matter?" pondered Alexandrov with weary smile.
"Maestro, allow me to give you my resignation letter..." Stepan lowered his head as his hand stretched out. A brown envelope placed on the dressing mirror's table. Alexandrov sighed once again, and a bit frowned.
"...You know that I would never allow you to leave, right?"
"I know... And I kept insisting. I miss my family, Maestro."
"Then go home, Stepan Alexeevich. Meet them just like other artists reunited with their families. Spend your time there until you know when you want to come back here. But don't ever think to quit," stressed Alexandrov. Stepan's face become somewhat tense.
"But the journey to Mirnyj will taking days and weeks! I cannot promise you to quickly back to work in three-four days!"
"Then take the holiday for four months. Spend time with your family during summer. Come back here after summer ends."
"What are-" Stepan's argue stopped as he heard Alexandrov uttered the sentences, and later his voice turn softer. "Four months... but... you ordered the other artists to stay alert in summer, right?"
Alexandrov took the brown envelope and ripped it into pieces before thrown it to the trashbin. "Ah yes, because I know they mostly will only spend time for a week or two. But you were coming from far away. I will make the exception for you."
Stepan's shoulder slumped once again. For the first time he witness the letter ripped instead returned to him. But...
"What about the ensemble? If I took holiday for three months?" concerned Stepan.
"I can lend a hand with double-bassist from another philharmony. Well, I know their skill won't be good as yours, and I prefer you who already know my leadership. But... I have held you for decades. I can only ask for forgiveness by giving the holiday..."
One drop of tears from blond Yakutian's eyes coming out. He immediately rub his eyes and spoke with tremble mouth. "Thank you, Maestro... thank you..."
"Leave quickly from Moscow before anyone sees you. We don't know if the others will spare you or not. See you soon, Stepan Alexeevich."
With fast steps, Stepan left the Tchaikovsky Hall's costume room. Then he took every belonging he had in the shelter, left Moscow by walking... until he finally reached an available station that will brought him to Mirnyj.