[1931]
When he was arrived Moscow for the first time, his first instinct was to seek information whether there is vacant communal. During the search for good communal, Vadim was sleeping on the street for around two weeks. He prefer to be homeless, despite he has enough money to stay in hotel for six months (thanks to Vadim and Mark stole all of savings that their father had secretly). The reason of him had to be homeless for two weeks, he always disappointed the plumbing in the communal was so bad until no water coming out. Thankfully in fifth day, he managed to get a communal that has better plumbing. Even if no heater, at least a running water still grateful to have...
Immediately Vadim seek any opportunities, with Eduard's balalaika on his grip. He try to play in cafe, as street musician, while try to apply to have part time in radio station. He managed to get the position as one of small group of balalaika player who has to perform once a week, or whenever the radio station need them to perform somewhere. With them, Vadim able to get stable income. At least to pay the rent and basic essentials.
However, Vadim start to feel his father's whispers around him become annoying, when he start to feel content with his new life. While being homeless few months ago, he can still dampened the voice thanks to street noises or the sound of rustling leaves. But this time the communal was too silent. He once tried to turn on radio for almost everyday without turning it off, so he get some white noise accompanied him to sleep... but soon he has to turn it off because of complains from disturbed neighbors. The voices getting on his nerves, until he finally decided to open the vacancy of roommates.
===
[1932]
It's hard to find the roommate who wants to live together with Vadim for the rest of three months. Either the people are also being picky to live with Vadim, or turn out bringing large family (which Vadim was against with). But until one day... Vadim, as usual, was preparing a medium-sized pancake batter when he heard a knock on the door. He turned off the stove and opened it. He was quite surprised to see a very short man with baggy eyes wearing a hat.
"Good morning," the man greeted.
"Morning too. Who might you be?" Vadim asked.
"Vasily Nandev. I saw the ads at newspaper. And I'd like to be your roommate, if you don't mind."
Vadim patted his forehead, almost forgot he ever seek roommate. He sighs in both relief but also unsure if Vasily would be his new roommate.
"I promise I'll help clean the room, and I won't make too much noise whenever I'm drunk," Vasily said politely.
"I guess I can't promise that last one, because I also like to drink," Vadim chuckled.
"Ah, we could be good roommates, you know," Vasily joked.
"Hmm, I don't mind if you become a roommate. But you might need to look around the flat, who knows, you might think twice," then Vadim opened the door wide, inviting Vasily to come in. When Vasily took off his hat, Vadim was a bit surprised that the young man looked older than him, as his brown hair had thinned like a middle-aged man.
What makes Vadim confused, Vasily only need to walk once around the communal, and that short man grinned widely.
"Well, actually, I'm quite happy with this room. I'll definitely feel at home here," Vasily complimented.
"Really? What makes you think that?" Vadim was confused. Vasily smiled politely, as if pleased with the question. Then Vasily pointed to a worn balalaika standing upright on the bed, making Vadim somewhat surprised.
"You like music. It'll certainly make this place feel better," Vasily beamed.
"Well... It's been a while since I played it, actually. I was taking day off for a week from radio station..." Vadim was embarrassed.
"Try playing it!" Vasily requested. Vadim shyly picked up his worn balalaika and cleaned it. He plucked the strings one by one to check the sound before playing. Then, Vadim played the song "Vniz Po Volge Rechke." His hand slipped briefly when he heard his father's voice boomed with some broken glass noises, but he quickly regained his composure. Vasily listened with rapt attention, even joining in with hum. It made Vadim felt comfortable enough to demonstrate his balalaika skills.
"Good music you have!" Vasily praised after Vadim finished the song.
"Well, thanks."
"Okay, so would you like to have me as your roommate? Honestly, I'd love to stay here..." Vasily asked once more. Vadim nodded and shook hands with Vasily. "Welcome to this place, buddy."
"Thank you. I'll get my suitcase downstairs," Vasily said before leaving Vadim's apartment.
===
Vadim didn't say much as he watched Vasily's clothes pile into the empty closet. Some of them were extremely worn and had mud stains that couldn't be removed. The short man also wiped his pink eyes several times as he entered the apartment.
"Why are you crying?" Vadim asked, trying to be friendly. But he realised he'd asked a very inappropriate question. Vasily turned around, but his expression wasn't sad, but rather blank.
"I'm not crying, Vadim. My eyes are often irritated and watery. I've had them treated by the doctor, but they haven't gotten better," Vasily replied quietly. "But don't worry. The doctor told me it won't infect anyone through eye contact or physical contact. It's just a simple irritation, because I used to work as a construction worker. You know, there's no special security measures there."
"I can understand... Huh? Back then?" Vadim was confused.
"I changed jobs, and the leader gave me permission to live in any apartment."
"May I ask..." Vadim hadn't finished speaking when Vasily raised his hand and said, "Excuse me, Vadim. But I will appreciate if you turn your back first. There are some personal belongings of mine that you shouldn't see. Is that okay?"
Vadim nodded respectfully. He chose to continue cooking the pancakes, while waiting for Vasily to put in the items he considered confidential. A moment later, Vasily emerged from under his bed and said, "Okay, everything's done. What did you want to ask?"
"Ah, Vasya. May I ask, what do you do for a living?"
"A choir artist in the Alexandrov Ensemble."
"Is that so... It's quite difficult to get in, isn't it?"
"Not really. The leadership still allows civilians without music degree to join."
"How long have you been working?"
"Umm... it's only the day after tomorrow. Today I just re-registered and chose a communal house provided by the government. But I don't like everything about it. It looks shabby. My old house in Kharovsk still looks more luxurious, hahaha..."
"By the way, are you hungry? I made pancakes today." Vadim changed the subject by quickly returning to the kitchen table and brought the finished pancakes. Vasily's eyes immediately lit up and he followed behind him.
"That's good! I haven't eaten since yesterday either."
Then Vadim took two small plates and a fork from the top cupboard. He arranged them on the dining table, then took a small jar and a bottle of honey to place next to the pancakes.
"If you like something sour, here are some sliced berries..." Vadim said, showing the contents of the small jar.
"Thanks, I quite like them."
After they both finished eating, Vasily immediately took his plate and washed it without waiting for Vadim to finish his. Then the short man went back under his bed and emerged a minute later with a fairly large rectangular gift.
"I'm sorry I forgot to give you this. It's a welcome gift for you, Vadim."
"Huh? No, you don't have to gift anything, actually," Vadim shook his head politely.
"You gave me delicious pancakes. It's my turn to repay you. Besides, I should have given them to you earlier, but I forgot."
Vadim accepted it and unwrap the wrapping paper. The gift contained a painting of the backyard garden, adorned with many white roses. He was moved by the sight of the painting, and a tear escaped his left eye.
"Eh... Vadim? Are you okay? Don't you like my gift?" Vasily asked uncomfortably.
"No, no. This painting just reminds me of my childhood. I really like gardens with white roses, and it makes me feel like a child again. Where did you get this painting?"
"My sister Nadezhda really liked painting, and I wanted to take one of her paintings home as a memory. I chose this because..." Vasily paused for a moment, trying to think of a suitable excuse, "...I like the atmosphere it evokes."
"Thank you, buddy. I really like it. Let me put it up first." Then Vadim took the storage box under the kitchen counter, grabbing the nail and hammer in his right hand. He hammered the nail into the wall of the main room, which was adjacent to the kitchen and Vasily's bed. After that, Vadim put the painting on the wall that had been nailed.
===
Two days later...
Vadim slowly opened his eyes, waking himself from bed. He didn't know what time it was, but he was sure the sun was already higher than him. He could see it through the window, which wasn't bright. He got up and looked at the clock. Ah, nine in the morning, he thought. Then he looked around, but didn't find Vasily.
"Vasya?" Vadim called. The tall young man only finding a tidied bed beside Vadim's. Then Vadim remembered that Vasily had started work two days after he moved here. Vadim didn't look for him anymore, instead preparing the bread he had bought yesterday for him to eat with his milk.
"Hmm, a routine morning job, huh..." Vadim muttered. He somewhat wanted another job that had its own grueling routine. Unlike to be occasional balalaika player, who was only called when there was a weekly playing or small concert. At the same time, he still hesitated. Did he really wanted this, or is he only tempted by seeing Vasily's routine?
He decided to wait. Better to getting know more about Vasily before deciding the future job.
===
[1934]
Vadim can only sighed in exasperation. He just signed the contract to also working in Alexandrov Ensemble, and now his body is measured by the costume crew.
"I thought I won't be tempted. Turn out it's so tempting," cursed Vadim to himself. To remember the balalaika players in radio station start to collab more with Alexandrov Ensemble... the place where Vasily also worked. Vadim rolls his eyes whenever he comes to CSKA, finding Vasily immediately waving hand aggressively while embracing a young man with black hair and green eyes. Then when back to communal together, Vasily start to tell Vadim more about daily life in Alexandrov Ensemble... which sounds so chaotic. Yet as Vasily tells those, the voices around Vadim dampened greatly.
After measured by the costume crew... Vadim can see Vasily smirked when they both went back to communal with the tram. The polite side that he ever met three years ago has gone. It's not that Vadim disappointed, and Vasily still being responsible as roommate. But it's still annoying to see Vasily's smirk.
"Congrats, Vadik! I bet you will like this workplace. Don't worry, the health care is good. Look at my condition now!" grinned Vasily, whose his eyes still somewhat pink, but not too severe like the past years.
"Yeah, yeah..." groaned Vadim.
"If you need anything, I am ready to be your guide! I can tell you about who you can quickly get along, or need to some persuasion!" offered Vasily.
"Maybe just one question, Vasya; who's that black-haired man that you kept dragging around? You seemed really put him in hard situation," mocked Vadim, but that make Vasily's grin wider.
"Oh, this will be a good story... Buckle up, Vadik."