June 1954
Dear Dimochka,
I hope this letter arrived to you soon. Although by the time you are reading this, we may never meet again and can only write or call each other. Because I have decided to join my family back to Bristol and bring Petka too. Father and mother has moved to Bristol by two months ago, and I only stayed here for a while because there are some documents I have to finished before leaving the hospital.
I have heard that your lung cancer has reached stage 2, and my father has offered you to join him at England for the intensive care. While it's saddening you reject the offer, I am also glad that you have enough safety net to continue your life. So please, stay alive for Dashenka, Toshenka and Ninusya a bit longer.
As for the reason why I decided to go back to England, I realised that my good memories here hurt so much. I loved and lost Vashenka at the same time. I realised the medical field education here cannot teach better for Petka's future. Therefore I rather prepare the future for Petka than depending on this place. Vashenka's sister, Anastasia, also had a daughter who just graduated from high school and has a dream to become a pathologist. She will also depart together with Petka and me by cruiser, and she will enter medic school as soon as possible.
Forgive me for this selfish decision. I choose this to preserve and fulfilling the dream that Vashenka always speaks to me; to have better life for the his family. And as someone who has privilege and access, I can't just stay silent to see someone in need.
One more thing, don't hesitate to contact me whether you need something. I still want to help you, and surely my family will do our best to help you too. My address and telephone number is at the back of this letter. Please use it whenever you need to.
Your beloved cousin,
Elena Nandeva
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At the end... the only reply from Dmitry happened in 1960. Middle-aged Elena only faintly smile as she sees seven photos of Dmitry and his little family, enjoying the summer holidays year by year.
And it was the only contact they have done, for their exchange has replete.