– I wish I could, but you see for yourself: this chick wants to spread its wings and fly away» replied his father. – But I still have a question.
I tensed up.
– Where will you live?
– Ugh… How you scared me! – I exclaimed with relief. – I've already been allocated a university flat.
– You have a whole flat all to yourself? You won't get lost in it? – jokingly asked Mscislav.
– I don't know how it's done… And anyway, you've already studied there, so you'd tell me! – I parried his joke.
– I am happy to tell you, but I think Maria or Mariszka will give you better advice.
In the evening, sitting in my bright and cosy room, I still couldn't believe that I had achieved what I wanted: I would go to England! I'll fly away from Poland! I'll fly away from my family! And there would be a new, grown-up, independent life!
«Thank you, Cedric. You helped me to become myself» I thought gratefully, suddenly remembering him.
2
That same evening I called Mariszka in Prague to share my happy news with her, but instead of congratulating me, she strongly insisted that I give up this «madness». Her voice disturbed me: there was bitterness and some tragedy in it.
– Mariszka, what's wrong with your voice? – I asked, deciding that her resistance to my trip had something to do with the sadness in her beautiful voice.
– The thing is… Though I don't think you need to know about other one's problems» she replied.
– Something with Markus? – I suggested. – Was it really that serious?
I didn't know anything about love relationships, but I knew about them from books and films.
– No, no! Markus and I are fine. It's not our relationship that's the problem.
– Then what is it?
– I'll call you later. Tomorrow… No, next week, but promise me you won't go anywhere!
– I've made up my mind, and to be honest, I didn't think you'd mind! Even Martin agreed! – I said grudgingly.
– Misha! – Mariszka sighed heavily. – The path you've chosen is scary and difficult. Besides, no one in the family is even thinking of going with you! You think it's so easy to live alone in human society and successfully hide? You can't do it!
– By the way, your husband's brother thinks otherwise!
– Cedric? What did he tell you? – There was alarm in Mariszka's voice.
I was surprised at the haste with which she said those words.