and unpleasant. Alya was actually reassembled piece by piece. The most difficult part was coping with her mother’s death: the woman’s heart couldn’t take seeing her daughter in the fire.

– Alechka, perhaps we should sell the apartment?

– the father concerned. – We’ll buy something smaller and heal you…

She simply shook her head. She couldn’t speak any longer.

After the fire and her mother’s death, she simply went silent. The physicians shrugged their shoulders; her vocal chords were fine, but it appeared that her body had turned off this function itself. “A nervous condition,” they surmised.

“We’ll wait.”

In the end, the unit was exchanged. The brother married and took out a mortgage; no aid was expected from him. The father reserved the corner for himself in case they unexpectedly paid a visit.

She could no longer teach.

— Aleftina Tarasovna, I understand your situation… But, how will you teach the kids?

– The school principal signed the dismissal with heavy heart.

Alya nodded quietly. Yes, she was not a teacher anymore.

She landed the job by happenstance, in an office that required a cleaner. She was returning from another plein air when she noticed an advertisement on a glass door and walked in without thinking.

Why she was hired remains unknown. However, the manager never pity her. Her hands ached from previous burns, but she persevered.

Despite the pain, she washed the floors, wiped the glass, and polished the handles – and her hands got softer, less stiff.

When the office moved to another area, the manager called his friend:

– Mikhalych, hello! I have one recommendation for you. The girl is just a godsend.

Just take good care of her.

So Alya ended up in the bank. Of course, there were also some cheeky young people and indifferent bosses here… But work was work – and she did it conscientiously.

– Hey, why are you silent all the time? – the manager provoked.

– You can’t or don’t want to? Or is the salary small?

She didn’t answer. She just patiently rubbed the glass, which was already sparkling.

Then, one day, murmurs began to circulate throughout the room.

All of the clients and personnel turned toward the entryway. An luxury automobile approached the bank. A man stepped out and confidently entered.

– Boss!

Sergey Mikhailovich! He has arrived!

Alya proceeded to wipe the pane, yellow gloves flashing across it.

– Hello, Sergei Mikhailovich. The chief accountant greeted him.

Alya shivered and turned around.

The man noticed her.

Recognition flashed across her face. He froze, then stepped forward, came closer. His eyes filled with tears.

In front of everyone, he knelt down and, taking off her gloves, kissed her palms, covered in scars. Everyone present froze in bewilderment.

She was crying too.

“It was you…” he whispered, standing up and hugging her. “You saved my son!”

He turned to the staff:

– This is the girl who almost at the cost of her life carried Lesha out of the fire!

Tension persisted in the hall.

Someone looked down in embarrassment, and someone coughed in awkwardness. The applause began one by one, first timidly, then loudly and kindly. Alya grinned confusedly, concealing her hands, which Sergey was still holding.

And at that moment, a guy about fifteen ran into the bank.

– Dad, you promised swiftly!

I had been waiting for you for an hour!

He stopped in place as he saw his father kneeling in front of the woman.

Alya felt something inside of her shake. She looked at the boy, then at the man, and understood. Sergey turned around and quietly stated:

– Lesha.

This is the same woman that helped you get out of the fire.

The guy ran to her and hugged her.

– We’ve finally discovered you!

Then, like a flash of lightning, her voice returned. Perhaps the stress helped it wake up; that happens. Her voice was softer and slightly raspy, but this inflection imparted mystery and depth to her.

They frequently met together, whether in a cafe, at home, or in the park.

They discussed everything that had happened throughout the years. For the first time in nine years, Alya slept through a nightmare.

Sergey and Lyosha have been looking for her for years. They just knew she had survived, but they had no idea what her new address was because the apartment was already occupied.

And they didn’t expect to meet her again, especially as a cleaner.

When Sergey discovered that this woman worked in their branch, he promptly scheduled comprehensive treatment for her. He paid for all operations and recovery. He felt compelled to do it.

Sergey’s friend, the owner of a private gallery, happened to come upon her works by accident.

He was amazed. Experts noticed her beautiful and light watercolour painting.