Unbearable silence

      Marcus was returning home. He was looking around didn't fully understand where his house was after new buildings creating. As luck would have it, there was no one on the street except a lady thoughtfully going about her business:       "Excuse me," He smiled awkwardly, throwing his suitcase back, "can you tell me where Almeida’s house is?"       "Oh, do you mean the residence of Darbaan? It's over there, two hundred yards away."       Marcus craned his head in hope, but found nothing. The residence has been hidden behind hundreds of colorful houses.       "Sorry, but I'm not sure I get."       "Why do you need to go there? Mr. Almeida Jr. will arrive in three days - no less."        “You see,” he grinned, “I am that same gentleman. I just... I don’t remember the way home."       The lady glowed with happiness:       "So that’s it! You forgot the way to college,” She grabbed Marcus’ arm, “well, it’s good that you remembered the way home.” It's also good that we met. I often visit your mother and play bridge with her."       "I get it now..." Marcus looked at the arm wrapped around him, confused.       "Yes. My name is Kalpana. Kalpana Sangeet Rustogi." She held out her palm. With his available free fingers, Marcus shook it. "Why aren’t you in a car? Does your mommy allow you to wander in such dust?"       "You know, I came by bus, at our college... there was such an opportunity. And the problem is that my house doesn't seem to be near my destination."       "Oh, I don’t really know that, I’ve never been to a bus stop." She laughed. “Don’t worry, you’ll soon get used to motorcade.”       "Then let me ask, why are you walking?" Marcus smiled.       "I live nearby. This is the first. The second is: I consider it necessary to take a walk. Don't you think so?" She raised her eyebrows.       "I think!" Marcus immediately told.       "It’s very good that you think. So usefully today, you know?" She flashed her eyes mysteriously, “I also dance. However, you will soon see everything for yourself."       Marcus nodded, embarrassed by such an open lady who was waving her dress.       "And who did you learn to be, sir?"       "For a lawyer, madam."       "Already a professor?"       "No, how could I, madam? I'm still learning! "       Kalpana giggled.       "Yes, I get".       "In five years you will see a certified specialist in the field of advocacy! Maybe even refereeing!"       Kalpana pursed her lips, not sharing his delight.       "I also imagined life this way until I received my first education. I thought I would study all day and all night, and then would have a serious work, sort through important papers, read laws. But, as you can see... None of this happened."       "Why?" Marcus frowned in disappointment.       She grinned, saying frankly:       "This won’t suit you, don’t even think about it." Kalpana shook her head resignedly, "What about me..." She looked sadly into the distance, "I missed the happy time of my youth, sat behind notebooks. And now I will miss freedom all my life. So choose the work of your life only for yourself, not for parents, it doesn't matter how respected they are. Trust me,” She smiled disappointedly, lowering her eyes, “there is no such big gratitude after which you will stop regretting the lost years.”       Marcus thought about it. This change in his companion confused him. Some kind of bright sorrow was transmitted to him. But Kalpana casually began the conversation again, stopping his thoughts:       "Look, here is your residence. We're almost there."       "Oh, thank you, I would never have figured it out on my own..."       "No, I’ll take you home." She said decisively, “I want to shame your mommy for not taking her own son!”       "Oh well, don’t..."       No one asked him anymore, Kalpana animatedly led him into the house. She flew onto the threshold like a doe, looking predatorily for someone.       "Sardar Singh, hello again. Where's Susan?"       "Good afternoon, Madame Rustogi, the lady was on the second floor."       "Climbed for once." Kalpana squinted gloatingly at the sight of the black silhouette above.       "What's happened, Kalpana?" Susan, lazily waving her arms, descended. "Have you forgotten something?" Kalpana pulled Marcus intriguing.       "Tell me, Mrs. Almeida. Do you know this person?"       Susan finally paid attention to her guest. She gasped, speechless.       "Yeap." Kalpana nodded, she was trying to shame Susan. She said expressively: “Mommy. I have to remind you that today he graduated from college. And he was really waiting for you."       Marcus shook her by the elbow, looking displeased. But Kalpana was looking straight at Susan.       "I didn’t expect to see you at all, Marcus..."       She came up, clasping him by the shoulders, turning his best side towards her. Pride in the compartment blossomed with satisfaction on her face. Marcus sat up quite straight. Kalpana nudged him with a light blow from her bag:       "Well, hug already!" She smiled, looking at their uncertain embrace, which suddenly became stronger. "Like strangers."       Marcus and his mother looked at each other for a long time. There was admiration in their eyes. Throwing her bag over her shoulder, Kalpana lowered her eyes, raising her eyebrows meaningfully. She left quietly, not wanting to disturb reunited relatives.       "Mom, I missed you so much."       "And I missed you, my little son." She grabbed his face, admiring him. “I can’t believe you’ve grown so much.”       He looked at her so naively and disinterestedly that it seemed that he had experienced a lot of pain before. Business-like Nicholas appeared on the threshold.       "Nicholas, look who has arrived." Susan turned her son towards him. Marcus smiled openly at his father. He froze, looking at the unfamiliar young man in bewilderment. He smiled in confusion:       "Has my son really returned home?" Without taking his hands out of his vest pockets, Nicholas walked up to him. "Hello, Marcus."       "Hello, dad." He extended his hand cordially. With a calculating grin, Nicholas shook it.       "How did you graduate?"       "Wonderful. “Excellent” in all disciplines."       Nicholas smiled distantly and nodded contentedly.       "Well done, son. You'll go far. Just a little bit, and you are the head of the Almeida house. You will do the same things as me. Talk to the same people as me. In the end... You will behave the same way as me."       Nicholas patted him on the shoulder. Adapting to his father's strong hand, Marcus straightened out. Nicholas spoke as if he were infinitely proud of himself.       "Well... Sort out your things, get ready for the reception... Today you will see as many famous guests as you have never seen in your life. Get ready, Marcus."       Nicholas confidently placed a hand on his chest, pushing him. He left with a final smile, casually and habitually, as he did for his business partners.       "The reception?" Marcus repeated in confusion, reminding the horror events of his childhood with horror.       "In honor of your birthday, Marcus." Susan gently laid her fingers on his shoulder, reassuring him, “That’s why I asked you to come back early. You see, it was not in vain that I pulled you out of graduation."       Marcus turned to her with a knowing, annoyed smile.       "...the most important is that you wrote the last exam. And the partying can wait. You will still have time to taste adult life with the right people."       "Yes, mom, I understand."       "Well done." She carefully stroked his hair. "You have always been a smart boy. Please go to your room. Get ready for the evening."       Susan left. Marcus watched her for a long time, feeling how all the feelings that he had prepared for her expectedly subside in his chest. Hanging his head, he walked upstairs past unfamiliar servants, flowers and decorations.