Unbearable silence

      The party at the Almeida estate has already begun.       —Marcus,” Kalpana joined him, smiling sweetly, “why aren’t you dancing?”       - Why should I dance, I just arrived! “He spoke in a whisper, leaning towards her.        “Meet Mrs. Sharma,” Kalpana met a woman on the way. “You really wanted to meet Marcus, so here he is.” — Kalpana looked back at Marks with pride, as if her son was standing with her.       —Oh, very nice, young man. “The woman extended her palm for a handshake, but Marcus automatically left a kiss on it. The ladies gasped in admiration.       — We saw which one. “Kalpana pointed meaningfully at him with her eyes, smiling. - Okay, Marcus, let's move on, please excuse us.       —Where are you taking me? - He whispered indignantly.       —And this is Mr. Raj Raghunath, our district judge. — Kalpana bowed her head, indicating to Marcus the incredible significance.       —It’s a pleasure, Marcus. — The mustachioed man shook hands. His status added interest to Marcus, but the young man was still at a loss.       —And now I ask you to excuse him. We need to meet someone else. — Kalpana smiled charmingly, leading him away. Marcus couldn’t resist shaking off her hand:       —What's going on? Why are you dragging me around like a doll? Who gave you this right?       Kalpana raised her eyebrows questioningly:       —Don’t you know how such evenings go? - She grinned, - Eternal self-promotion. There is no other way.       —What's the point of running from one to another if you can't even talk normally?       Kalpana looked at him as if he were stupid.       — How will people find out about you? Moreover, it is such an honor for me to introduce you as the main character of the evening.       Marcus understood everything:       —I see. You are simply making a reputation for yourself on my skin. Well, that's commendable. It gives you an image.       “Yes,” she smiled slyly, waving the hem of her dress, “but what’s wrong with that?” No one died from good authority.       As soon as she led him to the side, Marcus took his hand out of his grip. Kalpana looked around questioningly.       —I'm not going anywhere with you.       —What about the guests?       —Mom will introduce me to him.       —Come on! - Kalpana laughed, - I didn’t know that you would want to develop under her wing. Your right.       Highly raising her head, Kalpana walked towards the guests, maintaining a mysterious expression on her face. Shaking his head, Marcus looked back at the crowd. Among her, he noticed a pair of sparkling eyes roaming around the hall. The fair-skinned girl with her black hair resembled a young moon rising into the dark sky. I didn’t want to take my eyes off her, just as I didn’t want to take my eyes off a mine in the desert. She was so fresh and tender that the golden shackles of the castle, this rich house, seemed to fetter her, just as prohibitions fetter life. Here it was too stuffy for her youth - the environment of all these well-dressed, seasoned young ladies and men. Marcus looked at her with curiosity, seeing his reflection in such a naive, sensitive image.       — Here comes Marcus! — Kalpana said deliberately loudly, raising her graceful hands. With all her appearance she showed that she was not to blame for the appearance of new guests. - Meet our boy, Mrs. Pents. Which, by the way, is no longer a boy.       —Oh, I personally remember him when he was very little! He was running, such a small, but already quite serious young man! I can’t even imagine how much you’ve grown now!       —Oh, he's a poet. — Kalpana said casually, leaning familiarly on his shoulder. - You should have seen his poems.       Marcus's eyes widened in horror. He looked disgustedly at the beauty.       — How? Can't be! So you are a man of art, Marcus! And we couldn’t even think of it! “She exchanged glances with her husband.       - Do you want him to read it to you by heart? — Kalpana did not let up. Marcus didn't even have time to object.       — That would be just wonderful! - Mrs. Pents exclaimed, already expecting to hear the poem.       - Oh, no, madam, let the young man impress not only you, but also everyone else. You're not alone here, right?       Marcus stared at her as she walked across the hall. In hope, he looked back at the girl he saw in the crowd, but now there was no one there. It was a complete disappointment.       “Listen,” he repeated in vain. Kalpana led him decisively to the center. - I... I never wrote anything!       —You will tell someone else. “She grinned, running for a chair.       —Wait, do you want me to, in front of everyone!..       —Don't worry. “She stood up, clapping her hands. - Dear people! Dear friends! — The noise froze, people began to turn around. - Please, a moment of attention. Today,” She leaned on Marcus’s shoulder, gaining everyone’s attention, “is our Marcus’s birthday.” We all know that he is smart,” She looked meaningfully at the crowd, “well-mannered, very good-looking, handsome...       —You are talking! “He muttered, feeling ashamed, like a child. Kalpana benignly leaned towards him:       —Don’t worry, I won’t say more than necessary. - She took a deep breath and continued, - but there's something else you don't know. “She solemnly announced: “Our Marcus writes poetry!” And what kind! You have never heard such a sensual, young and wise poet. - She affirmed, swearing.       —Are you crazy? — Marcus was angry. Shooting her eyes at the crowd, Kalpana disarmingly handed him the notebook. Now there was no way out. Marcus had no choice but to accept it. - Well, then. As I know, our dear Marcus is so talented that he also sings beautifully!       —What are you talking about! — Marcus laughed nervously, looking at the guests in horror. - I can’t sing at all!       —And you don’t write poetry? — Kalpana grinned caustically, winking.       — Please, please! - Mrs. Seth squealed, - Please, gentlemen, take your seats, take your seats! There will be a concert now!       Marcus rolled his eyes. Kalpana patted him on the shoulder encouragingly.       —For now, look for a repertoire. “She pointed her eyes at the notebook.       - How disgusting you are. - He said without any embarrassment. Kalpana laughed, pleased with the praise.       —Don’t be afraid, I will support you. I will dance.       Marcus smiled sourly. Kalpana disappeared into the crowd. Sighing, Marcus began noisily turning the pages. If it’s time to disgrace yourself, then do it in such a way that everyone is stupefied. A quiet hum began, familiar before something significant, but before the main battle he was left to himself. Stopping leafing through the notebook, he looked distantly at the huge statue holding a basket of garlands. I looked at her for a long time, without thinking about anything, until I again remembered that mysterious stranger who had so quickly disappeared among all the boring faces. He smiled, warmly remembering her. And then his old lines came to mind. Only now, in the white marble of the Romanesque statue, he could not unsee her face.       Kalpana had already begun her dance, twirling among the listeners, egging Marcus on, secretly hoping that he would still not be able to start, and that his stupor would persist until the very end. But then he began insinuatingly:       — After all, I’m not a poet,       Kalpana played with her hand smoothly. Marcus turned to her again:       — After all, I’m not a poet.       She turned around, looking at him eloquently.       — Then tell me       Kalpana leaned gracefully, as if the given rhythm brought her pleasure.       — Why, when I saw you       Wrote my sonnet.       Kalpana looked at him with interest, walking around the room at a side step. Marcus boldly followed her, singing the first verse with ease.       — After all, I’m not in love       Marcus winked at her, immediately turning to the guests. He managed to notice her discouraged face.       — Then tell me,       Why, when I saw you       I was conquered by you.       Smiling, as if searching for familiar feelings in his listeners, Marcus cast a quick glance at them.       Kalpana took the break. She looked predatorily at her opponent, while performing movements full of grace. In her turquoise dress, she resembled a swan swimming on the waves. Having completed the dance sequence, she pointed to the soloist, who openly accepted her challenge:       — I’ve only heard about love in fairy tales            beautiful       I have never known it myself.       He walked among the girls and boys, surprisingly boldly looking into their eyes. Some were frightened by such pressure from the novice artist. Desperately spreading his hands, he demonstrated the full power of his voice:       — I didn’t know what to do, and what      to do, I didn’t know,       Among my best friends I was known as an enemy             He tragically turned to the first guest he came across, telling him his revelation. But immediately, forgetting about him, he pointed to Kalpana:       — After all, I’m not a stranger,       He winked at her again. Kalpana stuck out her lip approvingly. This time, Marcus squeezed his earlobes apologetically.       — Then tell me,       Why, when I saw you,       I immediately became not myself.       Kalpana's dance turned into a relentless whirlwind. She turned the mills, performed stormy arabesques, but in the end she still gracefully extended her hand to her friend, as one extends it to something fragile and crystal clear.       — If I folded my hands in prayer                   once,       What would you ask the Lord God then?       Marcus looked dreamily into the heavens. Then his gaze shifted to the white statue standing alone in the distance. Nobody paid attention to her until that moment.       — After all, since I just            loved you       I offered all my prayers to you only            .       He nodded to Kalpana, not daring to take desperate actions, and modestly put his hands behind his back. She, understanding the gesture, laughed, continuing her flying approach:       — After all, I’m not a saint,       Then tell me,       Why, when I saw you,       I loved your appearance.       Kalpana was touched by this rhyme. Her dance movements became much softer and more intimate. Marcus spread his arms, already addressing the audience as friends:       — After all, I’m not a poet,       Then tell me       Why, when I saw you,       Wrote my sonnet.       After all, I’m not a poet.       After all, I’m not a poet...       Completing the dance, Kalpana leaned on his shoulder, making an elegant bow.       The audience was delighted. They rose from their seats, smiling, as an impressed audience does.       — Bravo! Bravo! - Mrs. Seth squealed, - Dear boy, he sings so well, he’s just golden! “With a gesture, she removed the evil eye from him. - How pretty you turned out to be from your mother, forgive me, you’re so cute! And Kalpana, my daughter, how she danced, how she danced! Oh, kids, how talented, sing and dance together, what a wonderful couple!       Kalpana seemed to be preparing for these words, already habitually wrapping her arms around Marcus’s arm.       —Yes, we are, Mrs. Seth. Come to our concerts more often.       - Oh, I’ll definitely come, child, definitely! Oh! - She repeated removing the evil eye, - You just can’t stop looking at how beautiful they are! They look so good together!       As soon as she left, Kalpana looked up meaningfully.       —Aren't you ashamed? — Marcus nevertheless freed himself from her grip, again filled with disgust.       —Why waste time? Believe me, you and I are not the worst option.       — There never have been any “you and I”, okay? — Marcus spat angrily, walking away. Kalpana laughed:       - Do you think I didn’t understand to whom you are dedicating your poems?..- She raised her eyebrow. Marcus grimaced.       —What conceit. Occupies more in this house than you.       He had already rushed past the stairs, intending to rush off to his place. The omnipresent voice of the talkative Mrs. Seth could not go unnoticed:       —What a good boy he has grown up to be! But he was so miserable. “She shook her head tragically. - Wow, drop Mr. Roy! It’s good that his father took up his upbringing in time and sent him to a boarding school. What an intellectual, isn't he?       The company nodded fervently. Marcus watched them painfully, not believing his ears. He lost the desire to go up to his room, freezing on the steps.       -... they wanted it as punishment, but they received such a reward! “The other woman continued, holding out her fingers approvingly.       —Yes, exactly, exactly! - Mrs. Seth inserted. - How well you said it!       Marcus looked at his father for a long time until he finally decided to go down to him. Taking him away from all the businessmen, he approached with a menacing, gloomy look:       - Dad, I need to talk to you.       —Oh, Marcus. “Nicholas continued to smile, chuckling, but he already realized that this did not bode well. - Gentlemen, allow me to leave with the birthday boy.       Without waiting for them to move away, without looking at the imposing moneybags, Marcus began directly:       —You sent me away from my family just because I once tied that fat guy’s shoelaces?       Nicholas's eyes widened in surprise. At first he mumbled:       - Well, eh... - He even tried to laugh delicately, - How did this come to your mind, son?       —Don't call me that. — Marcus answered sternly. - Tell me, so? Did you punish me?       —What does “punished” mean? - Nicholas was furious. “I didn’t lock you in a closet, but sent you to a worthy institution, from which you emerged a man.”       —You weren’t one before? You sent me away. Five years!       — Stop yelling. - Nicholas growled. - You're acting like a girl.       Marcus backed away:       — Why suddenly?! After everything you've been through, do you allow yourself to call me that?!       —What have you been through, puppy?! Separation from mommy? Did I have to watch a poor hillbilly mess with you, pass on his crappy habits? Then my company would be run by... A slaughterman? No, I was raising my own heir, not a disembodied boy. “He looked Marcus contemptuously from head to toe, “Although, as I see it, nothing worked out.”       Marcus nodded painfully when he heard what they were thinking about him. Without lowering his chin, he turned around, flying up the stairs to his room. Nicholas, leaving his hands in his vest pockets, lowered his head, feeling a semblance of guilt. The partners urgently called to them when they saw that he had freed himself. Ten minutes later, Nicholas was already smiling as usual.