It was a dark room where he could barely see anything.
Ravin rubbed his eyes, trying to adjust to the darkness.
His head felt heavy, and his body weak.
He slowly got up and began searching for a way out… a door, a window… anything.
Then—
He heard something.
Someone was crying.
He froze.
With his limited vision, he looked around carefully… and then he saw her.
A girl.
She looked around seventeen or eighteen… a few years older than him.
Ravin stared at her, trying to make out her face in the darkness.
And then—
he froze again.
Even though he couldn't see her clearly…
he felt like he had seen her before.
But where…?
Who was she…?
A month earlier… back when everything was still fine for her.
Maria sat quietly in her room, scrolling through her phone.
The soft light from the screen reflected on her face, her expression calm… almost empty.
It was just another normal night.
Or at least, that's what it felt like.
"Maria, look what I brought for you… You asked for a bottle ship, right? See—it's a Titanic model. I hope you like it."
Maria looked at her father, her eyes lighting up instantly.
"Oh my God! That's exactly what I wanted! Dad, you're the best dad in the world! I love youuu!"
She rushed toward him, hugging him tightly.
Later, they all sat around the dining table.
Maria's eyes sparkled as she saw her favorite food—Pelmeni.
"Yayyy!! I love pelmeni so much! Mom, thank you sooo much!"
She ran to her mother and hugged her tightly.
"Maria… I can't breathe—" her mother laughed. "Okay, okay, that's enough!"
The house was filled with warmth.
After a few minutes, Maria's phone began to ring.
She stood up quickly, leaving her food behind.
"Oh, wait! I'll be right back—just a minute!"
She rushed into her room to pick up the call.
A few minutes later, she returned to the table.
Her face was slightly red, and she looked unusually quiet… yet she couldn't stop smiling.
"Maria, who was it?" her father asked.
She didn't reply.
Her mother smirked.
"Hmm… looks like someone has a boyfriend."
"Mom… stop…" Maria said softly, trying to hide her smile.
A moment later, Maria stood up again.
"Okay, Mom… I have some school work to do. I'm going."
She quickly walked back to her room.
Her father smiled as he looked at his wife.
"We're really lucky to have a daughter like Maria," he said softly.
Inside her room, Maria immediately picked up her phone and called him.
"Pick it up… pick it up…" she whispered excitedly.
After a few seconds, he answered.
"Ivannnn! I was with my family earlier, that's why I ended the call so quickly… I'm sorry about that."
"Hey, hey… it's alright," Ivan replied gently. "You don't have to apologize for small things.
I hope you had a good time with your family."
Maria smiled brightly.
"Aww, that's so sweet of you, Ivannn! Yes, I had a great time! And you know what? My father bought me a ship in a bottle… and it's the Titanic! It's so big and it looks sooo good. I can't wait to show it to you!"
"I'd really like to see it," Ivan said.
"So… on Sunday, we'll go on a date, and I'll show it to you there. Alright, my love?"
"A date?" he asked, slightly hesitant.
"Yeah… why not?" she replied, confused.
Ivan paused.
"Maria… I'd love to go. I really would. But there's a problem…"
"A problem? What is it? You can tell me," she said gently.
"I don't really have money for a date right now… so I'm sorry. I don't think I can come."
For a second, there was silence.
Then Maria burst out laughing.
"Ahahaha! Is that it?? You dummy!"
Her voice was playful and warm.
"I'll pay! Why does it always have to be the guy? I can do it too. You don't have to worry about it, okay?"
"You mean it?" Ivan asked, his voice filled with mixed emotions.
"Of course, you dummy! I mean it. Just get ready on Sunday, okay? And if you don't come… I'll kick your ass."
"Alright, alright… don't get mad. I'll come, okay? I promise."
"Good boy," she teased.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Maria, haven't you slept yet?"
It was her father.
Maria hurriedly spoke into the phone,
"Okay, okay, I'll call you tomorrow. Bye, Ivannn… good night! I love youuu!"
"Good night, Maria. I love you too. Sleep well."
The call ended.
Maria lay down on her bed with a soft smile on her face.
She hugged her pillow tightly, imagining it was Ivan.
"Ivan… you're so sweet… I'm so happy to have you…" she whispered.
Meanwhile—
Ivan slowly walked into the bedroom.
A man in his fifties lay on the bed, weak and unmoving.
Ivan sat beside him and gently held his hand.
"Hey, Dad… how are you feeling? Are you any better?"
His voice trembled.
Tears slowly rolled down his eyes.
That night, while Maria slept with a smile…
Ivan stayed awake, silently praying for something to change.