I believe in the unity of souls because I've seen it. I remember how my grandfather and grandmother lived together. But as for the rest, I know perfectly well how it will go, and how it will end.

He was sure: no one had ever caused her to feel that before. It felt like playing with fire.

Looking at him felt like a torment. Her heart was beating faster with every second, trying to jump out of her chest. Fear and desire, before unknown, were coming over her like strong, powerful waves, breaking somewhere below her waist.

Her entire previous life had left her absolutely unprepared for this day. Or rather for this morning.

She was submissive to him. She resigned herself to her fate and was waiting for him to tell her what to do next.

Being tired is a luxury that a working woman can't afford, which is why I did my best to keep it together, to maintain an impossible juggling act: work, shopping, phone calls - endless, endless phone calls.

Andrei wasn't just ideal - he was unique. I didn't need the rest of the world when I had him; you could disappear into him and forget who you were.

I was going to be sick soon. I had certainly done some damage to the body while trying to numb the heart.

Sometimes I think that people are like stars or planets in the sky. Near each other, but unable to reach out and touch one another, even though they're sharing the same orbit. Spinning through the darkness so close together, they only see the outlines of unfamiliar figures. And they strain with all their might to reach each other, but gravity forces them into circle after circle of pointless motion in empty space.