Evening slowly settled over Petersburg, blanketing the city in a soft twilight. In a modest three-room apartment on the city’s outskirts, Alla Petrovna was inspecting the kitchen with a discerning eye. Her hand glided over the freshly cleaned stove, and she frowned slightly.
“Sveta, dear,” she said, her voice tinged with disapproval, “I’ve always taught that it’s better to clean the stove right after cooking, while it’s still easy.”
Svetlana, her daughter-in-law, stood by the sink, finishing up the dishes. Her shoulders stiffened, but she continued with measured calm.
“I understand, Alla Petrovna. I’ve just come home from work, picked up Misha, and made dinner. I’m nearly done cleaning up now.”
Alla Petrovna sighed. “It’s just hard for me to watch things not being done properly. I only want the best for all of us.”
Svetlana took a slow breath. Three straight weeks of long shifts and stress at work had worn her down, and at home, it often felt like she couldn’t do anything right.
“In my day,” the older woman continued, “we juggled work and home without letting things slide. Even these curtains haven’t been changed for days…”
“I know, Alla Petrovna,” Svetlana replied, keeping her tone even. “You mention your health often when it comes to chores.”
The mother-in-law’s tone sharpened. “Let’s not forget—this is my apartment. If not for me, where would you all be?”
Just then, Andrey, Svetlana’s husband, walked in. He looked tired but attentive.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Your mom’s upset about the cleaning,” Svetlana said simply.
“I just want order,” Alla Petrovna insisted. “Is that so wrong?”
“Mom, Sveta’s been working all day…” Andrey tried to reason.
“I worked too!” she said. “And still kept everything in order!”
Svetlana finally set the last plate down. Her voice, when she spoke again, was calm but firm.
“Alla Petrovna, I try my best. But it feels like no matter what I do, it’s not enough. I clean—it’s not clean enough. I cook—it’s not right. It’s exhausting.”
Andrey stepped forward. “Let’s just all calm down.”
But Svetlana continued, her voice steady. “I’m not asking for praise—just a bit of respect and understanding.”
Alla Petrovna looked taken aback. “This is still my home,” she said quietly. “And if it’s not working, maybe things need to change.”
She left the kitchen, and a heavy silence fell. Andrey looked troubled.
“That wasn’t easy,” he said finally.
“I just couldn’t keep silent anymore,” Svetlana whispered.
Later that night, the unexpected happened. From her room, Alla Petrovna was overheard speaking on the phone with a realtor. She was asking about apartment values.
The tension in the house grew. The next evening, Svetlana quietly said, “She’s planning to sell.”
Andrey was shocked. “She wouldn’t…”
But when he asked her directly, she replied firmly: “I have every right. I’m thinking of moving to the summer house—for peace and quiet.”
That night, Andrey told Svetlana: “We need to make peace with her. We can’t afford to lose our home.”
But Svetlana had reached a turning point. “I won’t go back to being silent. There has to be mutual respect.”
Then, she remembered something—how two years ago, when she and Andrey left for a short trip, Alla Petrovna had called every day, overwhelmed by the silence of an empty home.
A quiet plan formed.
The next morning, Svetlana called a friend in Moscow and arranged a short stay. That evening, when Andrey returned from work, she told him:
“We’re going away for a couple of weeks. Just Misha and me.”
“What? Why?”
“To give your mother what she asked for—space. Let’s see how she feels.”
After some hesitation, Andrey agreed.
When they informed Alla Petrovna, she was visibly stunned.
“But… who will take care of things?”
“You’re used to managing everything, aren’t you?” Svetlana answered gently.
The first few days passed in silence. But by the fourth day, the calls began.
“Andrey, when are you coming back? It’s so quiet… The fridge is empty, and I’m not feeling well…”
He replied calmly, “We’ll be back next week. You said you wanted peace and quiet.”
Day by day, the calls continued—lonely, uncertain, softer in tone. Finally, one evening:
“Andrey… I didn’t mean to really sell. I just felt… unheard. And tell Sveta—I may have been too harsh.”
When the call ended, Svetlana was speechless.
“Did she just admit she was wrong?”
Andrey smiled. “That’s a big step for her.”
When they returned, Alla Petrovna greeted them with warmth—and even a homemade charlotte cake, just the way Svetlana liked it.
That evening, when they were alone, Alla Petrovna quietly said:
“I’ve realized… I need you all. And I know I’ve been difficult. But I want things to change. I’ll try.”
Svetlana looked at her with softened eyes. “That means a lot. We just want to live in peace. Together.”
Months passed. The apartment hadn’t changed much—but the atmosphere had. There was more laughter, shared dinners, and quieter voices. Yes, the occasional remark still surfaced—but now it came with a smile.
One evening, Svetlana asked Andrey, “Do you think she really planned to sell?”
He shrugged with a gentle smile. “Maybe. But what matters is that we’re all still here—and learning to live better, together.”
Outside, the city lights shimmered. Inside, a home had grown stronger—built on understanding, patience, and a little bit of courage.
