«Peter, u know, I have a problem. A friend of mine asked me to translate a few words for her. Could you have a look, please? Ill email you all the questions in the second message,» she was really a «hoo lee as the Chinese used to say. «A cunning fox. He did not want to help Natalie but he did want to help Mary. They, women! What kind of secret did she want to keep from Natalie but reveal to him? He was intrigued. Peter didnt delete his message. He waited for a while and all but pressed «Send button. It was through. But another one appeared instead on the message bar. It was a mail agent notification about one more incoming to his second account. Peter chose «download option. In a few seconds it was on the screen. And it was from Mary. What could she hide from her «best friend Natalie in it?
«Evening, Peter, she began in her Russian way. She was nervous for sure. There were too many mistypings in her second email. He smiled; she usually made a lot of thumbos when texting, too. «I have a very unusual question to you. You see, I have a very close friend. She lives in Saint Petersburg. We have been close since childhood. Its a very long story. But now she is in trouble. She has a boy-friend in the UK. They met at Malta last year. And unfortunately, she fell in love. But he does not reply to her emails anymore. That guy even changed his Skype account and she cannot call him now. So, she wrote him a verse. Could you be so kind to have a look at her version that I also tried to correct a little bit, please? Please, do not comment and no jokes. It is a sensitive matter.»
Peter smiled. He was obviously flattered. Marys words gave him quite a thrill. He no longer thought why Mary kept this a secret though girls usually adored to gossip about such stories. He felt the inspiration overwhelming him. Here, he began to read:
No matter if its day or night,
Your glance is no longer bright
As it was seven days before
But you are right: what is it for?
Why am I begging for a kiss?
Why do I wonder if you miss?
Why am I talking so much
And do not dare even touch?
Who am I now? Who are you?
Are two too many or too few?
If you dont love me, nor do I!
And saying this I want to cry
But if I hate again to meet
Why feeling pain is so sweet?
And nobody helps reply:
I cant help suffering but why?
Peter fell into deep thought and entered his own world where time stood still. Even though there were very many mistakes in the verse, it touched him. He was typing and thinking, and noticed nothing around him. His father knocked at his door twice and even half-opened it, but Peter did not turn around. «Hard worker as I am thought Dad and went back to his room. Peter meanwhile kept on doing his unusual «homework». Finally, he was through. He relaxed and read the lines from the very beginning:
Effulgent day or stygian night,
Your ardent glance, no longer bright
As it was seven days before
Pitiless pain! What is it for?
Why am I begging for the kiss?
Why do I wonder if you miss?
Why do I dream and dare not touch;
Yet, overwhelming fear I clutch?
Who am I now and who are you?
Is two too many or too few?
If you dont love me, nor do I!
My sin in blood-red tears I vie
But, if I hate again to meet,
Why is this poignant pain so sweet?
Beloved, this is my gutted cry:
I cant help suffering but why?
Peter was satisfied. It sounded good and Marys friends guy is likely to be surprised. Undoubtedly. Thats what they wanted and theyll get it. Email disappeared from the screen and dropped into Marys incoming box in the north suburbs of Moscow. She started when the speaker beeped loudly, and clicked the envelope icon with a trembling hand. As she was reading it brought tears to her eyes. She was looking at a young boys picture in her hands and whispered his name. It was the guy she met at Malta the year before. She could see nothing but his face and was quietly crying.
But Peter couldnt see it. He was far away. His throat was soaring. He wanted to drink. So, he rushed to the kitchen. Mum and Dad waited for him over there.
«Sonny, you look a little odd, said Mom.
«Yes, I am, Peter agreed and smiled.
But Peter couldnt see it. He was far away. His throat was soaring. He wanted to drink. So, he rushed to the kitchen. Mum and Dad waited for him over there.
«Sonny, you look a little odd, said Mom.
«Yes, I am, Peter agreed and smiled.
«Was your homework so interesting?», wondered Dad with a witty smile. «I opened your door twice but you even did not react.»
«Oh, yes, it was. Youre right, Peter said with a happy smile.
«I told you, he nodded to Mum. «He is clever and can adjust to any circumstances.»
«Sure, you did, smiled Mum. «Like father like son.»
«Come on, honey, do not exaggerate, said Dad. «Nowadays they have completely different homework. They know so much. Its fantastic. I do envy them. And their homework must be also interesting.»
«Oh, yes, it is, Peter confirmed candidly. «I wish I could have it always as much interesting as tonight!»
All three sat around the table and began to talk merrily about their family matters. Everyone was happy in his own way. The homework was done.