Евгения Гришковец – Aina and the Maelstrom (страница 7)
SIMA
We shouldn't have let Aina go to the city so late!
RUSTEM (ironically)
Sure, let her sit next to us until the end of time. Not work. Why did she even study? Can't hold her back now!
SIMA
That city will bring her to grief! I have no idea what to do…
RUSTEM
You should have worried earlier! What's the use now? No one from our village will marry her after what she did! You didn't keep an eye on her!
INT. SERGEI AND GALYA'S APARTMENT. KITCHEN.
SERGEI
Well, are those calm troublemakers asleep?
GALYA
You mean your children? Asleep…
SERGEI
How was the movie? How's your friend?
GALYA
The movie wasn't great, but Aina liked it. She likes everything, actually. I've never met a more content person, but how does that fit with…
SERGEI
Fit with what?
GALYA
She says she has a fiancé, but his name never comes up in conversation. All her relatives and friends are married, but she isn't, and I don't know how to talk to her about it.
SERGEI
But not everyone has to rush into marriage. Maybe she has modern views. Why are you bothering her with husbands? You've watched too many detective shows and see a conspiracy everywhere.
GALYA
Maybe, but Aina comes from a background where marriage is always a relevant topic.
SERGEI
Okay, homegrown psychoanalyst, let's go to bed…
Galya turns on the dishwasher, puts the pot in the fridge, and, yawning, heads to the bathroom.
INT. AKHMAD AND RUZANNA'S HOUSE. LATE EVENING. KITCHEN.
Ruzanna sits at the table, looking out the window. Ruzanna mechanically strokes her large belly and talks to it in a low voice.
RUZANNA
There, there, don't cry, calm down. Time for you to sleep, little one. I know, you're scared. I'm scared too. Last time, remember what her face looked like? And she even said she was washing the glass on the door, and then someone accidentally opened the door right into her face.
Ruzanna rises with a groan and presses her forehead against the cool window. Trees growing along the road become visible. The crowns sway quietly, a rich emerald color.
[PAGE 13]
RUZANNA
My little one, stop kicking with your tiny feet… Go to sleep! Do you really believe that whoever opened the door in Aina's face didn't see through the glass that she was washing it?
A shadow flickers under the window. Ruzanna recoils, her heart pounding. But no, it was just a branch's shadow.
EXT. DESERTED COUNTRY ROAD. ALMOST NIGHT.
Aina can already see her house and quickens her pace. Near the house, behind the bushes, stands a familiar car. As soon as the driver hears the rustle of small stones under Aina's feet, he quietly drives up to Aina, headlights off.
DRIVER
Get in!
AINA
No!
DRIVER
Don't shout, father will hear! Get in, I'm telling you! It'll be worse!
AINA
Leave me alone! Go home already! Some mentor you are.
Aina hurries towards the house. The driver turns on his headlights, loud music, and speeds off, tires squealing.
Aina shakes her head and opens the gate.
INT. RUSTEM AND SIMA'S HOUSE. BEDROOM.
Rustem sleeps in a large double bed. Sima hears noise in the hallway and carefully gets up so as not to wake Rustem. Sima is in a long white nightgown. Long black hair falls over her shoulders. Sima looks like an evil witch. She leaves the bedroom. Rustem opens his eyes and listens.
Aina turns on the light and takes off her shoes. Sima approaches Aina and takes her chin.
SIMA (hoarsely)
Why did the movie end so late?
AINA (quietly)
My phone died. I wanted to ask Akhmad to give me a ride, but I couldn't. So I walked from the stop. It took a long time.
SIMA
Akhmed was waiting for you near the house. Did you see his car?
AINA
I don't like the way he behaves.
SIMA
He's worried.
AINA
He's ashamed. Like you, like Dad…
SIMA