Ever since he could remember, Dima aspired to become a doctor. This was more than just a childhood aspiration—it felt like his true vocation. However, life repeatedly obstructed his ambitions. The first blow came with the unexpected death of his father, which shattered his world. Soon after, his mother’s health began to deteriorate, worn out by the strain of juggling two jobs and constant worry.
When the time arrived to take the medical school entrance exam, Dima found himself too exhausted to prepare properly and ultimately failed. For a second consecutive year, he took up work as a hospital orderly, undertaking tasks like mopping floors, transporting patients through silent corridors, and running errands from early morning until nightfall. Despite the hardship, he still cherished a fragile hope that one day he would don the white coat he had long dreamed of.
One seemingly ordinary day of cleaning and errands took a surprising turn after lunch when the head of the therapeutic department, Andrey Pavlovich, summoned him.
“Dima, there is a sensitive situation,” the doctor said brusquely, observing him closely. “We have a patient named Lidiya Semyonovna who is gravely ill. She has a grandson who shares your name, but they have been estranged for years. Her greatest wish is to see him once more before she passes. We were wondering if you might pose as him—at least to give her some peace of mind.”
Dima stood frozen. Pretending? Deceiving a dying woman?
“Andrey Pavlovich, I’m not sure about this… isn’t it wrong?” he questioned softly.
The doctor’s tone softened. “At times, a lie can bring mercy. For her, this could offer comfort in her final moments. You wouldn’t be exploiting her—you’d be providing relief from pain.”
Though his conscience hesitated, the image of the frail woman yearning for her grandson touched his heart. Finally, he agreed. Nurses briefed him on the real grandson’s childhood interests, schooling, and mannerisms. Thus, the unusual performance with the solitary audience began.
After completing his shift and the intense meeting with Andrey Pavlovich, Dima stopped at a shop for bread and milk, mindful of his mother’s needs. On his way home, an unexpected encounter lifted his spirits: Marina, a neighbor he’d admired from afar, greeted him warmly. Her cheerful presence and bright smile instantly brought light to his weary day.
“Hey, Dima! Where have you been hiding?” she teased playfully.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly—a casual exchange about a new movie playing locally. On a whim, Dima invited her to see the film with him. To his delight, Marina enthusiastically agreed.
“Saturday? Sounds perfect,” she replied.
A rare grin appeared on Dima’s face as he headed home. The anticipation of the date gave the day unexpected brightness, igniting a hope that happiness might finally be within reach.
The following day, after his hospital duties, he changed into casual clothes and approached Lidiya Semyonovna’s room, his heart pounding against his chest. Doubts clawed at him—would she see through his act? Yet the frail figure before him, delicate but sharp-eyed, smiled gently.
“Dimochka… you came, my dear…” she whispered.
Relief overwhelmed him. She believed in him. Their initial conversation unfolded with surprising ease, almost fluidly. Contrary to his expectations of feeling like a performer on stage, he found himself genuinely listening. Lidiya Semyonovna spoke about her life, reflecting calmly on the past and even death with a serenity that humbled him.
As days passed, he visited increasingly, offering water, adjusting pillows, or simply holding her hand in quiet companionship. One afternoon, she asked about his romantic life. Dima thought of Marina, his cheeks flushing slightly. The woman gave a knowing smile.
“Tell me how your date goes. I still enjoy stories of young love,” she said warmly.
However, Saturday did not unfold as Dima had hoped. After watching the film, while walking in the park, Marina turned serious.
“Dima, you’re a good person. Truly. But we come from different places. I want to explore the world, build my career, travel. You’re—an orderly. Important work, no doubt, but not the life I envision.”
The sentence needed no conclusion; Dima understood perfectly. His modest income, constant struggles, and uncertain prospects felt like an impenetrable barrier between them.
He walked her home quietly. Returning, his mother inquired about the evening, but he waved it off.
“Nothing came of it,” he replied.
She sighed deeply, disapproving quietly of the entire “grandson” ruse.
“Dima, I know you wanted to help. But you cannot bear other people’s hopes and burdens indefinitely. Some weights aren’t yours alone to carry.”
He remained silent, feeling hollow. Marina’s words painfully illustrated how far his life had diverged from his dreams. His mother’s quiet admonition only intensified the guilt he felt toward Lidiya Semyonovna.
The next day, Dima visited the elderly woman again, forcing a smile that she instantly saw through.
“What’s troubling you, grandson? Did she hurt your feelings?” she asked gently.
He then confessed everything—his aspirations, setbacks, and how his life had strayed from the future he once envisioned. Listening carefully, Lidiya Semyonovna nodded and offered a piece of wisdom:
“Love, darling Dimochka, has many faces. Don’t chase the one who dazzles only—you need the one who truly warms your heart.”
She then reached beside her bed and retrieved a worn photo album.
“Take this. These photographs are of my son, Alexey—your father. They belong to you now; I no longer need them.”
Her trembling voice conveyed a farewell—not only to life but also to illusions.
That evening at home, flipping through the album, Dima saw the smiling face of a young man—his father, Alexey, known only through tales. One image caught his eye—a university group photo that included a radiant young woman. He froze. It was his mother.
A sudden rush of questions overwhelmed him. Had his parents known each other? Why hadn’t his mother ever shared this story? Desperate for answers, he hurried home.
Near the doctors’ lounge, a partially open door revealed a hushed conversation featuring Andrey Pavlovich:
“…yes, we’ll gradually increase the medication dose—no one will notice. We’ll attribute it to disease progression. She has a sizable inheritance, and her so-called grandson is impatient for her death.”
Then, a harsh voice crackled over a speakerphone:
“Hurry it up, Pavlovich. I am tired of waiting. That old woman’s time should have ended long ago.”
Dima’s heart raced. A cruel plot was underway to hasten his grandmother’s death for financial gain. Fear surged through him, but there was no room for hesitation—he had to act swiftly.
Rushing home, he thrust the photo album toward his mother.
“Mom, who is this man? Who really was Alexey?”
Seeing the pictures, her face paled before the flood of words spilled forth. Alexey had been her first and only love. They planned to marry, but his mother, Lidiya Semyonovna, opposed their union vehemently. Believing her son deserved a “better” match than a poor girl from the outskirts, she forced them apart.
When pregnant, Alexey had offered to escape with her, but tragedy struck first—he died in an accident before Dima’s first birthday. Alone and destitute, she left her baby temporarily in an orphanage while searching for work and strength to rebuild. Despite attempts to contact Lidiya Semyonovna, she never acknowledged her grandson.
These revelations unsettled Dima deeply. The woman he had met was not merely a lonely patient—she was his grandmother. And now, danger loomed dangerously close.
“Mom, we must protect her,” he declared firmly.
Late that night, under hospital silence, Dima and his mother quietly entered Lidiya Semyonovna’s room. Though frail, she was alert.
“Dimochka… and who is this with you?” she breathed.
“Lidiya Semyonovna, it’s me—Katya,” his mother said, voice trembling. “Don’t you remember? I loved your Alyosha. This is your genuine grandson—our Dima.”
They quickly shared their entire story: the past, the sinister plot, and the imminent danger. Tears filled the old woman’s eyes.
“My dear grandson… and you’re here, Katyenka…”
But there was no time to dwell. “Grandma, we must leave right away,” Dima urged.
Gathering essentials, they gently helped her up and slipped out through a service exit where a taxi awaited. Throughout the journey, Lidiya Semyonovna held Dima’s hand tightly, afraid of losing him once more.
That night was both frantic and miraculous—a family torn apart by pride and tragedy was finally reunited.
Months later, thanks to a confidante nurse, justice prevailed as Andrey Pavlovich and his accomplice faced consequences. Slowly recovering at the cozy apartment shared by his mother and grandmother, Lidiya Semyonovna finally experienced warmth, care, and belonging. For the first time in years, the meaning of “family” became clear to Dima.
Key Insight: Evening hours transformed into cherished moments filled with his grandmother’s stories of his father, old photographs, and laughter free from hidden secrets. The once legendary figure in the pictures was alive once again through their shared memories.
One evening, a phone call illuminated the screen: Marina’s hesitant voice offered a tentative invitation to meet.
“Hi, Dima,” she began softly. “Maybe we could see each other sometime?”
Dima smiled faintly. “Sorry, Marina, I’m busy. I have a different life now.”
Indeed, he had discovered someone who embraced him for who he truly was—Katya, a compassionate medical student wishing only to stand by his side.
Around the family’s tea-filled table, with his grandmother’s joyful stories and Katya’s caring gaze meeting his, Dima finally felt genuine happiness.
No, he was not yet a doctor, and the white coat hanging in his closet remained a symbol. Yet he understood something profound: purpose is not defined by a title or career; it lies in the love shared with those closest. His journey had led him home—to family, faith, and truth.
He was no longer the lost boy of former years. He had matured, grown steadfast and resilient, ready to greet each new day emboldened by hope, love, and openness.
In summary, Dima’s story illustrates the power of perseverance, the healing force of family connections, and the profound truth that love is the ultimate purpose guiding us through life’s unpredictable journey.