While Natalya was dusting the coffee table, the familiar sound of crunching caught her attention. She paused, noticing that despite her cleaning, debris reappeared on the dark surface—sunflower seed shells scattered anew. Her sister-in-law, Inga, was sprawled on the sofa, continuing to crack seeds.
“Inga, could you please stop making a mess?” Natalya’s tone held controlled irritation. “I just cleaned up.”
Inga lazily turned her head without pause, tossing yet another shell onto the carpet. “Relax, Natasha. Do you see that I’m taking it easy? After work, I deserve some rest.”
Gripping the rag tightly, Natalya thought about the three months that had passed since Inga and her husband moved into their modest two-room flat. Originally, they intended to stay only a week or two until finding a rental, but they remained indefinitely.
“Inga, you only work a few hours every other day,” Natalya attempted to maintain calm. “Surely you could contribute to cleaning?”
“What am I, your maid?” Inga scoffed. “I’ve got my own things to worry about.”
Natalya knew very well that those “things” mostly consisted of watching TV and complaining, punctuated with the constant crunch of sunflower seeds.
“Then at least eat over a plate and don’t litter,” Natalya said, bending to gather the shells from the floor.
Suddenly, Inga snapped upright. “You’re really getting on my nerves! Andrey! Come here!”
Natalya froze mid-action as Andrey appeared, rubbing his eyes after an afternoon nap.
“What’s happening?” he asked, yawning.
“Your wife is driving me crazy!” Inga exclaimed, standing and scattering more shells. “I’m a guest here, and she’s treating me like a servant!”
Andrey glanced at Natalya, who was still on her knees gathering seed shells.
“Natasha, why are you picking on her?” he said wearily. “Inga is a guest in our home.”
“A guest?” Natalya stood slowly. “Andrey, they’ve been living here for three months!”
“So what? Inga is my sister,” Andrey said, wrapping an arm around her. “They’re having housing issues; we must support family.”
Natalya barely recognized her husband in that moment. When did he become so indifferent to her feelings?
“Helping is one thing,” she replied, pressing her lips. “Living at my expense is another entirely.”
“Your expense?” Andrey frowned. “This place belongs to us.”
“Yes, but I’m the one doing all the cleaning, cooking, and laundry—while your sister creates a mess and eats without restraint.” Her voice broke.
“How dare you!” Inga snapped, pulling away. “Andrey, listen to how she talks to me!”
“Natasha, apologize now,” Andrey urged, stepping forward. “Inga is my sister.”
“I won’t,” Natalya backed toward the window. “I’m fed up with this pigsty.”
“Then keep quiet,” Andrey turned away. “And don’t insult my sister again.”
He guided Inga into the kitchen, arm slung protectively. Inga glanced back and stuck her tongue out at Natalya. The kitchen door closed, leaving Natalya clutching the seed shells, alone in the living room.
“For three days, silence enveloped the apartment. Natalya moved like a pale shadow while Andrey loudly laughed with Inga in the kitchen.”
By Friday evening, Natalya packed a bag. Enough was enough. She decided to visit her mother, hoping for solace.
“Andrey, I’ll be staying at my mom’s for a week,” Natalya said, standing in the kitchen doorway.
Andrey looked up from his bowl of borscht. Inga sat nearby, chewing bread, ignoring her sister-in-law.
“Why suddenly?” Andrey questioned.
“I miss her,” Natalya shrugged, “It’s been a while.”
Andrey nodded, resuming his meal, and no one accompanied her to the door.
At her parents’ home, the smell of fresh laundry and baked pies greeted her. Her mother immediately noticed the sadness in her eyes.
“Natasha, what’s wrong?” her mother asked, embracing her. “You look so downcast.”
Natalya shared everything: the seeds, the mess, her husband’s indifference. Her mother listened quietly, shaking her head now and then.
“You’re too kind,” her mother sighed. “You can’t let anyone, even family, walk all over you.”
- Family support has limits.
- Living with relatives can strain relationships.
- Self-respect is essential, even within families.
“But Andrey insists Inga is family and deserves help,” Natalya murmured, stirring her tea.
“Helping isn’t the same as enabling,” her mother corrected firmly. “Three months! That’s disrespectful.”
Her week at home went by quietly. Natalya enjoyed gardening, baking, and reading—without anyone blaming or nagging her.
On Sunday morning, she packed to return home, feeling reluctant but knowing she couldn’t avoid her problems forever.
Upon entering, a foul smell hit her: stale borscht, dirty dishes, and sour aromas. The living room was a disaster: leftover plates on the couch, wrappers and crumbs scattered everywhere.
The kitchen was grim. The sink overflowed with dirty dishes. A pot of porridge sat on the stove, attracting flies. The fridge held only a jar of mustard and a hardened piece of cheese.
“Oh, look who’s back!” a sharp voice called from behind. Inga stood in the doorway, unkempt and wearing a robe.
“You have some nerve! You left without even leaving money for food!” she accused.
Natalya quietly closed the fridge. Inga approached, her face flushed with indignation.
“We spent our last money on meals!” Inga cried. “While you were away enjoying your mom’s hospitality!”
“What exactly did you eat?” Natalya asked evenly.
“We ordered ready meals!” Inga threw her hands up. “Do you know how pricey that is?”
Natalya’s patience snapped.
“You’ve been living here three months without paying a single kopeck!” she yelled, causing Inga to step back. “And now you’re demanding things?”
“How dare you yell at me!” Inga’s face reddened. “I’m a guest here!”
“Guest?” Natalya moved closer. “Guests don’t turn homes into long-term rentals!”
“We’re family!” Inga screeched. “We have housing problems!”
“Problems?” Natalya scoffed bitterly. “Have you tried working or renting with your own money?”
At that moment, Inga’s husband Pavel appeared, wearing a rumpled T-shirt and sweatpants.
“What’s all the fuss about?” he murmured, rubbing his stubbled face. “Can’t you speak like normal people?”
“After you ate all my food and trashed my apartment?” Natalya retorted sharply.
“We didn’t mean to,” Pavel shrugged. “We’ll clean up.”
“When?” Natalya’s voice shook with anger. “You haven’t washed a dish in three months!”
At that moment, Andrey entered, frowning.
“What’s with the yelling, Natasha?” he asked irritably. “The neighbors will complain.”
“Exactly!” Inga chimed. “She’s gone mad, screaming at us like dogs!”
Natalya stared incredulously at Andrey. Would he take his sister’s side again?
“Andrey, can’t you see this place is a mess?” she gestured around.
“So?” he shrugged. “We’ll tidy up. It’s not the end of the world.”
“Not the end?” Natalya nearly choked. “The fridge was empty after a week! None of you bothered to buy groceries!”
“Don’t stress,” Andrey said, opening the fridge. “We’ll shop tomorrow.”
“With what money?” Natalya almost cried. “Am I supposed to fund your relatives again?”
“Don’t pretend to be poor,” Inga sneered. “You always have cash; you won’t go broke.”
Pavel nodded. “Yeah, why so stingy? Can’t help family?”
“Family?” Natalya exploded. “You’re just parasites!”
“Natasha!” Andrey barked. “How can you talk about my relatives like that?”
“What else should I call them?” Natalya countered. “They consume my resources and complain.”
“This is our home!” Andrey reminded her. “And my family has every right to live here.”
“Ungrateful selfishness!” Inga shouted. “You should have stayed with your mommy!”
“She’s right,” Andrey sided with his sister. “At least you wouldn’t be here throwing tantrums.”
Natalya fell silent, feeling a strange calm settle over her. For the first time in ages, doubt gave way to certainty.
“Am I in your way?” she asked softly. “Because you’re definitely in mine. Get out of my apartment.”
The three exchanged baffled glances. Andrey was the first to regain composure.
“Natasha, don’t overreact,” he tried gently. “Let’s discuss this calmly.”
“Too late for talk,” Natalya replied, heading toward the door. “Pack up and leave. All of you.”
“Where will we go?” Inga begged.
“Not my problem,” Natalya responded firmly.
“Are you serious?” Pavel shook his head. “We’re family.”
“You’re not mine,” Natalya interrupted. “I bought this apartment before marriage. You have thirty minutes to leave.”
A strange tranquility filled her as she no longer trembled. Her voice was steady, and her resolve unshaken. Inside, something had finally snapped free.
One hour later, Natalya closed the door behind the last guest. The apartment was empty at last. She sat on the sofa and exhaled deeply. At last, she could breathe freely—no longer dragged down by others.
Key takeaway: Setting firm boundaries is essential, even with loved ones. Mutual respect and responsibility maintain harmony in shared spaces, and self-respect must never be compromised.
In conclusion, Natalya’s story illustrates the difficulties that arise when family members overstay their welcome and neglect shared responsibilities. No matter the ties that bind, living harmoniously requires clear limits and mutual support. Individuals must protect their well-being and assert their rights to preserve peace and dignity within their homes.