A Startling Announcement: Becoming the Mistress of Our Home
Olga was stirring the borscht when her phone started ringing. The caller ID displayed her mother-in-law’s name.
“Hello, Galina Viktorovna,” Olga answered, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear.
“Hello, dear Olga!” Galina Viktorovna’s voice sounded unusually cheerful. “I have wonderful news for you!”
Turning off the stove, Olga walked to the living room.
“I’m listening,” she said.
“Can you believe it? My Denis finally proposed to Kristina,” exclaimed Galina Viktorovna enthusiastically. “They plan to marry next month!”
Olga sat down on the couch, smiling gently. Peter’s younger brother had been dating Kristina for quite some time.
“That’s fantastic,” Olga replied sincerely. “Denis is a good man. It’s about time he started his own family.”
“Exactly!” her mother-in-law agreed warmly. “I’m glad you understand the importance of family bonds. Young couples really need their own private space.”
Olga nodded, though her mother-in-law couldn’t see her.
“Absolutely. Having a separate home is the foundation of a strong relationship.”
“Right!” Galina’s voice grew even more enthusiastic. “When you and Peter started dating, he moved in with you immediately.”
Olga concurred.
“Yes, that helped us get to know each other better. Living together reveals a lot about character.”
“You’re so wise, Olga!” her mother-in-law practically sang. “I’ve always told Peter he was lucky to have such a wife who understands what it means to support a family.”
But Olga frowned; something about the tone made her uneasy.
“Galina Viktorovna, what exactly are you referring to?” she cautiously asked.
“Oh, dear, about Denis’s wedding, of course,” came the cheerful answer. “The young couple will need a place to live after the ceremony.”
“Aren’t they renting an apartment?” Olga inquired carefully.
“Olga, why waste money on rent?” Galina laughed. “We have a better plan.”
Olga’s anxiety deepened. She stood and began pacing the room.
“What plan?”
Galina made a deliberate pause before replying.
Olga pressed further: “What plan?”
Her mother-in-law said confidently, “I’m glad you understand. It means there won’t be any problems.”
Olga’s tone sharpened. “What problems? Please explain what you mean.”
“Oh dear, I have to go now!” Galina suddenly hurried. “Denis and Kristina are coming to discuss the wedding details. We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Wait!” Olga tried to respond, but heard only the dial tone.
Slowly lowering the phone, an ominous feeling gripped her. The conversation had been awkward and vague.
Returning to the kitchen, she finished preparing the meal. Her hands trembled slightly as she cut the bread. Clearly, her mother-in-law was keeping something from her.
About an hour later, Peter came home, kissed his wife, and sat at the table.
“How are things?” he asked while serving himself borscht.
“Your mother called,” Olga started. “She mentioned Denis’s wedding.”
“Ah, yes!” Peter perked up. “Finally, my brother made up his mind. Kristina is a nice girl.”
“Peter,” Olga delicately began, “did your mother say anything about housing for the newlyweds? Do you know what she meant?”
Peter choked on the soup and coughed.
“I don’t know,” he replied quickly. “Maybe she was just thinking out loud.”
Olga looked intently at her husband; he met her gaze without hesitation.
“Are you sure you don’t know?”
“Olga, what are you talking about?” Peter stood up abruptly. “I need to finish a presentation.”
He hurried away, leaving an unfinished meal. Olga sat alone, trying to digest the situation.
The following days passed normally. Peter worked, while she managed house chores. The vacation flew by too quickly, but anxiety lingered.
On Saturday morning, Olga was still lying in bed when the phone rang again. It was Galina Viktorovna.
“Olga, are you home?” her mother-in-law asked abruptly.
Olga sat up slowly. “Yes, I’m home,” she answered.
Galina’s voice sounded sharp and piercing. “Good! Expect me in two hours. We need to have a serious talk.”
“About what exactly?” Olga tried to clarify.
“You’ll see, dear!” And the call ended.
Olga stared at the phone; her heart raced. Something significant was about to happen, though she wasn’t sure she would like it.
She got out of bed and gently shook her husband.
“Peter, wake up,” she whispered.
Peter groaned, opened his eyes, squinting at the light, then mumbled, “What’s wrong?”
“Your mother is coming here in two hours. She said we need to talk seriously.”
Peter sat up, surprised. “What? We didn’t agree on a meeting.”
“I don’t understand either. She just said that and hung up.”
Peter scratched his head.
“That’s strange. Mom usually warns us in advance.”
“That’s why I’m worried,” Olga admitted. “After that conversation about Denis’s wedding…”
“What conversation?” Peter asked quickly.
“She hinted about a place for the young couple to live.”
Peter got up and began dressing.
“Maybe she just wants to discuss their wedding gift,” he suggested hesitantly.
Olga nodded, but the uneasiness remained. She also got dressed and went to the kitchen to set the table.
After an hour and a half, the apartment was tidy. Tea, cookies, and sandwiches lay on the table. Olga nervously adjusted the tablecloth.
The doorbell rang.
“I’m coming!” Peter called from the hallway.
Olga heard the lock click, then her mother-in-law’s voice:
“Peter, help your mother with the suitcases.”
“Suitcases?” Peter asked, surprised. “Mom, are you moving in?”
“Exactly!” Galina replied cheerfully.
Olga froze. Suitcases? Moving in?
Galina Viktorovna entered the living room, followed by Peter dragging two large suitcases.
The mother-in-law embraced her daughter-in-law warmly.
“Olga, dear! I’m so happy to see you!”
Olga replied hesitantly, “I’m glad too, but why are you bringing suitcases?”
Galina sat on the couch, smiling.
“Sit down, children. We need to talk.”
Peter and Olga exchanged glances before seating themselves opposite Galina.
“Mom, what is going on?” Peter asked.
“Nothing serious, son,” Galina reassured. “I just decided to move in with you.”
“Move in?” Olga was shocked.
“Yes, very simple,” explained Galina. “I transferred my apartment ownership to Denis. The young couple needs their own place, right?”
Olga opened her mouth in disbelief.
“But where will you live then?”
Galina beamed, “Here, of course! I have a son and a wonderful wife!”
Peter quickly intervened.
“Mom, wait. You can’t just move in like that!”
“Why not?” Galina asked, surprised. “Now I’m the mistress of this house.”
Olga sprang from the couch.
“What did you say?” she demanded harshly.
“I said that now I am the mistress of this house,” Galina repeated. “Isn’t that logical?”
“No!” Olga shouted. “That’s not logical at all! This is my apartment!”
“Oh, dear,” Galina smiled softly. “A family is a single unit. Everything should be shared.”
“Shared?” Olga was boiling. “You gave away your apartment and now want to take mine?”
“No one is taking anything,” Galina countered. “I just want to live with the family.”
“Mom,” Peter began, “did you consult us about this?”
“Why consult?” Galina was surprised. “You are my son. It’s your duty to care for your mother.”
Olga paced the room.
“Galina Viktorovna, you have no right to behave like this!” she said firmly.
“No right?” Galina frowned. “I am Peter’s mother!”
“So what?” Olga exploded. “Does that give you the right to control my life?”
“Your life?” Galina repeated. “But you are my son’s wife!”
“I am an independent person!” Olga shouted. “I have my own life!”
“Peter,” Galina said turning to her son, “say something to your wife!”
“Mom, Olga is right,” Peter said quietly. “You should have talked to us first.”
“What?” Galina was offended. “You take her side?”
“I’m choosing common sense,” Peter replied.
“Ungrateful!” Galina shouted. “I raised you, fed you, clothed you!”
“And I’m thankful,” Peter said. “But that doesn’t give you the right to interfere with my marriage.”
“Interfere?” Galina stood up. “I want to live with the family!”
“At the cost of destroying our family?” Olga asked.
“Destroying?” Galina didn’t understand.
“You see,” Olga patiently explained, “we cannot live as three in one place.”
“Why not?” Galina demanded aggressively.
“Because we need our own private space!” Olga shouted.
“Selfish!” Galina accused. “You think only about yourself!”
“Mom, stop!” Peter said sharply.
“No, I won’t!” Galina yelled. “This woman turned you against your own mother!”
“Nobody turned me,” Peter said firmly.
“Then make a choice!” Galina declared ultimatum. “It’s either me or her!”
Silence filled the room. Olga looked at her husband, holding her breath.
Peter rose from the couch.
“Mom, I choose Olga,” he said calmly.
Galina froze.
“What did you say?” she whispered.
“I said I choose my wife,” Peter repeated. “You decided to transfer your apartment to Denis. That’s your decision and your problem.”
“Peter!” Galina begged.
“No, Mom,” interrupted Peter. “Pack your bags and leave. Find another place to live.”
“That’s unfair!” Galina shouted.
“Unfair to break into someone else’s life,” Peter responded.
He grabbed the suitcases and placed them by the door.
“Goodbye, Mom.”
Galina collected her belongings and headed for the exit.
“You will regret this!” she yelled, slamming the door behind her.
Olga returned to the kitchen and drank a glass of water in one gulp. Her hands shook.
Peter came over.
“Olga, I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“For what?” she asked, surprised.
“For my mother and all this chaos.”
“You’re not to blame for how your mother behaved,” Olga answered.
She hugged her husband tightly.
“Thank you for choosing me,” she whispered in his ear.
“I chose our family,” Peter said. “And our future.”
They stood together in the kitchen, embracing. Outside, the sun was shining, and ahead lay a new life free from external interference.
“Family means unity, but it’s crucial to respect each other’s boundaries and communicate openly to avoid conflicts.”
Key Insight: The story highlights the importance of mutual respect and clear boundaries in maintaining harmony within extended families.
In conclusion, Olga and Peter’s experience underscores the delicate balance required when blending families and the need for honest dialogue. The arrival of unexpected decisions from elders can challenge a couple’s autonomy, but firm communication and shared support lay the foundation for a healthy family dynamic going forward.