Choosing Between Dreams and Duty: A Family Dilemma
“You actually decided to buy Mom an apartment?” Alisa asked with disbelief, her eyes searching her husband Kolya’s face. He sat quietly at the kitchen table, a hint of guilt shadowing his expression.
Kolya nodded without meeting her gaze. “Yes, I made the decision. Mom is just a million short, and we’ve almost saved that amount.”
Her voice rising in protest, Alisa exclaimed, “What do you mean by ‘decided’? We have been saving for our own home for four years! We were even exploring neighborhoods!”
“Alisa, consider this: Mom has endured a lifetime in a crowded communal apartment. Her neighbors drink and make noise all night. She deserves a comfortable place to live,” Kolya replied gently.
Taking a seat opposite him, Alisa’s hands trembled with frustration. “What about us? Don’t we deserve that? We’re young, eager to start a family, and stuck in this tiny one-room flat! I’ve even told my friends we’ll be moving soon!”
“Mom’s alone, and she’ll retire soon with a meager pension. We’re young; we can save again later,” Kolya stated firmly.
“Save again?” Alisa stood abruptly. “Have any idea how long that will take? We set aside forty thousand rubles every month, sacrificing all comforts!” Kolya finally looked her in the eye, determination clear in his gaze.
“Tomorrow, I’m transferring the money to Mom. The decision has been made,” he said decisively.
“Tomorrow, I’m transferring the money to Mom. The decision has been made.”
In the days that followed, an oppressive silence filled their small apartment. Alisa refused to speak to Kolya, only nodding at his attempts to converse. Kolya acted as if all was normal, yet she noticed his nervousness.
By Friday evening, unable to bear it any longer, Alisa reached out to her sister Svetlana. “Sveta, can I come over? Things at home have become unbearable.”
“Of course. What’s wrong?” was the immediate response.
An hour later, Alisa recounted the situation. Svetlana listened attentively, occasionally shaking her head. “Can you believe he didn’t even ask for your opinion? He just presented you with a fait accompli!”
“And what does Mom think?” Alisa questioned.
“She’s thrilled, naturally. She says she never expected such care from her son, but she ignores the issues this causes us,” Svetlana explained, pouring tea into two mugs and sitting opposite her sister.
“Maybe he’s right? It is his mother, after all,” Svetlana suggested thoughtfully.
Alisa’s throat tightened. “Are you against me too?”
“No, not at all. I’m trying to understand his reasoning, though I agree—such a decision should involve both partners.”
At that moment, Svetlana’s husband Igor joined the conversation. “What’s going on?” he inquired.
After hearing the story, Igor shook his head. “If I were Kolya, I’d do the same. Our parents are sacred; they raised us, so it’s our responsibility to care for them.”
Frustrated, Alisa said, “But we had our plans and dreams!”
“Plans can change. Parents only come once,” Igor reasoned.
Alisa felt hopeless—her family seemed to side with Kolya.
Back home, another tense conversation awaited. Kolya sat on the sofa, waiting.
“Where have you been?” he asked.
“At Sveta’s. I was telling her how wonderful my husband is.”
“Enough, Alisa. We’re not poor; we can save again.”
“When? Five years? Ten? What if we have children? Then saving becomes impossible!”
“If we have kids, we’ll figure out the housing situation then, with some help from our parents.”
“Which parents? Yours, who want to buy an apartment with our money? Or mine, surviving on a tiny pension?”
Kolya stood, walking to the window. “You’re selfish. You think only about yourself.”
“And you think only of Mom! You forgot about your wife!”
“I didn’t forget. A wife should support her husband.”
“Support what? Destroying our future?”
Kolya looked back, coldness in his eyes Alisa had never seen. “Mom raised me alone after Dad left, working two jobs so I could study. Now it’s my turn.”
“And what about me? I’m not a stranger. We’ve been together five years, married three!”
“Mom is Mom. And wives…” he left the thought unfinished, but Alisa understood.
“And what about wives? Finish your sentence!”
“Nothing more to say. I’ll transfer the money tomorrow. End of discussion.”
The following morning, Kolya left for work without a word. Opening their joint bank account, Alisa saw the balance: 1,800,000 rubles—four years of their disciplined saving.
She recalled their beginnings: living in a smaller rented room, scrimping on everything, dreaming of their own home.
Kolya used to say they were a team, capable of achieving everything together. Now, he acted alone.
Her mother’s call interrupted her thoughts. “Alisochka, how are you? Your voice sounds tired.”
“Just exhausted,” Alisa replied carefully.
“And Kolya? Haven’t seen him lately.”
“He’s working hard.”
“Good. When will you buy your apartment? I thought soon.”
“Still saving,” Alisa answered faintly.
After the call, a heavy weight settled on her. Everyone knew their plans, now she faced explaining the collapse of those dreams.
That evening, Kolya returned, silent. He immediately sat at the computer, opening the banking app to initiate the transfer.
“Are you really going through with this?” Alisa asked.
“I am.”
“Let’s discuss again. Maybe we could give Mom half the amount? Look for a compromise.”
“No. She needs a million. She already has 800,000.”
“And what about us? Don’t we deserve a decent home?”
“We do, but it’s not urgent.”
Alisa placed her hand on his shoulder. “This is our dream, our future.”
He gently removed her hand. “My decision is final.”
“Then so is mine.”
“Which one?”
“I’m leaving.”
Kolya glanced at her. “Where are you going?”
“Away from someone who doesn’t respect me.”
“All this over money?”
“Not money. Because you made decisions for both of us without my consent.”
Turning back to the screen, Kolya said, “As you wish. I’ll transfer the money anyway.”
As Alisa packed, he remained unmoved. When she zipped her suitcase, he finally spoke.
“Do you think I’ll try to stop you?”
“I doubt it.”
“Good. I need a wife who supports me, not one who quarrels over every detail.”
“Details? Two million rubles and broken dreams are details to you?”
“Compared to all Mom did for me, yes.”
“Then live with Mom.”
Grabbing her suitcase, Alisa headed for the door as Kolya yelled after her, “Fine! I don’t need a wife like that!”
The door slammed shut behind her.
Svetlana welcomed her sister without questions, making her comfortable on a fold-out sofa in the nursery. “Stay as long as you need,” she assured.
“Won’t Igor say anything?” Alisa asked.
“What could he say? You’re my sister; I have the right to help you.”
The next morning, children’s laughter filled the house as nephews played blissfully unaware of the troubles.
At breakfast, Svetlana asked, “What’s your next step?”
“I don’t know. I’ll go to work and see.”
“Will you talk to Kolya?”
“Not yet. Let him transfer the money first. I want to watch how he manages living with Mom.”
“Maybe he’ll realize his mistake?”
“I doubt it after yesterday’s outburst.”
A week later, Alisa learned Kolya had sent the money to Alexandra Mikhailovna, who began acquiring a one-room apartment on the city’s outskirts.
Kolya called repeatedly, but Alisa ignored him, letting her anger grow.
At work, coworkers noticed her distraction and sadness. Sergey, a kindly colleague, offered to talk, but she declined.
“If you want to talk, I’m here,” he said once.
“Thank you. Not yet,” she replied.
“I understand. I’ve divorced too.”
“Was it difficult?”
“Very, but life goes on. Don’t shut yourself off.”
Chronicles of separation followed months later. Alexandra Mikhailovna received the apartment keys and invited Kolya for moving. Meanwhile, Alisa rented a room close to work and initiated divorce proceedings.
The lawyer explained that the savings had vanished; however, Alisa was entitled to half the assets or equivalent compensation.
Since the apartment was in her mother-in-law’s name, matters were complicated but not hopeless.
Kolya’s efforts to reconcile were ignored as he stalked around her job and home, stirring workplace gossip.
“How long will you sulk?” Kolya asked once, grabbing her near the office. “Talk to me.”
“We have nothing to discuss.”
“We lived together five years!”
“Yes, but now that’s over. Go to your mother, living comfortably on our money.”
“Mom’s not a part of this.”
“She is. You chose her over me.”
Kolya reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
“I thought time would heal. I was wrong.”
“You showed me my place.”
“That’s Mom!”
“And me?”
Kolya looked lost. “You’re young and healthy; Mom’s old and alone.”
“So, I don’t deserve care?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Then explain.”
He was silent, and Alisa realized he couldn’t.
“Goodbye, Kolya. Don’t come back.”
Six months on, Alisa had adapted to her modest room, savoring the independence. Sergey emerged as a close friend, and they shared simple pleasures without pressure.
One afternoon, Sergey asked, “Have you thought about remarrying?”
“Not yet. Divorce first.”
“Wise. Took me a year post-divorce.”
“Did you figure out what you want?”
“A family with mutual respect and understanding.”
Alisa agreed, realizing she sought the same—and definitely not a return to Kolya.
One evening, a knock revealed Kolya at the door, weary and uncertain.
“Can I come in? We need to talk.”
She reluctantly allowed him inside.
“How’s life?”
“Fine. What’s going on?”
He sighed, “Mom kicked me out. She met a man, and it’s time I lived on my own.”
“And now?”
“Renting a room in a communal place, no money left after buying Mom’s apartment.”
“Why tell me this?”
“I realized I was wrong. Let’s try again.”
“Try what?”
“To live together. I’ve changed.”
“What changed?”
“Important decisions must be joint. Family is two people.”
“And?”
“I lost the most precious person due to my stubbornness.”
Despite his words, Alisa felt no spark.
“Mom said I’m grown now. You said the same. I didn’t listen.”
“I did.”
“Forgive me. Let’s start over, save again for an apartment.”
“With what money? You spent it all.”
“We’ll find a way. Maybe a loan.”
Alisa shook her head, “Too late, Kolya.”
“Why?”
“We loved. Past tense.”
Kolya looked out the window, remorseful.
“People make mistakes.”
“Not all can be fixed.”
“Please.”
“When you said ‘Good riddance,’ did you mean it?”
“I was angry.”
“Answer honestly.”
“Yes, at that moment.”
“I remember. And knew I wasn’t important to you.”
“Now I see my error.”
“When things were good for Mom, you ignored me.”
He tried to argue; she silenced him with a raised hand.
“A year passed. A few calls, then silence.”
“I thought you didn’t want to talk.”
“I didn’t. And I still don’t.”
Kolya stayed another half hour, pleading for reconciliation. Alisa remained composed. Anger faded into indifference.
“I don’t give second chances to traitors.”
“I’m not a traitor!”
“You are. Betrayed our dreams and trust.”
“I explained why…”
“Explanations can’t excuse betrayal.”
Kolya stood. “Is it over?”
“Ended a year ago.”
“What if I wait?”
Opening the door, Alisa said, “Don’t waste time. I have a new life.”
“New life? The guy you were seen with?”
“Not your concern.”
“Alisa…”
“Goodbye, Kolya.”
She closed the door behind him and sat in silence, feeling no emotion—as if a stranger had left.
At lunch, Sergey noticed. “You look calm.”
“I closed a chapter.”
“Ready to start a new one?”
“Yes, but slowly. I want freedom first.”
“Wise choice. After my divorce, I waited a year too.”
“Did you learn what you want?”
“Respect is key. Love may fade, respect lasts.”
“Wise words.”
“My ex spent savings on her parents without asking—like your situation reversed.”
Alisa was surprised.
“Yes. I understand your hurt. Being left out of decisions is painful.”
“Exactly.”
“But you stood your ground. Many would have accepted it for ‘family’.”
“I chose principles over a false family.”
“And rightly so.”
Months later, Alisa settled fully into her independence. She finalized the divorce and won compensation partly by law—since Kolya took a loan for the apartment, half the debt was her responsibility, but she also legally owned half the apartment. Kolya sold his share to his mother for a nominal sum, ensuring Alisa’s compensation.
“Justice has prevailed,” Svetlana said.
“It’s about fairness, not justice,” Alisa replied.
“Will you buy a new apartment?”
“Not now. I’m living for myself and traveling. Later, maybe.”
By chance, Alisa saw Kolya at the mall, tired and resigned.
“Hi,” he said uncertainly.
“Hi.”
“How are you?”
“Good, you?”
“Managing.”
Silence filled the space between them.
“Are you happy?” he finally asked.
“Yes, and you?”
“Not sure.”
“Sorry.”
“Not angry?”
Alisa thought. “No, the anger is gone. It had to end.”
“For the best?”
“Yes. We were never meant to be.”
“What if I hadn’t given the money to Mom?”
“Sooner or later, another unilateral decision would’ve damaged us.”
Kolya nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“I’m not angry, but I won’t return. I have a new life.”
“I understand. Thanks for your honesty.”
“Good luck.”
“You too.”
They parted ways.
That evening, Alisa reflected on the encounter, feeling nothing but detachment toward the man she once loved.
The phone rang; it was Sergey.
“Want to catch a movie tomorrow?”
“Sure! What are we watching?”
“A comedy that’s supposed to be hilarious.”
“I could use some laughs.”
“Something happen?”
“I ran into my ex, but no drama.”
“Good. So it’s really over?”
“Completely over.”
Looking out over the city at night, Alisa realized that what once felt like an end was, in truth, a beginning. A life she now controlled, where she alone made her choices and took responsibility.
In the end, loyalty to oneself and respect within relationships prove essential. When family obligations and personal dreams collide, only honest communication and mutual understanding can guide the right path forward.