After many years on the job, Semyon Ivanovich had grown accustomed to sudden nighttime calls—whether it involved urgently performing a complicated surgery or addressing a patient’s swift deterioration. Tonight, an alarming message arrived: a critical patient in the ICU had taken a sudden turn for the worse.
While passing the residents’ room, the chief physician paused. The door was slightly open, faint lamplight spilling out. Upon pushing it gently, Semyon Ivanovich encountered an unusual sight. A young girl, slender and very youthful, had fallen asleep right at the desk cluttered with textbooks and notebooks. Her name was Ksusha, a name that barely rung a bell, except that she had recently started working as an orderly.
He frowned and cleared his throat.
— Ksenia? — His voice startled her as if she received a mild shock, and she looked up at him with wide eyes filled with fear.
— Oh! Semyon Ivanovich!.. I… I’m just going to tidy up! Please forgive me!
— What kind of reading room is this in a residents’ room? — he questioned sternly, crossing his arms. — And why are you sleeping while on duty?
The girl stiffened, clutching two books fearfully, as if afraid they might be taken away.
— I wasn’t sleeping during my shift, I swear, — she whispered. — My shift ended already. There’s just nowhere else for me to go right now.
Semyon Ivanovich narrowed his eyes.
— What do you mean, nowhere?
Ksenia took a deep breath and rushed to explain:
— The landlady of the apartment I rented decided to sell it and abruptly evicted me without notice. I packed my things quickly and that was it. I haven’t found a new place yet. Plus, I need to study… I’m working towards graduating with honors at the medical college, exams are coming up soon, so I… chose to study here.
Her words tumbled out in haste, followed by repeated apologies:
— I’m sorry, Semyon Ivanovich. I understand, I won’t stay here anymore. I promise—just please don’t be upset.
Semyon Ivanovich remained silent for a moment, looking into her guilty eyes. Usually strict and quick to reprimand those who slept on duty, capable of giving even experienced doctors a harsh scolding, he usually did not tolerate such behavior.
But now, looking at this exhausted girl with red-rimmed eyes, he didn’t see laziness but rather a determined student clinging to every chance to learn despite life’s difficulties.
— So, where do you intend to live now? — he finally asked.
Ksenia looked down shyly.
— I’ll find something… maybe a room or a dormitory. Don’t worry, I won’t spend nights at the hospital again.
The chief doctor pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, then offered unexpectedly:
— Stay at my place for a while.
Ksenia was taken aback. She had feared this man from the first day of work—for everyone said that Semyon Ivanovich was a strict, unyielding leader. Yet here he was, extending a hand of help.
— No, no, how could I? I’d only disturb you. I—
She waved her hands nervously, averting her gaze.
— No disturbance at all, — he interrupted. — I live alone. My house is large with empty rooms. And you’ll have access to the library there. It has books you won’t find at your college.
Ksenia tried to refuse further, but his tone brooked no objections. Finally, she nodded quietly and murmured:
— If you insist… thank you.
True to his word, Semyon Ivanovich settled Ksusha in a spacious room. When she first entered, she was overwhelmed: bright, with a big window letting morning sunlight flood in, neat furniture, a bookshelf, and a cozy armchair. For a girl used to a modest apartment, it seemed like a palace.
Then he showed her his greatest treasure—the library, and her eyes lit up. Shelves rose to the ceiling, packed with dozens, if not hundreds, of volumes: old editions, reference books… Ksusha stood mesmerized, barely able to turn away. She had always thought such libraries only existed in movies.
— Wow… — she breathed.
— Use it freely, — said Semyon Ivanovich simply. — There are many rare books here that will help with your exams.
Since then, any spare moment saw Ksusha rushing there, reading, making notes, and summarizing.
Key Insight: Investing time in quiet study within a rich resource environment can transform a student’s future.
— You should take a leave, — suggested Semyon Ivanovich one day. — That way, you can focus on preparing calmly for your exams.
Ksusha tried to protest, but he insisted:
— You’ll have time to work later; you don’t have to pay rent right now, so no arguments. Your studies must come first.
Semyon Ivanovich never forced his company upon her. He left for the hospital each morning, returned by evening, and consistently invited Ksusha to share breakfast and dinner. Gradually, her fear of him dissipated. Conversing, he turned out to be very different than the cold, stern figure in the hospital hallways: at home, he was calm and a good listener.
— Why did you choose medicine? — he once asked, while they sipped tea and shared a pie Ksusha had baked.
Ksusha smiled and revealed something she rarely told others.
— My grandfather dreamt of becoming a doctor. He even enrolled, but… he died. So I decided, since he couldn’t succeed, I’ll try to fulfill that dream. Maybe I can.
Semyon Ivanovich listened quietly, his gaze turning solemn.
— So you’re working for two? — he inquired.
— Something like that, — she nodded. — I feel I must complete his dream.
— Admirable, — he approved with a nod.
One evening, while sifting through books in the library, Ksusha pulled a hefty leather-bound volume from the shelf. Opening it, an old black-and-white photograph slipped out. She froze, staring at the image of a young woman in a light dress, her long braid draping to her waist and a radiant smile. Her heart pounded—this was Ksusha’s grandmother!
Clutching the photo with trembling fingers, Ksusha hurried to Semyon Ivanovich’s study. He was seated at his desk, leafing through medical journals.
— Semyon Ivanovich… — her voice trembled. — Can you tell me, how did you get this photograph?
He looked up, saw the photo, and seemed frozen. After a few silent moments, he slowly removed his glasses.
— Where did you find it?
— In a book… in the library, — she answered quickly.
Semyon Ivanovich remained silent for a long time, visibly battling emotions. Finally, he put aside the papers and spoke softly:
— Since you trusted me enough to share this, it would be unfair for me to stay silent.
He walked pacing the room and spoke slowly, as if reliving the past:
— That was my fiancée, Lyubasha.
His voice wavered, but he continued:
— After my first year, I was sent for practice. I had an accident, stayed hospitalized for months. When I returned, I learned the house where she rented from a widow had burned down. She died. The police told me identification was impossible, but they showed me a ring—the ring I had given her…
Ksusha listened, feeling as if everything inside her broke.
— After that, I tried moving on. I even married once… but quickly realized no one could replace Lyubasha. I loved her deeply. Since then, I’ve been alone.
He fell silent, staring out the window. A heavy silence settled over the room.
Ksusha turned pale, her hands shaking. A suffocating tightness gripped her chest.
— What’s wrong? — Semyon Ivanovich asked worriedly, turning toward her. He brought a glass of water quickly. — Drink this.
She took a sip and whispered with difficulty:
— That’s… my grandmother in the photo. Lyubov Viktorovna. And… she’s alive.
Semyon Ivanovich froze as if unable to believe his own ears.
— What… alive?
Holding the photograph, Ksusha’s fingers trembled. Her thoughts scrambled, heart thumping loudly within the silence.
Only now did she realize the chief doctor and her grandfather had the same name—Semyon Ivanovich. Yet she had been certain since childhood that her grandfather had died. Her grandmother had never doubted this. Hence, she never paid attention to the coincidence—until now.
She raised her eyes and spoke softly:
— She’s alive, Semyon Ivanovich.
Then she recounted what her grandmother had revealed: when the fiancé went away for practice and didn’t communicate for a long time, Lyubasha sought out his parents. Neighbors said they had left for a lengthy trip. She then turned to his friend, who told her Semyon had died and was buried far away.
Semyon Ivanovich sprang up.
— What?! — his voice metallic with shock. — Who was this friend?
— I… don’t know his name, — Ksusha hesitated. — Grandma said he later even proposed to marry her, saying he wanted to be a father to her daughters. But she refused. She loved only my grandfather. You.
Semyon Ivanovich paced the room, restless.
— God… — he muttered. — So she’s alive… alive! My Lyubasha…
Ksusha continued, trying to stay calm despite her trembling inside:
— The house grandma rented really burned down. But she didn’t die. She had money troubles then, and the landlady seized her ring that evening, saying, “Pay for the apartment, and I’ll return it.” Grandma brought the money, but by then, there was no house or landlady left…
Semyon Ivanovich paused and sat down.
— So that’s where the ring came from… — he whispered, tears glistening in his eyes.
Ksusha sat opposite, gently placing her hand over his.
— After that, grandma left for another city. She lives there still. That’s where my parents live too. I’ll return there as soon as I graduate.
Semyon Ivanovich looked up at her, finally understanding why something about this girl had seemed so familiar from the start.
— So… I have a daughter? And you’re… my granddaughter?
Ksusha nodded, brushing a tear away.
— Yes… that’s right.
In that moment, they both realized fate had brought them together for a reason.
Semyon Ivanovich rose, embracing her gently but awkwardly, as if afraid to frighten this new emotion, whispering:
— God… Thank you for letting me know this in my lifetime.
Ksusha rested against him and suddenly felt the fear she once had for the strict chief doctor vanish completely. Before her stood not a demanding boss, but her grandfather—who had lived alone for many years, unaware his family existed.
Since then, everything changed—most of all, Semyon Ivanovich himself.
Hospital staff exchanged glances: what happened to the stern, tough chief whose gaze intimidated even skilled surgeons? He was still demanding but now spoke with warmth no one had heard before. He smiled more frequently and even joked occasionally.
— Our chief doctor seems twenty years younger, — whispered voices circulated the corridors.
At home, he was different—often sitting beside Ksusha, sharing stories from his student days. Now he called her “granddaughter,” a word that frankly touched her heart.
- From a strict leader to a loving family man, his transformation inspired everyone around him.
Finally, the day arrived when Ksusha graduated with honors—just as she had aimed for. Semyon Ivanovich attended the ceremony proudly, looking at her with the affection reserved for closest relatives.
After the celebration, he said quietly but firmly:
— Well then, granddaughter. It’s time we go.
— Where? — she asked, bewildered.
— Home, to your city. You can’t imagine how hard it was not to rush to Lyubasha as soon as I learned, but I waited for you to finish your exams so we could go together. Also, I still had business here. I’ve long intended to open a private clinic. Now I know for sure—I’ll set it up where my family lives, and you will help me.
Ksusha gasped.
— Really, Grandpa?
He smiled knowingly.
— I don’t joke about such things.
So the day came when they traveled to that very city where Lyubasha had left long ago.
Wanting to soften the impact of his arrival, Semyon decided to stay at a hotel first.
— You go home first, — he told Ksusha. — Prepare grandma. I don’t want it to shock her. So many years have passed… Let her come to terms with the news.
Though calm, his hands trembled. For years, he had only dreamed of this reunion, and now it was near.
Ksusha agreed, her eyes reflecting nervous anticipation.
She returned home, embraced her grandmother, answered many questions, gathered her courage, then carefully told her:
— Grandma, we have a guest today.
— Guest? — Lyubov Viktorovna squinted in surprise. — Who? Did you find a fiancé?
— Better! — Ksusha replied. — Someone very… very important. The one you waited for your whole life.
Lyubov Viktorovna paled—the one she waited for had long since disappeared from this world.
— Grandma, don’t worry, — Ksusha said gently, taking her hand. — Grandpa is alive. He’s alive, understand? You were deceived. Tonight, he will come to us.
A few seconds of silence filled the room, broken only by the ticking clock. Then Lyubov Viktorovna jumped up.
— I can’t wait until evening! Where is he? Where?!
Within the hour, she was knocking on the hotel room door.
Semyon Ivanovich opened it and froze. There she stood—his Lyubasha. Yes, older now, with gray hair streaks, but in her eyes was the same warm light he had remembered all his life.
— Lyuba… — he whispered, voice betraying emotion.
She clutched her chest as if afraid her heart might leap out.
— Sema…
He stepped forward, then another step, and the next moment they embraced, as if those unbearably long years of separation had never existed.
— Alive… — Lyuba murmured, holding onto his shoulder. — Alive… God, could this really be true?
— Alive, — he repeated, gazing into her eyes. — And you’re alive. I’ll never let you go again.
Ksusha watched them, understanding this was true love—unbreakable by time, tragedy, or distance.
Soon another meeting took place, equally emotional. For the first time, Semyon Ivanovich saw his daughter—Ksusha’s mother—whose existence he had never known.
He stood at the doorway, heart pounding as she looked at him long before stepping close, embracing him tightly, and whispering:
— Dad… — tears falling on his shoulder.
That embrace was enough to erase decades stolen by lies and circumstance.
Faithful to his promise, Semyon Ivanovich founded a private clinic—small but equipped with modern technology and grounded in his lifelong principles: honesty, patient care, and no shortcuts. Ksusha continued her studies while working beside her grandfather—initially as an assistant, then increasingly taking charge. He took pride in her, often saying:
— Look at our granddaughter, Lyubasha. She’s done well!
Evenings brought the family together—grandmother, grandfather, daughter with her husband, and granddaughter. Laughter filled the air, past memories shared, and future plans made. Everyone understood that life had granted them a second chance at happiness.
In summary, this heartfelt journey reveals how fate can intertwine lives in the most unexpected ways, healing old wounds and opening doors to new beginnings. It teaches the enduring power of love, resilience, and the importance of family bonds despite years of hardship and separation.