I was hurried home from the bazaar, when a woman called out to me, I looked at her for a long time, but I could not recognize her.

If forgetting If it comes to the surface again, is it worth paying attention to? Most psychologists advise to just accept. Over time, the negativity must be let go and kept from itself further: it will only harm. But some experts, on the contrary, give opposite instructions.



They say that when conflicts have settled, you can look at the same situation from a different angle and with a cold head. And, of course, to draw some conclusions for yourself. This is called “learning from your mistakes.” There was a similar case with our reader. But she decided to do it her own way.

When you are a mother of two boys and the wife of a two-meter husband, frequent trips to the market are provided for you. Constantly growing (who in the top, who in the breadth) organisms require constant snacks. So, even though we are called housewives, we also spend a lot of time on the street.

At first, I didn’t like it: I couldn’t tune in. Then you need to clean, then go to the store, before you have time to rest. But after the onset of the pandemic, when going outside was like a holiday, I never deny myself the pleasure of walking an extra few kilometers. If you have time, don't rush. I even lost a few pounds.



One day, just before the holidays, I needed to get a good buy. Take meat, fish, vegetables and other small things. I even decided not to transfer my bags to the city bus after that, but to call a taxi. Well, really, such stress for the body will not lead to anything good. Dear women, please put this on your shoulder. And I'm absolutely serious.

After walking through several busy rows and even bargaining for a few cheaper positions, I decided to go to the other wing of the market, where grandmothers usually stood with homemade meat, eggs, milk and everything else. I didn't usually trust them too much. But at that moment, the mood was kind of windy and my feet led me there by themselves.

Excited, focused on picking the product and keeping the balance due to the sheer number of other customers, I was completely oblivious to the strange tremors in my shoulder. At first they were weak, but then strengthened. Turning my head, I saw some downtrodden woman in her fifties. A normal way to pay attention to your products, I thought at first.



- Sveta, hi! What are you doing here for the holidays?

I didn't recognize that woman at first. But she said my name correctly. Without expecting such a turn of events, I quietly said hello and continued staring at the stranger. Maybe the boss is an ex? No, she was much richer. She didn't wear berets at all.

- Svetul, it's me, Lena.

Removing her incomprehensible headdress, the woman showed me a pile of discolored and ungroomed hair. Now I know who's in front of me. Lenka. The woman who once took the man of my dreams away from me.

That was it. 15 years ago we were young and happy. I had just learned to accept men (at 25!) and even found my own. Pasha really looked like a young Apollo. Tall, handsome, handsome. Dark skin and black as coal hair. And he liked me, an undistinguished girl like a pond in any neighborhood.



We dated for a long time, swore loyalty to each other, until Lena paid attention to our happiness. That's where it all started. There was a black line: quarrels, disagreements, distrust. He started drinking and I had a breakdown. In the end, Paul confessed everything to me and told me that we could no longer be together. We already had a wedding scheduled!

For 2 years I closed myself and only through a chance meeting met my future husband. A normal guy, and I'm a normal guy. Over time, I accepted him and even fell in love. But did I have a trace in my heart after that story? Of course I am.



And now I see her. Lena, who took my man. Who always favorably differed from other girls with her beauty and solid character. Everything so fashionable and charismatic. Now she was sitting on some folding chair selling milk. Hunched, aged. In old clothes and dry skin.

I saw in her eyes a request to forgive her. She may have played her behavior in her head many times, I don't know. Apparently, at some point, her life took a sudden turn. Probably the wrong way. She must have needed help. I could feel it. Mistakes of youth, second weakness? Maybe, of course.

Lena dulled her eyes and quietly, almost inaudible (especially because of the crowd of customers) began the conversation.
- Listen, Light. You forgive me.
- Sorry, I don't know you. You must be wrong.

I turned 180 degrees and walked confidently to the exit. Well, I bought most of the products. Everything else can be purchased at the butcher shop. And the mood to reconnect with the crowd of onlookers somehow disappeared. The wallet is being stolen. Yeah, I'll go to the supermarket. 21st century.



Let the past be in the past. I'm not mad at anyone. Let them go to church for help. Or City Hall. I have my own concerns. I'll come home and start cooking. And my husband, my love, will be hungry. The holidays are coming. You have to cook in a good mood. And the result will be more successful!