Павел Миллер - The Power of Time

– When are you going to see Max?

– Today or tomorrow, why?

– Let him know, that he needs to read Gorky’s novel “Mother” and write a paper on it. I will give him a literature grade based on this paper.

– Ok, I will let him know. Can I go now?

– Yes.

Andrew almost made it to the door when she said:

– Oh, there is something else, Andrew!

– Yes? – the student looked at her attentively.

– Sent him my greetings, and let him know that I wish him to get well soon! This is it, good – bye!

Doors of the room opened and Andrew entered the room. He was dressed modestly, but with a good taste. Max always liked the intelligent face of his friend, his unlimited aspiration for the best and proper. Andrew had dark rare hair, short haircut, blue eyes and olive skin. His facial features were accurate and attractive, and by looking at him it was easy to say that he was an intelligent person with good actions. Maxim liked how Andrew entered the room. He opened the doors, got in, put his bag down; then he returned back to door, closed it, and only after that approached Max. He pronounced assuredly and quietly:

– Hello, my friend. How are you?

– I am limping.

– Don’t be shy. I thought you had been running around for a while.

– I wish… It would be so good to run or play basketball right now.

– Oh come on! You will have time to play. Now you need to get well.

– I am doing my best, you can see for yourself.

– Of course I see it, Max. It does not make me feel any better thought.

– Andrew, could you please tell me the news from school. I have not been there for ages.

– Everything is the same, except for you being excited about it.

– I know… It is always the same. How are my friends?

– You won’t believe it; they did not change much either.

– Enough about them, give me an answer to another question. Is Svetlana Victorovna working again?

Andrew was waiting for Max to ask this question. Instead of answering, he asked:

– Is she in love with you?

– I told you before that it happened long time ago. So what?

– It is just obvious to me. Every time she looks at he I can see it in her eyes, as if she says: “Andrew, I love Max very much”. Do you understand what I mean?

– What do you think? Do I look like a fool?

Maxim was talking absolutely calmly, so Andrew always unsure of his friend’s real feelings and kept on re-asking the same questions. At those moments Max thought: “It is so easy to get a person confused, even when he is smart. People can get caught up in the vulpine game of emotions…”

– Why are you being so harsh? It is just that I am surprised and I did not notice it before…

– It is natural, and I remember when it happens as clearly as I remember us growing up. Right now, when she is totally in love, it is very hard not to notice. I agree with you.

– Do you love her back?

– Andrew, let’s change the subject. I have told you before that I love her. Why are we getting back to this subject? I don’t get it…

– Ok, ok, I only wanted to make sure. If you don’t feel like talking about it, we won’t.

– Andrew, I just want to know if she asked about me.

– It is not that she just asked, she actually was questioning me. How are you doing, how are you feeling. She even asked who is visiting you. Can you believe it?!

– Wow, I was so positive she would not even remember me. Well, that’s good news!

– She even gave you a task!

– A task? Why she could not call and give it to me directly? She should be coming over to give me lessons, not to give tasks!

– You need to let me finish first. Remember you were talking to her about the Gorky’s novel “Mother”?

– Of course I do! I told her that I’ll read it, even thought it is not included in the school program. I also promised to give a speech about it in class, if necessary.

– Well, she told you to submit a paper on that novel.

– Did she specify the topic?

– No, I guess she assumed you would know what to write about.

– How am I supposed to know when I finished this novel two weeks ago! There are thousands of topics to choose on this novel. From what I assume, this should be a nonspecific paper with an accent on some issue. However, it is hard to guess what the accent should be on.

– Just cover everything that you can. If you want, I will find out for you. I can even tell Svetlana Victorovna to give you a call if you want.

– Could you please ask her to specify the topic for me? She will either give me a call or tell you what she wants this paper on. This is it. What is the reason for all this debate?

Andrei calmed down, listened to his friend quietly and thought: "My friend’s love is strange! Where it can lead him to? However, if Max needs it, he will sure find a use for it! Hmm, it is interesting weather he tells me about it or not. I think he will".

– Max, girls have been invited us to join the committee of the high school. What is your opinion on that?

– I agree. They need assistance? I’ll only be glad to help them if I can.

Room doors opened again, and Roman with a sad face of a genius entered the room. It always seemed to Maxim, that he is a very intelligent person, but little problems were able to get him depressed and affect him inadequately. He acted strange because of them, like now. He closed the doors, entered the room not saying a word, and sat between Maxim and Andrew on the bed. He was thinking about his own deeds and did not pay attention to anyone, as if he was the only person in the room. Andrew was very surprised, but did not give any comments. Maxim knew that Roman could not stand any strangers in their friendship and wanted to communicate with him only.

– I don’t think I want to join that committee. They don’t really do anything serious there, except for the organization of holidays. They don’t solve student problems at all.

– I agree with you totally. What problems can students have? Bad grades? That depends on him only. Relations with relatives? These are personal problems and should not be discussed. So what kind of problems can that committee solve? Do you want the whole school to know about your problems? You would be embarrassed to enter the school then!

– Ok, Max, I better go home, I have homework to do.

– We are not done with the game, – Maxim knocked, looking at the chess.

– I’ll come over on weekend and we’ll finish the game? Please don’t be offended, ok?

– Andrew, why in the world I’ll take an offence! You must be joking? Everything is all right. The only thing I want to ask you is to come over more often. Sounds good?

– All right, get well! Good-bye!

Andrei left the room, and Max, not paying any attention at Roman, lay on the bed and closed eyes. After a few moments Roman asked:

– Are you planning to sleep, Max?!

– What else is there to do? Play football?

Roman got quite again, staring at one spot and not moving. Max always had a feeling, that his friend has many genial thoughts in his head. He thought that Roman was making unachievable goals, but no matter what it is he would work hard and achieve them. Max believed in that and was used to Roman’s strange actions, treating him like brother and thinking of him as of close relative.

– Let’s play chess if you want.

– Hey, you don’t like chess! – Maxim was surprised and thought: “He does not want me to sleep”.

– I usually don’t like chess, but today I would like to play.

– Roman, what are you thinking about? – asked Maxim, setting pieces on the board.

Roman was looking at the chess pieces for a while, then made a first move with a pawn, and answered Max with the question:

– What do you think, is there a life after death?

– I think so. I am actually positive why do you need to think about it?

– See, I am deliberating on questions that are essential for understanding the essence of human living. No matter how much time I spend thinking, I always run into the same conclusion: if there is no life after death, then our life has no meaning at all.

– Roman, you are absolutely correct. I wanted to tell you that myself.

– What is human being then? What is the purpose of our life? This is something I can’t understand.

– This is what I think… There is a world, where there are favorable conditions for everyone. All people who live there are good and positive, but it is impossible to determine what they really like. So the God created a material world, so he created you, me and everyone else. Every creature of the other world is going here to live a short period of time – this is what we call life. However, this life, just like everything in the world, does not disappear- it takes another form. That means that life is endless, it is just that we are here on Earth for a limited amount of time. Then, after we pass the musters and finish our term here, we would be answering for it!

– So what should I do?

– I don’t know Roman; each person should find his own answer. Many people can’t find it and walk down the wrong path. However, later, after hundreds of years they will be born again.: in a different county, in a different body, with a different assignment… And they will start searching for the answer again… Many people can’t find it again, and suffer from it. Do you understand?

– Do you think I feel better? I have been looking for answer forever. I am looking for my assignment, Max! I can’t decide what it is! I feel uncertainty and intimidation, which stand on my way and don’t let me move forward.

– Roman, I understand you very well, I experienced your confusion. I can only imagine that you need to be concentrated all the time and make decisions what to do. That is very important. Do you understand me? You need to do what you have to do, not what you want to.

– How is that?

– It does not matter, weather it will be good or bad for you, weather you need it or not. This is the last thing to think about. It is essential to realize the importance and the rightness of your action. You need to accomplish what you have to without waiting for assistance from others. You need to do it today, not tomorrow, or at any other time. If you waste your time, then there will be no need for your actions.

– It is almost impossible: to analyze everything, make a decision what to do and how to do it, plus to do it the right way.

– Yes, but tell me what our life is for then?! To eat and go to the bathroom?

– There is no need for overacting, Max.

– I am not overacting! Everyone lives like that!

– I should be going. So how can I change everything? How can I accomplish it? It is hard for me to see and understand it all right away.

– At first you need to concentrate on yourself and become a better person! You have told me yourself that we need to strive for perfection! When you reach the perfection, you will be able to see and understand things. If you look for the answers now, you will waste time. Work on yourself, Roman! And you will win!

– Do you mean to grow spiritually and take control over the flesh?

– Right. Take a control over all human sins and desires. Get rid of all the dirt!

– Thank you, Max, I understand now. Do you mind if I go home? Will you take an offence?

– Please go, that is so silly…

– Sorry. Bye.

Svetlana left school exhausted and drained out. She was not ready for changes yet. At first it seemed that all her love and warmth towards work and students broke to shivers because of misunderstanding and fear. Svetlana even got scared, thinking that may be it was better to give up. However, she decided not to pull back and try to get herself together. Before she reached the bus stop, she spotted Andrew.