Two weeks had passed since the garden doors were opened again. Every working day, during her break, Arevik secretly made her way down to the garden. She drank tea with Uncle Grish and then got to work.

  The garden no longer seemed as frightening as it once had. Although full restoration was still far away, Arevik could already see the changes: the gray and brown tones were slowly fading, and the garden was beginning to fill with color.

  — You worked a lot today, Uncle Grish, — Arevik said during one of her visits.

  — Yes, that’s true, — Grish replied. — Today I carefully checked the condition of the garden and made a list. Here.

  He handed her the list, scribbled on a napkin.

  Arevik studied it closely. Everything seemed less disastrous than she had expected, but there were a few items she simply couldn’t imagine appearing in an official archival request. She looked at Grish with concern.

  — Then show me what’s bothering you, — he said firmly.

  That pleased Arevik. His tone carried a readiness to overcome any difficulty.

  — Here, Uncle Grish, — she said, pointing to the list. — It says “external cleaning.” I assume the roof has to be washed from the outside.

  — That’s not your concern, — Grish answered calmly. — I have acquaintances in the municipal services. I’ll take care of it.

  He looked at her expectantly, sensing she still had another question.

  — And this… drip irrigation? What is that? — she asked in surprise.

  Her wide eyes and sincere confusion made Grish laugh. He laughed openly, from the heart.

  — We’ll buy that too, — he said, barely holding back his laughter.

  — All right, — Arevik replied seriously. — Then tell me exactly which one we need. I’ll order it.

  She wasn’t in the mood for jokes. Everything still felt uncertain, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her. She tried to hide her anxiety from Grish, but when she looked up and saw his bright eyes, still glistening with warm laughter, she couldn’t help but smile too.

  — I have to go, Uncle Grish, — Arevik said, glancing at the clock. Her alarm reminded her that the break was over. — I’ll sort through the list and prepare it for submission.

  — Go. We’ll stay in touch.

  — Of course, — Arevik replied, then added with a smile, — Uncle Grish, you have a wonderful smile. You must have been a real heartbreaker in your youth.

  — Get out of here! — Grish muttered, half annoyed, half embarrassed.

  — See you tomorrow, Uncle Grish! — Arevik called out as she ran off.

  — See you tomorrow, — Grish answered with a smile and returned to his work.

  Another week passed. Arevik finalized the requirements and compiled a list of all the necessary materials for the garden. One morning, she arrived at work with a tense sense of determination.

  — Good morning, everyone, — she said, looking at the three women who seemed frozen in time. No matter how she left them in the evening, she always found them in exactly the same positions the next morning.

  — Good morning, Arevik, — Mrs. Gayane replied as always, speaking for everyone.

  — Mrs. Gayane, I’ve prepared the list of requirements. May we submit it now? — Arevik said, pleased with the work she had done.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  — That’s not how it’s done, — Gayane replied coldly. — First, I need to see everything. In any case, I must determine whether this is a reasonable request.

  Her tone made it clear that Arevik had overstepped.

  — Of course, — Arevik said quickly, realizing that haste could ruin everything. — If it’s convenient, I can bring the documents right now for you to review.

  — You may bring them, — Gayane said, struggling to maintain her usual severity.

  Arevik immediately stepped out and almost ran to get the folder. It felt as though any delay could cost her dearly.

  — Here you are, Mrs. Gayane, — she said, handing over the documents.

  — Leave them on the desk. I’ll look at them later, — Gayane replied, her voice noticeably softer.

  She doesn’t like something… or she doesn’t like me, Arevik thought. I hope everything works out.

  She carefully placed the folder on the desk and left the room.

  — What is this, Gayane? — Astghik asked when Gayane began reviewing the documents.

  — This is the end of us, — Gayane said quietly, without lifting her eyes from the papers.

  — What do you mean, “the end of us”? — Hasmik joined in anxiously.

  — Our girl wants to present a project on digitizing and improving the archive department.

  — And what is digitization? — Hasmik asked.

  — It means, dear, — Astghik answered confidently, — that any employee, wherever they are, will be able to open and view any document they need.

  — Oh… that’s wonderful! So modern! — Hasmik exclaimed.

  — It’s exactly because of this “modernity” that we could be fired, — Astghik said dryly.

  — Oh… I see, — Hasmik muttered, no longer enthusiastic.

  — Gayane, am I explaining this correctly? — Astghik turned to her. — Gayane?

  For several seconds, Gayane remained silent. Then she neatly stacked the papers, placed the folder on the desk, and said calmly:

  — How honest do you want my answer to be?

  — Speak plainly, — Astghik said. — Sooner or later, we’ll have to face reality.

  — Honestly, the project is very good, — Gayane began. — I’m not a specialist in digitization, but the girl approached the task seriously and proposed thoughtful, modern solutions.

  She fell silent, and notes of despair crept into her voice.

  — I don’t know what to do, girls.

  — Then just don’t approve the project, — Astghik said sharply.

  — That’s not a solution. And I would never act that way, — Gayane replied firmly.

  — Then what are we going to do? — Hasmik asked quietly.

  — Nothing. I need time to think, — Gayane said and left the office.

  But Gayane was not the only one lost in thought.

  Arevik couldn’t find peace. Anxiety clung to her relentlessly. She felt guilty for giving Grish hope too soon and feared she wouldn’t be able to live up to his expectations. The shame weighed so heavily on her that she didn’t even go down to the garden during her break that day.

  Grish noticed.

  At the end of the workday, he stood by the main entrance, waiting for Arevik to come out.

  — Arevik, — he called. — Arevik, over here.

  He gestured toward a spot where they could talk without being seen.

  — Uncle Grish, everything’s fine, — Arevik tried to steady herself, but the despair in her voice was impossible to hide.

  — I’m fine, — Grish said, studying her face closely. — I was just worried. Something happened, didn’t it?

  — What makes you think that? — Arevik tried to dodge the question.

  — Not coming to the garden during your break is serious for you, — Grish said, looking straight into her eyes.

  Arevik gave in. She no longer had the strength to hide her fear.

  — I won’t lie, Uncle Grish, — she exhaled. — I presented the project to Mrs. Gayane. And I… I don’t understand her attitude.

  She paused, then added softly:

  — I think she doesn’t like me. And I’m afraid she won’t approve the project.

  Grish was silent for a moment.

  — Mrs. Gayane is an educated woman, — he finally said. — I’m almost certain she’ll agree.

  — You really think so? — Arevik asked, hope flickering in her voice.

  — Yes, — Grish nodded. — If you explain everything to her in detail.

  He thought for a moment, then added:

  — I think this is a generational issue. The smart words of your time sound like a foreign language to people of ours.

  — So if I explain everything clearly, she’ll agree? — Arevik asked anxiously.

  — I believe so, — Grish answered with confidence.

  — Thank you, Uncle Grish, — Arevik said with relief. — It feels like a huge weight has lifted from my chest.

  She suddenly hugged him.

  — Hey, that’s enough! — Grish panicked. — What are you doing? Someone might see us!

  — It’s already very late, — Arevik said softly. — There’s no one here now.

  — Don’t say that, — Grish muttered, glancing around suspiciously. — But… you’re right. It’s late.

  His voice softened.

  — Go home and think about how you’ll explain your project to Gayane tomorrow.

  — You’re right, — Arevik nodded. — I’ll pull myself together.

  She smiled.

  — Goodbye, Uncle Grish. See you tomorrow.

  — See you tomorrow, my girl, — he replied.

  But despite the late hour and the seeming emptiness around them, they were not alone.

  In his office, by the window, the director stood watching the scene below. He remained still, his face calm, but his thoughts raced.

  He tried to understand whether his eyes were deceiving him: Grish — a man who had seemed heartless for many years — was smiling and allowing himself to be embraced.

  — Interesting… — the word slipped from his lips quietly.

  — Very interesting…