5. A Warm Welcome for Liliya

Moments After Igor and Liliya Arrived in Kuskovo.

The black car stopped in front of a large, classic-style house in the eastern district of Kuskovo. The rain had just stopped, leaving the paths wet with small puddles that reflected the remaining light from the street lamps.

Liliya stepped out of the car hesitantly. The night air in Kuskovo was so cold, it felt as if the wind was piercing her skin to the bones. The thick jacket she was wearing didn't seem enough to ward off the chill that enveloped the night. Igor, who had been sitting quietly in the driver's seat, followed her out. The adult man walked around the car and stood next to Liliya, occasionally looking up at the sky that was beginning to clear after the brief rainstorm.

"Liliya, let's go inside," Igor said softly, but firmly, seeing the hesitation in the girl's eyes.

Liliya looked at the large house in front of her with a worried expression. The house stood firmly, with classic Russian architecture that looked magnificent, but deserted. The windows were large, with thick curtains drawn tightly, making the atmosphere even quieter. The dim light from inside the house provided a little comfort, although the air around them felt cold and chilling.

Before Liliya had a chance to respond to Igor's invitation, the front door of the house opened. Soon, a middle-aged woman emerged from behind the door, her figure looking strong, but her face holding a million warmth. She was probably almost fifty years old, her hair had turned partially white, and her body was wrapped in a thick coat that covered her shoulders.

"Liliya!" The woman called the girl's name with a warm voice, while walking quickly towards them.

Liliya was surprised. The woman suddenly hugged her tightly, as if she had been waiting for her arrival for a long time. The hug brought a different warmth, not only from the woman's body, but from the way she hugged Liliya, as if she were a long-lost family member.

"Liliya, we finally met. It's been so long since we last saw each other." The woman then gently stroked Liliya's back.

It seemed that the old woman knew the anxiety that Liliya was displaying at the moment. Then she said again,

"I am Aunt Belka, a distant relative of your father."

Liliya tried to remember everything, but her memories of her childhood seemed so very vague. The young girl only nodded slightly, feeling a little confused by the situation she was experiencing at the moment, but a feeling of calm began to creep into her heart.

"Come in, Dear, don't be shy. It's very cold outside. Auntie has prepared dinner for you." Aunt Belka immediately invited Liliya into the house, while Igor closed the car door and followed behind them.

As everyone began to enter the house, warmth immediately enveloped Liliya's body. The interior of the house felt much more comfortable than she had imagined.

The walls were filled with family photos, classic ornaments, and lamps that emitted a warm yellow light. The fragrant smell of Russian cuisine immediately greeted them, making Liliya's stomach, which had been empty for a while, feel hungry instantly.

"Please sit down, Liliya," Aunt Belka said, leading the girl to a dining table that had been neatly set with various dishes.

"Auntie cooked a lot of your favorite foods. You must be very hungry after the long journey," the auntie exclaimed again.

Liliya smiled faintly, beginning to try to calm her mind, which was still filled with various questions. Igor sat next to her, watching every movement with a look full of attention. Liliya felt a little strange with the attention Igor was giving her.

The girl still didn't really understand the strange man she had only met a while ago. Igor was quieter at the dining table, but his eyes were so intensely looking at Liliya and Aunt Belka who were chatting.

"All this food is for you, Liliya. Auntie remembers very well, when you were little, you really liked to eat borscht and pelmeni. Auntie also made blini and pirozhki. They're all your favorites, right?" Aunt Belka smiled warmly, taking a large spoon and starting to scoop borscht soup into the bowl in front of Liliya.

The girl only nodded as if confirming everything that Aunt Belka said.

"Why does this old woman know all my favorite foods? But why don't I remember her at all?" Liliya said in her heart.

Liliya then looked at the food in front of her. It had been a long time since she had tasted food like this. Russian cuisine is full of childhood memories that were beginning to be forgotten. The girl then looked at Aunt Belka who was busy serving them at the dining table, and in her heart, Liliya felt touched. The woman seemed so sincere in welcoming her, as if she were indeed a part of the family that had been longed for.

"He-he-he. You must have forgotten a lot about your childhood, right?" Aunt Belka laughed softly, while sitting in front of them.

"Yes, Auntie. I don't remember anything about Auntie at all. Sorry," Liliya said honestly.

"It's okay, Liliya. Time really passes so quickly. But Auntie still remembers very well when you were running around your house in the City of Kazan. You used to be a very cheerful child."

Liliya was silent. She didn't remember it at all. Perhaps most of her childhood memories had indeed been lost, buried behind various harrowing life events. However, hearing Aunt Belka's story made her heart warm a little. Liliya then picked up a spoon and began to eat, enjoying the taste of the food that was so familiar but felt distant at the same time.

Meanwhile, Igor sat at the end of the table, watching the two of them with a serious gaze. The man seemed calm, but behind that calmness, there was something on his mind. His eyes occasionally glanced at Liliya, as if hoping the girl could quickly forget her sadness.

"Liliya ...." Igor's voice was finally heard, softly but full of meaning.

"Kuskovo might be a new beginning for you. Aunt Belka and I have planned many things to help you start a new life here."

Liliya then looked at Igor. In her heart she knew that her arrival in Kuskovo was not just about an ordinary journey. But there were many things that Igor and Aunt Belka had planned for her. They wanted Liliya to start a new life here, perhaps even forget her past that was full of wounds.

"Yes, Liliya," added Aunt Belka with a soft smile.

"You don't have to worry about anything. Here, we will take care of you. You are part of this family, and Auntie wants to see you happy."

Liliya was silent for a moment, thinking about their words. Kuskovo, with all its strangeness, began to feel like a place full of new things in the future. It seemed that there was some truth to what Igor and Aunt Belka had said. Maybe this was the time for her to forget her sadness, open a new chapter, and accept the new life that had been planned for her.

Liliya sighed deeply, then nodded slowly. That night, in the magnificent old house, with Russian cuisine in front of her, Liliya decided to try to open her heart to what she might find in Kuskovo.