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I am an Azerbaijani writer. The full version of the book is available on Wattpad; you can search for it by the same name there. Other chapters will also be published after being edited into English. Have a nice rest.
Hello friends, I’m back again with my new book Kaudupul.
Have fun reading, I hope you enjoy it. I’ll be waiting for your votes and comments 🫶🏻
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(By Alsu Nasibova)
I was stepping out of the airport toward the bus stop with my small suitcase. Since I’d been coming here at least once a year, I already knew the area well. Russia felt like my second home, and Moscow like my second city for the past five years. This was already my second visit this year, so Svetlana had no idea — I wanted to surprise her this time.
I got on the bus and waited for it to depart. I tried to open the window but couldn’t; a man behind me kindly helped. Summers here weren’t as hot as in Baku, but since I had walked a bit, I felt the heat. I loved this country for its cooler weather — hot weather was never my thing.
After about an hour-long ride, I was walking toward the building where Svetlana and her son Anton lived. It was Sunday, so they were at home. I climbed to the second floor, rang the bell, and pulled my hoodie over my face so she wouldn’t recognize me.
“Mom, there’s someone at the door with their face covered,” I heard Anton’s sweet voice. He always stood on his little chair to peek through the door.
“Baby, take your chair and go to the living room. I’ll check,” Svetlana replied.
She unlocked the door and pushed it slightly open.
“Who is it?”
“I came to meet you, beautiful.” When I revealed myself, she screamed with joy and hugged me tightly.
Svetlana and I met on Instagram six years ago and became best friends. Back then, she was newly married. A year later, she lost her husband in a car accident — she was pregnant with Anton at the time. Since then, I would sneak over here during the summers. I was even there when she gave birth. She had no family, having grown up in an orphanage. Her husband’s family no longer cared about her or the baby. She never let me feel alone, and I did the same for her. At first, we spoke in English, but later she taught me Russian. Still, when I came here, I pretended not to know Russian and spoke only English to others — it was our little game.
“Did Anton fall asleep?” I asked as I placed the glasses on the table and sat on the couch.
“Yes. I’m so glad you came — I missed you so much.” She sat next to me. Since she was tall, I rested my head on her shoulder — I was quite short myself.
“How is Anton? I was so scared when he had that asthma attack after dinner. When did you last see the doctor? Any news about the heart?” I asked. She sighed deeply. Working multiple jobs was taking a toll on her. Anton had asthma and heart failure. He needed a new heart, but none had been found yet. The surgery was expensive, but she was constantly working to save enough money in case a donor heart became available.
“He’s like his aunt, living with asthma. You understand it better than anyone,” she said, stroking my hair. I had the same condition since I was 15, but he was born with it, and it was even harder for him. “And the heart… no, unfortunately still no news. And… and time is running out. The heart is hurting him more and more. If we wait any longer, the poison will spread through his blood…” she added, caressing her face in despair.
“If a heart is found, just take him to surgery right away, okay? We’ll find the money — I’ll work more too. We’ll pay for it together.” She hugged me tightly and started crying. I gently stroked her hair — she needed it.
The next morning, when Sveta went to work, I watched over Ivan. Usually, their elderly neighbor did it — she had a grandson the same age as Anton, named Aleksandr. Her son and daughter-in-law had died from COVID, so she lived with her grandson, and Sveta would leave Ivan with them while working.
I looked up from my phone and saw Anton and Aleksandr playing on the swings a bit further away. We were at the small park in front of the building. I turned off my phone and went for a short walk. As I glanced at the boys again, I saw them taking turns pushing each other like they were driving cars.
Suddenly, the sound of a siren startled me. I turned around and saw several black cars speeding toward the boys. Fear took over my entire body. I ran toward them, shouting for them to move away. Ivan ran across the road toward our side. Without thinking, I rushed into the street and grabbed him. Before I could move further, the cars screeched to a stop inches from us. As the dust settled, I checked if Anton was injured. I heard a car door open. A large blond man in formal wear stepped out. I began speaking in English, angry:
“What kind of driving is this? People live here! Do you think this is an empty road? What if you hadn’t stopped in time?”
“You shouldn’t let children play in the road. It’s your problem. They should be more careful,” he replied in heavily accented English.
“Are you an animal? He’s just a kid! You need to learn where and how to drive, you jerk!” I shouted, pointing my finger at his face.
“Watch your mouth, woman!” He started to walk toward me. I pulled Anton behind me. Just then, his phone rang. He answered and listened to someone on the other end. Then he looked at one of the larger black cars behind him, nodded, and without another word, got back in his car and drove off at a slower pace. As the big black car passed me, I couldn’t help but glare at it, even though I couldn’t see who was inside. Afterward, I took the boys back home.
“Come on, Alsu, please don’t say no…” I couldn’t resist Sveta’s pleas any longer and agreed to go with her to the bar. She worked at a luxurious bar four nights a week, from 10 PM to 5 AM. That night, she was working alone and wanted me to come with her.
“You’re the best, Alsuuu! I hate being alone. Pyotr had some work and won’t be coming today. I’d be all alone without you!” she said. I rolled my eyes and went to get ready.
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I brushed out my strawberry-blonde hair and left it down, slightly wavy at the ends — just how I liked it. I applied some foundation to cover the redness in my cheeks. I finished with mascara and a deep burgundy matte lipstick. A little shimmer on the tip of my upturned nose, and I was done. I thought about eyeliner but skipped it — it was already nighttime. The mascara made my blue eyes stand out beautifully.
I pulled out a black dress from the wardrobe that stopped above my knees. The sleeves were mid-length and wavy. I paired it with white sneakers and my black backpack. Just before leaving, I sprayed myself with my favorite perfume, Caterina.
The bar was indeed very luxurious. The music was a bit loud but not disturbing. This side of the bar was quieter, but the other side felt like chaos — blaring music, the stench of alcohol, crowds dancing, and mixed scents. I had gone over to deliver a message with Sveta, and immediately regretted it. I hated crowded, noisy places.
“Sweetie, we’re out of lemons. I’ll grab some from the storage. If anything urgent happens, press this button, and I’ll get a notification.” I nodded.
There were only two men and two women at the bar, all on the other side. No one new had arrived. I looked down at my phone and continued reading my book. My playlist was playing in my ears.
Viktor Draqunov
“Pakhan*, wait a second, don’t make hasty decisions out of anger.”
“Of course, I have plans for him. Just not yet. For now, I’m simply taking note of what he’s done.”
I didn’t want to talk more. I had things to do, but the timing wasn’t right — and patience wasn’t my strength.
“Welcome, Pakhan.” The manager I assigned to the luxury side of the bar greeted me. “Everything is as you requested. Maxim Dernov and his guests arrived two hours ago. There was a meeting in the lobby for an hour. Now he’s alone — just asked for two girls a while ago.”
I nodded and left him behind as I entered the luxury section. My men and Sergey followed as always. Sergey’s father had been my father’s right hand. Now Sergey was mine. We practically grew up together — he was my most trusted man.
I scanned the area quickly, heading toward the lobby. But something made me stop. I turned back toward the bar area to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.
“Sergey.”
“Yes, Pakhan?”
“Was someone new hired at the bar without my knowledge?”
“No, all current staff are the same.”
“Then who’s that girl?” I pointed with my eyebrow toward the small girl sitting at the bar, looking at her phone.
“I haven’t seen her before. I’ll take care of it right away.” He was about to leave, but I stopped him with a gesture.
“Have we seen her somewhere before?” I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Why did she seem so familiar?
“Sir, sorry to interrupt, but we saw her this morning while passing through the side road for the delivery. She pulled a kid away just as he ran in front of the car — ”
“And you started yelling at her.” I didn’t even try to hide my glare toward my man.
“Apologies, but we were almost late. That’s why I — ”
“Dmitri!” I raised my voice, and he instantly fell silent. “What did I teach you? Always treat women with respect, right?”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”
“If I see it again…” I didn’t finish my sentence — he had to understand.
“It won’t happen again, Pakhan. Please forgive me.” He stood with his hands clasped, head bowed. That’s how it should be.
“Let’s have some whiskey, then head to the lobby,” I said, looking at Sergey. He nodded, as expected. If I wanted it, it would happen.
I approached the bar and observed her from a side angle. She was small, yet bold enough to stand up to someone twice her size. Her hair was a mix of strawberry and gold — completely natural. She had an upturned nose and tiny hands. She was biting her finger while reading something with excitement. Her feet didn’t touch the ground, so she rested them on the bar stool’s rung and swung them back and forth. There was a mole on her right knee. Since her dress had ridden up a bit, her thin legs were exposed. Why was I observing her in such detail, down to the mole? What was happening to me?
“Whiskey.”
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