english

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And I saw him. Oh my God, he has really changed very much! The first thing that stroke me was an incredible carelessness in his clothes. Also, he had a huge bald spot instead of a fairly thick blonde hair on his head and just enormous fattened body. So it would be more suitable to name him not Khmurik but Big Pig now.

 

But the most important changes were in his eyes. Now there were not any noticeable sparks of previous self-reliance, stubbornness, and arrogance that so annoyed me and other guys a lot of years ago. There was only a pale and lifeless look of his gray eyes now.

 

‘Ah, it is you.' My former classmate greeted me indifferently as if we parted with him only yesterday. And as if there were not of all those years when we did not see each other.

 

Yehor brought the pack with food to the kitchen, then, breathing heavily, dragged himself to his bed and flopped down on it, well, exactly like a sack of shit. It was very difficult to pick any other words to name him now. What a nasty and abandoned look he had!

 

‘So why are you here? What do you want?' he said.

 

‘Well, I thought... We didn't see each other for a long time...' I confused.

 

‘Ah, bullshit! Don't tell such nonsense! You are in need of me as a bald guy needs a comb.' Yes, it seemed that the only thing that still remained from previous Khmurik was his straightness. ‘So you came to me in order to know when I finally make you a Minister, didn't you? Heehee!'

 

‘Well, the Minister or not the Minister. I just wanted to see how things are.'

 

‘There is nothing. It's all bullshit. Forget about it.' Khmurik smiled.

 

‘Do you want to say me that it was just a joke about President then? Do you mean that you haven't even tried to bring your dreams to life?' I couldn't help myself from asking my questions.

 

‘Why? I have tried. You know, I was really obsessed with this dream. I did my best to make my dream come true! I was a member of almost all political parties which only exist in our country, from communists to nationalists. Once I even got a position of a third secretary of the regional division in one of them! Then I tried to climb to success through business. I worked as a press secretary in one company. Then...  Eh, it is all bullshit!' A former classmate waved his hand desperately. ‘All I did was useless. I understood at last that no one can do a real career in such way, just doing his job well. Eh, you all the boys were right, but not me at school. Everything in this world is already occupied and bought... Although', Khmurik's face changed for a moment, ‘maybe if I acted in a completely different direction from the very beginning I would have a chance. And it would be a good chance, I think!'

 

‘‘What do you mean?' I did not understand.