The wind howled and snow swirled around Rita and Budazhap as they trudged through the village towards their grandparents’ house. Rita’s hands were stuffed deep in her pockets, her shoulders hunched against the cold. She sneaked a glance at Budazhap, who walked beside her, his head down, collar turned up against the wind.
Rita couldn’t believe he had the audacity to show up. After what he did, she thought, how dare he lez—no, that wasn’t the word—after what he did, she thought, how dare he even speak to me?
Budazhap felt the weight of Rita’s hostile glare and sighed. “You think you’re not a slut because I’m the only one you’ve ever slept with?” he asked, not looking at her. “You’re the only one for me too, but my love for you was always stronger, even when you loved Dorzho. You gave yourself to me willingly, while that bitch didn’t. And you didn’t even get a chance to think about it, I just took you, and didn’t care about how you felt afterwards.”
Rita stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide. She couldn’t believe he still had the gall to say something like that. After what he did, she thought, he’s still my brother. I’ll never get married now.
Budazhap looked at Rita and saw the hurt in her eyes. He felt a pang of guilt. He knew he’d used her in the past, but he couldn’t help the way he felt. He was still attracted to her, even after all these years.
Rita shook her head and started walking again, faster this time. Budazhap followed, trying to apologize, but she didn’t want to hear it. She was done with him, done with the way he treated her.
They reached the house, stomping the snow off their boots before going inside. The warmth hit them like a wave, and Rita pulled off her hat and scarf, throwing them on a nearby chair.
Budazhap hung back, watching her. He knew he’d hurt her, but he didn’t know how to make it right. He wanted to, but he didn’t know where to start.
Rita went for a walk in the snowy woods to clear her head. Budazhap followed, trying to apologize again, but she cut him off.
“I’m not a slut because you’re the only one I’ve ever been with,” she said, her voice tight. “But I’m not your sister, I’m a woman. And you’ve treated me like shit.”
Budazhap stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide. He’d never thought of Rita as anything but his sister, but now, hearing her say that, he couldn’t help but wonder. Could he really have feelings for her?
They argued about their past and present feelings, Budazhap trying to kiss Rita, but she pushed him away. She told him she wasn’t interested in him anymore, and Budazhap was disappointed but understood.
They spent the rest of the day avoiding each other, but they couldn’t help but feel drawn to each other. At the New Year’s Eve party, Rita saw Budazhap talking to another woman and felt a pang of jealousy. Budazhap saw Rita talking to another man and felt the same.
They ended up in the same room, alone. Rita looked at Budazhap, her eyes flashing.
“I’m not your sister, Budazhap,” she said, her voice low. “I’m a woman. And you’ve always treated me like shit.”
Budazhap looked at her, his heart racing. He knew he’d hurt her, but he didn’t know how to make it right. He wanted to, but he didn’t know where to start.
The dialogue and character interactions were playful and humorous, despite the heavy themes of past hurt and unrequited love. Rita was strong, controlling, and direct, while Budazhap was humble and regretful of his past actions. The playful insults added to the humor and tension between the characters.
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