Masha's kitchen was a symphony of sizzling vegetables and the clanging of pots as she prepared lunch for herself and her daughter, Sveta. But the harmony was disrupted by the cacophony of loud music and laughter emanating from the apartment next door. Aslan, her infuriating neighbor, was at it again.
She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "That Neanderthal and his cavemen friends."
Sveta, a spitting image of her mother with her dark curls and piercing blue eyes, looked up from her homework at the kitchen table. "Mom, you're gonna have to talk to Aslan again. His music is giving me a headache."
Masha sighed, drying her hands on a towel. "I know, sweetie. I'll go talk to him."
She marched over to Aslan's apartment, banging on the door with a force that would make any sane man quiver. But Aslan was far from sane. He opened the door, shirtless and smoking a cigarette, looking surprised to see Masha.
Masha crossed her arms, giving him a stern look that could wilt flowers. "I've had enough of your loud music and cigarette smoke. It's disrupting my peace and bothering my daughter. Can you please turn it down and smoke outside?"
Aslan scoffed, taking a drag of his cigarette. "Make me."
Masha raised an eyebrow, her eyes flashing. "Fine, I'll call the landlord and have you evicted. See how you like that."
Aslan looked taken aback, quickly stubbing out his cigarette. "Fine, I'll turn it down. But I'm not smoking outside. It's my apartment too, you know."
Masha smirked. "And I'm your neighbor. Have some consideration."
Aslan grumbled, closing the door with a slam. Masha could hear the music being turned down as she walked back to her apartment, a small victory under her belt.
Sveta looked up as Masha entered the kitchen. "Did you talk to him?"
Masha nodded, placing the dish towel on the counter. "Yes, he'll turn it down. But he's still a Neanderthal."
Sveta chuckled. "At least he's a hot Neanderthal."
Masha glared at her daughter, throwing the dish towel at her. "Don't you start."
Sveta laughed, dodging the towel. "I'm just saying, mom. You could do worse."
Masha rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "I have done worse, trust me."
The two shared a laugh, the tension of the moment dissipating. But Masha couldn't help but feel a spark of something else. Something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Was it possible to find a slice of life with a Neanderthal like Aslan? Only time would tell.
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