September 1981
Nicolai accompanied Alexei in the Ural Mountains for elk hunting; the hunting season starts at the end of August and ends around mid or late October, especially for elk hunting. Soviet hunting season is usually distinguished depending on the animal being hunted. Starting from mid-September is the best time to obtain a big game, but it is equally challenging due to competition with other hunters in the area. The father and son have been trailing the mountains for a week, and they had a week more before their permit expired; Alexei was busy teaching and showing different animal tracks and characteristics. Nicolai always was diligent in absorbing the knowledge imparted to him by his father. The father and son moved early in the morning to the high ground to alert any possible game since the warmer climate sends scents up the mountain and animals are very sensitive to smell. They sat down in a good position and started surveying the surroundings with binoculars.
Alexei was an expert and soon discovered a big elk with massive antlers and whispered to Nicolai, "Nico, I think we just found our elk; it just came out of that treeline beneath that ridge." then went on to position his gun rifle. As the elk was inside the range of his gun, he waited patiently for a while, then pressed the trigger and a loud sound echoed through the mountains. The elk on the other side jumped at that moment, running downhill then fell, leaving blood splatter in its path. The father and son approached the collapsed animal carefully and confirmed the kill. Then Nicolai helped his father with skinning and butchering the elk; by the time they finished everything, it was nearing dark, so Alexei decided to pitch the tent a safe distance from the hunting spot. The next day, Alexei and Nicolai woke up early in the morning and headed back to their truck. It was evening by the time they reached home at Ekaterinburg. Alexei unpacked the elk meat for storage while taking some lean meat aside for dinner. Olga, who has started going to school, was pestering her father and brother with questions about the elk. Nicolai asked his father to take him hunting next year as well, but little did he know that this would be his first and only hunting trip with his father.
….
(Nicolai POV)
January 1882
It has been a few months since I went hunting with my dad; winter has come. In other countries, winter may provide respite, but in the northern territories of Russia, it is life as usual for generations. The new school year started early September, so after I came back and have been occupied with schoolwork and raising the pair of cute husky my father gifted me. Ruzik and Mishka have grown a lot in the past four years and sleep in my bed every night. Olga has complained that she wants them to stay with her, but I think they have imprinted on me as I have read in a book. It was a usual morning Sunday when I went for breakfast in family dining, and I saw my father sitting in a chair with a pained expression; also, my mother was trying to help my father stand up. I went there hurriedly and asked, "Mom-Dad, What's wrong?"
Anastasia looked toward Nicolai and replied, "Nico, Your dad is a bit unwell, I will take him to a doctor. You take care of Olga, breakfast is prepared on the table. We will be back soon." together with dad. I was worried for a bit but then remembered mom's instructions and called Olga for breakfast. After breakfast, I completed my homework and helped Olga with hers while awaiting their return.
When mom and dad had returned, it was already afternoon, and they brought food from outside for lunch. I went on to ask about dad's health, and they assured me he was doing fine, but I had an uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong looking at their expression.
….
On 21 February, it was Olga's birthday, and she was five years old this year. We planned a surprise party for her, and she was thrilled; dad got her a Russian Blue as a present. Mom half-jokingly complained that the house was becoming an animal kingdom, but seeing Olga's expression, she could only sigh. Afterward, a few months later, during my birthday celebration, dad was unusually jubilant. At the same time, mom seemed strange, and during the festivity, announced that we would be moving to Moscow following the end of the school year. I was bothered at first since that meant we could not go hunting, but dad promised a family tour of Moscow, and we two siblings got excited, oblivious of our parents' worries.
We moved to Moscow in July 1882; although it took a while to arrange for the move-out from our Ekaterinburg, we were pretty much done by late July. Upon settling in Moscow, dad insisted on taking us on a family outing to familiarise us with the city. For the first time, I got to see architectural wonders in my life. Meanwhile, we were settling in our new life in the capital, dad insisted on seeing his colleague/friend discuss my studies, and I accompanied him to see his acquaintance. In the course of our journey, dad asked, "Nico, are you enjoying yourself here?"
I was reading a book sitting beside my dad and, upon hearing the question, replied, "I'm alright and I will enjoy myself regardless, as long as you, mom, and Olga are there... also our Ruzik and Mishka"
Hearing my reply, dad just nodded and said, "Listen, Nico, it may not always be for all of us to always stay together, so you have to live and enjoy yourself with the people who are around you, do you understand?" to which I nodded. He continued, "I also want you to promise me that if someday I'm not here with you guys, you have to take care of your mom and sister; also make sure you study hard to become a stand on your own. I will take you to this uncle who might help you in my absence" and concentrated on paying attention to the road.
We soon arrived at our destination, and dad parked the car at a designated place, then we entered a cafe and arrived at a table with a man in it, his back at us. My dad approached him, put his hand on his shoulder, and inquired, "Anatoly?"
The man jerked his body towards us and quickly stood up to hug dad and separated and said, "Alexei, my friend. How are you doing? It has been a while, never thought I would see you in Moscow. So, what brings you here?"
"Everything is well, my friend. I'm here for the thing we talked about over the phone. Here is my son, Nicolai." replied dad and gestured towards me.
"Good to meet you Nicolai. Your father and I go back a long way, tell me if you have a problem with your father. Anyway, let's sit down and talk about your issue." and patted me in the back and responded to my dad.
After that, dad talked about admitting Olga and me to a school in Moscow and asked for Anatoly's help to look for a good school; Anatoly thought for a while and responded to my father. "Hmm…. Don't worry Alexei, recently my department has been working on a project for nurturing talented youths and is directly overseen by the central committee. If Nicolai is up to the standard, he can attend the school there and I can also keep an eye on him for you. I also assure you that there won't be any future complications, financial or otherwise. Anyways I will arrange for everything on my end and contact you soon."
Dad was relieved to hear that he resolved school issues without any hindrance, and we bid farewell to Anatoly and returned. We were swamped setting up our new home as the days passed on. Soon, Mr. Anatoly set up a review process for admitting us to the school, and upon passing the review, we started our studies in Moscow.
A few months passed by as our school started, and dad was getting weaker and weaker physically. At first, it was the mom who could typically take care of him but Olga and I also started helping mom. Sometimes dad would be visited by his friends and colleagues, which also included Anatoly. When mom was busy working or taking care of house chores, I, along with Olga, would accompany dad and talk about many things. We would usually lay beside both sides of dad while he cuddled us, Olga would pester dad about many things, and he would happily oblige her with answers.
As we settled in our new environment and school, the season changed, and winter is upon us, and dad got admitted to the hospital since it was becoming impossible for mom and us alone to take care of him. Mom would usually accompany dad while we would be with him after school, and things went on like this till December until just before new year and Christmas; dad felt unwell and trouble breathing, so doctors came in to check. I was holding his hand by his hand as he took his last breath amidst the wailing of my mother and sister. It was not until I became an adult that my father was suffering from lung cancer and died from being afflicted by it.
(End)