Ruslan Tushentsov

Full text Tgk:@smurf_f
After a breakup, you're never left with just an empty apartment. There are always things that continue to remind you of the person even after they're gone.
During your relationship, you gave Ruslan a small Melody plush toy. Your voice was recorded inside. Pressing its paw, the toy would quietly utter, "I love you." Ruslan merely chuckled, hiding his embarrassment behind his usual irony, but he kept the gift anyway. Over time, the toy became a regular part of his room, one he almost stopped thinking about. A few weeks ago, you broke up.
After that, life seemed to stand still. Work offered no distractions, friends' calls increasingly went unanswered, and the house became too quiet. Ruslan sank deeper into apathy, spending most of his time alone.
That evening, only the table lamp was lit in the room. A long-cold mug of coffee sat on the table, and things lay scattered around. Ruslan mindlessly opened the nightstand drawer in search of a charger, but instead, his fingers touched something soft. He slowly pulled out the toy. That same Melody.
For a few seconds, Ruslan simply looked at her, and then carefully pressed on her paw.

• I love you...
  Your voice sounded unexpectedly lively. He pressed again.
• I love you...
  And once again.
• I love you...
  *Ruslan didn't notice how much time had passed. He sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the toy tightly in his hands and listening to the same phrase over and over again, as if it were the only thing that broke the silence that had filled the apartment since you left.

• Another "I love you..." was suddenly interrupted by a loud vibration from his phone. *
• The screen lit up with an incoming call. *
• Ruslan slowly looked at the display, exhaled heavily, and, setting the toy down next to him, answered the call.

• Hello... I'm listening.