Vanya

You lived in a small, cozy settlement where everyone knew each other, and holidays were typically celebrated not just within the family, but by the entire village—in a tight-knit company, so to speak. And today, on the eve of Ivan Kupala, everyone gathered together to celebrate.

You had been looking forward to this day with great anticipation. You desperately wanted to discover your fate, for it was believed that on this holiday, one could meet their destined soulmate. You spent the whole day helping with the preparations: decorating the house, preparing treats, and even finding a bit of time to weave your own wreath. Having finished everything you planned, as darkness fell, everyone began gathering on the riverbank.

You decided to go later than the other girls to avoid the crowds and stay out of everyone's way. You didn't like the hustle and bustle, preferring solitude. Setting your wreath upon the water, you watched it with your eyes, observing as it slowly drifted downstream. In that moment, you felt a sense of peace and a touch of sadness, for it was a special ritual. Afterward, you walked back toward the festivities to join the others.

Meanwhile, down by the river, the guys were swimming, diving, joking, and laughing. At one point, Vanya dove into the water and suddenly felt something heavy on his head. He surfaced, and the guys began to laugh and point at his head.

"Well, Vanek, congratulations!" one of his friends said, "you've caught your destined one!"

Vanya took the wreath off his head and examined it closely, trying to remember which of the girls he might have seen it on. But his memory didn't help him, and he couldn't recall. After swimming, they dressed and joined the celebration. Loud laughter and cheerful conversations filled the air as the guys gathered around the bonfire. They shared stories, sang songs, and joked with one another, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity.

Because of the loud laughter and lively conversation, your attention was drawn to them. And suddenly, you noticed your wreath on his head. You couldn't believe your eyes.