I don’t know how much we sat there, but when I handed over the key to the audience on the watch below, the Electronics-5 watch, which was hanging over the head of the peacefully snoring watchman, showed “00:08”. To admit, while we were descending from the sixth floor, a whole swarm of thoughts passed through my head. I simultaneously blamed myself for what had happened and prayed that I would not accidentally meet someone I knew on the stairs now (although it was unlikely, given the late hour, but still possible!), and at the same time thought through the legend, which on the move will have to be issued to the janitor, if he asks: “What are you doing here, in fact, at such a time ?!”.

Of course, I could refer to the acute attack of workaholism that had suddenly struck me, only the presence of a young student in my company would most likely have broken this theory. Anyway, I was glad that the janitor was sleeping, and I wouldn’t have to explain anything. Moreover, when I looked into the journal, where the issue and return of keys were recorded, the last line contained the time “20: 52 ″ - it was time almost immediately after de-energizing.

The people, who sat at different floors, massively handed over the keys at that moment and left the dark educational building. Lucky for them - of course, because they have never been immured in a computer class in the company of a young seductress! I was not taken aback and recorded the time of delivery of my keys with the time of “20: 54”, quietly put them on the table, where there were several more of the same bundles that the sleeping guard of order had not yet bothered to hoist on the intended shield behind his back. Then Sasha and I, as naughty schoolchildren, choking with laughter, on tiptoes, so as not to wake up anyone here, hurriedly left the building.

It was dank and dull outside, the rain continued. I took a large black umbrella from my briefcase, opened it and looked at my companion. She rummaged in her bag hanging over her shoulder (how are postmen wearing them). It turned out that she had left her umbrella in the audience, apparently, he fell to the floor, and she did not notice him. To come back for him would be, so to say, unwise.

- Well, come here! I have a spacious umbrella, fit. Anyway, I’m spending you now - I suggested.

- Thank! - She seemed to be waiting for this and immediately dived under my umbrella and wrapped her arm around my elbow.

We walked along the sidewalk, maneuvering between the puddles that covered most of it. I then stepped over them, then bypassed. She, in most cases, bounced, fluttering like a butterfly, without ever releasing my elbow.

- Listen ... you said you have to go to the house on the trolleybus, but the last one sneaked out about thirty minutes ago! What do you think catch up?

- Exactly ... damn !!! Going on foot, it means. I already went like this ... true, then there was no rain. And it was light ...

- Yeah, and in general it was probably a sunny summer day! Twenty minutes on a trolley bus - it will be 7-8 kilometers! It's pouring out of a bucket, dark and cold, and you don't even have an umbrella ...

Cellular communications did not yet exist. At least in our city. And even if she did, she certainly would not have been affordable for a student or me, a novice teacher. For the same reason, the taxi option was also considered last.

We passed a couple of stops along the avenue. I, nevertheless, tried to stop several passing cars during this time, but, unfortunately - in vain - the drivers shied away from the voting passers-by, rebuilding into the left lane. However, one swept in dangerous proximity to me and doused with water from a puddle, I could barely restrain myself so as not to overdo it after him ...

- A bad job ... And your parents, probably, are already looking for dogs ... - I lamented.

- And ... This is unlikely!

- Why? Is it in the order of things for you to take it and not come to sleep?

- No, that's not the point, - the student was embarrassed - just today I was going to stay with the girls in the hostel, and warned that I would not come to sleep.

- So why are you silent? Come on, I take you to them, it's not far away! On the watch, I agree, you will miss!

- Not! I will not go to them! It is better to spend the night at the station! - Sasha even changed her face.

- Soooo ... something happened?

- Well ... Nadya, with whom I sat on the lab ... she was a fool, in general, she was done for!

- It is clear ... girls - they are girls in Africa! Okay - none of my business! You can not explain.

“You must excuse me, but this is really not your business ...” Sasha confirmed sadly.

- Um ... and what are we, again on "you" ?! - I caught her.

- Sorry ... those ... I didn’t notice how I transferred you to "you" ...

- Come on, come on! - I smiled and clasped her hand, which held an umbrella, by the shoulders.

“It’s really embarrassing for me that everything is so ...” Sasha suddenly whimpered.

- Well, you just do not add damp here - and so the rain has been watered for more than a day!

With these words, I put the briefcase on the asphalt and hugged it with both hands. Only now I felt the little girl shivering from the cold, and not just trembling - but the whole vibrates! We had to do something ...

- Sasha, I understand how it will sound, but look ... You are all trembling ... And I live in that yard - the last house, corner entrance, the third floor ... I live alone. The apartment is small, studio, but cozy. It is warm, light and dry. Come on, huh? ..

The girl silently looked at me with wide eyes. And at the words "warm" and "dry" she even for a moment ceased to tremble.

- Not! I ... so can not you! ..

- Well, judge for yourself: the parents are sure that you have girls, girls, as I understand it, they are not waiting for you, with transport - a complete fiasco ... What do you suggest? At the station to leave you? I’m not going to let you go anywhere alone — it’s not even discussed, and if we go together to your house, I’ll go to my house only in the morning and then just have a bed sheet, because I just took a cool shower out of that puddle! - I condescended to direct manipulation, but I really did not smile at such a march through half the city on a cold rainy night.

“But I can’t do that ...” she repeated, but not so convincingly.

- So!!! Let's go, and there, on the spot, over a cup of hot tea, tell me in detail what exactly, how and why you can't! OK?

Taking a briefcase in my hand, I turned the girl in the right direction, and, holding her hand under my armpit, I imperiously led me along.

If this morning, when I left the house, someone told me that I would return not alone, but with a girl, I probably would not have believed it, but I was inspired. However, if this someone else said that it would be Sasha from the 224th group, God knows, I would have gotten into a fight !!! Did she like me? - yes, I will not hide it! Did I sometimes think about her in the evenings when I came home? - also happened! But if it were not for this whole series of events, in the usual rhythm of life, so to speak, I would never have dared to take any step in this direction ... And now I am leading her to my house in the middle of the night! This once again vividly illustrates how sometimes you should be careful in your desires - they tend to come true, and sometimes unexpectedly and very rapidly!

A few minutes later I opened the front door, and we crossed the threshold. Sasha was like a wet kitten, still trembling, her face was pale, and already thin lips - blue. Her beautiful brown hair had become wet and icicles lay on her shoulders. On a little snub nose dripped a large raindrop. She stood at the door, clutching her handbag in her hands.

- Yes, you have already put your reticule and settle down, - I suggested - and now I will put the teapot and think something to us!

“Well ...” she agreed, slipped off her shoes and began to take off her coat.

“Hmm ... no, not even a little bit wrong: you need to be warmed up urgently - you will immediately take a hot bath, and while I’ll have dinner.

- No, thank you ... we only agreed on tea ...

- Well, yes ... tea is after all as “three crusts of bread”, to which a hearty dinner is usually attached - I remembered ...