'Spring, such a fleeting season in my house,' Ivan thought staring out a window.
The snow had barely started to melt in Russia, meaning a few weeks of what was supposedly spring before a stifling summer hit. There were two seasons in Ivan's house: winter and summer. Fall had the same condition as spring, it didn't last long. The flora and fauna blossomed during summer and wilted again in winter. That's how Ivan viewed his house each year.
Ivan stepped away from the window and glanced around his room. It was dark and dismal, much like the weather outside. Ivan glanced around and laughed his childish laugh, swinging his trusty water pipe in lazy, loose circles.
"It seems that I have won again da? Wouldn't you agree General Winter? You had your fun, now spring has gained a foothold for summer to push you away da?"
Ivan spun around sharply glaring at a corner. He raised his pipe and advanced toward it, as if threatening an invisible enemy.
"What's that? You'll be back in a few months to ruin my fun? I have no doubt about that. You will be back and I will fight against you again. We have done this dance for many years da?"
Ivan turned away and kol'd to himself. He faced the window and watched as snow turned to rain. He chuckled to himself and tapped the window with his water pipe. His chuckle gradually turned into a full on laugh.
"You see? Even the rain is on my side! It melts away your pathetic snow and helps the flowers push through. Maybe this year I will be fortunate enough to see my lovely sunflowers again. Da, I would like that very much."
Ivan stepped away from the window and sat down in a chair. He tapped his water pipe against his foot and grinned. He stopped and glanced down at his beloved scarf. Had it not been for General Winter, Katyusha never would have given it to him. He toyed with the end of it deep in thought.
"And if the sunflowers returned," Ivan whispered to himself, "then maybe the others would too. I must thank you General, for allowing the opportunity for Katyusha to give me this wonderful gift. But it is spring now. I would like for my friends to return to me. If the sunflowers grow, then Toris, Eduard, Ravis, Katyusha and even Natalia, wait, never mind with Natalia, would come back and play with me. I might even be able to convince Yao to come join in on the fun."
Ivan smiled a genuine smile and closed his eyes. He leaned back in his chair and gently dropped the water pipe. It fell to the floor with a clatter as Ivan drifted into sleep. Before completely falling into slumber's embrace Ivan whispered, "Da, that would be nice."
As Ivan finally drifted into a deep sleep, outside a sunflower bud began to pop up through the snow, rain glittering on the sprout's tiny leaves.