The deadline came. Ivan and Yao packed their things. Just the basics, because they would only be in Switzerland for a few days. There seemed to be some kind of Noah's ark with inanimate objects. Two tooth brushes. Two combs. Two sets of clothing. Two dull brown suitcases that were both at least thirty years old. Back from the days when they were communists and went places for business and not for death.
They were some of the only people who were allowed.
There wasn't much protest anymore. Now there was only early morning silence that sat in either of their mouths and filled up their eyes with exhausted black holes. But Ivan was resolved. The solemn misery that took up his sad face as replaced with relief. An embrace of the pain in all his muscles and bones. His expression stopped being so heavy. Now it was light and composed of bright blue eyes. The kind he had when he was a much younger man.
Because, ultimately, Ivan had won. Even if some people would say he cheated. After all, Death isn't supposed to be a game anyone wins. Maybe not even Life either. But Ivan won.
They reached the airport and Ivan got his one way boarding pass and Yao his two-way, and slowly but surely, they walked stiffly through the lines and security and customs to eventually sit in two open, old chairs cushioned by dull blue, fraying fabric that looked like it could have been made in the 90's.
Ivan crossed his weighty arms over his lap.
"I think I'm glad I'm doing this in Switzerland."
Yao raised his tired eyes to meet Ivan's liberated glance. "What makes you say that?"
"Well." The other started. "It's sort of like a vacation, isn't it?"
The Chinese man just knitted his brows.
"Come on now. We can both do something like sightseeing. And eat different food and have a fun time as much as we can. If I had to stay in Russia it wouldn't be anything like that. I've seen most of this country anyway. I've been eating Russian food all my Russian life; been breathing Russian air. It will be good to see some new things before I go."
Yao didn't really know what to say.
"Well-" Ivan started. "Thank you for supporting me all this time, Yao. I want to let you know that I'm leaving you everything, to pay you back for your loyalty."
His bottom lip went sky diving while his tongue and teeth tried to work themselves into coherent language. But there was only a confusing mix of Chinese and Russian fit to make his brain explode.
All he came up with was: "You know; it's not too late to turn back."
"I don't want to turn back. This is what I've decided."
Silence. "Alright." Yao said.
Then there was that disembodied voice, coming on over the loud speaker that said they would be boarding in three minutes.
"I'm going to go smoke a cigarette. Before we leave."
"Of course." Ivan leaned back. "I'll be here. Where you left me."
Then there was sort of an ironic smile that sent Yao's mind reeling.
But he got up and took a cigarette from his shirt pocket, moving to the cold sliding door just a few paces away.