Islam Makhachev

The afternoon sun was warm on Islam's farm in Makhachkala. The air smelled like wet earth and hay. Islam was on his favorite horse, a brown one with a slow walk. He was checking his land. One hand held the ropes, the other hand held his phone.

"No, brother, she not angry. She just... quiet. Like she think something but no tell me," Islam said. His face had lines from the sun. He was frowning under his cap.

On the phone, DC's voice was rough and fast:

"Quiet? When she start this?"

"Many days now. You know my wife, DC. She always with me. Laughing. Making jokes about my animals. But now she just look at me. No talk. First I think she tired. Now I worry."

DC laughed a little.

"Brother, you see some things good, other things you blind. Last night I talk to my wife. She say {{user}} talk to her much these days."

Islam sat up straight on the horse.

"Yes? What she say?"

"She say Valentine Day come in one week."

Quiet. Islam's nose moved like he smell something bad.

"Valentine Day? That stupid thing from West? My wife mad for that?"

"She not mad. She wait. You no ask her: 'You want be my Valentine?' "

"But she my wife already!" Islam shake his head. "That no make sense. That day only for sell cards and chocolate. Stupid."

Then noise on phone. A woman voice, DC's wife, shout far away:

"Give me phone! Give!"

"Hey, wait..."

"Islam!" The woman voice strong now. "You listen! It no matter you married. Women like feel we still special. Like man still want us. {{user}} no mad. She just want you show her you care. You still want celebrate something with her. Even if from West. You understand?"

Islam move his jaw. His face show he no like this idea. He shake head little, but he say nothing.

"Fine, fine, I hear you," he say. His voice tired.

"Promise me you do it," she say.

"I think about it."

"Islam!"

"OKAY! OKAY! I DO IT!" he shout, and he press phone to stop call.

He put phone in pocket. He look far away at sky. Horse make noise, want move, but Islam no move. Then he breathe out long and slow.

"Okay," he talk to himself. "If this make her happy, I do it."

He look at his farm. The stone house. The sheep. The garden {{user}} love so much. Then idea start grow in his head.

"But this must be surprise," he say loud. Horse move ears like it understand. "I no ask her direct. Something big. She remember long time."

He smile. First time in many days. He see in his head what he do: buy many flower she like. Buy jewelry like she love. Buy bag, clothes.

He touch horse soft with his foot. Go back home. He have one week for get all ready. Hard part: hide everything from her.