Parallel worlds

© Zhazira Akhmetkaliyeva, 2026

ISBN 978-5-0070-1660-5

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

ZHAZIRA AKHMETKALIYEVA

PARALLEL WORLDS

Almaty, 2016

Contents

Chapter 1 — Life in Two Worlds

Chapter 2 — The Magical World

Chapter 3 — Planet Earth

Chapter 4 — The Flight

Chapter 5 — The Fairy-Tale World

Chapter 1

Life in Two Worlds

This is a story about a girl who had always dreamed of visiting a magical world. In those unexplored lands, people flew on flying carpets, traveled by time machines, used invisibility hats whenever they felt sad, and became invisible to others. If someone wanted to know their future, they would go to a snowy tower where a mirror showed what was yet to come. Talking animals lived in those lands, along with multicolored firebirds, while ancient dragons that could think like humans inhabited the tropical regions. In the snowy mountains of the northern hemisphere lived foolish mammoths. All of this seemed so real to the girl in her imagination.

At first glance, Paro was a completely ordinary teenager. In the mornings she went to school — she was in the tenth grade — and in the evenings she did her homework. On weekends she had fun at different events with her best friend or went to the countryside with her parents. Her parents were very cultured and intelligent people, though they also had their own peculiarities, just like everyone else. Paro’s mother, Asha, worked in a flower shop where she sold bouquets she created herself. She loved cleanliness and order, had a kind nature, but if someone tried to offend her, she could instantly turn into the complete opposite. Paro’s father, Rafael, was an incredible optimist. He looked at life easily and saw only positive moments in everything. He was very funny and entertaining, which is why he worked organizing children’s parties.

Everything in the girl’s life was going well: Paro was an exemplary student, her teachers loved her, her classmates liked her, and her parents were proud of her outstanding academic achievements. But one day came when everything suddenly turned upside down, as if a black cat had crossed her path the day before. From the very morning nothing seemed to go right. Her mother scolded her because Paro had forgotten to close the cage where their talking parrot Kesha lived. The bird flew out, ruined her father’s jacket, and broke her favorite vase. Upset, Paro left home late and, for the first time in her life, arrived at school ten minutes late. On the way, a speeding car splashed mud on her and stained her perfectly ironed coat.

Misfortunes continued at school. As soon as Paro stepped into the classroom, her classmates laughed at her dusty face. During lessons, the usually outstanding student answered worse than usual and received the first C in algebra in her life. After school, Paro had promised to go to a modeling contest to support her best friend Hanna. The sixteen-year-old girl had a beautiful slim figure and a lovely face with flawless skin. Since childhood, people had predicted a future of a supermodel for her. However, she had extremely high self-esteem and a bold character. Hanna got along with no one in class except Paro, was rude to teachers, and studied poorly because she had no time for it. Despite her young age, the aspiring model had already appeared in several commercials, taken part in a famous designer’s fashion show, and even appeared on the cover of a popular magazine. In addition, she was always surrounded by crowds of admirers — studying seemed completely unimportant to her.

Many people at school wondered how such different girls as Paro and Hanna had managed to become such close friends. But only the girls themselves knew the secret. Many years earlier, when they were just about to start first grade, a touching story had happened.

It was a warm autumn evening. A cool breeze was blowing outside, and yellow leaves were falling from the trees. The grass was no longer as green as it had been in summer. It was already beginning to get dark. Paro was collecting acorns that had fallen from an oak tree to make a funny little dog out of modeling clay. After a while, a strong wind started blowing, and the girl hurried home. On her way, Paro heard someone crying, but because of the darkness and the tall trees, she couldn’t see who it was. She came closer and saw a very small curly-haired girl. The little one was so frightened that she was trembling with fear. Feeling sorry for her, Paro took the poor child home. It turned out that the girl had gotten lost and didn’t remember the way back.

Hanna and Paro spent the whole day together. While Paro’s parents searched for the missing girl’s relatives, the two children became very close — they played, ate, and even slept in the same bed. When the girl’s mother was finally found, Hanna cried bitterly and didn’t want to go home. Paro watched her new friend leave with sadness. Fortunately, the next day the girls met again. It turned out that Hanna lived on the neighboring street. They spent whole days together outside, and it was no surprise that their parents asked the school principal to put them in the same class and seat them at the same desk.

On their first New Year celebration together, the girls swore that they would be friends for the rest of their lives. That was the wonderful story and the secret of their strong friendship.

Paro and Hanna were riding a bus to the Palace of Culture for a prestigious supermodel contest. Both girls were lost in their thoughts. Hanna was very nervous because that day five finalists were to be chosen from twenty semifinalists. These lucky girls would represent their country at the best international competitions and would have a chance to become famous all over the world. Paro, on the other hand, was upset because of the sudden series of failures that had fallen upon her. Deeply absorbed in their thoughts, the girls missed their stop and had to take a taxi in order to arrive on time. Even so, Hanna was ten minutes late.

The contest administrator — a former model, a forty-year-old woman who had never become a star in the fashion world — turned out to be extremely picky and unpleasant. She began to find fault with Hanna and insult her.

“Why are you late? The rules are the same for everyone. Or have you already caught the star fever ahead of time? Hurry upstairs and change your clothes. You have five minutes. If you don’t make it to the stage entrance in time, you’ll have only yourself to blame. You must be more responsible.”

Meanwhile, all the spectators had already taken their seats. Paro was sitting in the fifth row next to two talkative middle-aged women whose mouths didn’t close for a single minute. Their loud chatter gave her a headache, and she waited impatiently for the show to begin.

Solemn music started playing. A short host wearing ultra-fashionable glasses and a super-stylish suit with a huge blue bow stepped onto the stage. He immediately puzzled Paro. Next to him stood a girl who looked very much like a Barbie doll in a sparkling fluffy dress. Half a minute later, when the hall became quiet, the charming young man began his speech:

“Friends, welcome to the first Supermodel Contest.”

The enchanting “Barbie” continued:

“Today, before your very eyes, five finalists will be chosen. These lucky girls will represent our country at world-famous competitions across the planet. And who knows — perhaps among our semifinalists is a future global celebrity who will captivate the entire world.”

Behind the scenes there was complete chaos. The nervous administrator was hurrying the contestants:

“Girls, faster! You are about to go on stage!”

Hanna barely managed to pull on a short golden dress and put on very high-heeled shoes. She didn’t have time to do her makeup or hairstyle, yet even without professional makeup or a glamorous hairstyle she looked stunning. Many contestants looked quite plain compared to this Hollywood-like beauty. Out of envy, they treated her poorly. Among them was one girl named Katrin who had not simply disliked Hanna since childhood but openly hated her. The girls studied at the same school in parallel classes. From the very first grade there had been fierce competition between them.

At first they competed for the title of the most beautiful girl, and later they both fell in love with the same boy. Each time Hanna had won a brilliant victory. This time Katrin decided to play a dirty trick in order to defeat her rival. She took advantage of Hanna’s lateness and secretly damaged the heel of the spare shoes provided by the organizers. In her rush, Hanna noticed nothing.

The administrator signaled to the hosts that the contestants were ready. The female host solemnly announced:

“Now, with your applause, let us welcome our semifinalists!”

One by one, the girls walked onto the stage, showing off luxurious evening gowns. Slow melodic music was playing while the hosts introduced each contestant:

“Please welcome contestant number one — the charming Katrin. Katrin is a tenth-grade student. At the age of fifteen she has already taken part in many fashion shows, advertised a famous perfume brand, and even appeared in a pop star’s music video.”

“Contestant number two — Stella.”

A very tall long-legged brunette with a short haircut stepped onto the stage wearing a tight-fitting dress. The audience burst into admiration at the sight of this striking beauty. The Barbie-like host continued:

“It is amazing that Stella is new to the modeling business. She is twenty years old and studies at a medical university. She enjoys Latin American dancing and has even won third place in a dance competition. This beauty is also the winner of a city beauty contest.”

“And the next contestant — Hanna. Oh my God, what an angel-faced girl!”

When Hanna stepped onto the stage, many people were left speechless with admiration. She was breathtakingly beautiful: long curly hair, snow-white skin, large almond-shaped turquoise eyes, long eyelashes, a neat little nose, and a mesmerizing smile. Added to all this were her perfectly shaped body and natural charm. The audience froze for several minutes. Even the dazzling female host faded beside such beauty and felt insecure and terribly envious that she had not been born with such phenomenal looks.

While demonstrating her shimmering dress, Hanna suddenly felt the heel of her right shoe bending. A few seconds later it broke. Hanna fell to the floor with a loud crash. The hall exploded with laughter.

Even the female host seemed to feel a strange relief and even a kind of satisfaction as she helped the girl get back on her feet. The male host sincerely sympathized with the lovely contestant and tried to comfort her with kind words:

“Sweetheart, don’t be upset. Anything can happen in life.”

But Hanna did not want to listen to anyone or stay at the contest for another minute. In tears, she ran out of the Palace of Culture. A girl who had always been used to shining had just been humiliated in front of hundreds of spectators. Something like this had never happened to her before. Hanna had no idea how she would survive her first real failure.

Upset and confused, she even forgot about Paro, who ran after her. Hanna remembered her friend only after she had taken a taxi to the park. Dark clouds were gathering, and it was about to rain. Hanna sat down under a tree that seemed somehow familiar to her and burst into loud sobs. For some reason, the situation felt strangely familiar. Fragments of her distant childhood began to come back to her — how, as a very small girl, she had once gotten lost and cried loudly because she did not know what to do.

A bright yellow flash of lightning cut across the sky. She was terribly frightened, but suddenly a sweet dark-haired girl appeared and saved her. The rain poured down as if from a bucket. Then Hanna heard a voice so familiar and dear to her:

“Let’s run home quickly before we catch a cold. We’ll drink hot tea with chocolate.”

And just like eight years before, Hanna listened to her friend and ran home with her.

The girls sat sadly in the kitchen, drinking hot tea with almond candies. Hanna was convinced that someone had deliberately damaged her heel and began to think aloud:

“It’s impossible for new expensive shoes to break so quickly. Someone must have ruined them on purpose. Who do you think it could have been? Many people don’t like me. Paro, are you listening? Paro, what are you thinking about? Don’t fall asleep — you’ll get cold.”

“What? What did you say?” Paro finally responded.

“I’m asking what you’re thinking about.”

“I think today has been a day of bad luck for both of us. First my problems at school, then what happened to you at the contest. Oh, if only we lived in a magical world… We could go back in time and fix everything.”

“You’re such a dreamer,” Hanna said. “I’m amazed by your optimism. How many times have I told you — the fairy-tale world you imagine doesn’t exist.”

“No, it does exist,” Paro insisted quietly. “I know it for sure. One day you’ll see it yourself.”

Hanna widened her turquoise eyes and shook her head.

“You’re impossible. A great fantasy writer is being wasted in you. Maybe you should start writing children’s books so that such talent doesn’t go to waste. Let’s go to sleep. I’ll stay at your place tonight. We have to get up early for school tomorrow. Please set the alarm.”

That night Paro dreamed of a snowy mountain. On its peak stood a beautiful nymph pointing at a mirror of the future.

“My dear fairy, be careful with your friend. Look into the mirror — you will see a clue.”

Paro began to approach the mirror, but suddenly a rooster crowed loudly. Hanna jumped out of bed with a scream.

“Couldn’t you choose another alarm sound? You scared me so much that I woke up instantly. Come on, let’s wash up and have breakfast.”

Twenty minutes later the girls were sitting in the kitchen drinking hot coffee. Paro spoke thoughtfully:

“Hanna, I dreamed something important last night, but I can’t remember what it was. Oh, we should go — classes start in half an hour.”

They left the house in a good mood. The autumn sun was already shining outside. The girls were walking and had almost forgotten about the previous day’s troubles when suddenly a black cat ran across their path. They didn’t pay much attention to it. However, unpleasant surprises were already waiting for them at school.

The whole school was discussing the incident at the contest. Everyone was laughing at Hanna — even the boys who had previously admired her. Another unpleasant piece of news was waiting for her: Katrin had become the winner of the contest. The new “star” of the school tried to mock her at every opportunity:

“Well, hello. Aren’t you going to congratulate me on my victory? It was very amusing to see you lying on the floor.”

Hanna and Paro silently walked into the literature classroom and sat at their desk. A minute later the lesson began. A middle-aged woman entered the classroom. Anna Allen had always been strict and demanding, though she had some odd habits. She immediately addressed the girls:

“Hanna and Paro, leave the classroom. I don’t need any extra noise. It’s enough that the whole school is discussing your disgraceful behavior. Today you both receive failing grades. You are also summoned to the principal’s office.”

The girls walked out in complete confusion. They couldn’t understand how a low grade or a fall at a beauty contest could be considered such a serious offense that even the principal had to intervene.

Irina Ang, the principal, was usually a pleasant and very fair woman. But that day she seemed completely different. Irritated and angry, she began to scold the girls:

“Hanna and Paro, I did not expect anything like this from you.”

The girls were more and more confused and could not understand what she was talking about. Hanna finally asked:

“Please tell us what we have done.”

“You have committed a terrible act,” the principal replied. “Yesterday we received information that you bullied a poor girl, took her phone and money, beat her, and locked her in a garage.”

Hanna was horrified.

“What? We did nothing like that! We spent the whole day at the contest and went home right after. Who is this girl? Let her tell us this to our faces. Why doesn’t she want to meet us?”

With a serious expression the principal said:

“She is standing outside the door right now. Linda, come in.”

A girl who looked more like a boy entered the office. She was wearing torn jeans and a worn-out T-shirt. The friends had never seen her before. Hanna, bewildered, began to speak:

“You must be mistaking us for someone else. We are seeing you for the first time in our lives.”

The stranger looked them up and down and said confidently:

“It was them. They stole my phone and locked me in the garage. I remember them well. I can’t be mistaken.”

Hanna could no longer hold back. Hot-tempered by nature, she exploded with anger:

“She is lying about us! Why are you doing this? Did Katrin send you?”

The principal intervened:

“Girls, you are suspended from classes for two weeks. This is your punishment.”

“And that’s all?” Linda protested. “You’re not even expelling them? I think it’s unfair that they got off so easily.”

When the girls left the principal’s office, Hanna headed straight to Katrin’s classroom. Katrin was sitting in a circle with her friends, proudly showing them the design of a new perfume advertisement she was about to appear in.

“Girls, tomorrow I’ll be promoting this fragrance in a commercial,” she said enthusiastically.

Suddenly an angry Hanna burst into the history classroom and shouted:

“Katrin, was it you who set her up to accuse us?”

“What? My dear Hanna, have you completely lost your mind? Who are you talking about?”

“Don’t pretend. I know it was you. It wasn’t enough for you to ruin my shoes — now you’ve gone even lower.”

“My dear,” Katrin replied calmly, “why are you only talking about this now? If it were true, you wouldn’t have run out of the Palace in tears. You would have stayed and proved what you are accusing me of.”

“Katrin, I never thought you could stoop so low.”

“Listen, Hanna. Stop blaming others for your failures. And the idea that I sent someone to accuse you is complete nonsense.”

“Katrin, don’t dig a pit for someone else — sooner or later you’ll fall into it yourself.”

As soon as Linda left the school, she hurried to the park. A handsome young man was waiting for her on a bench.

“Well, Linda, did you do what I asked you to do?” he asked.

“Of course. Alvin, why are you even asking? For that kind of money I could have done much worse.”

“How did the girls react to the slander?”

“They were shocked.”

“And this is only the beginning. Believe me, Linda, I will turn their lives into a nightmare.”

“Alvin, may I ask you something?” she said.

“Ask quickly. I’m in a hurry for football training.”

“What did those charming girls do to you?”

“They ruined my life and my brother’s life. And they will pay dearly for it.”

“Here’s your money,” Alvin said. “If there’s more work, I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you, boss. I’ll be waiting. You pay generously — and I like people who aren’t stingy.”

“All right, I’m leaving. See you. And remember — my brother must not know about this.”

Alvin walked quickly toward the stadium. On the way he noticed an old swing. Memories from the past overwhelmed him…

It had been a warm summer day. Little Alvin was walking in the park. He wanted to fly a kite. Suddenly a strong gust of wind snatched the kite from his small hands. Alvin ran after it but could not catch it — the wind carried it far away. Then he heard the creaking of a swing. Turning around, he saw a beautiful blue-eyed girl in a pink dress. Her golden hair shimmered like pearls in the warm yellow sunlight. On that very day, the arrow of love pierced Alvin’s heart.

A week later Alvin saw the girl again at the First Bell ceremony at school. She was wearing a lovely white dress. Alvin dreamed that they would study in the same class, sit at the same desk, and do their homework together. He imagined that she would fall in love with him at first sight just as he had fallen in love with her. But everything happened in exactly the opposite way.

They ended up in parallel classes. Alvin sat at a desk with Katrin, whom he disliked from the very first day. For some reason she immediately took a liking to him and constantly tried to attract his attention. She studied only excellent grades, let him copy her homework, paid great attention to her appearance, and always looked beautiful. But Alvin’s thoughts were occupied only by the blue-eyed girl from the neighboring class. He eagerly waited for lunch breaks because that was the only place where he could see her. When he finally learned her name — Hanna — it seemed to him the most wonderful name in the world.

One ordinary school day something unpleasant happened. The students were taking compote and pizza in the cafeteria. Alvin and Hanna accidentally bumped into each other near the table with food. At that moment Alvin froze and lost his balance, spilling the hot drink all over the girl’s favorite dress. Hanna cried in the locker room for an entire hour and began to hate Alvin. To her he seemed rude, unpleasant, and completely lacking good manners. She was convinced that he had done it on purpose because he was friends with the annoying Katrin.

From that day on Hanna tried to hurt Alvin whenever she could, while he silently endured her teasing. Every school day became torture for him. He didn’t want to study, got poor grades, and often fought with his classmates. Teachers wondered how two such different boys could grow up in the same family. Ed was the complete opposite of Alvin — an excellent student, polite and disciplined, loved by teachers and classmates alike.

Ed’s own love story was beautiful yet sad. Since childhood he had loved to draw. He possessed an inborn talent. Teachers advised his parents to enroll him in an art club so he could develop his abilities. From the very first day, the art teacher Diana Lee and the students were amazed by Ed’s drawings. His works were expressive and lifelike — one could admire them all day.

About a month later a new girl joined the club. Ed would never forget that day. One morning Diana Lee cheerfully announced:

“Today another girl will start studying in our class. She will be here soon.”

Ten minutes later a shy dark-haired girl entered the classroom. She had a funny white bow in her hair and wore awkward pink sandals. Smiling kindly, the teacher introduced her:

“This modest girl’s name is Paro. Sit next to Ed at the second desk.”

At that moment Ed felt his heart almost jump out of his chest. Usually lively and sociable, he suddenly became shy.

“Today we will paint landscapes,” the teacher continued. “You may paint flowers, the sky, birds, perhaps a rainbow or an autumn rain. Paint whatever you like.”

All the students immediately started working. Ed, however, could not take his eyes off the girl. Paro was so absorbed in her drawing that she noticed nothing around her. She painted lakes and swans gliding on the water. Birds were flying toward distant lands in her sky. Despite her young age, she put her whole soul into her work. Her paintings were unusual and mysterious — each of them seemed to tell an entire story.