I was as miserable as a star with rounded edges. I needed something soft and kind to the environment, so I went into town, staring at shop windows filled with fur hats, expensive as hell. My depression wasn't worth that much money. Even the poor have the right to tears and the rending of shirts. I dragged my uncooperative feet to that big bridge. The water below was wild and angry, in need of a lesson. But then, something squeaked to my right. A tiny, soaked bundle. It looked even more wretched than me. I scooped it up under my jacket, and together, we were warm.
Arthur Ianoși
My girlfriend loves throwing parties in my honor, which is flattering, but she only invites her friends. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to do everything myself. I can't complain, though, she does it for me. One day, she sent me out to get the last few things for the barbecue. Go, your guests will be here soon. Of course, I got in the car, pulled out of the driveway, took the first right, two lefts, hit the highway, crossed the border, started a family, had two kids, I'm happy.
Alina Ilie
just one sip and you're a different person, one with hopes, without pain or debts, everything changes. She stared bewildered at the old man with a vacant smile, his stall lined with bottles of magic elixir. What did he know about her life? Did he know she was heading to nowhere, with all her possessions bundled in a sack? That she'd left from nowhere, too, she couldn't even remember where from and she knew no one here. She searched her pockets, handed the dream merchant a coin, and he passed her a small bottle. Without hesitation, she tipped it back and drank.
(Translated by Laurențiu-Gabriel Niculae / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year II / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.