VI

LEONARDO

I'm Léo, here to bring you up to speed on recent events.

So much has happened while Alex was locked in his room day and night, with the excuse that he was writing...

“A new resident doctor at the hospital showed interest in Maria; they went out two consecutive nights, and people at the hospital were already saying they were dating. I found out what I could. Maria denied it, but nothing would prevent a relationship from starting soon. What could I do? Nothing! I wished her happiness, and I also wished happiness for my new old friend. (Now I can call him a friend, without any fear). I confess I was confused by it all. I believe him; he was telling the truth, perhaps I just don't understand everything. I still don't know, but whatever it is, he doesn't do anything in bad faith.

As for Maria, we went on vacation from college on July 1st, and from work on July 5th. Maria didn't go to Anápolis again for the entire month. I stayed there until the 10th, then returned home. Despite everything, I still didn't see that house as my home. In two months, it would be a year since I'd been there, and even today, its smell feels strange to me. Not that it's bad; it's actually good. It reminds me of the excitement I felt in the first few days, but it's not the same feeling I get at my home, with my parents. I insisted that Alex come with me, saying I wouldn't go without him. He apologized, said he wouldn't go, and convinced me to go in such a way that, even today, I don't blame myself for leaving him alone during those weeks.

I don't know much about what he did during those twenty days. I know he called Maria twice, on two non-consecutive Mondays. I called a few times and asked him what he had eaten. He always said he was eating at a restaurant and told me to stop calling, stating he was fine. In the end, he always thanked me for my concern and hung up before I could say, "You're welcome!"

I know he sent flowers to Maria, symbolic flowers. He called Rosa and placed the order. "I told her the flowers *I* wanted and transferred the money to the florist's account." Did she call you? — I asked. "Yes," he replied, claiming he was in a hurry and hung up.

I never dared to ask what occupied so much of his time. I believe I didn't ask because I saw in his eyes how much he feared this question. In total, I know he sent emails to some Internet friends, whom he found with great ease. He finished his book and submitted it one afternoon. "He came to Goiânia the first week I left him; I didn't know. The truth is, I knew very little about what was happening.

The doctor called Maria much more frequently, and she called him. I called Sandra - Sandrinha to those close to me - a young woman oblivious to the story Alex was telling, and during those days, I thought, thought, and thought.

Sometimes, as if by magic, Alex's mysteries seemed explicable to me. Things that didn't last more than a few minutes, and then I'd find myself confused and lost.

* * *

The narration below describes relevant events that occurred in parallel during the vacation month.

Goiânia – Cosmos University.

The couple of friends, Caroline and Sílvio, were stretching on a bench:

— Well, the semester is over... — said Sílvio.

— It was good, wasn't it? — asked Caroline.

— It wasn't all that great, but... it was okay...

— Why?

— You know exactly why.

— Here you go again.

— But let's leave it for now; you need time. Here's the book. Since you work near the Awards Organization, it won't be any trouble for you.

— And since it's nearby... It won't be any trouble — she said, dejectedly.

After renewing their enrollment for the new semester, Sílvio said goodbye, and Caroline took the bus to the headquarters of the Event Organization, which was organizing a competition to award new writers.

***

Coincidence or destiny, Caroline and Alex were there side by side.

— Good morning! — said Alex.

— Good morning! — replied Caroline.

Alex hesitated to say anything. He felt like introducing himself to a writer, so he began:

— Do you like to write?

— A little... This book isn't mine, if that's what you're wondering. It's a friend's.

— A friend. Great. Can't he come because he doesn't live here?

— No, he can't come because he's lazy.

— And you came to deliver the original because you like him a lot.

— No, I came to deliver the original because I had nothing to do during my lunch break, besides eating, and I passed by. I work here at the Mall.

— I see you're here against your will.

— And I see that you don't get anything right.

Alex smiled:

— You're very kind.

— Thank you.

— The story I wrote is really cool... — Alex is interrupted by the receptionist, who greets them and collects the materials.

As they were leaving, Alex continued:

— As I was saying, I wrote a very cool novel. I can tell you about it.

— No! Please! Don't tell me.

— Excuse me, what did I do to you? — said Alex, stopping their walk.

— You? Nothing. I can't stand this *talk* of: "let me tell you a story." I accept any pickup line, but not this!

— I'm not hitting on you.

— Hmm, proud. I'm going to work. If you have something better *to* say, you can come with me.

— I live in Anápolis and will be returning *to* there.

— Then, goodbye.

Alex let the young woman leave without saying a word. More than forty meters away, he ran to catch up with her, panting, and asked:

— What's wrong with me?

— What's wrong with you where?

— Why the disdain, repulsion, aversion...

— Hold on! You're not one of those crazy people who love to abuse vocabulary, are you?

— No!

— Then you already have a point with me.

— I want to know why you're treating me like this.

Caroline smiled kindly and relaxed her shoulders.

— Sorry, really sorry. I speak sarcastically; it's a joke. I didn't think I would offend you.

— Oh, oh, oh... forgive me... I'm the one who has to apologize. What do my flaws have to do with you? Bye.

Alex turned and started walking away.

— I don't see any flaws. You're handsome, you seem healthy.

Alex watched her, not wanting to say anything. The young woman deserved an explanation, even if incomprehensible, and remembering the lonely traveling friend, he told a story:

— Pay attention: there are thirty students in a classroom, among them, Luiz, a young man of short stature with a large nose... Let's say he's ugly. There's also Marcos, a tall, well-groomed young man... Let's say he's handsome.

Caroline remained still as Alex continued the narration without pause:

— In this same universe of thirty students, there's a girl named Lis. She always asks Marcos for help with a subject she's unsure about, but he always dismisses her, doesn't give her much attention, yet she always renews her smile when approaching him, trying to get his attention again. Meanwhile, Luiz is very helpful; he offers photocopies of answered exercises, helps Lis with everything. However, at Luiz's first slip-up, even with an incomplete exercise or something he can't help with, well, Lis gets angry with him, and ends up making a face at her classmate, and he often has to apologize for not being able to serve her in everything — a pause, and he continues — Even if he doesn't know, Lis is being influenced by appearance. It's irrelevant what Luiz does. He will always be inferior. Marcos will always charm Lis and make her come back always with a silly little smile and renewed hopes... Understand?

Caroline moved closer and smiled:

— I don't know this Marcos, but you're not bad yourself.

Alex smiled. Caroline continued:

— As I said, you're handsome, you have an excellent appearance. I don't know how things are going on the inside, but I don't believe they are that bad. This Lis, I have no idea who she is, but I hope she knows how you feel.

— Thank you, sorry about the story, and goodbye again.

— See you.

Again Alex turned, walked a few more meters. Caroline also turned and walked towards the mall where she worked. A minute later, the boy's voice was heard again:

— Popcorn? Do they have it there?

— At the mall? Yes.

— I want popcorn?

— Let's go, I want some too.

The couple actually had affinities; they liked Letters. Each in their own way. Caroline, her more systematized study, enriching reading, academic learning. And Alex liked to use them, not caring if they were correct or wrong; all that mattered was that he used them.

From popcorn to a long conversation. Alex talked about his arrival in Anápolis and how things were going. A detailed description of how he fell in love with Maria and so many details that lent credibility to the need for another meeting. After minutes of precious confession, they said goodbye with a strong hug. Alex wrote his phone number on a small napkin and gave it to Caroline.