VIII

“Is there something wrong with me?

“An embarrassment, a consequence of questioning, took hold of the young girl. She persistently searched her inner self, with the eyes of her soul, looking for some problem within herself:

“Maria frowned slightly. The tips of her fingers were trembling. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself. Embarrassed, feeling the absence of something she didn’t understand, she ended up feeling sad. Thus, she continued with her head down on the way to her aunt and uncle’s house.”

Just how confusing it was for an outsider to understand the Alex-Maria relationship, beyond all that has already been narrated, it is necessary to emphasize the concern the young man had in pleasing her. Flowers became constant, calls where he showed great concern, and constant questions about her life.

It wasn't long before Maria saw this in a less than friendly way. “What does he want?” — thought the girl, who was more disappointed each day. There was no reason for such flattery; it reached a point of subservience that truly worried her.

“Why not say you're in love with me? You're shy, I know, you should just try to be sincere, at least once... I value sincerity a lot. If he doesn't tell me what’s on his mind, I’ll give up soon. There can't be friendship without sincerity.”

³ What Maria thought was true (her truth), what Alex thought was true (his truth), what Leonardo thought was true (his truth).

Alex understood Maria's thoughts better than his own. In his judgment, sincerity was never lacking, because everything was very obvious. “Would I really need to say it? Or write it in a letter, a big poster, or on my t-shirt.”

I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU!

“Say the obvious?...”

Between Maria and the eager reader who has read this far, there is a severe similarity: both believe that the romance has already gone on too long. And they fear continuing to read, at the risk of reading a pathetic ending. Imagining that amidst another lunch, or another movie, or another Sunday by the pool they will both come to an understanding and start dating... do not underestimate this humble writer...

* * *

“The days passed without news, and with each day, Maria felt more distant from Alex, and he closer to her. A sick idealism.”

During these days, Alex only wrote, locked in his room for hours, imperturbable. Nothing would change his mood... Almost nothing. A phone call would change everything.

Of course, the phone rang! It was a Friday. Leo was flirting with a young woman, I believe her name was, or rather, is Sandra. Sandrinha to her close friends, as he used to say. And continuing, the phone rang, Alex answered, guess who it was?

— Good evening, Alex, Leo?

— Good evening! Do you want to speak with Alex or with Leo?

— Hi!

— Caroline?

— You remembered me.

— Of course, I doubted you would... I'm lying, I expected you to call. Why did it take so long?

— Oh! Alex. I’m doing a lot of things, working, studying, and help... — she was interrupted.

— It’s a joke, silly. You don’t need to explain. I really liked that you called. Well, tell me the news, and about Silvio.

— Little news, and Silvio, as always, a great friend.

— I spent the week at home, nothing happens here in Anápolis.

— Nothing happens, or you don’t do anything? — Caroline insinuated.

— A bit of both. I confess.

— As soon as your book is awarded, everything will change.

— Oh! I thought you were rooting for Silvio.

— I like him a lot, but that story about a young man arriving in a town on the eve of a disaster, who falls in love with a local girl... Alas, it’s too cliché. And boring. I prefer yours.

— Well, I like it, and when you see him, tell him I'm rooting for him.

— Tomorrow I’ll meet with him and tell him. But I still believe you’ll win.

— You're always so caring. — Alex was silent for three seconds and continued — I didn’t write the book. I wrote a book. I sat down and wrote. Without emotion. Not even I got excited. But I promise I’ll show you an exciting book: The Book. Then you’ll like it!

— And have you started writing this, the book?

— Yes...

— Great, I’m eager to read it — a pause, and Caroline continued — Without meaning to change the subject, but already changing it. Tomorrow we’re going to the movies; Silvio and I.

— Cool.

— Why don’t you come with us?

— And get in your way.

— You won’t get in the way at all. As I said, Silvio and I are just friends, and you two have a lot in common; I know you’ll get along well.

— To tell you the truth, I don’t feel like refusing. What time and where.

— At the same shopping mall. I made plans with Silvio for four o’clock. I’ll have time off and then I’ll go earlier, I want to buy a sandal. At two o’clock, okay? I’ll keep calling Silvio to set the exact time with him.

— Thanks for the invitation. I really need to clear my head a bit.

— Problems?

— The usual ones.

Caroline could be heard smiling. The uncertainty about the value of the call made from Goiânia to Anápolis caused the girl to postpone the little news until the next day.

* * *

— It’s tomorrow. — Silvio said to Eric, his best friend, his true brother.

— I’ve heard this story a lot of times.

— I’ll buy flowers. And I’ll tell her...

— What are you thinking of saying?

— I can’t resist, I have to! I want to kiss her.

— Very creative.

“Her perplexity increased, it grew when she realized that the romantic proposal had been made in the presence of so many witnesses. She was afraid to refuse, not wanting to appear ungrateful or insensitive, but also not wanting to accept such a proposal from someone she barely knew. If she refused, she would offend him; if she accepted, she would be giving herself to a stranger. The dilemma was great. In the end, she chose to compromise, trying to please everyone: she accepted the invitation for a walk and a date for a picnic in the countryside, a classic romantic gesture that she felt safe with.”

This situation was already a dilemma for Maria, but it was also a dilemma for Alex, who had dared to make such a proposal. He regretted it. He had let his imagination run wild and, in his delirium, had made a proposal he knew he shouldn't have.

“What would he say if he knew that she had just accepted his proposal without a second thought? She already knew that she was falling in love with him, and that she would do anything to be with him. It was not for love, or for passion, or for anything similar. It was for gratitude, and that, in the end, was what she valued most: gratitude for being by her side, for his understanding, for his care. She was falling in love with him, and she knew it. Her heart beat faster, her breath caught in her throat, and she felt a warmth spread through her body.”

Alex felt a pang of regret. He had been too hasty, too impulsive. He knew that Maria was a good person, but he also knew that she was not ready for such a commitment. He had to find a way to retract his proposal without hurting her feelings.

He decided to talk to her the next day, to explain his feelings, and to apologize for his hasty proposal. He knew that it would not be easy, but he was determined to do the right thing.

The next day, Alex found Maria at the park, sitting on a bench, looking thoughtful. He approached her, his heart pounding, and sat beside her.

“Maria,” he began, his voice trembling slightly, “I need to talk to you.”

Maria turned to him, her eyes filled with concern. “What is it, Alex?”

“I… I need to apologize,” he said, looking down at his hands. “I was wrong to propose to you yesterday. I was too hasty, too impulsive. I didn’t think about what I was doing, and I regret it.”

Maria listened patiently, her expression unreadable. When he finished, she reached out and took his hand.

“Alex,” she said softly, “I understand. And I forgive you.”

Alex looked up, surprised. “You forgive me?”

“Yes,” she said, smiling gently. “You are a good person, Alex. And I know that you didn’t mean to hurt me.”

Alex felt a wave of relief wash over him. He knew that he had made the right decision. He would not push Maria for anything, but he would continue to be her friend, and he would always be there for her.

“Thank you, Maria,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “You are a true friend.”

Maria smiled. “And you are mine, Alex.”

From that day on, their friendship grew stronger. They continued to see each other, to talk, and to share their lives. Alex never regretted his decision, and Maria never regretted her acceptance. They had found in each other a true friend, a confidant, and a source of support.

And so, the story of Alex and Maria continued, not as a romance, but as a beautiful friendship, a testament to the fact that love can come in many forms, and that true connection can be found in the most unexpected places.

***

Eric was a loyal friend, a constant presence in Silvio's life. He listened attentively as Silvio confided his feelings, his hopes, and his fears. He offered advice, encouragement, and unwavering support.

“I’m going to buy her flowers,” Silvio declared, his eyes shining with anticipation. “And I’m going to tell her…”

Eric raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Tell her what, exactly?”

Silvio hesitated for a moment, then a wide smile spread across his face. “I can’t resist it. I have to! I want to kiss her.”

Eric chuckled, shaking his head. “How original.”

Silvio ignored the sarcasm, his mind already on the impending meeting. He imagined the scene: the soft glow of the moon, the gentle breeze, Maria’s radiant smile. He envisioned himself confessing his feelings, his heart laid bare, and then, the sweet surrender of a kiss.

“It’s not just about the kiss, Eric,” Silvio explained, sensing his friend’s skepticism. “It’s about letting her know how much she means to me. It’s about showing her that I’m willing to take a risk, to be vulnerable.”

Eric nodded, his expression softening. He understood. Silvio was not a man of grand gestures, but he was a man of deep emotions. His actions, though perhaps seemingly simple, were born from a genuine place of affection and sincerity.

“I hope it goes well, man,” Eric said, clapping Silvio on the shoulder. “She’s lucky to have you.”

Silvio smiled, a sense of peace settling over him. With Eric’s support and his own growing courage, he felt ready to face whatever the evening might bring. He knew that the path to Maria’s heart might be uncertain, but he was determined to walk it, one sincere step at a time.