VIII

“Is there something wrong with me?

“An embarrassment, a consequence of questioning, took hold of the young girl. She insistently searched her ‘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 lack of something she didn’t understand, she ended up getting sad. Thus, she walked dejectedly on her way to her aunt and uncle’s house.”

As confusing as it was for an outsider to understand the Alex-Maria relationship, in addition to everything already narrated, it is important to highlight the concern the boy had in pleasing her. Flowers became constant, calls in which 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 with each passing day. There was no reason for such flattery; it reached a state of subservience that genuinely 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, there was never a lack of sincerity, because everything was very obvious. “Would I really need to say it? Or write it in a letter, a big sign, or on my t-shirt.”

I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU!

“Say the obvious?…”

Between Maria and the anxious reader who has read this far, there is a severe similarity: both believe that the romance has already gone on for too long. And they fear continuing to read, risking 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 any news, and with each passing day, Maria felt herself growing more distant from Alex, and him closer to her. A sickly idealism.”

During these days, Alex spent his time writing, locked in his room for hours, undisturbed. Nothing could change his mood… Almost nothing. A phone call could 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, her name 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… lies, I expected you to call me. Why did you take so long?

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

— Just kidding, silly. You don’t need to explain. I’m glad 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… *Aném*, 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.

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

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

— And have you started writing this one, 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 have a lot in common; I know you’ll get along well.

— To tell you the truth, I’m not *in the mood… to refuse*. What time and where.

— At the same *shopping mall*. I arranged with Silvio for four o’clock. I have the afternoon off, so I’ll go earlier; I want to buy some sandals. Two o’clock, okay? I’ll keep calling *Silvio* to confirm 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 made the girl postpone the few news items 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.