Chapter 46: Chapter 46
I assume I have lost count of the excuses or inventions that I tried to find in my mind to, in some way or other, escape from this the moment the car stops. When my door opens and the catastrophic noise of the city reaches my ears, I finally accept that I have no escape. I breathe out and take my empty backpack, getting out of the vehicle. Standing on the edge of the sidewalk, I observe the city that seems to have more life than myself, even with this autumn climate that should be more similar to sad and melancholic thanks to details such as: the lack of leaves on the branches of the few trees and the sun that at these times of the year is only limited to illuminate, without fighting against the cold.
I step back, giving Mia room to go down the same door I used. Eva opts for the one on the other side and goes around the trunk of the car until she reaches our location.
Eva: Come on.
He says pulling a set of keys from one of the back pockets of his jean pants. He looks at me and makes a grimace similar to a sympathetic smile to which I cannot respond, as he goes ahead, walking towards the entrance of the building. I follow her unhurriedly, looking up where it is impossible for me to notice the height of the top floor. While I was in this place once already, it was nighttime and I couldn't afford stupid distractions. I remember his face and eyes, the anguish in them because of his mother's condition. Now, after having seen her in that room with my own eyes, I understand it more than anything in this world and I do not regret what happened that night at all, although the events of the next day hurt and destroy me.
After crossing the reception, we wait a few seconds until the elevator doors open producing that 'click', whose existence could seem useful if endless scares were considered something beneficial or convenient for health.
When the new acquaintance presses that number on the button board, I feel the need to congratulate myself on having a good memory. Typical uncomfortable moment of the elevator in which for some strange reason nobody speaks and the doors open again, this time in front of a smooth wall on which that 6 is drawn that reminds me of the last time I was here. Again the long corridor full of closed doors and we stop before one of them, at the end of the corridor. Eva opens it giving use to the set of keys that she took out at the entrance.
Eva: JOAQUÍN!
He yells as soon as he enters, disappearing down the small corridor that leads to the rooms.
Mine: Joaquin?
May: Samuel's brother.
Mine (smiles, looking around): Nice house.
May: Nice house? (He arches his eyebrows and looks at me). Do you take me for an idiot? Why are you supposed to bring me here? Are you slow that you don't understand what's wrong with me?
Mine: STOP!
She notices that the tone of her voice was too high and looks where Eva went, fearing that she had been overheard.
Mía: You're only assuming things, you don't even know what their relationship is (he says, lowering his voice).
I cross my arms, ironic.
May: Pff ... as if instead of being boyfriends they were just doing something and that made me feel better.
Mía: But you don't know, maybe not even ... (he makes strange gestures with his eyes and I restrain myself from laughing). See if they are just ... friends, family, will be the godfather's daughter, I know.
I do not get to answer him, since the very person we are talking about bursts into the room again and approaches.
Mine: What happened?
Eva: Nothing is that ... Samuel's little brother sometimes runs away from school and he wanted to see if ... (sighs). Nothing, it doesn't matter. Let's go to my room.
She starts walking and I follow her, with my friend hot on my heels. One part of me continues to believe the worst, while the other retains a bit of faith that perhaps what Mia said a while ago has to do with reality, even if it is in the least bit. When she just opens the door to his room, all that hope fades. I sigh and Mia rests her hand on my shoulder, biting her lower lip and implying that she thinks the same as me. My predictions were true and his, pure fantasy.
If I was in pain, crossing the door and entering that room multiplies my pain by infinite and unreal numbers. As I look at that bed, a projection of images passes in front of my eyes like fleeting memories of something unforgettable that at this moment I wish I could forget. A lump forms in my throat when I perceive the smell of her perfume reigning in every corner of that room and attacking me like an icy breeze. I see the two of them taking a place in that bed and I hear Eva's voice, calling me to take a seat there too when what I want most at that moment is to run from that place and never come back. But my feet involuntarily obey and seconds later, I find myself sitting right in front of her, on her bed, where just two weeks ago I woke up with a smile on my lips when I saw Samuel's face sleeping next to me. The fact of imagining that same scene, with her taking my place causes me nausea and a sudden hatred for her person, making me no longer able to look her in the eyes and simply pretend that I like her.
- I'm going to drink water.
I jump to my feet in one swift movement and stride toward the door, not giving them time to comment. I let out another sigh as I leave the bedroom and head to the kitchen. I open the refrigerator, taking out a bottle of water and pouring its contents into the first glass I can find. I take a sip and set the container on the cold counter. My cheeks feel wet and I bring my hand to my face, noting the presence of several tears spilling there.
I look at the room I came from and think that if I don't escape from this place now, I won't be able to do it for a long time, in which I will continue to suffer like a fool. I run towards the entrance keeping my head down and I hear the sound of a door opening, assuming it is the one to the bedroom and hating myself for not getting to leave sooner. But I do not stop, but increase the speed of my feet waiting to hear my name behind my back. Any. I almost screamed with fright when I collided with something and looked up, with the logical idea of encountering a wall or some column. However, what my eyes see is not an object but a person whose shoulders I am unconsciously holding. The surprise of crossing it in such an unexpected way and the fact of being only inches from his face makes me shudder and makes my skin crawl. I begin to tremble and I notice how my tears go down my cheeks again, while Samuel looks at me without saying anything, letting his eyes transmit everything that words refuse to do.