SEVEN

Kamilla Lopez

It had been a few days since I spoke to Bianca, she tried to find me and make me listen to her, but I did not want to. Dona Carolina realized that something was wrong, after all Bianca had stopped coming to our house, she did not force me to speak, she was waiting for my goodwill to open up to her. I should have told her everything since that day, but I didn’t want to worry her about it, it was already settled and that’s what mattered.

After arriving from another day of work I could throw myself on the couch, it was getting harder to go and return from work by bus, most of the time it was Bianca who brought me. I hear a blow above my head, the eyes and face Carolina.

— Good night, girl.

— Good night, SRA Carolina.

— How was your day?

— Tiring, what about yours?

— Very productive, I started some plants to decorate the house.

I got up a little bit from the sofa and looked around the room, I see a good amount of plants in jars, looked like a florist.

— Are you looking to open a flower shop?

— It didn’t get that bad, that house needs color.

— Wouldn’t it be easier to paint the walls?

— The flowers will give more color.

— Green… A green color.

— Not for nothing, but pots fly, you know?

I realized that those words were not information but a threat, I tried to shut up and raised my arms showing surrender.

— And you with Bianca… Got it right? — Carolina asked, sitting next to me on the couch.

— I didn’t talk to her anymore.

— I see you don’t want to bring it up, but I’m going to advise you anyway… Have you tried listening to what she wants to tell you? I realize she made a big mistake, and I don’t judge because I’m mad at her, but before she makes a decision that she doesn’t regret, try to hear her version, listen to her.

Those words really touched me, I may be wrong or right, she’s right, I need to hear what she tells me before I decide to walk away definitively. I faced Carolina and kissed her cheek.

— Thanks for the advice, you’re great with that.

— I know that, God gave me the gift of being a counselor, but forgot to give me luck in love.

— Why are you saying that?

— Remember my date? The old man was married, but lucky for me, I found out and together with his wife we beat him up and sent him to the hospital.

— Dona Carolina, were you committing murder?

— No. But listen to me, if the police knock on this door I’m not.

We smile for the story she just told me. The next morning I woke up and did what I always do, go to the bathroom, take a shower and get ready for work. My body longed to go back to bed, but I’m no daddy’s little girl to have such privilege. Although I did not have a blood family and grew up in an orphanage, I considered it my home. I was raised in simplicity where I learned to share and thank God with what I have, I never missed a brotherly bond of mother or father, I never interested in knowing them if they left me in an orphanage was because they did not want me, I may be selfish for thinking that way, but a mother never abandons a child for what she wants circumstances.

After having breakfast and going to work, I remembered the words of Carolina, today I will try to talk to Bianca and listen to her. Already in the workplace I realized that she was not there, I shrugged, I started my work, but always thoughtful of why she did not show up to work. With such curiosity I approached the boss, he was at the end of the hall making notes on a pad.

— Is there a problem, Lopez?

— I’m sorry to bother you, but I was wondering. Why didn’t Bianca show up for work today?

— She didn’t tell you?

— No.

— Her father died, today was the burial.

I felt my heart beat when I heard that information, I knew that Bianca’s father was facing cancer. My boss, noticing my expression, asked:

— Are you all right?

— Yeah, I’m all right.

I went back to do my work, but I could not pay enough attention, I often felt observed, my body burned, ignoring that feeling I finished work, left and walked through the parking lot. As I was walking I saw a car stopped and realized that it was Bianca’s, she was leaning against him, I approached her and saw her eyes red and swollen from crying.

— Do you want a ride? — he asked.

— Yes.

She took the wheel and got into the vehicle sitting next to her, it was already six at night, while we were in traffic I looked at her.

— Are you all right?

— No, but I’m staying.

Before heading home, Bianca stopped at a parking lot near the beach, and we went near the water, sat on the sand and stayed in silence. I turn my face to the side, she was crying, I approached her and hugged her, she laid her head on my chest and cried loudly between sobs.

— I’m sorry for leaving you alone in the club. — she spoke in tears. — I got the call that my dad had a cardiac arrest, I couldn’t think of anything else but running out of the club.

I felt like a fish out of water, my chest tightened and hugged stronger.

— Don’t think about it anymore, Bianca, I’ve forgiven you.

— I didn’t want that to happen, I’m sorry.

— Shh… Forget about it.

I let her cry all the bitterness and pain that was choking her, I wasn’t at the funeral, but now I’m here, trying to somehow hear her and stand by her side. We talked for a long time, she told me everything that happened in the last days, after she vents she took me home. As soon as I got out of the car I said goodbye and went upstairs, before opening the door a message blew my phone, quickly took it out of my pocket and opened:

Stubborn woman. I thought I was clear when I ordered you not to go out at night.

— unknown.