"Passengers of flight 357 to Lisbon, boarding will take place at gate C... Attention, passengers of flight 357, bound for Lisbon, boarding will take place at gate C..."This was what the announcement was saying when I arrived at the airport just a few minutes before my husband's flight was due to depart. Unlike what you see in movies, buying a ticket to enter the departure area isn't as difficult as it seems, because there wasn't a huge line in front of me, to begin with for buying a ticket."Good morning, ma'am, how can I assist you?""I need a ticket for any international flight departing right now.""Right now? Ah, well..." the young man starts, opening his screen.However, the clerk who attended to me wasn't very fast."Young man, I need to enter the departure area in thirty minutes," I say, looking at the departure and arrival display screen.Knowing my husband, it was unlikely he bought a first-class ticket or even a VIP one. As he always used to argue: at the moment of death, t
BRAZIL, MARCH 31, 2015.I'm engrossed in my phone, just a few lines away from finishing the book I'm reading, which, as incredible as it may seem, resonates with many aspects of my marriage. I'm so engrossed in the plot that I disconnect from everything else:"Dália!" my husband calls, drawing my attention. I look towards the wooden door from which he emerges with his charming smile. "Come see."I put down my phone and walk to the door, stepping outside where my husband stands on the sidewalk, looking at the facade. I join him and also start to admire the bold letters:Carlos's Delicacies"It's perfect!" I compliment, admiring the front of our restaurant.Yes, a lot has changed in my life... in our lives. After flying to Paris, we made some decisions. The first was Carlos quitting his job. He insisted on throwing his phone from the top of the Eiffel Tower when he finished his call with Rubens. I did the same with the real estate agency. However, I didn't throw my phone because we need
Barcelona, 31 December 2005.Of all the beginnings I thought, this is my favorite: my first new year in Barcelona after two years in England. Two years of cold people, cold climate and much study. Until I convinced my parents that it was in Barcelona that I should finish my high school, my home. So that year-end was the embodiment of my happiness. The only thing I needed was Edward, my English boyfriend.To all who have not yet spent the new year in Barcelona, take some time and come, do not know what they are missing. The streets are all decorated, besides the human warmth that I did not find anywhere. But returning to that wonderful night...I remember being in my room playing entertained that I do not even notice my younger sister, Valeria, entering the room. I get a fright when she touches my arm ,drawing my attention. She says something, but I’m on the phone and I don’t understand what she’s talking about, so I take off my headphones and stare at her. I bet she wanted to use the
Having Carlos' number at the same time is a bonus, is also a burden. What excuse would I used to talk to him? No doubt Carlos was going to ask how I got his number... After many days of thinking, the only plan that seemed workable could only happen after the return of classes. So I spent another fifteen days with the phone in my hands while I realized the idea. Carlos seems to be the man who helps damsels in distress, and that’s what I’ll be about to conquer him, even though I don’t enjoy being a helpless little girl.Then on a beautiful, hot afternoon, I sit with my cell phone in my hands. It’s time to put my plan into practice. I dial Carlos’s number and with every touch, my heart races. It passes a thousand things in my mind, from listening to your voice to the fact that it forwards the call to the message box. Then the touches cease, and that space between the end of the touch and the expectation of hearing your voice makes me nervous. I take a deep breath with my eyes closed.—He
About a month later...Those one month was worse than I’ve had in years... My pride didn’t allow me to call Carlos, and he didn’t seem to care how I was. So I focused on my studies and the game, leaving my phone far away from me. I was so distracted that I didn’t even notice my sister coming near the desk. Valerie touches my shoulder, almost making me jump.—Oh what a fright, Valeria! - I say, putting my hand on my chest, scared. —What is it?—Her phone is ringing. – replies Valeria, serious. She extends the phone towards me and on the display the name of Carlos appeared. My heart races, I feel my legs trembling like a green stick, I’m afraid to meet, and he destroys my expectations. I know I clarified that I was supposed to call him when he was single. My sister shakes my phone, impatient. — will answer it or not?— Yes, I will. – I answer by pulling the phone out of my sister’s hands. Take a deep breath and answer. —Hello?— Dalia... Do you want to go out with me?- asks Carlos, nerv
Although Carlos agreed to date me, deep down, I knew it was only to not be alone since he spent so much time dating the other. Although he says he loves my company and I always make him in a good mood. We had lunch together almost every day, left school and waited for him at his home. But as the title of the chapter says, I had only won the battle.His ex-mother-in-law was very attached and even though she knew he was dating, she had the audacity to go clean his house and change the sheets. I thought in time it would stop, but...We already had two months of dating, when one day we were making out on the couch, after lunch, when I hear someone open the door. Carlos practically jumped from the couch towards the door. I hear the voice of a woman talking to Carlos and get up, going towards the kitchen.— Carlito, I hope you like the snacks, I made especially for you. - says the woman who was old enough to be the mother of my Carlos. And what was the story of calling him Carlitos.— Now I’
If my father thought I was going to give up on getting married, it’s because he doesn’t know the daughter he has.— Congratulations on the grades. – says my father, analyzing my report card. — Now all that’s left is college…— Here it is. - I say, delivering my letter of approval at the University of Barcelona for the Law course. He opens , showing all the satisfaction in reading my letter. — Now you can give the blessing for my marriage.— Yes, Dalia. - says my father taking off his reading glasses.I wanted to jump for joy, but I notice that my parents have a disappointed expression, which makes me confused, since I did exactly what he wanted. My father looks at me and says:—Dalia knows in these months that have passed I always thought I would give up this madness and change my mind.— Then you know me, little Dad.–I say, leaning against the table. —I will never give up on Carlos…***After my father gave the blessing, I had to run with the preparations for my engagement. After all
It was a little over a week before the engagement and I was almost freaking out in my apartment, the only place I wasn’t suffocated with questions and pressure.— Hi, love. - says Carlos entering the apartment. He lifts me off the couch and gives me a kiss that takes me off the air for a few moments, calming me down. I realize he’s in a great mood. Carlos smiles and says: — I’m on vacation!— Yay! At least one good news today. – I say trying to avoid my irritation.—And it’s not the only one. – says Carlos, holding my hand. He kneels and asks: — Dalia Penedo, will you spend seven days with me in San Sebastian?That is the most indecent proposal I had ever received from Carlos, for two reasons: We are in the summer, an unbearable heat even with the air conditioning in the last is impossible to sleep, so going to a seaside town is a temptation. Just imagining the icy seawater gives me the creeps. Seven days alone with Carlos, without the intrusion of my parents and with our desire high,