The Devil's Sweetheart

166

Everybody's gaze moved to the man in Huichol dress, waiting for his contribution to the Enger and Ruth's past.

''You are?'' Francis asked, studying the man intently.

''I am Lazaro.'' The man politely introduced himself. ''I was Ruth's neighbor when she stayed in Mexico.''

''While I was investigating Enger,'' Enzo spoke up. ''I crossed path with Lazaro. He was the only one who witnessed the incident that happened on that night.''

''Tell them, Lazaro.'' Enzo said.

When all the eyes were on him, Lazaro spoke up. ''Years back, Ruth's family of three arrived in Mexico,'' His thoughts flew back to the day a woman knocked on his house door despite the pouring rain drumming wildly on the roof.

Lazaro assumed it was another ploy of the wicked street kids to annoy him. He grabbed the torchlight and a stick to bash them, but he found a shivering woman carrying a crying baby in her arms upon opening the door. Despite protecting the baby with a scarf, the heavy rain was drenching the boy to the skin.

''Como puedo ayudarte?'' Lazaro questioned, dropping his weapon to the ground.

''I-I don't know Spanish.'' Replied Ruth, clutching the baby to her chest. ''My baby..he is crying..We have just arrived into the new house. I can't find a grocery shop in the pouring rain. Can you give me some milk?''

''Come in.'' Lazaro opened the door for her to enter. He offered a seat, and upon waking up his wife, she warmed the milk and offered biscuits as well.

''Thank you.'' Ruth thanked the couple. Feeling comfortable, she introduced herself to them. ''I am Ruth Vaughan. It was pretty hard to communicate with the driver in this town. But you speak English very well.''

''We lived in different countries before settling in Mexico,'' Lazaro said. ''Are you new to this place?''

Ruth nodded, wiping the baby with the towel the woman offered.

''What's the boy's name?'' Lazaro's wife asked, staring at him intently. At the sight of the baby, her eyes sparkled, and she wished to have a child of her own, but sadly she couldn't

''His father named him Arsen. He is one and half years old.'' Ruth smiled, stroking her son's cheek lovingly. ''You can also call him Enger. That's my favourite name for my son."

While feeding milk to the baby, Ruth exchanged pleasantries with Lazaro and his wife. The couple was sweet enough to give her an umbrella when she left.

Lazaro didnot miss Ruth's darkened face when he brought her husband's topic. But he also noticed, she loved her son dearly. As the days passed, he realized the real reason behind Ruth's irritation over her husband. Not a day went by hearing the fights between the couple. Once, Lazaro tried to stop their argument, but her husband Juan accused him of having an affair with Ruth. That was the last day he stepped into the house.

Seven years passed, and nothing changed between the couple. Arsen also grew up, but something about the boy tickled Lazaro. Picking up fights, beating kids, going out with strange people has become his hobby. Ruth also didnot reprimand the boy. Instead, she spoiled her son to the core.

Once, Lazaro heard screams and loud wails of a woman from the next door. His wife nagged him to check upon them. So, he reluctantly got up to leave. Before Lazaro knocked on the door, he heard a voice, and he immediately realized the woman is not Ruth.

''I cannot keep this a secret anymore, Juan. I know you are supporting us by sending money every month, but..'' The woman cried, holding a boy's hand, the same age as Arsen. ''Our son is growing up, Juan. I can't go and tell my family that I am your mistress. My son needs you as a father, and I need you as a husband. Marry me, please.''