𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 [english]

12.

While Matthew was away, Sofía took the opportunity to think. That particular afternoon she remembered a time, shortly after she had started talking to Matthew. This time she had proposed to herself that she shouldn't get too attached to him. She shook her head, smiling big; she had clearly failed in that goal she had set for herself. She loved Matthew too much, despite having hated him a little the first day she met him.

I had already said that they had wondered why fate had worked so hard to bring them together. I also said that later they were going to be totally grateful that it happened. And that was what they were living at that moment. They felt immense gratitude that their paths had crossed.

Matthew's presence had eradicated the loneliness of Sofia's life. She enjoyed her moments alone, but she loved knowing that Matthew would return from work later to keep her company.

Matthew was also very happy. He was not a lonely person, and at the same time yes. He was close to his co-workers, he had made several friends throughout his life and his travels, but until now he had not felt the way he did with Sofia. His feelings had never been so upset. Sometimes he wanted to tell her, to talk about how important she had become to him, but he never did, or not very thoroughly, because even if he tried to hide it, he was sure she would see that talking about her implied that he feel upset at the thought that he would never see her again. He knew that the best thing for her was to continue naturally. He didn't want to end up crying and making her feel bad. And it is that Matthew's worry and sadness were immense, but despite the fact that those feelings were always present and never left him, they had no more power over him than the joy and happiness that made his heart flutter: after thinking about Sofia's condition and worry, the thought crossed his mind that it wouldn't be long before that young girl was finally calm and without pain.

When his workday finished and he returned late at night, he took the usual chair and placed it next to Sofía's bed.

"So..." Matthew began to speak, waiting for the girl's request.

"I want you to tell me about that one" and she pointed to one of the fingers of his left hand.

Matthew couldn't help but giggle and a slight blush painted his cheeks. "Why do you think its story is interesting?" He wanted to know.

"It's just... That's the marriage finger, right?" she asked and he responded by nodding.

"Are you married?" she asked and laughed when she saw that the blush on Matthew's face became much more intense in a matter of seconds. He looked very cute. Suddenly, she felt the need to squeeze his cheeks, and she couldn't help but do it.

"I was married... Some time ago. Things didn't work out, but everything ended well... " and so Matthew began another story. This time set on a trip he made to Australia, and having as its protagonist a relationship that at first began as a fleeting romance that no one believed would prosper, but that in the end, after a crazy wedding on the beach and getting tattooed instead of buying the rings, it stayed in time, to be precise for five years, and also brought a beautiful child into the world.

Matthew also talked a lot about his little son John, who was two years old. He also had a tattoo in his honor: a portrait from when he was just born.

Sofía remembered when in the orphanage the children played family, arranged weddings with their dolls and pushed babies in prams. She listened to the stories Matthew told about his son and imagined what it would have been like to have her parents with her. She was sad that she couldn't remember the moments she had spent with them. She had no photos or anything. She didn't know what they were like. She was so young when she shared her life with them that she couldn't remember.

But she push away that sad feeling. And she was left with the thought that they had loved her very much, and that she had did the same.

Matthew was a gift from God... And perhaps from them too.

🦋

Story after story, Sofia's mood seemed to improve. She had loved the idea of a beach wedding, so she asked to see photos, and Matthew granted it.

She was fascinated with the beauty of Tash, the woman who had been Matthew's wife, and the beautiful dress she had worn at that time. He sighed seeing the sparkle and excitement in Sofia's eyes. He wondered if she had ever imagined herself dressed in white. And so, that sadness invaded him again.

"Matthew... Is everything okay?" she wanted to know, since she had asked something about the wedding but had received no answer. "Excuse me, I think I'm being a bit nosy..." she commented embarrassed. She had actually let her enthusiasm win, and she didn't think about whether the story with Tash had already been overtaken by Matthew. Perhaps she had stirred up something that he wanted to forget.

Contrary to what Sofía thought, this time Matthew did give an answer that reassured her about the ideas she had previously had. "No, no, not at all. Excuse me, I got distracted for a second... I already told you that I'm going to tell you everything you want to know" he assured her trying to eliminate his sadness of the moment. After all, he was remembering a beautiful stage in his life, and that also made Sofia feel good. He didn't have to feel bad.

Thus he managed to control his feelings and the talk continued until Sofia felt sleepy.

"You know Matthew, with everything you have told me and what I had already been able to know about you, I know that you are a great person. I'm sorry things with your girlfriend Tash didn't work out. She seems to be very nice too... John is very lucky that you are his parents" and after releasing that comment, Sofía fell asleep, leaving Matthew with tears of joy flooding his eyes.