Martha

Chapter 12 Colloquially

Chapter 12
Colloquially

Goosebumps raised all over my body and my heart stopped for a second. Curving up slightly her rosy lips, Martha waited for my reaction. If I opened my mouth in that instant, only baby babbling would have come out of it. I was shocked and she was amused, I knew.

Why has she come to the museum? Wasn't she supposed to be in her house working on her crochet or trimming the rose bushes? Not able to find the right words to answer her question, question that only required a monosyllabic reply, I only stared back at hers, stone-cold. A crooked sardonic smile grew on her face. Oh yes, she was enjoying it.

"Oh, Yes, Absolutely... Higgins is one of my favorite artists". I managed to reply.

"Really? Oh, that's interesting. You are quite young for being so fond of arts."

"I'm not that young" I cleared my throat and continued modulating my voice to sound older, further most, to sound more appealing to her, "But, what about you, Mss. Higgins... what a coincidence in your names! Is there any family connection between you and M. Higgins? Maybe that is why you are here."

"Oh, no Mr. Grau, I'm afraid he is not a relative. And to bring you some tranquility into your mind, I am here because I am fond of arts too. And please, call me Martha."

"That's nice to hear... Martha. I thought you never left the comfort your house." I said and then I bit my tongue after realizing the stupidity in my comment. Not clever at all, sending me for sure down the drainage.

"Sometimes things are not what they seem, Mr. Grau. People in this town gossip a lot about me. They have built an incredible world around me, most of the times quite entertaining, I must admit. Let's say it's product of an overgrowth imagination, very characteristic of colonial small towns. But let me clarify something, I am a lonely person because I chose to be so and I do not care what people think or believe of me." Martha spoke in a severe, but unaltered tone, still looking at me directly to my eyes.

"I never give credit to what people say neither, Martha. I always rely on facts, but please call me Antonio."

"Okey, Antonio, why don't we change the matter here. I hate to talk about myself... now, let me ask you something, if you don't mind. Why you were so attracted by this painting in particular? Or you were stalking on me again?" Martha, for the first time teased me giving me a smile... a beautiful smile indeed.

"No, not this time. All the way around, it seemed you've been following me. I was standing first when you neared."

She arched an eyebrow and nodded, while on her face a playful smile drew on her lips. The stunning lady fanned her eyes in the most coquettish fashion and then looked at me right into my eyes and bit her lower lip.

Oh God, no! Of all the things she could have done or said, biting her lower lip was the worst, or the best. It drove me crazy when a woman did that. And it happened to be that this woman was Martha.

"Right... Like you, I was admiring this piece. Don't take me wrong, I'll soon leave. I don't want troubles with your belle fiancée." Martha made a funny face.

"What? I'm kind of confused here ma'am. I'm sorry to say, but you are mistaken Martha. I don't have any fiancée." I replied.

"Really? So, who is that gorgeous young lady standing in that corner darting eyes insistently at us?" Martha asked me and looked to where Paula was standing.

It was true, I haven't noticed that Paula had been standing behind us all the time, with a not too friendly face.

"Oh, no, she is not my fiancée. She is the school librarian, Mrs. Carvahlo."

"Well, if she is not your girlfriend, she doesn't look very happy to see us talking here. I suggest you to invite her to join us in this little chat... The chat about the painting, of course."

"Sure." I replied and immediately asked Paula, to approach. The woman didn't hesitate. Paula swayed her hips towards us, moving with overwhelming cadence, while fixedly staring, at us... well, mainly at Martha. "Paula, I want you to meet my neighbor, Martha. Martha, this is Paula Carvahlo, the school librarian.

"Olá, prazer em conhecer. Como voce está?" Martha kissed twice Paula on her cheeks and talked to her in a perfectly clear Portuguese. (well perfectly clear for them) Paula replied eagerly in her native language.

"Eu estou bem. Falam Portugues! O prazer é meu."

There I was, standing between the ladies speaking in Portuguese... epiphany in my wrecked mind. I didn't have a clue who f what they said, but I have always found this language so sensual and coming out of the mouth of those women made me want to book a plane to Rio with them both.

The women continued talking amongst them and I felt like painted on the wall.

"Well, you seem to me that you are so pretty and charming lady. Certainly I include myself in one of those who had a misconception of you Martha."

"Oh, Thank you Paula, you are so sweet. That is why Antonio talks wonders about you." Martha told Paula.

I was like what! "Who? Me? When?" What was she saying to Paula? That I said what about her? Did I do sleepwalking to Martha's house?

"Oh come on, Antonio, do not be so shy. Paula is a stunning young lady just the way you told me. And I must say you too do make a lovely couple... Well, I think I should be going. Your students are gathering around us and I don't want to scandalize them with my presence. Just imagine... The witch is here! Tchau, Paula.... Adiós Antonio."

Paula shrugged after saying good bye to a now walking away Martha. She turned to look at me and told me colloquially. "Martha is a really nice woman, and so beautiful... isn't she?"

"Yes, spell bounding I must say." I replied as I stood there watching Martha disappear amongst the crowd.