Chapter 106 - Roland! - Fars
Veronica
Miguel made the comment. "For weeks now, I've decided never to call him Onion again," referring to his attitude... I don't know, but Diana's arrival in our lives was not only changing mine because of the baby, I could see him acting differently. Five days ago, in the kitchen, those of us who knew his secret were gathered, and he asked us to do him the favor of not telling anyone about his relationship with my friend Raul, who, by the way, I was going to tear that ungrateful person apart when he deigned to visit me. Still, he called me every day; if they fought, I shouldn't be the one to pay the price. Anyway. I felt the issue with Miguel was going in another direction.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Ines. But Miguel told me you are going to mass. I haven't attended for many years, and I want to thank you for coming into my life. If you hadn't, I don't know what would have become of me."
"Well, with such an excuse, I have no way to refute you not going. Just make sure to bundle up well and don't walk too much." Ines looked at the man. "We need to leave early to get seats; that church gets very crowded, and Diana can't stand for long."
"Understood."
They laid the child in the stroller while Anita finished serving breakfast, and Ines sat down with us.
"Rata said he'll meet us at the church; he couldn't catch the first flight." She looked at Diana. "Are you going to talk to Father Gabriel about organizing the baptism?"
"Not yet, I need to find a job as soon as possible and then organize the baptism."
"Diana," I intervened. "You already have a job, you'll be my assistant. I have many companies that I need to manage, and I'll need help."
"I'll cover the child's expenses." We looked at Miguel. "I'll be the godfather, right?"
"Yes."
I saw some embarrassment on the mother's face. Oh, oh! I exchanged a glance with Ines, and despite her efforts, she couldn't help but smile with happiness about something.
"I would like you to be the godmother, Mrs. Veronica."
"Thank you, I'd be delighted, and stop calling me Mrs. I'm only a couple of years older." I smiled. "Now we'll be co-mothers."
"I won't have enough life to repay you for what you've done for me and my baby."
"I'll be happy just to hear about you." Sadness washed over her.
"Someday I'll tell you my story. For now, since you came into my life and what you did on the truck, helping me with the birth of my children, the clinic, a roof, selfless company, I swear you've earned my loyalty."
"Well, let's finish breakfast, we want to get there early, and Father Gabriel wants to speak with Mrs. Veronica first."
"Oh, another scolding."
"You also need to tell me your story," Diana intervened, and I half-smiled at her.
"I'll do it the same day you tell me yours."
"That day, I'll need a bottle of tequila," she said.
"You can't drink while you're nursing, young lady," Ines scolded her, and she lowered her gaze.
"I was going to say I'd join you with a glass of wine, tequila and I are divorced." My comment drew some smiles.
"I'm glad to see you getting back on track, ma'am."
"Oh, Ines, despite my reluctance to accept reality, my heart feels it. It might sound crazy, but I feel it calling me."
No one said anything. We arrived at the church, and seeing Father Gabriel's smile as he saw me in front of him at the altar was like a welcome. The mass was at ten, he had already officiated the first one, and he asked me to follow him to his office while the rest stayed seated in the front pew.
"I'm so glad to see you again." His face was full of warmth.
"Thank you, Father. And before you say anything, please forgive me for having thrown you out like that."
"There's nothing to forgive, Vero. I'm a priest, and I've had my arguments with my boss too." He pointed upwards, and I felt a lump in my throat. "I just hope to understand why it happened. I've been waiting for you every Sunday, wanting to give you this." He stood up and went to his desk to retrieve a folder.
"This was one of your wedding gifts from Roland. You are the owner of this." He handed me the folder, which contained the documents making me the sole owner of R&V Foundations. "Roland and Veronica."
"Simon had already told me I needed to take care of two foundations."
"Your husband was a bit extravagant in business. You own seven companies under the name R&V. Now you must fulfill his redemption, cleanse his soul so he won't wander and can be redeemed."
No matter how hard I tried to hold back the knot in my throat, I couldn't, and it erupted from my insides like a growl tearing everything inside me. I had cried every day, but now I wanted to throw myself on the floor, tear my skin to let out the horrible pain. I clung to the folder in my hand, and what came out of me was not a normal cry; it was a catastrophic eruption of pure pain. In the background, I heard the priest's words, which sounded like a prayer asking for my resignation.
I fell to my knees and then lay on the floor, hugging my legs. Laments came out of me, memories, kisses, caresses, smiles, anger, words he used to say to me... I didn't cry; I felt like I howled, letting out a heart-wrenching cry that must have been heard throughout the church. Miguel arrived at the office and just watched me on the floor, moaning.
"She needs to let it out, let her cry. She doesn't need anyone to say anything, just be there with her. Crying is the only thing that can heal an absence." He approached me and stroked my hair. "Cry, God is listening. Open up to Him. Only Jesus can restore you. Give that pain, put your soul and your husband's absence in the hands of Christ Jesus. You won't have him back, but you will return. Show the world the woman your husband loved."
"Can I stay with her, Father?"
"Of course. How are you doing?"
"I promise to come back later. A lot is happening to me." I heard them from afar.
I knew the priest left, and Miguel silently watched me. They wouldn't leave me alone no matter how much I wanted them to. They were afraid I might attempt that madness again. That's why he wasn't going to leave; they didn't trust me, and I understood. He stayed silent, allowing me to crawl on the floor, ranting and arguing with the Supreme Being, accusing Him of abandonment.
He had left me alone. I had been a good Christian, followed His commandments, attended mass every week religiously, and He took away what I loved most in my life like that? It wasn't fair... After a few minutes, a warmth invaded me, and that tranquility overwhelmed me. I remembered. God had left His son alone too, abandoned Him to later redeem Him, to grant Him greatness. The problem was that I wanted him back, no one else. That's why I screamed his name from my depths.
"ROLAND!"