Malú hugs her pillow tightly, letting her tears fall onto the white linen pillowcase. Thiago's words hammer in her head, but not the ones she thought he was capable of saying. What an illusion, I really thought he was capable of change, Malú thinks.
— I can enter? – asks Maria from the door.
Malú nods, watching her grandmother come in and sit on her bed. The young woman then takes the tablet from the nightstand:
“Why is Thiago like this? Why was he mean to me? Why didn't he listen to me?”
— I'm sorry, Malú for the things your father said. He was just... Upset. But not with you.
"The way he spoke to me, Granny, that's not what it looked like."
— Malú, we parents are complicated – begins Maria — We think we know what is best for our children. We try to protect you in every way, because for us you will always be defenseless and unprepared for the world. When in fact, we are suffocating you, depriving you of the opportunity to have new experiences, to make your own decisions. Believe me, your father was wrong, but he didn't mean it. And I'm sure he'll change his mind and come talk to you and everything will be fine.
"How can you be so sure?"
— Well, I'd really like to talk to you, but I think it's better for him to tell you – Maria replies, looking at the door, through which Thiago has just entered —You'd better talk.
She gives her granddaughter a kiss on the forehead and walks towards the door, where Thiago has his head down. Maria stares at her son for a few minutes, then asks:
—Be kind, patient, and generous with your daughter. And know that I hope you stay by her side, or else there will be two Marias Luisas against you inside this house.
—Thank you, Mom – thanks Thiago receiving a kiss on his cheek from the mother who is now leaving. He walks towards Malú's bed, who avoids looking at him. She sits on the edge and looks at her dancing thumbs — Daughter, I'm sorry… The way I talked to you, the way I acted… I should have listened to you, I promised I'd try and… I failed. Once again, I failed you. But I want you to know that I didn't just come here to apologize. I want you to know that I went to meet the group... And the boy, Benjamin.
"You went? And then? What do you think? Did you like it? And Benjamin... Thiago, Benjamin is a very nice, polite and honest boy. He even works in the flower shop," Malú writes nervously.
—I know, now I know. I spoke with Ariadne and I realized how lucky I am to give you everything you need to have a quality of life and how many young people your age don't have that chance, just like Benjamin didn't, but he's looking for it. But look, I promise I'll do everything to help each one of them... I'll make the project, the flagship of my campaign.
"I'm glad to hear that" writes Malú, still sad.
— Also, you can return to the group – reveals Thiago, watching his daughter who immediately opens a huge smile.
“And will I be able to see Benjamin?” asks Malú, suspiciously.
— Yes… – Thiago replies — But on one condition.
"What condition?"
***
Two weeks later...
Benjamin and Malú... Malú and Benjamin... So different and so the same... He seems to have entered the young woman's life to ease any pain she feels... She manages to make him smile even in the huge movie line. to watch romantic comedy. He's the one in charge and she's the stubborn one... He prefers the outdoors... And for her to be locked in the library... Even though it happened so fast and was so intense... The feeling has been building between them.. They rarely agree on anything... Despite the fights, many admire the way they look at each other, as if they were destined to meet... As if that feeling had passed through other times... Benjamin and Malú ... Malú and Benjamin.
"Doesn't it bother you the way people stare at us?" Malú asks Benjamin, who is in line at the cinema with her.
"What's their fault if they can't have the pleasure of the company of a girl as beautiful as you?" replies Benjamin who receives a peck "Seriously, I think they are watching us for seeing the senator candidate's daughter in the movies with five security guards"
“Remember that this was the condition my father imposed so that we could go out together always. But I'm not talking about looking at them that way" explains Malú "it's the way they look at us when we're talking in pounds. Doesn't it bother you?"
"No, actually I think it's good" Benjamin replies "Over time, I started to see only the good side of things"
"And there's a good side to seeing people look at us with... prejudice?" asks Malú.
“Yes” Benjamin replies “One of the things Ariadne taught me is that we shouldn't become victims... I was born without vocal cords, but I have arms, legs, ears, eyes... I'm luckier than many out there. . And I have a special language... I look at my disability today as a blessing. I can replay my thoughts through my fingers... don't you see how magical this is? We are part of an incredible group of people who have the super power to break barriers... our language is not for everyone, only for those who are capable and have an open heart to reality: we are all the same and who doesn't think that, it's because you feel insecure... a weak person.”
“I wanted to see it that way, just like you” Malú replies sadly.
“One day you will and you will realize that tragedies happen all the time, that we have more losses than gains, more sorrows than joys, but you know? Even if the balance is negative, when we are happy, there is no sadness that can bring us down..."
“I don't want to get over my mother,” Malú replies, walking.
“ You don't have to, but you have to deal with the pain. With time it diminishes... With time, anger diminishes...”
“How can you be so sure?” asks Malú.
“Because if it weren't so, I'd be in exactly the same place. In some orphanage, abandoned by my parents for being permanent aphonic and without the slightest expectation of life. Now, I see that it's up to me to be what I want. And I will be a biology teacher. So stop holding grudges... it won't get you anywhere."
"It's easy to say when your mother didn't die and you only met your father now and everything you knew was a lie."
“Malu, your mother had no choice… I'm sure she would have chosen to live with you. And your father... look how little I know of him, I've already realized he's not bad. He chose you... even though you're not the best father in the world, he brought you here."
“Forced.” reinforces Malú.
“Even so... Your destiny was set... you had to come here. You had to go through all this. So learn to value what you have, or you will have nothing. Look at your life positively. If I hadn't come here, I would never have met a guy as nice and handsome as me. Imagine living with that remorse.”
“Convinced” says Malú, smiling. She approaches and showers Benjamin with kisses who smiles “Thank you, thank you for being you”
"Thank your father for letting us be together."
“ Yeah, who knew Thiago would be that nice?” comments Malú.
"You know, I think it would be nice if you started calling him dad."
“I don't know, even though he apologized… Now I don't feel comfortable calling him father. Who knows one day"
“Just don't wait too long, so you don't regret it” observes Benjamin walking to the box office.
She doesn't want to create any expectations around him, doesn't want to lose ground again. So she decided with herself that she was going to be just like São Tomé: Seeing is believing .