Opposite dreams

"We should notify the police, it's after 3 am." Mel talks while walking in circles around the kitchen.

I roll my eyes for the thousandth time, after all there was no reason to.

"I already told you Mel, either Vídia went back to her parents' house or she and Fernando are reconciling, if you know what I mean". Falo threw a malicious look in his direction.

"I hope they're okay, I couldn't bear it if something happened to both of them." Lisa spoke next to Filipe, acting like a fairytale princess.

I wanted to cut Rapunzel's hair. Of course I was worried about my friend, but I knew that at most, Vidia was locked in some calm. Of course I couldn't say the same about Fernando. If Vidia wasn't beating him up, I'd do it myself when I found him.

"You won't do anything, Lia." Filipe responds by laughing at my stress, after having threatened Fernando several times.

"So that means you're the only one who has rights and privileges here." I ask, glaring at Filipe, again Filipe smiles.

"If you measured at least 1.75, I would let you, but you don't even reach 1.60". Filipe says with a laugh.

I swear I wanted to bite his leg, just so Filipe could learn how to make funny jokes. It's true, I'm 1.58 and Fernando must be 1.80. Filipe, on the other hand, is the tallest in the family, measuring about 1.90 or a little more, if he wanted he could have been a basketball player or a helper to pick up pots from the top of the cupboards.

I was there sulking, unable to plan revenge against Fernando and on top of that losing a night's sleep, which I hated. He knew that the two were together, firstly because Fernando immediately went after Vidia and secondly, Vidia loved Fernando.

I rested my head on Filipe's shoulder, who was alert, as if he were already used to working at night. Filipe pulled me closer to him, lining me up perfectly in his arms and at the end, he placed a kiss in my hair.

"It's going to be okay, mia." It was the last thing I heard after I fell asleep.

I was really tired and didn't even know it was possible to fall asleep so quickly.

[***]

I woke up in a very soft place, I was actually feeling on cloud nine. So, since I was feeling pretty comfortable, I tried to go back to sleep. But, out of nowhere, the solar lights entered my room, causing me great discomfort.

I kept moving my arms in a useless attempt to close the curtains, since they were a little far from me. So I'm forced to open my eyes and sigh in frustration that the night has passed so quickly.

We went to sleep at 4 am when Fernando and Vídia arrived together. However, each one went to a different side of the house. I was startled to see that I wasn't alone in the bed. No, unfortunately it wasn't Filipe to bother me like he always does, in fact it was vidia.

Vidia was looking like a wax statue, as she was paralyzed and pale. She looked up as if seeing something that was holding her attention, but there was nothing there. Just a white paint job.

"Vidia?" I call out to her in a low voice, but I get no response. "Vidia!" I use a higher tone of voice and that's the only way to gain her attention.

Vidia looks at me and shows a simple smile. Now I knew that here was the real Vidia.

"Do you remember when that boy on the football team tricked you into having sex with you?" Vidia asks, remembering with a funny smile, looking back at the ceiling.

"How could I forget the scoundrels that passed through my life?" I lie closer to her, also looking at the ceiling.

"So he told you that you were beautiful, but that you needed to lose weight. He also said that he would help you." Vidia now speaks in a lower voice, lost in thought.

"I remember". I reply, truly remembering that poker face.

"Fernando is just like him". Vidia confesses.

My first reaction is one of surprise, then I mentally brag about being right again. But my friend was in the same situation as mine, desolate. Hating himself and the world. Hating the fact that I was hungry and that I had control over everything.

I love him Lia, I love him so much!" Vidia screams and her distressed cry begins.

I just pulled her into a hug and smoothed her hair. Love is not as beautiful as it is shown in books, movies and stories. Love hurts and can kill.

Vídia and I knew well what that was, always placed in the corner. We always sat on the benches, where we watched the couples, abandoned and at one time or another, used us to console themselves.

Sometimes I thought that would never change, after all we had been experiencing frustrations for a long time. I was fine with my solitude, but Vidia?

No, Vidia dreamed of finding someone who would accept her as she really is. Nobody could point the finger and say that Vidia should choose another dream, since nobody has that right.

I wanted to grow my company, be a businesswoman and never depend on anyone. But Vídia already wanted a family, to get married and have children. And I thought this was one of the most beautiful dreams.

"See well Vidia." Flo forcing her to stand up and face me. "We have many loves in this life, but few of them remain. If Fernando arrests you, hurts you and forces you to do things you don't like, leave. Do it right now, gather your things and leave. It will hurt for a while time, but later you will see that you made the right decision".

He seemed to speak and Vidia was thoughtful. Then at the bedroom door, I saw Fernando. Fernando was looking at Vidia with an immense sadness that made me feel sorry for him.