Black hair tied in a ponytail, matching the beard that hasn't been shaved in years, a huge hole in his ear, indicating that there is the place of his extension, the tattoo appearing shy on the left arm of the speech therapist who analyzes it carefully the Malu exams. The young woman tries to find out which band is on the doctor's shirt that is under his lab coat.
Thiago also observes the man with fear of being the most respected speech therapist in Curitiba himself, being the only one specializing in psychogenic aphonia, at least that's what his fiancée assured him when making the appointment. Ricardo is oblivious to the curious looks of those two, due to the incredible case of the young woman in front of him. He smiles and looks at father and daughter who are trying to disguise that they were looking at the speech therapist.
— Maria Luísa, what do you have we call Aphonia of conversion – reveals the speech therapist, excited about his diagnosis. Malú and Thiago look at each other without understanding what that means. So the doctor turns on his data show and puts Malú's videolaryngostroboscopy done by the otorhinolaryngologist in Belo Horizonte for everyone to watch — Analyzing the larynx, we always check whether or not the vocal cords can keep their distance when trying to speak. When it is just a functional aphonia, the cords cannot make contact, however there is no impediment when the person coughs. In the case of Maria Luísa, we can see that, auditorily, there is no emission of sound. However, there is the joint, as we can see in the video, there is a triangular slit along the entire length, but there is no vibration of the mucosa. Therefore, we are dealing with the aphonia of conversion that often affects women.
— Maria Luisa, wait for me outside. I need to talk to the doctor. – Asks Thiago with a worried expression.
Maria Luísa gets up and leaves under the gaze of the two men. Then Thiago goes back to face the doctor.
— And what do you recommend so that we can reverse the situation? – asks Thiago, worried. — What medicines will my daughter have to take to get back to normal? Any antibiotics? I was reading that antibiotics can reverse this situation.
— Medicines? – asks the speech therapist — Submitting your daughter to drug treatment, including antibiotics, is totally unnecessary. Your daughter's case is directly related to psycho–emotional disorders such as anxiety, distress, depression, the conversion reaction (including dysphonia), personality disorders and interpersonal conflicts in the family. In children and adolescents, this psychogenic dysphonia is rare, but when it occurs, it is usually related to traumatic situations of sexual abuse or death of a close family member, the latter being the case of Maria Luísa.
—So what's your suggestion? – asks Thiago, seriously.
— I recommend speech therapy and psychotherapy, working together. There are studies that prove that 70% of patients had improvement or resolution of vocal symptoms. When speech therapy is used alone, only 12. 5% of patients had improvement in vocal symptoms.
—Only a 70% chance of speaking again? – asks Thiago in shock — This is a very... Very... Low value. She may simply not speak again.
— Mr. Thiago, I need you to understand that any type of therapy is a difficult, arduous and prolonged process. It requires effort, discipline and determination on the part of the patient and professionals. You need to understand the complex relationship between the neuropsychological, intrapsychological and interpersonal behaviors that affected your daughter. I also need to stress that this type of aphonia can take days, months and even years to reach a 70% success rate. I understand that the numbers are discouraging, but see that there is a solution and that this type of treatment is fundamental to this situation. In addition to family support, she needs a comfortable family environment that does not cause her any kind of disturbance.
— She lost her mother and just moved in with the most hated senator candidate in the state, how do you think the family atmosphere is? – asks Thiago who gets up going towards the door.
— If you really want her to have any chance of talking again, start thinking about changing the environment for the best possible – replies the speech therapist who receives in return only the door being slammed shut.
***
— 1, 2, 3... Recording – warns the director, pointing to the camera right in front of Graziela.
— Hello, my name is Graziela Financhielli and… – Grazi introduces, getting up from the leather sofa of the Almeida mansion. She gives a nervous smile, having forgotten once again the line from the commercial — Excuse me, let's go again.
She sits back on her couch, adjusts her blonde hair and the white suit she wears. You've made a mistake more times than you imagined, something very simple: Calling people to watch the reality show of your wedding with Thiago. Maybe it really would be easier if he was there by your side, showing support for that project.
— Ready? – asks the director, waking Graziela from her thoughts.
— Ready, let's go. – Graziela answers, looking at the camera with the biggest smile she had to offer at that moment.
— 1, 2, 3... Recording – says the director, pointing to the camera right in front of Graziela, once again.
— Hello, my name is Graziela Financhielli and today I have a special invitation to make to you in my name and that of my fiance, Thiago de Almeida – Grazi gets up calmly, without taking his eyes off the camera — I want to invite everyone to participate in the great moment of our lives: Our wedding. We are opening the doors of our house so that you can follow step by step all the important moments until the arrival of our big day. I count on your presence every Tuesday on Canal A Gente. Until then.
— And... Cut! – finishes the director, ending the filming — This shot was great, guys. Thank you once again Graziela for having us here at the senator's house.
—I thank you for your patience with me. As you can see, I was not born with the gift of acting. – jokes Grace.
— But it was great, Graziela. It's sure to captivate a lot of people. – Praise the director.
—I hope so – answers Graziela, smiling.
— Mrs. Graziela, your cell phone – warns Adelaide, handing her cell phone to her mistress.
— Who is it? – asks Graziela, curious.
—I don't know... He said it was a matter of interest to him – replies the maid.
— Thank you – thanks Graziela, practically snatching the phone from the maid's hands. She smiles at the director, trying not to show her nervousness — I really need to take this call...
—Okay, I'll talk about the details of the first episode with your sister later. We want to make a very familiar pilot to attract attention... –comments the director.
—I even prefer that it be with her these things. – Interrupts Graziela, quickly. She points the phone at the director — I really...
—Fine – agrees the director, walking away awkwardly.
She leaves the room and hurries to her room, where she answers the phone saying:
—How many times do I have to tell you that I'm the one who has to call?
— I need to know...
—I told you we have to wait for the dust to settle, but we're all fine, understand? We are ALL very well. Wait for me to contact you. See you – says Graziela dryly, hanging up the phone.
— Who were you talking to, Graziela?
— Hello, Vera – Graziela acknowledges, turning around, smiling.
—Hello, little sister... So who were you talking to so angry? – Vera asks once more.
— With a boring reporter... After that reality show rumor came out, my cell phone won't stop ringing. I'm being forced to be rude to some – Graziela replies nervously. She smiles at her sister and changes the subject — Did you see the commercial? What do you think?
— Well... It turned out really good. You looked very natural. Then we have to meet with them to define the pilot, okay? – informs Vera.
— You know, I think the commercial would have been better if Thiago had participated – confesses Graziela — He knew we had the commercial for today...
— He had Malú's appointment, remember? The one you marked just today – Vera retorts, raising her eyebrow — Not to mention that he has already agreed to participate in the reality show, so we shouldn't force the bar for him to also participate in the commercial. Besides, we have to gain his trust to allow Malú to also participate in the reality show. Imagine how awesome it would be for everyone to participate. It will be a landslide victory against everyone else.
— I know that… – Graziela begins, pausing for a few moments. —I just wanted to have a little priority in his life.
—Sister, don't start with drama. This is not the time to be selfish. We are in search of a greater good... Which is his candidacy. In a few months, we'll all have what we want... And you'll have it all to yourself.
— You just forgot about Malú, Vera – argues Graziela. —Or is she just going to disappear once this is all over?
—Don't worry about her now. Just keep her close to you and after your wedding, she will no longer be a wall between you and Thiago, I'm sure – suggests Vera.
—Anyway, I have to wait another two months for all of this to happen.
— For someone who has waited all his life, what would two months be like?– Vera asks. She takes a deep breath— Well, I'm going to check some things with the reality show people… – she turns around and continues — And I'm going to pretend the call was from a reporter.
Graziela shudders at the last words of her sister who walks calmly down the hall. Deep down, there's a good chance the sister really knows who the caller was.
***
As soon as Thiago and Malú arrive at the mansion, they are welcomed by the Financhielli sisters and the entire reality show team. Seeing her fiance arriving, Graziela opens a beautiful smile.
— Hi love. You've finally arrived – exclaims Grazi, kissing him right away.
— I'm sorry for not being able to attend the program's call – asks Thiago, not very convincingly.
— All right – Graziela replies, touching the groom's chin — We are now preparing the pilot for the program, if you want to give your opinion on something this is the time.
— No, my dear – refuses Thiago, kissing the bride's pale hands — I prefer to leave it in your hands, this is your project. Just let me know when I have to show up, and I'll do it.
—So I have carte blanche? – asks Graziela, curious.
— Blank Check. The reality show is all yours – answers Thiago. Step back a little— Now I'm going to go over some things from the campaign, ask your sister to come to the office when you're done.
— You can do it – confirms Graziela with a smile from ear to ear.
She watches the groom walk away and finally enter the office, then turns toward her sister, walking happily.
—Did you hear what he said? – Grazi asks, holding her sister's arm, controlling herself not to jump like a child on a pogo stick.
— Yes! – Vera replies, happy. —Are you thinking the same thing as me?
—I think so – she replies, looking up the stairs.
—Then go up and make this reality show unforgettable. – Encourages Vera by striking a triumphant pose with her hands.
—You can – agrees Graziela, walking towards the stairs.
Vera watches her sister go up, now it's as she had planned.
***
The ebony face that had saved her was the only thing that occupied Malú's mind, who kept her eyes closed while listening to her music through her headphones . Who will you be? Where are you now? Was it in my head? Are you thinking about me? I bet you must have thought I was stupid... Will I ever be able to thank you?
Maria Luísa feels as if someone is watching her, which makes her open her eyes, finding two large green eyes staring at her curiously. She stands up quickly, taking the headphones out of her ears.
— I'm sorry if I woke you up, Maria Luísa – asks Graziela, making herself comfortable on the young woman's bed. — How are you? It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of your presence at the table.
"I'm busy" writes Malú on her tablet.
— Of course... I heard about your latest activities – jokes Graziela, pointing to the young woman's injuries. She smiles when she sees Malú's eyes widen —Don't worry, I used to be just like you. Like I told you: I know exactly what you're going through... And I'm here for whatever you need.
"Thanks"
— It's because I know that you're feeling out of place, that I came to invite you to be my godmother – reveals Graziela, smiling.
"Maid of honor?"
— Not quite godmother... My sister has already held that position, but you can be the godmother's assistant, what do you think? – asks Graziela, with a nervous smile that frightens Malú.
“I don't know… it seems to be something of great responsibility”.
—Nothing, it's going to be fun and without your father's interference. I'm sure it's better than spending hours inside your room. – Guarantees Graziela, who observes the whole room. She holds Malú's hand and makes a pitying face — Say yes, Malú. Do it for me, a bride who doesn't have any friends to help her through this big moment and an executioner sister. Please?
“I don't know Grazi... What if Thiago doesn't like it? He forbade me to leave the house without his presence" replies Malú, remembering the last conversation he had with his father.
— Don't worry about him, if you want to go, you can be sure Thiago won't be a problem. – Graziela guarantees.
"Can I think about it?"
— You can... Let's do this: Think calmly and let me know, so I can arrange something with the staff that might include you, okay? – proposes Grazi.
"Okay"
—Fine – Grazi replies, getting up, she goes to the door and turns around. —I'll be flattered if you attend.
Malú shakes her head and then puts on the headphones, plunging back into her thoughts, and her savior's face .