Love and triumph

❖

In the Kohleria Mountains, flowers abound, as does its fauna, including venomous snakes, which, fortunately, have been sufficiently studied to provide antidotes for most species, except one... Sharp mahogany, a snake that hides in the flowers of lamentations, a flower with enormous petals, leafy and very delicate, only grows where it receives less sun, and in turn where there is more humidity, this snake hides among its leaves to ensure its prey, it is cunning, and does not let comrades of his own kind steal his food.

It is so cunning that it lets its prey pass, and attacks it when its back is turned, causing it to die without knowing who attacked it, its toxin is powerful, and it can kill a human in less than 1 minute, that is why it is so difficult to obtain so much their poison as their antidote, but fortunately, we have been able to eradicate most of their species.

❖

After the curious explanation of the cable car guide, heading to the mountain that serves as a viewpoint to the pier and the entire city, where the floral trade is what maintains the economy of this nation, I only noticed something...

Some mischievous looks, a different environment than normal between the two, more playful, more daring, it is perhaps that feeling that people call flirting.

When we got off the cable car we observed what this whole country offers, both the enormous flower crops, its culture, and the society that it is made up of, kind people and full of life, peace-loving people who would always give anything To keep the.

This way of life is very simple, but pleasant, protecting it is what I have always wanted, and now, I can say that I have someone, that I want to enjoy this dream.

Hal, look at this.

Turning to see, I carefully observe a quite interesting piece of art, it is a work by Alizen, a painter who passed away less than 100 years ago, his most recognized painting is precisely the one I like the most, a painting that represents the fable that my father told me, the justice of Alix.

-It is painted entirely in watercolor, it seems that he painted her fleeing from the war, she lost 5 oil paintings, and with great difficulty finished this one, it seems that he was willing to give up everything he had for her, even if it means losing his life.

That painter died in an attack on his home, apparently, he did not agree with the war that devastated an entire nation, ironically he was from Oryza, but just like him, defending what you love was his greatest ideal, and even the Today, these acts of bravery are who we are as a country, that's what heroes achieve.

Leaving the museum, we went to a very famous pastry shop, apparently they have the habit of only delivering freshly baked goods to their personal clients, and apparently they know Laely very well.

We are handed a steaming bun, and a freshly drawn cup of coffee, and I watch as beautiful threads of golden color come out of the machine, an aroma that permeates everyone present, and one that makes the situation calmer.

That uncomfortable and frustrating encounter still resonates in my mind, perhaps it did not affect me so much given what I have tried to make myself understand, that the lives of people who cause pain simply have a destiny, and it is to end abruptly, either at the hands of others, or simply by coincidences of this world, but even so... Part of my mind keeps thinking that probably these same people have loved ones, and that maybe... Just maybe...

-Hey, you are very thoughtful today, aren't you?

-Now that you mention it... It's been three months since that meeting.

- Are you talking about the gangsters?

-Yes, it is simply difficult to stop thinking about that grotesque and frightening scenario.

-Now that you mention it, my father told me about something very complicated, apparently Oxalis is divided into smaller unions, in Kohleria, it seems, is the most prosperous and fruitful, so the leader can aspire to be part of the the main table, where the 6 most powerful criminals of this same are located, is a piece of information that apparently was not known given why most of the informants died or simply lost contact with the special agents, in turn, being the most fruitful and famous, many minor mafias seek the head of their leader, but none have gone far, they are too organized to be broken by a simple disturbance, it is very likely that if they fall, it will be due to treason... But it is very little You probably know, apparently they have many filters to find out if there are traitors among them.

- What's this all about?

Looking at me mischievously... And taking a sip of his drink...

-Because I believe that you are the one who can end them, you try hard, you give your all, and even so, do you think that you are incapable of achieving your goals? You are an optimistic, kind, tender and empathetic person, maybe you should be harder on yourself when you enter the police world, but to change the world you don't need to have no heart, just believe that everything improves, since you give the first step.

Between talks about the future and how the bread is very tasty, our days are summarized, a few days with the flavor of coffee and honey.

Walking through streets full of life, color and commerce, I ended up realizing that in addition to being very feminine, it can be very kind and altruistic, certainly these are things that I had never thought of until today, it will be because the sun is at its best temperature, or because I'm just full of my stomach, the coffee was very good, and there were no problems in the arrival of the train, even the flowers are on point, it seems that everything is in my favor today.

In my mind there are only memories of all the things that have happened these 3 months, between laughter and books, and crazy scenes of finishing tasks, it just seems that we have met by fate, appreciating every moment of our encounters, I could swear, that I have found someone who can make me happy all my life.

At the top of a mountain, near sunset, we watched as children played, couples held hands, and as some joined their lives in the chapel adjacent to us, a very strange moment... Just when I thought the day It would end normally...

-Hey, why don't you say what you thought for today?

Taking me by surprise and making me take a step, I wondered in seconds how he realized what he was going to say.

Actually, I had been planning this moment for a couple of months, maybe it was by chance, or maybe because I feel a strange peace when I talk to her, I'm not sure when this feeling started, but in that second, that minute, that hour, that day of that month, and of that year, he knew he had to say it.

-Certainly, I have many things to tell you, do you remember that day when you arrived soaked from your home with such bad luck that you missed the train, and that your notes were not entirely correct?

Well, that day I watched you hide from everyone to collapse in silence, that's exactly why I followed you and took your hand to make you feel better, at that moment I thought of something very interesting, and that is that life is as ephemeral as a flame that goes off, so I thought... Wow, this girl here is with me when time between us stops, when there are only two people together in a single universe, in a breath in a glance, thinking about what remains of existence, at that time only one thought came to my mind, and that was:

On rainy days, I want to take you an umbrella, when you're hungry, give you what you like the most, when you're thirsty, give you everything you want, when you cry, dry your tears, and that in your joy it can be me who enjoyed it with you, and I can find the love that you keep in your heart, therefore, at this moment, in this place, I want to ask you to be the one to take the verses that I have stored in my heart, and summarize them in two simple words... I love you

After getting all the air I lost just saying those words, and a silence that seemed like eternal years, I observed the reaction that I so expected to see, a mischievous smile with an air of melancholy, wanting to look beyond what his deep eyes could reach to observe... After that, only one thing came out of his mouth.

-Yeah

Throwing himself on me, in a huge hug, one that began to write the story of two lovers, and at that moment where a warm sensation joined our lips, that day ended, with a new love being born in the heart of a nation.

❖

In the morning, returning hand in hand, on a railway that surrounded landscapes that I will never forget, thinking of the near future, one where we would both be really happy, a melancholic melody surrounded my head, some words that seemed to be recorded on a record of vinyl, and that I would never forget.

-Remember son, when you find someone who really loves you, you only have the duty to protect him, since he is a person, he will be the one who accompanies you on your way to victory

At that moment I told him that I would never fall in love, and now that I am here, I can thank you for those words.

Arriving in town I meet my girlfriend's parents, cordially greeting her father and returning a firm handshake, the two of us said goodbye, and walking to my mother's house, I also think about that day, about the letter from admission that should come this very day, whether it is a yes, or a no, I will be willing not to give up for a fall.

Walking between streets scented with perfumes, and many restaurants, he arrived at my mother's bakery, always as crowded as usual, and quite busy, almost falling off balance, I hold her by her shoulders.

-I'm home now

-Ahhh, Hal this, I think you could give me a hand, right?

Tell me where and I'll go.

After serving orders, preparing coffee, and cleaning the entire place, after 2 hours the room relaxes enough to have a pleasant chat.

-I'm dead... This place needs urgent remodeling, I can't cope by myself, I'll have to hire someone else.

-Maybe you find someone to go out with you.

-Not to mention, besides, no one would do the job as well as me, I've always said it, if you want to do something well, do it yourself... But that's not important, after 3 months you came after graduating, he regretted not being there there with you, but I had to finish a budget with Alex.

-Don't worry, you know I can count on you in times of emergency, plus I'm an adult

-That's what I wanted to hear from you son, and tell me how is your friend, is everything alright?

-In fact, that's what I wanted to tell you just now

An expression of surprise and joy invades her face when I tell her the news.

-Ah, congratulations I guess, it's my first time being a mother-in-law.

-And my first time being a son-in-law, do you know who her father is?

-No, but from how you force your gaze I imagine that she must be someone very special.

-He is my father's companion emerald rank commander, apparently for this reason I don't have 5 shots to approach his daughter.

-You're talking about Callum, he was always someone who competed with your father to obtain an important rank, they were both close to that rank when... Well, you know, and look at him, he is decorated with the rank of hero, something he could never get, so we could say that your father won this time.

-Dad always won, even if it was a trivial situation, although I am sure that, at that level of competition, he would have preferred to win it in another way.

With a melancholy smile, I remember those words night after night, talking about how magnificent his work was, and about how he saw people smile, that was dad, a being that will never exist again, even being reborn as someone else.

A tear shed on the floor is what mom leaves as evidence of her emotions, something that time cannot heal, something that not even life can heal, or a new form of love can replace, that's how strong was the affection that both they suffered, one for the other, in life, and until death do them part... Death.

In that moment of deep inspiration, a postman arrives at the door.

-Delivery for Hal? What are you doing here?

-What you observe Al, I'm just passing through waiting for what you bring there.

-You look enormous, it's incredible how quickly 5 years go by, even for an old man like me... Haha, it really impresses me, and well, as I was saying, you have a letter from a certain place that surely interests you.

I read the letters in slow, detailed cursive handwriting: "North Dawn Police Academy."

-It's exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much Al.

-No need, I hope it's happy news.

I take the butter knife and open the letter with the greatest speed I have ever had in my life, indeed, my name is at the beginning of the letter, carefully reading each and every letter, this day could not get any better , until now.

-Mother... I did it, I did it, I HAVE DONE IT, I'M INSIDE IT!

Embracing her and lifting her silhouette into the air, we both laugh with joy, and tears roll from two people who do not overflow with sadness, but with joy, on a quiet night, where the stars shone brighter than ever-

❖

-A dinner with your mother, huh?

-I mention that after wiping away tears, he wants to meet you in person, so I'd be happy if your father.

-In fact, I also wanted to invite you to dinner with him, surely you will be interested in what he has to say, it is safe for you to go, he is not a psychopath who would sell his son-in-law to criminals, you know

-I'm sure not, his contributions to public security are more than exceptional, it's an honor to speak with a senior official who will soon be my father-in-law

-"You say it in such a simple way that it even seems like a joke, my father never agreed with any of the boys that I once liked"

- Should I know something about it?

-Only that no one managed to get past the door

Three weeks into that conversation, we managed to meet at my mother's apartment.

❖

-Ma'am, her apartment is incredibly clean, the decoration is very delicate, I definitely should have studied with you.

-What kind of studies did you choose cute.

-Study interior decoration, I know a lot about this, but your style is unique.

-You should know that I studied arts.

-But then...

- Why am I not doing what I study? It's a good time to talk together while Hal prepares dinner, he's always been the one who's bested me with knives, quite exceptional I'd say.

As I mentioned to you, my parents wanted me to study arts, I was very good at painting, you see that oil over there, I painted it myself more than 25 years ago, I was 27 at the time... And it was the last one that painted all my life.

-But, that oil painting must be worth thousands of dollars, his talent was innate, because... I know that his parents forced him to study, but even so... Why?

-Because I always wanted to play instruments, my parents always made fun of me and my interest in the piano, so I decided to take revenge, and marry someone who did not have the monetary status of my family just to tear their ears apart, but.. I met Hal's father, his name was Vincent, he was a wonderful man, I thought I fell in love with him only for my revenge, but apparently his way of being captivated me more than I wanted to, after dancing all night in a not so elegant nightclub, the... He proposed to me, he was not a famous millionaire, as my parents wished, he was a kind and firm guy, and in turn he believed in all his friends and colleagues, he never spoke ill of no one, and always presented yourself in the best light to everyone, he was charming, so for our wedding gift, I created the ultimate piece of art, I called it... Lament Flower

-Like the flowers of the mountains.

-That work evoked all my emotions lived in my whole life, love, mourning, betrayal, anger, pessimism, many things that happened in my then short life of 27 years, and he only limited himself to saying: 'It's you in all your splendor' and we've hung it on that wall ever since, a story of how I gave my soul to the last painting of that moment.

-I always believed that these stories only happened in fiction.

-You would be surprised, there is more to this world than you can imagine, tomorrow you are here, and the next day you end up growing turnips, life is a constant cycle of ups and downs in every way, it takes us like a boat, sometimes we believe that we have it controlled, but we realize that it takes us where we want, destiny gives us surprises, and some can be very useful or useless, sad or disastrous, but still, as long as we breathe, we can afford to live and to see our loved ones get where they want to.

Who does this moment remind me of?

Definitely, a nostalgic aroma entered the entire room where we were sitting, it's like deja vu, certain experiences that I would like to keep to myself at this time.

Normally I would say that she seemed more of a prankster, but looking into her eyes, I only see a look that has seen everything she had to look at to be at peace.

-Well, it's nice to see that they are great friends, and they understand each other very well, but it's time to drink this or everything will cool down, so make room.

That day I observed something beautiful, and that is that, although I saw Hal as the love of my life, knowing everything his mother did to get him where he is, made me appreciate more the incredible and knew person who was right in front of me. me, someone who would also give me a hand when I needed it.

❖

From my perspective, Laely's father, he was some kind of fan of my father, he was always looking to find him outside of work to go drinking, they were always arguing over what was the best plan, sometimes I saw them fight and argue whenever he could, what they both didn't know.

-Hal, the stories of the world sometimes surprise us, or give us a beautiful lesson in friendship... They both knew each other since they were children, they fought with their fists for everything, but, although it sounds violent, it's how men often understand each other, when someone appeared in both of their lives, they also resolved it the same way, and that's why you're here now... Because a winner managed to do it.

Apparently, the day my father and mother met, they both tried to ask her out, Callum lost, but even so he tried to take care of her where he could, her friendship was stronger than love, which is something more to admire

-Health.

The unison of the glasses sounded the 7 people at the table

Guests of Laely and her father and her mother, both very happy about the new guest of her daughter.

-Boy, when I found out that my daughter was with my best friend's son, I just thought that this wasn't a coincidence, they must have met before... It must be like that.

-Sir, unfortunately that is not the case, although I regret not doing it before, I certainly knew her by look, or in vague memories of my childhood, but that day was the first time we exchanged words between us.

-Nonsense, they must have known each other before, I'm sure.

-Honey, I understand your happiness, but you must handle it a bit, it is true that we understand their relationship and we are not opposed to it at all, but we have to solve our doubts, and it seems extremely impressive to both of us that they have never spoken to each other .

-Mother, that doesn't really matter, knowing that everything is fine, it's enough for both of us, to understand each other, to seek our goals even though we have differences. Isn't that what really makes a couple happy?

-You are a very smart girl, that is why I trust your decisions, I know that you will carry your name high, as long as you have your wings to fly.

-Sometimes you get tired, and I really need a place to rest, and Hal is that and much more, he is like my coffee, he always helps me relax, and he will make me happy, I promise.

Promises, laughter, happiness, everything was in my hands, I always took it for granted that I would have them, I never knew that... It would be the last time that I could really smile.