MARCAS DO DESTINO

The Long-Awaited Journey

GABRIELLA

I came home from school upset, I entered the house going straight to my room, I threw my stuff on the floor next to my wardrobe, I threw myself on the bed with a lump in my throat and a massive desire to cry, when I looked to the side came the surprise, there was a brown envelope left on the bedside table, it seemed to be with documents, curious to know what it was about I took it and read it, I stood still for a few seconds until I realized and was absolutely, I could not resist releasing a massive scream, I called Eduardo.

— Edu, my love, pick up the phone!

— Hello?

— Baby, you won't believe it! — I said euphorically.

— What's up, baby, what's going on?

— Guess what, my father released us, we can finally travel, my father went to school today, during class, and surprised me, when I arrived I found an envelope on top of the bedside table here in my room with everything I needed to go on the trip.

— Really, Gaby, are you serious?

— Yes, darling, severe!

— So we have to run to pack our things, because the trip is tomorrow, we're leaving very early, and we only have this afternoon to pack everything!

— Yes, Edu, but what now? I haven't even organized myself, I wanted to buy some things I have to take, but there's no time, and I was lucky enough to get their permission, I can't even afford to complain. — I don't know who Edu was trying to fool, since it is visible that he was delighted with the news.

— You don't have to worry about anything, my love, you can leave everything to me, you don't even have to take many clothes, we can buy what we need later — he says excitedly. — OK, love, kisses, we'll talk later then! — I end the conversation.

— Okay, my beautiful, kisses, I love you, okay.

— I love you too, my heart is in my hands, I can't believe this is happening, my God, I'm so happy! — I screamed euphorically, while I threw myself on the bed again, only this time without believing that I was finally going to do something I've never done.

EDUARDO

Gabriella and I were completely excited about this trip, we had no idea what was coming, we were heading for the event that would thoroughly change the trajectory of our lives. With everything prepared, finally comes the big moment, I was very anxious and could hardly sleep, I woke up at dawn, before doing anything else, I called Gabriella, in an attempt to wake her up too, I was the most afraid that she would not wake up in time, I was utterly wrong, because Gaby was completely ready, just waiting for the time to leave.

GABRIELLA

Shortly before leaving, I had my coffee and took the opportunity to say goodbye to my father and my sister Marina, who, feeling my embrace, said something I didn't expect to hear:

— Gaby, you are not going on that retreat!

— Ah, Marina, I love you sister, you know that, ask me anything but that!

— It may be crazy in my head, but I am feeling something bad, my heart is asking you not to go.

— Calm down, sis, it's just a trip to school, ask your little heart to calm down, I'm delighted. — I looked at Marina smiling, trying to reassure her. — You're only worried because I've never left your side.

— Yes it will, sis! That's it, it's silly in my head, after mum left, it was practically just you and me, it was always like this, one for the other, right? I love you, Gaby, go with God and be happy.

Still smiling, I ran to the bedroom, gave a brief kiss on my sleeping little brothers and went to meet Eduardo, arriving in the car, we were just happy, we were counting the minutes and seconds to finally be alone, at the agreed place near the school's people were in weight waiting for the departure, everyone was very excited, and the mess was huge, the tour coordinators didn't take long to gather the group to pass some instructions, we started the boarding and there were three buses to take us, but fate seemed to be conspiring against or in favor of Edu and me, finally, the bus we were on was released, and we headed for the long-awaited trip, the group was in a euphoric mood, when suddenly the bus stops slowly, the group, in the biggest racket, starts shouting:

— Why has it stopped? Stopped for what?

The driver gets up and gives us some unexpected news.

— Guys, I'm sorry! But we had a little impasse here, we're going to have to postpone the departure until tomorrow.

EDUARDO

Everyone was pissed off, so upset that some even gave up, Gaby and I got out and went to the car, which was going to stay in the car park near the school during the trip.

— Yeah, baby, it won't be today that we'll be alone. — She smiled and looked at me.

— Who said we're going home? — I looked at her with the face of someone who had already thought of everything.

— No? Can you explain it to me straight, what do you mean we're not going home? And how are we going to be alone if we are going to travel tomorrow? — Gaby asks, confused.

— It's simple, we are not going with them tomorrow, we are going somewhere else today — I answer.

— Are you crazy, Edu? — she says fearfully.

— No, pretty, I had already thought of everything, I just had to talk to you about it, I was wanting to propose that we arrange to go with the school on this retreat, in order to get your parents' permission, but instead of going with them, we would travel somewhere else, it was just an excuse for you to leave home, my kitten, did you really think I wanted to go with this group there? I had already thought of everything, so much so that I had already prepared everything, let's go to a country house in the mountains! I only didn't say anything before because your parents hadn't let you go, and since they let you go at the last minute, I decided not to say anything about going there and decided to stay with you on this trip with the school.

— Oh, Edu, I don't know, is this a good idea? — she replied in surprise.

— Of course it is, my love! Come on, my little one, think about it carefully, go. — I try to reassure her. From the look on Gaby's face I thought it wouldn't work, seeing her indecision I spoke half-heartedly: — Ok, my love, I won't force the issue, it's ok if you don't want to go.

— Ok, you convinced me, let's go then! — Gaby smiles.

— Whew…