Ren, perhaps without realizing it, had set aside his cellphone since he began living in that house. It wasn't intentional, as his days slipped away between tasks that kept him busy. That neglect had isolated him from the outside world, but not from one person.
Yaina.
She had asked him for something simple: to talk at least once a week. She didn't demand explanations or promises. She only wanted to know how he was, how his life was going far from everything they once shared.
During the time Ren had been away, Yaina had told him many things about her life. Among them, she spoke about her father and how she decided to leave him after he went away with another woman. From what she last knew, that relationship of betrayal had also ended badly.
That news caused Ren not only sorrow for the man he once knew, but also for his friend.
Yaina had tried to return to her progenitor with the hope of fixing what was broken, of calming the sea and recovering something from the past. But none of that had been possible. Her father never shared the same intention, and the attempt ended up being another mistake.
Maybe, Ren thought, it was for the best.
After all, Yaina had managed to move forward. The last thing he knew was that she had quit drinking and smoking, that she was trying to live a healthier, more stable life. Every time she mentioned it, she did so without boasting, as if it weren't something important, but for Ren it was.
That, without noticing, he celebrated between soft laughs and light comments during those calls.
Between conversation and conversation, Ren learned many more things, small and large, until that day, like so many others, seemed destined to be simply one more.
Or something like that.
The cellphone vibrated on the table.
"Hello, Ren?"
"Hi, Yaina," he replied, letting out a faint smile that Yaina simply couldn't see.
"Ready for call number twenty after your marriage?" Yaina said in a playful tone on the other end of the line.
"Yes," Ren answered. "I have many things to tell you."
Both laughed, each immersed in their own tasks of the day.
"So tell me, how have you been?"
While holding the phone between his shoulder and cheek, Ren passed a damp cloth over the kitchen table, dragging a stubborn stain.
"Well… I've had better days."
"How so?"
Ren made a slight grimace.
"You see, for a few days now I've had a pain in my back that won't let me sleep. It's constant and annoying."
"That problem sounds more like something else," Yaina commented, holding back a laugh.
Ren frowned, confused.
"Like what?"
On the other end of the call, Yaina's laughter was clearly heard.
"No, nothing… forget it."
Ren found the comment curious, but he didn't insist. He had learned that some things were better left alone.
"And how have you been, Yaina?"
"Good. Work keeps me pretty entertained. In fact, if everything continues like this, my boss told me he plans to promote me."
Ren's eyes opened slightly.
Important things were happening to Yaina, the kind many people only achieved near their thirties. Those triumphs caused Ren an uncomfortable sting. It wasn't anger, nor resentment. It was something closer to envy.
"That sounds incredible. I'm really glad things are going so well for you."
"Thanks," Yaina replied. "And now tell me… what was it you wanted to tell me?"
"Have women always had such strange tastes?"
"Is that a question?"
Ren let out a short laugh.
"Yes, you see… Miya asked me for fries with chocolate. Can that even be fused? Because I don't think so."
On the other side of the line, Yaina couldn't hold back her laughter.
"Well, I'm not your wife to give you an answer, but that's not Miya asking… that's your future child, Ren."
Ren's laughter came out broken by discomfort.
"Yeah, that's what she told me. You know… it gets harder every time. I live with the fear that one day she'll ask me for something truly impossible."
"Ah… Sounds like you're regretting getting married."
Ren opened his mouth to respond, but Yaina spoke first, laughing.
"Well, Ren, that's a weight you'll have to carry for getting married. All that's left is for you to move forward and be a good father. Remember you promised me."
Ren let out a sigh. It wasn't because of Yaina's words, but because of the stain in the kitchen that refused to disappear.
"Yeah… you're right."
There was a brief pause.
"And tell me, how is Miya?"
Ren stopped. The cloth went still on the table. The question was strange; in all the previous calls, Yaina had never directly asked about his wife.
"Good…"
"Wow, what a complete answer. I suppose right now Miya must be quite anxious. Pregnancy brings many emotions to the surface, makes everything feel heavier… even the body. The belly, for example, should already be weighing on her."
Ren blinked slowly. Then he tilted his head, doubtful.
"A… belly?"
"Yes… I think Miya should be around twenty or twenty-one weeks now. Enough time for the fruit to mature in her womb."
From the other side of the call, a long sigh was heard.
"Finally finished," Ren said, tired. "Well… I haven't seen any belly…"
"That's strange," Yaina replied.
Before Ren could say anything, a sound interrupted the call.
"Ren, I'm home."
Miya's voice echoed down the hallway. She had returned after spending the morning out, buying things and paying the debts she had spoken about the day before.
Quickly, Ren reacted.
"Yaina, I think we'll talk another day," he said in a low voice. "Miya's back already."
"Alright… take care."
"You too."
The call ended and, almost immediately, Miya appeared at the kitchen entrance.
"Who were you talking to?" Miya spoke.
With the cloth still in his hand, Ren passed it clumsily over the table, pretending naturalness.
"I was… cleaning. There was a stain that took me too long to remove."
Miya set down what she was carrying on the table and approached Ren.
"Why are you trying to dodge the question? I heard you talking to someone."
Ren swallowed. The excuse crumbled when he met her gaze.
"I…" Ren began, but stopped halfway. "Alright. I talked to Yaina. I just…"
"Ren!" Miya's voice lost its sweetness. "What did I tell you back then? I asked you to cut communication with her."
Ren pressed his lips together.
"I can't… she's part of my family."
Miya let out a brief laugh.
"That's not true. She's nothing of yours. Besides, she's not with your father anymore."
Ren blinked, confused by the response.
"Why do you hate Yaina so much?"
Miya stepped forward until she was only centimeters away from Ren.
"Because she doesn't look at you like a friend, she looks at you like a woman. And you seem to know it very well."
Embarrassed, Ren lowered his head.
"She's just my friend…"
"If that's so, why won't you look me in the eyes?"
Ren swallowed.
"I… I'm sorry," he murmured, without raising his gaze.
Miya leaned slightly toward Ren.
"If you're going to apologize… look at me."
Silence settled in for several seconds.
"Look at me!"
A dry sound broke the air.
Ren felt his right cheek go numb. When he reacted, he raised his gaze, confused, his skin burning.
"Now you do look at me," Miya said, without a trace of tremor.
"Miya… you hit me."
"I didn't hit you. I slapped you. Now give me the phone."
"Do you know what you did to me?" Ren said, bringing a hand to his face.
"Yes, I do. Now hand me the damn cellphone."
Miya's eyes changed. They became diabolical and gloomy. It was the first time Ren had seen that look. No, it was the second time, but this one was different.
Without waiting for an answer, Miya snatched the mobile from his hands. Ren only remained still, watching how she held it and took it with her.
"I really don't understand why you make me angry like this."
With moist eyes fixed on Miya, the pale boy tried to understand what had just happened.
Chapter 30: Are You Okay?