Chapter 4: A True Lie
Part 1
A completely devastated man lay beneath his piano, looking up, pondering what he had done wrong. "What could I have done to avoid ending up like this?" was one of the phrases he kept repeating. All sorts of memories flooded his mind, but in none did he seem to find the answer.
"Why?!" He covered his face, trying to mask his pain. "What could I have done to avoid ending up like this?"
Suddenly, silence engulfed him, like a pause amidst his torment. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions suffocating him. Each breath was controlled and precise, an act that reminded him of the constant effort he had put into his life, even in simple things like learning to breathe properly in the swimming workshop. It was at that moment that the image of his teacher— the woman who always seemed to doubt his ability—invaded his mind.
"This is all my fault!" Tears began to stream down his face. "If only I hadn't doubted my feelings for Isabel."
He ran desperately to the bathroom, unable to bear the intense nausea that overwhelmed him. The mix of guilt, despair, and the weight of memories in his mind triggered a physical reaction he couldn't control. Leaning over the toilet, he vomited violently, each spasm a reminder of the pain consuming him. When he finally stopped, a cold sweat covered his forehead, and the bitter taste in his mouth only accentuated the feeling of defeat that enveloped him.
He staggered to the sink, and as he looked up, his reflection greeted him with a mocking grimace.
"I'm trash, and now I look like it! Perfect for me!" He cast a bitter smile at the mirror, trying to cover his vulnerability with sarcasm.
When he returned to the room, a sudden burst of anger overtook him. He kicked an empty box, which hit a shelf, causing several objects to fall, including a shiny silver ring.
"This is it!" His eyes glistened sadly with nostalgia. "So, it was true, what you told me back then. Ha ha ha."
He laughed like this for a few minutes, trying to hide his tears. He stood up and looked at the ceiling with pride.
"I, Adolfo, regret nothing. Thanks to a broken promise, I could spend more time with you! I think that's how you put it, isn't it, Matilda?"
And now, perhaps, just perhaps, he could forge a future where he would not suffer from the same thing again.
Part 2
Adolfo was paralyzed when he saw that girl; it was as if time had stopped, as if he were reliving the moment when he fell in love with Sofia. She was a very beautiful young woman, completely lost in her thoughts, gazing beyond the window. Her long silver hair and her beautiful serious expression highlighted her beauty with great intensity.
Adolfo, a little dazed by the situation, took a step forward and entered the room with great courage.
"By any chance, do you like the piano?!"
A cold sweat ran down his face—a simple question but very out of place. The girl looked at him with a doubtful expression.
"Sorry?"
She looked around, doubting she was the person he was speaking to, but apparently, they were the only ones in that room. Not knowing what to say, she simply waited in silence.
"I wanted to know if you liked classical music."
The question caught her by surprise. After all, how many people ask if you like classical music when you've just met them and are speaking for the first time?
"Uh, yes, sure, I like it..." her face showed discomfort and doubt.
"I know we just met, and I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but when I saw you, you seemed like a fragile and beautiful piano tune."
A short silence covered the infirmary, quickly interrupted by the girl's laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha. Is this... Is this the first thing you say to a girl you've just met?" She couldn't hold back the laughter and let out several chuckles. "Is this a new way of flirting, and no one told me? Ha ha ha."
Unexpectedly, a young girl suddenly appeared to back up Adolfo.
"Bro... Brother, there you are." She took a breath before saying another word. "I heard they sent you to the infirmary. Are you okay?"
His sister looked at the girl who was still trying to hide her laughter.
"Matilda, you're here too. I hope my brother didn't say anything strange to you."
"No, no worries, he just said something that made me very happy."
She walked directly to her brother and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Sorry, Matilda, I'll borrow him for a moment."
She pulled him out of the infirmary and looked at him with a worried and sad expression.
"I knew this would happen. You didn't sleep last night because you were playing the piano, right? You always say things without thinking when you stay up late. I knew it; I should have convinced our parents to let you play the piano without setting that weird condition."
She didn't hesitate for a second before throwing herself into his arms while shedding a few tears.
"I'm sorry, brother! I couldn't..."
Adolfo stopped her before she could say another word.
"Valentina, I'm fine. You worry too much. I was just very excited to be allowed to play at the gala party. Besides, I would feel bad if my little sister worried so much about me."
"See, you're always like this!" She hit Adolfo's chest. "Always..."
He pushed her away slightly to give her some space. He looked at her tearful eyes and wiped her tears with his hand.
"You should go back to class." He put on a big smile. "I'll be fine, okay?"
Once his sister had left, he returned to the infirmary.
"It seems you get along very well with your sister."
"Of course, she's my greatest pride." He paused for a moment before saying another word. "Sorry about before; I think I got a little carried away."
"I understand; you saw a very pretty girl and didn't hesitate to flirt with her. Actually, it wasn't bad. I'd give it 7 points."
He covered his face; he couldn't stand the embarrassment anymore.
"Please forget that," he covered his face; he couldn't stand the embarrassment anymore.
"I don't know if I could do that," she smiled sweetly.
"I'll do whatever you ask, please."
"I know! How about I invite you to watch me play this Sunday at the gala party?"
The girl's eyes lit up like those of a predator.
"Hey, hey, young man, you seem harmless, but you don't miss any opportunity."
"It's not that, it's just that it's the only thing I'm good at, so I thought maybe I could..."
Matilda thought for a few seconds about what she could reply.
"A date, huh..." She looked at his legs for a moment before responding, "All right, I accept. I'll grant you the honor of going with me."
"Shall we exchange contacts?"
"Sure!"
Adolfo stared at his phone for a moment. "Matilda, huh."
"Yes, I think we hadn't introduced ourselves. I'm Matilda Camelia, nice to meet you."
"Oh, yeah, I'm Adolfo, just Adolfo. Nice to meet you, Matilda. I hope we get along well."