Chapter 5.

The afternoon passed and Willy was inside the house working and waiting for the time to go to Felix's club while Reena was in the backyard of the house, the cool breeze touched her face, it was evident that she had forgotten how pleasant the feeling of the air on her face was in this place that brought so many memories everywhere; I don't know how long I stood in that place that brought so much peace to my soul; I limited myself to closing my eyes and listening to the birdsong around me, it was a feeling full of glory...

I slowly opened my eyes and I could see the pond at first sight; since the light that touched the water made beautiful reflections on the surface...

From one moment to the next his voice was clearer, it was more real; that voice that has tormented me for years is now increasingly clearer.

I'm here Reena, said Darren.

Leave me alone Darren.

Reena look at me

You don't exist; Leave me alone… you're not real…

I felt someone touch my shoulder and that was the straw that broke the camel's back, so I screamed with all my strength, ¡¡¡LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

Reena, ¿are you okay? Willy said…

It's you, Willy; I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you; I'm sorry…

Relax, I'll go with Luke to the house to change, ¿will you be okay alone?

Yes, great.

I just watched as Luke and Willy walked back to their house leaving me alone again, ¿maybe loneliness is part of my destiny?

Before entering the house completely, I took one last look at that pond that had so many secret memories.

The weather was a little cold so I wore a big jacket with some leather boots, it was almost time for Willy and Luke to come for me.

I heard a scream coming from the balcony and when I looked out the balcony, Luke and Willy were indeed waiting for me.

I was a little hesitant to put on that ring, because I couldn't explain its origin, since now the fictitious has become something real...

I want a normal life; but if I'm holding on to your memory I'll be doing myself more harm... she told herself...

I threw the ring off the balcony away from me, I couldn't believe that an immense heat was present behind me as if it were going to prevent me from throwing the ring away; but a loud sigh behind me made me feel strange, so I didn't hesitate to go down and leave the house to see Luke and Willy waiting for me.

Gosh, ¿are we going to a funeral? Luke said.

Don't talk nonsense, she looks beautiful, Willy replied.

The road to Felix's family's club is rocky; and the car broke down halfway there, so we had to end up walking to the club.

They finally arrive; they knew they wouldn't let me down said Felix.

¿Do you think I can refuse your invitations? If it were up to me, I would live with you, said Luke.

That's the attitude; ¿A drink Reena...? Felix offered.

Of course Reena answered.

I took that drink of vodka that Felix had in his hands extending to me and we entered with more confidence into the club that was closed to the public.

Great; I like this girl.

Well, let's go to the bar because I'm really thirsty, Luke appeared.

Well, let's go Luke; Reena, if you want to dance, tell me so I can find you a guy, and if not, here I am.

Felix ended up going to the bar with Luke who was thirsty from the walk, while Willy was silent next to me.

¿Do you want some of my drink Willy?

In short, I was having the best conversation of my life with Willy, we were so similar that it would be a lie to say that he wasn't a photocopy of me.

The sound of a message from my mother was present, she told me that she would stay at a hotel near the company, but she had already told me that she would not be home; perhaps she just forgot that she had already warned me that she would not arrive.

Luke's voice was present, drawing my full attention.

Ladies, come here...

Luke seemed to be leaning on Felix's shoulder and was not making much effort to walk properly, because he wanted Felix to carry him, but Felix had refused and that's why he only dragged his feet, but Luke separated from Felix and sat on Willy's legs.

Willy, I love you; you're a great man.

¿How much did Felix drink?

He wiped out everything he found on the bar.

Gosh, poor kidneys said Reena.

Reena should go out with Willy; he's everything a woman looks for; he's kind, understanding, affectionate and I love him as if he were family.

Luke's comment made me burst out laughing along with Felix, because I basically forgot they were cousins.

There are clothes in my room up there, you can use them.

I'll be back in a moment, said Willy.

We'll be back Reena; Willy is going to bathe me, but don't misinterpret the situation, he's just going to bathe me.

I could visualize how Luke and Willy got lost in the stairs to get to Felix's apartment above the club.

And immediately I could see and feel how Felix was lying on the furniture next to me relaxing.

relief, I could no longer stand Luke's affection; when he drinks, his homosexual side comes out.

I laughed at Felix's comment and looked at the stairs to see Luke and Willy, but they were no longer there, on the contrary, Oscar, Felix's cousin, was there, his gaze transmits hatred and coldness towards me, but I don't know him and I don't owe him anything to know.

Felix, your cousin is scary.

Felix.- ¿Óscar? Well, he is weird.

¿Weird in what way.?

It's complicated, Felix answered.

You can trust me, I'll understand.

Well, I like you a lot, so I'll tell you.

He can see things that we can't see.

¿How did they come to that conclusion?

Well, he's always been like that, we've studied together all our lives, we're always the same group.

I remember that in high school I was always afraid to approach him because he was always playing alone with imaginary friends; my mother told me that he needed friends and that's when we started hanging out with him; I thought I was crazy until one day I witnessed something… that made me understand that everything was true.

¿What happened?

We had a grandfather named Henry; he died when we were children, he was always very close to us when we were children, that's why his departure hurt us.

Because of that, Oscar 's mother always came home and therefore Óscar did too, I remember that day Reena as if it were yesterday, I have not been able to forget a single detail of that event.

I remember that I was at home eating when Oscar came to tell me that he and my grandfather wanted to play with me; despite that, I didn't take it seriously and I went to play with him, although it was strange that he mentioned my grandfather.

Everything was normal, we were playing Ping Pong, but the ball went off into the street, I was about to go get it, but don't call me crazy Reena, but I swear, the ball came back before going out into the street as if someone was returning it; The ball came straight to where I was, Oscar noticed that I was petrified and told me: Grandpa says that going to the street is dangerous… And that was true Reena, Grandpa didn't like us to play near the street and that fact alone made me completely believe what Oscar said.

I don't know what to tell you, I don't think much about those things.

I don't blame you, I wouldn't have considered it either until I experienced it; by the way, I recommend that you adapt to this type of comments.

¿Why do you say that?

Because of what happens in the place where you live.

Felix went to see what was happening on the second floor with Willy and Luke and Reena Claymore went to the kitchen to get some water; I was surprised not to see anyone in the kitchen, I guess it's good to have a solitary place where I can think and escape from the real world...

But suddenly, cold hands rested on my waist, making me feel fear and panic, an indescribable feeling that until then I had never had...

Hands slammed my body against the wall, making the tension get out of control and nerves invade my mortal body, ¿what was this feeling that dominated my entire being and settled inside my soul stalking my darkest thoughts?

The memory is still alive, it has accompanied me throughout the journey, each step has experienced suffering, my nostalgia on the journey is felt through the energy of his breathing, as if I already knew him, or perhaps, it is that he already knows me without even me knowing it, the same moonlight falls on our shoulders, we even feel very close when remembering the past; I looked for you in the distance and in the end I couldn't understand it...

You can feel it, there is someone who is perhaps sad because you have forgotten him and you refuse to accept what is real, said Oscar.

Let me go Oscar, you are crazy, I don't know what you are talking about and perhaps the reality that you are proposing is something that I am completely unaware of.

Keep lying to yourself telling yourself that, perhaps you are the only one who believes it, because he is as real as my voice, and the ring that is in your right pocket is the living proof that you know him, even though this morning you had thrown the ring away, it is there and if you don't want to believe me you can check yourself and you will realize that what I am telling you is true because I can see what others don't see and you can also see what others don't see and if you continue refusing to believe in it and insist on thinking that Darren is a product of your imagination, the answer is in your mind and only you can differentiate it.