Opposing Forces

by aldivan teixeira torres

  —Here everything is a learning experience. The rhythm of nature, the company of you all and this fresh air are lessons that we should take with us for our children and grandchildren. (Marcela)

  —This is all a great communion for me. A communion of spirits that leads us to transcend many stages of our lives. (Patricia)

  After all give their opinion about what they were feeling in that magical moment they start to serve themselves. The cozy environment made them remain silent throughout the meal. After all finished lunch, Claudio announced:

  —Actually, Christine, we didn't come just to have a simple picnic. We are going to set up camp and spend the night here.

  Christine, for a moment, changed color and everyone laughed. She was the only one in the group who didn't know.

  —Huh? And what about the dangers of the mountain? My dad will kill me if I spend the night here. I think I'm going to go.

  —I advise you not to go. The guardian must be lurking, waiting for the best chance to attack. (Fabiana)

  —Don't worry, Christine. Didn't I say that I would protect you? As for your father, don't worry, he knows that we will spend the night here. (Claudio)

  Christine calms down. It would be better if she stayed with the group because she didn't know the mountain and its mysteries. It would really be scary out there all alone. Who knows what could happen? It was better not to risk it. The afternoon progresses and all collaborate in pitching two tents. They are ready in no time. Claudio and Rafael go out to look for wood to light a fire, with the aim of chasing away wild animals that inhabited the region. The women are alone in the camp, clearing the ground around the tents.

  —It's great to come here, Christine. In the evening, this whole place is even more beautiful. After dinner, you will see: It's a total blast. Tell me, is this not better than staying at home? (Fabiana)

  —I'm also enjoying it but you should have let me know that you were going to camp here. I was quite surprised. (Christine)

  —Have you noticed how Claudio looks at her and vice versa? I think the two of them are in love.(Talita)

  —Your eyes are playing tricks on you, Talita. There's nothing between Claudio and I. (Chistine)

  —I, for one part, would be very happy to be your sister-in-law. (Patricia)

  —I am with you on that. (Fabiana)

  —Thanks, you guys. But unfortunately, it is impossible.(Christine)

  Christine, for a moment, looked serious and they stopped with the innuendos. Claudio and Rafael return with all the wood necessary to keep the campfire lit all night. Claudio looks at Christine and she seems to correspond. The afternoon progresses and it gets dark. The bonfire lights the surroundings as the night descends. All gather around it and dinner is served by Fabiana and Patricia. Everyone is eating and talking a bit. Claudio moves away from the group and when he gets a certain distance he makes a motion for Christine to accompany him. She catches the signal and also moves away from the group.

  —What are we going to do, Christine? You and me, together, contemplating these stars. They appear to be witnesses of what we're both feeling. I think that not only they, but the entire universe feels it.

  —You know that's impossible. My parents wouldn't allow it. They're very biased.

  —Impossible? You say that to me, here in this sacred mountain? Here nothing is impossible.

  —But, but. . . . . . . . . .

  —Don't say another word. Let your heart scream aloud, like mine.

  Claudio stepped forward a bit and embraced Christine. Gently, he curved his hand a little bit around her face and patiently touched Christine's lips with his own. The kiss stirred Christine and for a moment, she felt like she was walking on air. A multitude of thoughts penetrated her mind and disturbed her kiss. When it ends, she pulls away and says:

  —I’m not ready yet. Forgive me, Claudio.

  Christine runs away and goes back to the group. Claudio goes with her. The bonfire crackles and all gather around it because the cold is intense. Rafael is standing beside the fire, ready to tell horror stories about the mountain.

  —There once was a dreamer from a small town called Triumph, in the hinterlands of Pajeú. His name was Eulalio. His dream was to become a bandit and assemble his own gang to commit crimes, amass riches, have social power and ostentation and with this also fascinate and seduce many women. However, he did not have the courage and determination needed to do this. He could barely wield a sword. In his land, he had heard of the sacred mountain of Ororubá and its miraculous cave, able to fulfill any desire. Upon hearing this, he did not think twice and packed up to make the coveted trip. He arrived on the mountain, met the guardian, finished the challenges and finally entered the cave. However, his heart was not fully pure and his desires were not righteous. The cave did not forgive him and destroyed his life and his dreams. From then on, his soul began to wander in pain on the mountain. They say he was seen once by hunters exactly at midnight. He was dressed as a bandit and carried a big gun which fired ghost bullets.

  —You mean he became brave after he died? Then the cave, in part, carried out his dream. (Talita)

  —Not quite, Talita. The cave destroyed the dreamer’s life and instead left only his soul with the objects of his desire. Moreover, he is a lost soul stranded in suffering. (Fabiana)

  —This is just a story. There are countless dreamers who tried their luck in the cave and so far none of them managed to survive. For this reason it is called the cave of despair. (Rafael)

  —I wouldn't go in that cave for anything. My dreams I'll make happen with planning, persistence, dedication and faith. (Marcela)

  —I'd go for love. After all, you can't live without taking risks. (Christine)

  —Always the romantic. Christine is in love, people. (Patricia)

  Everybody laughs except Claudio. He was still resentful and hurt because in a way he had been rejected by Christine. He had opened his heart and his feelings; however, it was not enough to convince her of his love. She had spoken of prejudice from her parents but she had been the prejudiced one. The anguish he felt at the bottom of his chest made him travel back in time to remember an episode that had happened two years ago when he lived in Pesqueira and was dating a beautiful blond, the daughter of the mayor. They dated hidden for three months because she was afraid of the reaction of her parents. One day, the father found out and was not pleased. He hired two lackeys to whip and slap him around. It was a beating he would never forget. That was how he felt now: Slapped, whipped and not by her parents, but by her and her own prejudices. However, he would not give up so easily from life and his own happiness. He would show Christine his value and she would understand how much had been foolish to lose precious time.

  Night falls and all are preparing to sleep in their tents. The fire is kept lit to protect them from the vicious animals of the mountain. However, howls can be heard from a certain distance. Christine stirs from one side to the other trying to control her fear. It was the first time she had slept in a sacred place. The hard ground bothered her even more than she thought it would. The howling continues and at that given moment the noise of footsteps is also heard. Christine holds her breath in despair. Could it be the bandit ghost? Or maybe a wild beast ready to devour her? The sounds of footsteps are coming in her direction. A strong wind hits the tent and a mysterious hand appears in the door flap. She is ready to scream but the man who appears says:

  —Relax, it's me.

  Christine calms down and recuperates from the scare. She recognizes the voice. It was Claudio. But what he was doing in her tent at such an hour? Her countenance, overshadowed by the darkness of night, reflected this doubt. Claudio crouches down and asks:

  —I came by to ask you if you've made your wish.

  —Wish? What wish?

  —The mountain is sacred and at midnight it will grant a desire to hearts in love. I've done mine and you know what? I asked the mountain to bring us together in love forever.

  —Do you believe i
n this? I don't think any mountain will change my father's plans.

  —I already told you, the mountain is sacred. Believe me. It can make our dream come true.

  That said, Claudio joined hands with Christine and both closed their eyes. Right then, the two hearts plunged into a parallel plane where they were both happy and free. Christine saw herself married to him and as the mother of at least seven children. The moment was enough for them to feel as one, connected with the universe. The current was broken; Claudio said goodbye and Christine tried to fall asleep on the hard, dry floor.

  The Descent from the Mountain

  As the new day dawns, Claudio rises and begins to wake up the others. Christine is the last to rise. Claudio and Rafael delve into the woods to catch some fish in a pond nearby. It would be their breakfast. Meanwhile, the women try to light the fire with the rest of the leftover wood. Fabiana breaks the silence.

  —Sleep well, Christine?

  —Not very well. This hard, dry ground hurt my back. It still hurts.(Christine)

  —That's the scout's life for you. Get ready because we still have many adventures. (Talita)

  —Did you like the walk, in general? (Patricia)

  —Yes, I liked it. The mountain breathes an air of tranquility and peace. I loved the contact with nature and your company.(Christine)

  —We also enjoyed it, even though this is not our first time. Now you're part of our team. (Patricia)

  —Did you settle things with Claudio last night? (Talita)

  —We decided not to start a relationship because we live in completely different worlds.(Christine)

  —In time, you'll work it out. Love is stronger than the differences and as I said I would be happy to be your sister-in-law. (Fabiana)

  —Me too. (Patricia)

  —I envy you. Claudio is so cute. Too bad he isn't interested in me. (Talita)

  The conversation continued lively among the women but Christine preferred not to be a part of it. Talking about her love, Claudio, hurt her soul because it felt like it would be an impossible love. She knew her parents well and knew they would be totally against this kind of relationship. Her mother still cradled hopes that she would go back to the convent and her father wanted to see her married to a husband of their social level. Both options excluded Claudio from her life but at the same time her heart longed for him; she wanted only him. These were her two "opposing forces" that she would have to reconcile, or even choose between. These "opposing forces" invaded her heart and still left her in doubt. About thirty minutes after they left, Claudio and Rafael come back with a decent amount of fish. The fire was already lit and the fish are placed on the grill. The fish are completely baked and distributed among the members of the group. Claudio says:

  —We were fishing and suddenly an old lady appears asking for some fish for her meal. I gave them to her and in thanks she blessed me and said I was going to be very happy. I didn't know that lady. I've never seen her around these parts. She had this look in her eye that intrigued me as if she knew the future.

  —Maybe she's the guardian? Doesn't the legend say that she lives here on the mountain? (Fabiana)

  —Could be. That's what I thought when I saw her. (Rafael)

  —Then you are very lucky, my brother. There are few people who can achieve happiness. (Patricia)

  —She was really weird. I felt a chill when I gave the fish to her. (Claudio)

  —I'm practical. I even believe the mountain to be sacred by the experiences I have lived here. But then to believe in guardians and in caves who perform miracles is a lot of ground to cover. Soon, you're going to try and convince me that there are ghosts and goblins. (Talita)

  —If I were you, I wouldn't doubt it. Claudio is a serious man and is not a liar. (Marcela)

  —I also believe him. At the convent they taught me to judge people by their eyes and Claudio was totally sincere when talking about the guardian. He is really privileged to have met her. (Christine)

  Silence reigned in those following moments around the camp and the members of the group finished eating their fish. Claudio and Rafael broke down the tents and the women gathered together the objects that they had brought. The group met in prayer thankful for the moments lived in the mountains and began the walk back to the village where they lived. Claudio gently offered his hand to Christine and she accepted. The descent from the mountain was dangerous for beginners. Physical contact with Claudio made Christine's heart jump even more. This man was making her so crazy that she almost forgot social conventions when she was with him up on the mountain. They were moments that had the power to take her to parallel planes where no one could reach her. She had felt really happy in these moments. However, on the way down the mountain, she would have to abandon her dreams of fantasy and face the harsh reality. A reality where she was the daughter of a corrupt, authoritarian and adamant major. Aside from that, she lived for the moments when Claudio held her and kissed her. Christine squeezes Claudio's hand with force to make sure he's really present there, by her side. She had already lost her grandparents and wouldn't be able to take another loss. The group descends from the top and has already gone half of the distance down the steep mountain paths. Claudio, the leader of the group, stops and asks for everyone to do the same. All drink water and continue walking. Christine thinks about her mother and the scolding that she would receive because she had spent the entire day away from home. She treated her like a child, unable to choose her own path. By her influence, she had entered a convent and spent three years of her life as a recluse. She was only allowed out on accompanied walks and only with the permission of the Mother Superior. In that time, she would learn Latin and the foundations of the Christian religion. Culture and knowledge were the only positive things to come out of her stay there. Mostly, it was a wasted part of her life because she had no desire to be a nun. She was tired of being the good girl and obedient as this only brought her losses. The "opposing forces" that she carried within had to be resolved. The group accelerates its pace and in a short time they travel all the way back home. They say goodbye to each other and all return to their homes.

  The Major's Abuses

  Christine's reception went smoothly. Neither of her parents complained that she spent the night on the sacred mountain. After all, she had not been alone. After talking with her parents she took a bath, adjourning to her room, and fell sleep as she felt exhausted. The major and his wife are in the living room, talking. A clapping noise can be heard and Gerusa promptly goes to the door to open it. Lenice, a farmer, waits to be attended.

  —How may I help you?

  —I want to talk to the major. It is very important.

  —Come in. He is in the living room.

  Lenice enters and goes to the living room.

  —Mr. Major, I wanted to talk to you, Sir. It's about my newborn son, Jose.

  —What about him? The father doesn't want to take responsibility? Do you need help to raise him?

  —No, nothing of the sort. I wish that you, Sir, would be the Godfather of his baptism.

  —What? Godfather? To which important family do you belong?

  —I'm a Silva and we work in agriculture.

  —It's impossible. I wouldn't be the friend of a simple member of the Silva family even if I were the last man on Earth. You should check yourself before you come here with such requests.

  —Mr. Major you have no heart.

  The poor woman, in tears, removes herself from the room and leaves. She dreamed of being a friend of the major's just like many from the village did. Her son would have many more chances to grow if he were the major's godson. He would have access to education, health care and a dignified job because everything in that village depended on the influence of the major. All, without exception, wanted some kind of connection with him to have these privileges. Those who could not were relegated to a world of misery and suffering.

  After driving out the farmer, the major prepares to go to the police station. His wife, Hel
ena, straightens her clothes.

  —Did you see that, woman? What impertinence! A major of my worth cannot be the friend of a simple Silva.

  —These people here are dying to be your friends. Gold diggers!

  —If they were at least traders, I'd take it. Have you ever seen anything like it? A major, friends with farmers.

  —I'm glad you put her in her place. I don't think that any more farmers will dare to come here.

  The major says goodbye to his wife with a kiss. He starts walking, opens the door and leaves. He concentrates on what he's about to do. Ever since he had been sworn in officially by the mayor as the main political authority in the region, he had not yet taken any active decisions. The figure of the "nice" major was already annoying him. He had to step up to be respected by other authorities. The major and the colonel had key roles in the consolidation of an unfair structure called the 'group of Colonels,' which reigned at the time. From this unjust structure they reveled in power and pageantry. The major keeps walking and soon he is already approaching the station. He is fully convinced in what he is about to do. He learned, in his tragic childhood in Maceió, how to make decisions in the timeliest manner and he recognized that now was the best time. He picks up the pace to avoid regrets and guilt. He arrives at the police station, opens the front door and announces:

  —Delegate Pompeu, we have an important matter to discuss.

  The major delivers a list to the delegate in his chamber.

  —What's this?

  —This is the complete list of all delinquent taxpayers. I will not tolerate any more delays and I demand that you, sir, as delegate, will handle this.

  —Did you give them an extension on paying?

  —Yes, I did everything in my power. The tax collector, Claudio, told me that they give lame excuses in order not to pay.

  —I don't see what I can do. The law does not allow me to take any action.

  —I must remind you, Mr. Pompeu, that your dear post of delegate will be at risk if you do not take any further action. The law I know serves the strongest and as major I tell you to immediately imprison all these scoundrels and don't release them until they pay their debts.