Story
That evening, the eve holiday, left the agency earlier than usual. Had not been well all day. He wanted to be alone with myself, in touch with nature. Without this environment, people, problems and closure. Felt cold despite the heat.
The sun, as channeled through the streets, producing flashes in the windows of buildings, behind which was going down slowly. When traveling, cars reflect light in chrome and glass rear, revitalizing, and marched as fleeing from the sun to retreat. Shadows stretched languidly on the floor, ground illumination effect on objects. As I walked, I felt my tension is relaxed, feeling the rhythmic breathing, deep, brought by former teachers. The small cloud of vapor that was with me at times, grotesque, mysterious lit on my face. I had the impression of walking through an impasse. As we progressed, it became more and more noticeable this feeling to go elsewhere. I seemed to perceive less noise, like the murmur of the street was hushed.
Sometimes I amaze these mental processes, conducive to condition annoying errors in the perception of time and situations. However, he was aware that it could not be well ... was not a dead end, he was sure. On the other hand, and could see half a block the small square in front of the Chancellery and later, among the trees, the statue of San Martín. I wanted to walk faster, I wanted to be in the square that was my fate, and the sooner the better.
just finished crossing Esmeralda, folding saw, coming from the street Basavilbaso-an elegant old lady was coming in the opposite direction to me, allowing me to watch. He wore a long coat, cane, and a backlog of his left hand. Moved decisively moving the stick and pendulum rhythmically portfolio. I looked at the piso al andar, imbuida en sus pensamientos. Quizás muchos años atrás...
Me llamó la atención la hermosa iluminación que le confería el sol al caer. Blanqueaba su rostro y su cabello, que lucía recogido hacia atrás, algo suelto sobre la cabeza. Una brisa movía caprichosamente un mechón sobre la sien. Sus piernas, blancas, por efecto de las medias y la luz. El tapado, la cartera y su bastón, negros. Con sus pasos, movilizaba el brillo de los zapatos, inquietando la escena.
¿Cuántas veces habrá hecho este camino, cuántas veces habrá pasado por la Cancillería?, - I thought.
As noted, began to perceive it differently, as if it were much closer to me. I could almost breathe a pleasant perfume, its atmosphere ...-¡ How strange, we separated more than half a block. "I was away, had not yet passed that column ornate lighting. That was the reality, however, could feel her breathing. When he raised his face, I could see her bright eyes .. Time-faded sky and visions. -Figured.
With balancing their portfolios gave off from its golden hardware that hurt my eyes. I need to close them and rub it. When I regained vision, saw in the middle of a hazy, confused his figure with the steam of my breath. There he saw his image .. how he lost his footing and fell. His staff jumped from his right hand, breaking, as she was facing the floor at the start of the Chancellery. Slowly turned his body to be on your side, watching me.
However, the old woman was walking towards me with the same rhythm and the grace with which the discovery, leisurely walking, sleek and secure. And closer, I sensed what had been a beautiful woman, saw her young face and figure dressed in a beige outfit, living in brown corduroy and tone your portfolio. Brown hair, collected, detached a lock on the temple. Elegant and distinguished, he looked at me smiling while swinging his brown umbrella, with skill and mischief.
Is distorted or confused in my mind to reality? Despite the inquiry, I had a hunch that all this happened. It was like lightning, I knew for sure! Driven not know why sensory phenomenon, hurried pace, almost ran ... It was late! The old woman fell on the terrace of the building, tracing the figure of my thoughts, before me, exactly. As I approached fearful, lifted his stick in two. Kneeling next to him with respect-vi made his blue eyes. I watched in amazement as ecstasy, perhaps for the meeting, or the pain. I felt the memory of an old love ...
- Did you hit?, I managed to ask.
- Where were José María? ... So many years!, When you come back?
And babbling, as if thinking aloud, he continued:
- What a coincidence, ¿te acuerdas cuando me conociste aquel ocho de julio, yo había estrenado ese trajecito beige que tanto te agradó después; -Sonriendo continuó; -¿Te acuerdas José María como me ponderabas los ojos?, salías de la Cancillería, regresabas de Inglaterra, para las ceremonias del nueve de julio...
¿Y el paraguas? -Inexplicablemente quiso saber.
-El paraguas se rompió, le respondí… Creo que ya no me escuchaba.
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Del libro inédito, "Zangamanga". Copyright Norberto Álvarez Debans