CHAPTER 5

| FABIO |

Um... thank you, I guess. - I'm snare my throat awkwardly. That was a compliment, right?

Of course i do. -the girl in front of me laughs and shakes her head in denial. But I'm not here to be weaving compliments on strangers I've supposedly met. I need a ladder, do you have one to lend me?

I'm scouring my mind trying to remember if I have such an object, but since I just woke up from a heavy nap on the couch, the flow of thoughts is still slow so I can formulate a coherent answer. I think I do. Come on in, I'll get it for you.

It's all right. -Maya, the new neighbor, agrees to follow me when I open the door more so that I can enter and disappear for a few seconds in search of the ladder you asked for.

I find the ladder in the little room that serves as a dispensation and return with it in hand.

Can I ask why you need this at this time of night? It's already a little late and tomorrow is Monday, if it's a matter of some repair you can hire someone in the morning, wouldn't it be easier? -I comment as I carry the utensil towards your apartment, but I stop realizing that i may be being too invasive and getting into where I wasn't called. - Look, I'm sorry about the break-in, if you don't want to answer it's okay, I...

No, come on. Relax, Fabio. -she responds with two hands on my back pushing me into her house. Look, it's because of this. -Maya points her index finger up when stopping in front of me and then I understand.

Oh, my God, this is looking like a mausoleum. -I say by noting the sparse clarity that should serve as lighting for the environment. But you shouldn't change the light bulbs if you can't see straight, Maya. Leave this task for tomorrow and...

- You don't understand, I need to do this today or... -the girl who's as much as she is, completely ignores my advice and climbs the ladder that's already open in position for use.

So it all happens really fast, Maya doesn't see when her false foot thinks she's on the next step and all I can do is react with the reflection of picking her up before she gets hit on the ground. It's very lucky that I'm right behind the stairs to be able to support her or otherwise Maya would have definitely had a serious fall that would probably result in the fracture of some limb or even the neck leading to her death. I squeeze my body into my arms against my chest with force, feeling every nervous ending vibrate inside me due to the hell of a fright.

Nice catch. - she plays like nothing too much has just happened and I tease my eyes with a beating heart.

I get Maya's carefree face and I can't understand how this different girl might not be shaken by her near death seconds ago. My hands remain icy like two blocks of ice as they tremble a little, and for some unknown reason I can't let go of this light, small body I have in my possession, afraid that something worse will happen next.

-Far from me seem like an ungrateful person and be complaining, because it's very good here, but if you want you can put me down, Fabio. -Maya says giving two pats on my chest and resting one of her tiny hands on the uncovered part where there are some open buttons.

I shudder with the delicate touch and an unwelcome sense of shock seems to hit my nervous system causing me to release it immediately.

You must be crazy, girl! -grumbling contradicted and look away at any other point in the living room filled with cardboard boxes, all to prevent her from noticing my blushed face.

You're a stupid old man, Fabio. Don't get carried away by the moment, she's just a girl... Don't look too much. That's not for your beak. I reproase myself mentally and take a deep breath before I go back to Maya.

- I'm going to do it for you myself, so we avoid another scare like this. -sigh and path to the switch to turn off the main lamp leaving only the other ones lit to assist in the change.

First of all, I'm not crazy. But I can be if you want... she laughs by putting herself in my way when I mention climbing the stairs. - And second, my name is Maya. M-A-Y-A. -she spells like i'm a child in the process of literacy. Not a girl.

Now, please get out of my way and let me finish this.

- I don't remember asking you to do anything for me but lend me the ladder. -she says crossing her arms in a defiant posture and I snitch exasperated.

So you'd rather risk your life than let me perform a simple task just out of pride? -indague incredulous to which she turns her eyes impatiently.

- It's not a question of pride, it's a matter of independence. Have you ever wondered if every time I needed help I had to ask you or someone? I can't, buddy.

And what's the big deal with that? Everybody needs help in this life. - relaying the obvious.

It's not me. I'm not everyone, dear Fabio. Understand that once and for all. -Maya insists and finally manages to make me lose the little patience I have.

- There's no point in knocking on you, so... Excuse me. - and saying that, I put my hand up with the intention of getting her out of the way, but the weese takes a step back and I end up touching the height of her ribs instead of her arm as intended.

Aiii! -she moans in pain and rubs the place with a grimace.

- There's no way I hurt you that bad with just one touch, Maya. Don't be dramatic. -I comment with a tone of criticism, however worried that maybe it actually hurt her even if unintentionally.

- I'm not making a big drama, you son. It's just that I got hurt before when I fell into one of those stupid boxes and it's still a little sore. See! -Maya says irritated when lifting the bar of the shirt just above the area of the ribs displaying a reddish region almost becoming purple.

Eyes down, Fabio! Ignore the small sash of the bra that is appearing subtly and focus on the main one. The ribs, Fabio! The ribs are bruised, and no more up, you shameless! She's just a girl, remember... You must be at least your son's age. Come to your senses, man!

My mind recrimines at the same time and I soon stray ed from the obstacle called Maya, to quickly do what had proposed to me, and then get out of here before my thoughts take me down paths that i shouldn't.