The clock read 7:00 in the evening, but it already seemed late at night. The shadows were lengthening in the farmhouse, while the cold February breeze brought with it a heavy silence, interrupted only by the barking of my dogs. The Secret Meeting that Changed Everything (Part 2)
From the terrace, I watched them arrive. One after another, the cars were occupying the small gravel esplanade, and the headlights seemed to illuminate not only the road, but the beginning of something I still didn’t fully understand.
As he stepped out of the car, the air seemed to become thicker. He, walking calmly, emanated a presence that filled everything around him. The others followed him, some with suitcases, some with backpacks, but all with serious looks. I tried to keep my composure as they approached, but I felt my heart racing. It couldn’t be real. There it was, in my house. In my farmhouse.
I was torn between the excitement of telling the world about this and the certainty that I should not say anything. If they had chosen Mas Torrencito it was for a reason: the isolation, the privacy, the silence. Any imprudence, any slip-up, could ruin everything. I swallowed the urge to pick up the phone, took a deep breath and went over to greet them.
Joan Miquel was the first to greet me, with his calm smile and his always friendly tone.
-Thank you for having us. Everything has been perfect so far.
Then he introduced me to the rest of the group, and there he was, just a few steps away. He held out his hand, and as he did so, his eyes locked onto mine. He knew instantly that I was nervous.
-It’s okay… it’s all right. -His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that could not be ignored.
That gesture, those words, reassured me a little. I made an effort to look serene as I showed them around the house. The group moved cautiously, observing every detail: the rooms, the dining room with the long table already prepared, the terrace with the chill out area dimly lit by the garlands of lights. Everything seemed appropriate, or at least it seemed so by the nodding gestures of Joan Miquel and Him.
When I finished showing them everything, they spread out in their rooms, organizing themselves discreetly. I stayed for a moment in the chill out, lit a cigarette and let myself be carried away by the sound of the wind. I felt that something big was about to happen, something that went far beyond me, this farmhouse or even them. But I couldn’t figure it out yet.
I went up to the kitchen to see how dinner was going. Meme was in her element, preparing each dish with her usual dedication. The salad was ready, the zucchini cream was simmering, and the fricandó filled the air with that unmistakable aroma of Catalan tradition.
-Everything’s in order,” said Meme, looking over her shoulder at me. You look like you’re on cloud nine, though. What’s wrong?
-Nothing, Meme. Just… a special night.
Before he could explain further, there was a knock at the door. It was Joan Miquel, as always with that smile he never let on much.
-What time is good for dinner? -he asked.
Meme and I exchanged a quick glance, and she responded:
-At nine o’clock everything will be ready.
-Perfect,” he said, satisfied. We’re all doing great.
The Moment…The Secret Meeting That Changed Everything
When he left, Meme went down to the dining room to set the table, while I stayed in the kitchen, biding my time. I was checking emails on my computer, trying to distract myself, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what was going on under this roof. Then, another knock at the door. This time it wasn’t Joan Miquel.
-Come in,” I said, without looking up from the laptop.
When I did, I saw it. He. Standing in the doorframe, hands in his pockets and a relaxed expression. He smiled slightly before speaking.
-Where can I get a beer?
-If you want, I’ll take it up,” I offered.
-Well… do you mind if I sit here with you?
-Sure, sit wherever you want,” I replied, trying not to look too nervous.
I went down to the pantry to get a beer, and when I came back, he was already sitting in front of the table, watching the kitchen with curiosity. I passed him the bottle, and after a swig, he looked up at me with a smile.
-Tell me, what’s a guy like you doing in a place like this?
I couldn’t help but laugh, even though inside I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest.
-Well, just like in the song, right?
We both laughed, and the atmosphere relaxed a little. But her gaze changed, becoming more serious, more inquisitive.
-No, really. You’ve been around a lot before you ended up here, haven’t you?
My mind was racing. He knew about me. He had informed himself. It was not just a casual question. I swallowed my breath before answering.
-Well, I was teaching in Salamanca, I got involved with a student, we went to Nice and then we ended up here… to make a long story short, of course.
-Fuck! You’ve simplified it quite a bit, haven’t you? -he said with a short laugh, “And you’re happy here?
-Very much so. Looking back, after all the places I’ve been, I think this is the best thing that ever happened to me.
-That’s the important thing, in the end. -He thought for a moment, taking another sip of his beer.
Awkward question… but a necessary one. The Secret Meeting That Changed Everything
There was silence, and I decided to take the opportunity to ask him something I had been asking him since I saw him arrive.
-And you? How are you doing? Because, honestly, it doesn’t look easy at all.
He sighed, resting the beer on the table, and for a moment, his expression darkened.
-It’s not. There have been many times when I thought we weren’t going to be able to move forward. Sometimes, we didn’t have the tools to do it right. And yes, I know some people say I backed down. Maybe I did, but there was too much at stake.
-Well,” I said, trying to choose my words carefully, “I think you have all my respect just for trying. Most people just talk, but you… you did it.
-Thank you. But behind me there are many people working. This is not just my doing.
-Do you think that someday…? -I left the question in the air, not daring to finish it.
-We are working on it. We don’t let up. Always onward.
Allibera’m. The Secret Meeting That Changed Everything
At that moment, the door opened and Joan Miquel appeared, a glass of wine in his hand.
-What are you doing here, conspiring? -he asked, laughing as he approached.
-Nothing, talking about life. Are you joining? -I answered.
-Of course, but with a little wine.
I went down to the cellar and looked for something special, something I knew they would like. I went upstairs with a bottle of Allibera’m del Montsant, and when I showed it to them, they both seemed impressed.
-And how is it? -they asked.
-Try it and let me know.
I opened the bottle, poured three glasses, and Joan Miquel raised his.
-Salut.
I, without thinking, added:
-And republic.
The three of us laughed, but the atmosphere was still charged with an intensity I couldn’t ignore. Something big was afoot, something I could not yet understand. As they talked, a question was on my mind: What role would tonight play in history?
(Tomorrow the final chapter will be written).
From Mas Torrencito we wish you a HAPPY FELDE FINDE!!! and may your dogs accompany you !!!!
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