TALKS AND LAUGHS

Hugging in the parking lot, the cold weather accompanies us. Lena and I back to the car, little Ali still sleeping in the back seat. We are on our way, Lena keeps an eye on the road meanwhile I’m looking at the street view. I occasionally stare at Lena and look away.

“Hey… can I move in tomorrow?” Lena says. I didn’t hear Lena because my eyes are focused on the view. “Maia!” Lena says. I gasp and I immediately move my head to Lena “Jeez Christ, you scared me!” I say. Lena laughs as she stares at me “I’m asking you” Lena says.

“What? Sorry, I didn't hear anything” I say. “Can I move in tomorrow?” Lena says. “Umm… sure,” I say as I point my eyes to hers. “I’ll pick you up at 7 tomorrow morning!” Lena says as her eyes focus on the road.

“Sure, I’ll help you move in tomorrow,” I say. Lena reaches over my hand and holds them “Thanks” Lena says as she points into my eyes. I look at hers and smile. We arrive at my apartment, Rosa is already home. Lena helping me with Ali’s things and I’m carrying Alison.

We walk to the apartment together, with Ali’s bag on Lena's shoulder and I hold Ali in my hands. I knock on the door, Rosa opens the door and takes Ali from me. “You guys are finally home, how’s your day at work?” Rosa says.

“Ughhh… you won’t believe it!” I say as walk towards the living room and lay on the couch, Lena comes after me as Rosa walks upstairs and takes Ali to the crib. “Can you take some water for me, I’m thirsty” I say as I move my head to Lena. Lena walks towards the kitchen and brought the cold water from the fridge.

“Here’s the water!” Lena says as she gives the water to me. “Ughhh… thanks!” I say. “Today is a hella day...” Lena says as she leans onto the couch and sips the cold water. I move my head to Lena and groan “Yeah” I say.

Lena stares at me and smiles, I raise an eyebrow as I stare at her “What?” I say. “Nothing… you look pretty tonight,” She says. “Are you blind? I haven’t cleaned myself today. And my face looks terrible” I say. Lena chuckles as she points her eyes to mine “You’re not! Trust me” Lena says.

“Stop teasing me!” I say as I hit Lena's shoulder gently. “I swear!” Lena says as she laughs. “Ahhh… shut the fuck up!” I say as I stare at her and laugh. “Hey, can I leave you for a moment, I need to clean myself,” I say as I reach over Lena’s hand.

Lena stares at me and smiles “Sure” Lena says. I leave her and walk upstairs, I put my bag to bed and take off my clothes then walk towards the bathroom. I turn on the shower… The water runs over my body and warms me. I inhale deeply as I close my eyes and feel the water.

I suddenly think about Lena and smile. I tried to erase her from my mind but I can’t. I walk to the sink and brush my teeth. I do it quickly because I don’t want Lena to wait for me too long. I run fast and wear my sleepwear. I brush my hair and use my favorite perfume. I run full speed downstairs “Where’s Lena?” I say as I look around the place. “She’s gotta phone call and back!” Rosa says. I walk towards the living room and lean onto the couch; I rest my hand on my head and sigh. Rosa walks towards me “Hey, what happened? You look upset” Rosa says.

“I don’t know...” I say. Rosa sips the hot chocolate and sighs “If you have feelings for her, just tell her” Rosa says. “Are you insane!” I say as I highly raise my voice. Rosa laughs as she stares at me “Just make everything clear” Rosa says.

I sigh “How if she just plays with me?” I say. “Mmm… that means you should find someone else!” Rosa says as she leaves and walks upstairs. I lean on the couch and turn on the TV. “Ughhhh… I can’t stop thinking about her, she doesn’t even text me” I say as I stare at the ceiling and heavily inhale.

I’m waiting for Lena to text me but I receive nothing. “I’m so worried,” I say deep inside. “How if something bad happens to her?” I say with a low breath as I rest my hand on my head. I turn around my body and try to clear my mind. I can’t stop thinking about her tonight.

“Huhhhh…..” I groan. Rosa walks downstairs and comes closer to me “Hey… why are you here?” She says. “I can’t sleep… What are you doing in the middle of the night? Sneaking around the house” I say. “Gosh… I’m about to heat the water for Ali’s milk, she’s crying” Rosa says.

“Ahh…okay,” I say. Rosa walks towards the kitchen and heats the water meanwhile, I’m watching TV but my mind keeps thinking about Lena. “You okay here?” Rosa says as she makes sure that I’m fine.

“Yea…yeah… I’m good” I say. She walks upstairs and leaves me alone in the living room. I’m closing my eyes and trying to sleep. “Ughhh… jeez” I groan. I’m looking at the ceiling and thinking… “I’ll text her” I say deep inside. I reach for my phone and I'm about to text her.

I get up from the couch as I felt my phone vibrate “Gosh holy fucking shit!” I say as I stare at the top of the phone screen. Lena texted me and say "Hey… sorry I’m back without talking to you! Good night X".

I inhale deeply and smile as I reply to the message “That’s ok :D…" I say. Lena responds to my messages "You up?" I stare at the phone screen and smiles as I reply to the messages “Yeap XD”. I read the messages as I suddenly fall asleep on the couch and stop replying to the messages.

The alarm woke me up, I slept on the couch last night. “Morning…” Rosa says. She holds little Alison and is about to feed her. “Hey, baby bear!” I say. Ali giggles at me… “Hey, baby you laugh again!” I say. “How was your sleep last night?” Rosa says. “Ughh… my back hurts!” I say as I hold my back and walk towards the kitchen, I grab the mineral water then I drink it. “Uhhh…” I groan as I lean onto the cabinet. "My back hurts… Fuck!" I mumble. I walk to the living room and hold my back. “You look like Abuelita hahaha,” Rosa says as she laughs.

“Ahhh… shut the fuck up!” I say. I lean on the couch and watch cartoons with little Alison next to me, she sits on the baby high chair. “Hey… baby” I play with little Ali and she’s smiling at me. “Coffee for you,” Rosa says as she gives me the coffee. “Ahh… thanks,” I say as I grab the coffee. Rosa sits next to me, “So how’s Lena? I heard she move in today” Rosa says. “I have no idea! She didn’t text me” I say as I sip the coffee. The bells ringing… “Who’s that?” Rosa says. “That’s probably, Lena!” I say.

“Ughh…” I groan as I walk towards the front door, holding my back and opening the door. “Hey…morning, how are you?” Lena says as she kisses my cheek. “Not good!” I say. “What happened?” Lena says. “I slept on the couch last night and I hurt my back,” I say.

Lena giggles and raises an eyebrow. “Come in!” Rosa says. Lena walks to the living room and I come after her. We sit on the couch and talk about Lena’s plan to move in. “How’s the stuff?” Rosa says as she sips the coffee.

“All clear, I have a couple of luggage in my car,” Lena says. “What… you said you’ll pick me up and I help you today!” I say with a slight grief in my voice. “All clear, it’s okay!” Lena says. “That’s not okay, Lena!” I say as I highly raise my voice.

“Hey… you had a tiring day yesterday,” Lena says as she reaches over my hand. I stare at her and smile. “So, where’s the stuff… I’ll help you guys!” Rosa says. “Alright then…” Lena says. Lena and Rosa walk outside and take all Lena’s stuff to our apartment. I stay with little Ali because my back still hurt.

Lena and Rosa were busy with Lena’s stuff meanwhile I just sit on the couch with little Ali and keep an eye on her. I take Ali from the high chair and walk upstairs. I stand in front of the door “You guys need help?” I say as I'm holding little Ali. ”All good,” Rosa says. I walk into the room and I see them. “I really want to help...” I say. “No, don’t!” Rosa says. “Why! Lemme help” I say. “No, your back hurts!” Lena says. “Ughh…damned!” I say. “Hey... Languages” Rosa says. I’m looking at little Ali and chuckle “Sorry little bear” I say.

Lena put her clothes into the wardrobe and Rosa tidy up the stuff. “Guys it really messes in here, Ali and I need to go,” I say. I walk downstairs and sit on the couch. I put Ali in the high chair and watch TV. Lena and Rosa come… “You guys done?” I say.

“Yeap, all clear…” Rosa says. Lena sits next to me meanwhile Rosa walks to the kitchen and cooks for us. “How’s the room?” I say. “Looks good,” Lena says. “You can sleep at mine if you want to,” I say. Lena stares at me and chuckles.

I lean against, Lena. She holds me and occasionally runs her hand to my hair. Rosa comes “Girls come…have breakfast together,” She says. We walk to the kitchen and sit at the dining table. we look like a happy family this time.

We eat our breakfast together, laugh and talk. I look at Lena’s eyes and I see the happiness inside her eyes. I didn’t know much about her, I just know her for a month and she never talks to me about her personal life or family… but today on a sunny morning we sit at the dining table together like a family, talking, laughing and gather like a family… and I’m in love with her.