The Gift

The worst mistake I made was leaving my phone at home. Despite being physically present, my mind wandered around the room, waiting for X's call. I barely touch my food. My anxiety doesn't allow me to pay attention to Carlos, who constantly moves his lips, showing signs of nervousness. If I were paying attention, I would say that my husband is about to tell me something.

"Dalia?" Carlos calls, bringing me back to reality. "I didn't bring this just for your birthday. I know it's the most important thing today, but I have something to say."

He signals the waiter, who brings me a glass of champagne and another for my husband, piquing my curiosity.

"Some rumors came up at the company, but nothing concrete until this morning's meeting," Carlos says, smiling. "Dalia, I am the new partner in the company! We're partners!"

"Oh my God," I exclaim, surprised. "Congratulations! I'm so happy to hear that! That's great, my love."

"We will finally be able to buy the apartment of our dreams," Carlos says, happily. "We will start shaping our lives and fulfilling our dreams."

"Absolutely, my love. I knew you would succeed. You are hardworking and deserve this."

"And that's not all," Carlos says. He takes out a small black box and places it on the table, opening it immediately. Inside is a gold pendant in the shape of a baby. "We can now move on to our next step: having a child."

I hold the pendant in my hands. That was an old dream that I thought we wouldn't fulfill so soon. I look at my husband, moved. Finally, I would have what I wanted most in life: a child with Carlos.

"So," Carlos says, emotionally. He raises his glass, and I touch mine to his. "A toast to us, to our future family, and to the child we will conceive from now on."

***

We arrive home, entangled in each other. I take off Carlos's suit and throw it on the floor, then he throws himself on top of me, pushing us onto the couch. We're kissing when I notice that my cellphone's screen is flashing, indicating a missed call. I push Carlos off me and grab the phone while being observed by my husband's confused eyes. I look at the screen, and the word "Mom" stands out. I show it to Carlos and answer the call.

"Hi, Mom," I say, breathless.

"At last, you answered this phone, Dalia," my mother says, worried. "I'm calling to confirm your schedule for tomorrow."

"We'll be there for lunchtime, Mom," I reply, irritated. "Carlos said it on Sunday."

"I know, I'm just confirming. Well, have a good night, and happy birthday."

"Thank you, Mom," I say, hanging up. I notice that I have two more missed calls on my phone. I scroll through the call log, but none are unknown. I look at the clock; it's one in the morning. Mr. X didn't call me. I look at my husband and pull him back.

Carlos pulls me out of the sofa, and I wrap my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. He gently throws me on the bed and finishes taking off his clothes. I sit on the bed, and he approaches me, kissing me again while tearing off my dress, impatiently. He steps back and looks at me, breathing heavily.

"Are you ready?" he asks.

"I am," I reply, kissing Carlos again.

He pulls my dress off, finally removing it from my body. He lies on top of me and kisses my neck, slowly descending, savoring every inch until he reaches my breasts. He caresses them while entering me, slowly.

Our pace is calm, unhurried. We don't rush to finish. He buries his head in my hair, and I kiss his neck, sliding my hands down his back.

"I love you," Carlos murmurs, kissing my forehead. Then each of my cheeks. He lightly bites my chin and then captures my mouth, pulling my lips. "You're wonderful..."

"I... love you too," I say between each forceful thrust from Carlos. I hold onto him, biting his shoulder and scratching his back.

He increases the speed, observing my expressions of pleasure. He clings to me, and we lose control... he completes me... and I become him again... as it should be...

***

The ringtone of my cellphone wakes me up. I remove Carlos's arm from on top of me and go to the living room. It's probably my mom freaking out because we haven't arrived yet. I answer the phone while letting out a yawn.

"Hello, Mom," I say.

"Good morning, sweetheart," a calm male voice says from the other end of the line.

My body feels like it's been electrocuted. I feel an electric current passing through my entire body. It can't be... is it?

"Dalia? Is that you?" the man asks from the other end of the line.

"X?" I ask, returning to reality.

"Yes, it's me," X says from the other end of the line. "I know I was supposed to call you yesterday, but I didn't want to interrupt your day with your husband. Well, I'm calling to wish you a happy birthday. May you continue being the sweet and captivating person who attracts everyone around you. You're amazing, and you deserve the best in life. I hope to spend many years watching you flourish and being this incredible woman."

"Thank you," I reply, unable to believe I'm talking to him.

"And I didn't call just for that," X says, in a more serious tone. "I was informed yesterday, and I need to tell you: I am the new division director of the organization. In a week, I'll be heading to Switzerland. It's not permanent, just two years, and then I'll be back. What do you think?"

My phone slips from my body and falls onto the living room carpet. Mr. X is leaving my life...

"Dalia, are you there?" X asks, concerned. "Hello? Dalia?"

I pick up the phone from the floor as I wipe my face, taking a deep breath.

"Yes, I'm here," I say. I take a deep breath and try to sound happy. "I'm glad to hear that you got the job of your dreams. Carlos became a partner yesterday. What a coincidence, right?"

"Excellent, I'm very happy to hear that," X says calmly. My news doesn't affect him.

"We even started trying to have our child," I say, trying to hurt him.

"That's great to hear, Dalia. I'm sure you'll be a great mother."

"That's the idea," I say between silent tears.

We stay silent for a few minutes. His breathing intoxicates me, and I close my eyes.

"I need to hang up... I have to go to my birthday party," I say.

"Your family really threw a party for you," X comments, chuckling.

"As you can tell, yes," I say. "I need to hang up... Good luck in Switzerland, X. Goodbye."

"It doesn't have to be a goodbye, Dalia. After all, I'm just going to Switzerland, not to another planet

. We may not talk as frequently, but I'll still find a way to talk to you. Find your path and be happy with your husband. See you soon, sweet."

"See you soon, X," I say, listening to the line go silent.

I keep staring at his number on my cellphone. Now that I finally managed to hear his voice, he's gone... even though he says it's not a goodbye, I feel like it's the end.

"Good morning, love," Carlos says, hugging me. He looks at my cell phone and asks, "Who was it?"

"A friend... he called to say he's moving far away... really far away," I reply.

"Hmm... I see," Carlos says, stepping back. "We need to get ready and go to your party."

I pull him back and lead him toward the bedroom.

"I don't mind being late. We have a child to make!"