CHATTING WITH THE MOTHER-IN-LAW

It's been two days since Rodrigo and I fought.

I've always been very controlled about my jealousy, but that situation threw me off track.

It's okay that the house belongs to his mother, but did it cost him to put a limit?

Who does that girl think she is to be so comfortable in other people's houses.

I confess that these two days were hell for me, I'm in automatic mode.

I still haven't decided whether to call Rodrigo to try to find a solution for this, he had already made it clear that the rules were not his.

What could I do but accept?

Our courtship never went through any turbulence, and we were always very understanding with each other, without demands or questions.

It was definitely a healthy relationship, until this girl came along.

- What a big shit, whenever I think of her wearing that skirt, my anger increases, nobody deserves to wake up already thinking about it. I grumbled.

I went to work on the strength of hate, everything that had happened completely altered my mood. At lunchtime my cell phone rang.

It was Rodrigo, who had already tried to talk to me in the last two days, and since then I ignored him, but this time, I decided to answer him, I knew that fight had gone too far, but I was still very angry.

- Hello Rodrigo.

Rodrigo: Good morning Melissa, how are you? Finally, he decided to answer me.

- How do you think I am?

Rodrigo: From the tone of your voice, I believe you're still pretty upset.

- Yes I am.

Rodrigo: Can I come see you today?

- Not today, not yet.

Rodrigo: Damn Melissa, you're making everything more difficult, you know? I'm trying to get along with you.

- And I'm telling you that I don't want that now Rodrigo. Look, I'm still not well, and finding ourselves in these conditions will only make us fight even more.

When the anger I'm feeling passes, I look for you.

Rodrigo: Two days should be enough.

- It's not up to you to decide that.

Rodrigo: Okay then. I just wanted to ask you something.

- What?

Rodrigo: Call my mom, she wants to talk to you.

I'm going to hang up now, take care.

She hung up without even explaining to me what Laura wanted with me.

Rodrigo has a bad habit of running away from conversations that are not convenient for him.

I spent the rest of my day thinking about the content that could be the conversation with my mother-in-law.

When I went to college, I didn't even pay attention in class.

I got home, looked at the clock and deduced that at that time Laura would have already arrived home, and could attend to me. So I decided to call her.

- Hi Laura, how are you?

Laura: Hi Melissa, how are you?

- Well, as far as possible. But I'm calling you because Rodrigo said you wanted to talk to me.

Laura: Yes, I would have called you first, but I was hoping you felt ready for this conversation.

- What conversation?

Laura: Could you come over here? I think what I have to talk to you about shouldn't be done over the phone.

- Can it be Now?

Laura: Of course. I'm waiting for you.

I took a quick shower, put on some tights, a low-cut blouse and sneakers.

I did some basic makeup, put on the perfume that Rodrigo loves, although I didn't intend to get along with him.

And I spent the whole ride hoping I wouldn't get irritated by some other outfit on that girl, who was certainly there.

And I hope she won't be the one to answer me like last time.

My voice almost didn't come out that day, I was so angry.

I keep replaying the whole scene in my head, over and over again.

She saying that my boyfriend wasn't at home, so I could come back later.

- What a hate.

I arrived at Rodrigo's house, and was attended by him, who didn't seem to understand what I was doing there.

Rodrigo: Melissa?

- I came to talk to your mother. I answered coldly.

Rodrigo: Come in, she's in the office.

I walked in and didn't see that girl.

Rodrigo picked me up and leaned me against the door, I wanted my body on his.

He looked at me with longing eyes, took a lock of my hair and put it behind my ear, and kissed me.

It was a very long kiss, which I didn't want to interrupt for a minute.

Until he released me, and it took me a few seconds to open my eyes.

Rodrigo: I miss you so much Melissa, I don't know what my mother wants to talk to you about, but regardless of anything, I need you to remember that this relationship only involves you and me.

And that if there's something that makes you sad, you should talk to me so that together we can try to solve it like we always have. This whole avoiding me thing isn't doing our relationship any good.

So please, when this conversation with my mom is over, come up to my room so we can try to work this out.

- All good.

I walked towards the office, reformulating everything I heard from Rodrigo.

And from what I understood, that conversation with Laura had everything to do with the reason for our fight.

- Hi Laura, can I come in?

Laura: Hi Melissa, come in. He replied with a smile on his face.

Do you want something to drink?

- No, thank you.

Laura: Well Melissa, you must have wondered what this conversation was about, I don't like to beat around the bush, so I'll get right to the point.

I know that you and Rodrigo have been at odds, and that makes me sad, because I adore you and I can't imagine calling anyone else daughter-in-law.

I know that the reason for these fights is because of my boyfriend's daughter, her name is Yanka.

And I don't think Yanka will be a problem for you Melissa.

She just got here, she got along with everyone, she's a super sweet, friendly and playful girl.

Do you really think that an outfit defines a person's character?

Could it be that the problem really is Yanka or her lack of trust in Rodrigo?

Since you two started dating, I've never seen Rodrigo be interested in anyone, he's crazy about you my angel, I don't see any reason for all this insecurity. Completed.

At that point, I felt tears run down my face.

Since I turned 18 and started living alone, I no longer had my mother around to vent my fears and insecurities, and despite calling her almost always, I don't have the courage to say everything that's going on, so I don't make her worried. So, Rodrigo's mother became a second mother to me, she always advises me, goes to visit me, asks me out just the two of us, so her word has a lot of weight for me.

I tried to pull myself together so I could talk about what was bothering me.

- Look Laura, I always had a lot of confidence in Rodrigo, so much so that this is the first time we have a fight at this level.

I know this is your house, and you can put whoever you want in here, especially when it comes to your boyfriend's daughter.

However, I don't think it's appropriate for her to go around in tiny clothes.

Not to mention that your overconfidence didn't let you see what was going on under your nose when you were married.

And I'm sorry for bringing this up, but if I give you the freedom to give your opinion about my relationship with Rodrigo, I can also say what I think about your marriage to my father-in-law.

You trusted so much, thinking that everyone was worthy of your trust, that it ended up interfering with your judgment.

I am not like this with Rodrigo because I distrust him, I am like this because of the disrespectful situation with which this is treated with me.

I just found out about all this, so in addition to having to deal with a lot of information at the same time, I still have to come visit my boyfriend and find a girl almost showing her panties.

What kind of balance am I going to have in a situation like that?

In Rodrigo I trust.

What I don't trust is someone who just arrived and thinks it's normal to feel so comfortable in other people's homes.

Laura: Even though I was wrong in my judgment about my ex husband and his mistresses, I still prefer to believe the best in people.

I cannot live my present based on what happened in my past.

When we relate to someone, we assume a commitment of respect and trust.

If one day Rodrigo betrays you, don't think I'm going to shake his head.

If Yanka isn't exactly what I believe she is, and if one day she really is something you might be concerned about, I'll be the first to talk to you, apologize, and sort it out.

All I ask is that you don't let something that never happened interfere with your relationship with Rodrigo.

-It's okay Laura. After all, it's only for a few days, right? It's bearable.

Laura: So Melissa, that's another issue we need to address.

- Like this?

Laura: Yanka isn't going to spend just a few days here, she's going to spend more time.

She's going to college here, and her father asked me to help her with this transition, until she gets used to the city and can manage on her own.

After all, she doesn't know anything around here, she doesn't have friends or family.

The closest she will have to a family will be me. So, I'm telling you soon, so that this doesn't become another problem in the future. He concluded.

I quickly got up from my chair and walked around the office, feeling my blood boil.

- This whole thing is unbelievable. I said nervously.

Laura: Melissa, unfortunately this is a situation that you will have to get used to. I'm sorry, there's nothing you can do.

- It's okay Laura. Is this conversation over yet? I need to go home.

Laura: Melissa, please don't be mad at me.

- I've heard enough, I'm going okay? Thanks for being honest with me.

I turned away, already feeling tears form and fall down my face.

As if that wasn't enough, I found that indecent woman at the bottom of the stairs, while I was going up to talk to Rodrigo.

Wearing a short dress with a huge neckline.

I glared at her angrily, dying to put my hand in her face.

When I saw Rodrigo at the top of the stairs.

Rodrigo: Melissa, come on.

I looked away from her, and went up the stairs towards Rodrigo.

We went to the bedroom, and then I couldn't help but cry.

Rodrigo quickly hugged me, ran his hand through my hair, and tried to give me the comfort I needed.

- Why didn't you tell me she would stay here longer?

For some time now, I've always been the last to know what's going on in your life, Rodrigo. Do you have any idea how I'm feeling? I said through tears.

Rodrigo: You're absolutely right. Pardon me. I promise I will improve our communication. Please don't cry.

I let go of his embrace, and sat on the bed trying to calm down.

- I'll try to accept this situation because I know it's not up to you to decide to keep this girl here.

But I'm not going to be the least bit nice or polite to her.

Don't expect that from me.

If something bothers me, she'll listen.

Did you understand me Rodrigo?

Rodrigo: Alright love.

It's only fair, and I won't repress what you feel.

- Thank you for understanding me. Now or I'm gone.

Rodrigo: Don't you want to sleep here?

- No. Everything in my power to avoid looking at that girl, I'll do, even if I have to cut back on my coming here.

I'm sorry, but it will be like this.

Rodrigo: We hardly see each other anymore Melissa, how is this going to work?

- I don't know Rodrigo. I'm hot headed, let me think calmly about all this, okay? I'm already going.

Rodrigo: I'll walk you to the door.

We went downstairs, and again I saw Yanka, sitting in the living room with a book in her hands.

I walked past her, trying to ignore her, but the motherfucker had the nerve to speak to me.

Yanka: Are you Rodrigo's girlfriend? What's your name?

I stopped and glared at her as she gave me that fake smile.

Rodrigo: Come on Melissa, keep ignoring me.

Yanka: Haaa, it's Melissa, right? Great pleasure.

Rodrigo left dragging me, afraid of seeing me flying over that girl and breaking her into a thousand pieces.

- Why Rodrigo? Didn't you just say you wouldn't repress my feelings?

Rodrigo: Baby, if you could see yourself a minute ago, you would realize that I avoided a disaster.

So, please breathe.

Come on, I'll drop you off at your apartment, and I'll take a taxi back.

Give me the car keys.

I ended up giving away my keys because I was at a huge risk of causing an accident.

Arriving at my apartment, I waited for Rodrigo's taxi to arrive. Before he left, he said that everything would be fine.

So I would try to hang on to those words, hoping our relationship would survive.

I have a stable life, although I'm still in college and still financially dependent on my parents, I see myself as very advanced compared to girls my age.

Everything I have today was given to me by my father. The apartment when I reached the age of majority, that year I got a car, after I got my driver's license, to make it easier for me to get from work to college.

But one day, I'll be able to handle my responsibilities alone, and I'll be able to think about my marriage to Rodrigo.

If it were up to him, it would have happened already.

He has spoken to me several times about this.

And I've always avoided talking about it, because I don't want to lose focus on my studies. I'm one hell of a woman with strength and determination, I shouldn't feel belittled by a girl who doesn't even know how to dress.

If one day Rodrigo betrays me, he will be the one to lose.

I walked into my room and all I wanted to do was take a shower and go to bed.

When I finally managed to do that, I couldn't stop the tears that were insisting on falling.

I thought about everything my mother-in-law told me, and I was hoping that she really was right about this girl not being a problem between me and Rodrigo.

Like her, I needed to believe the best in people.

Sleep was already coming, and I finally fell asleep.