I Am

Together with other people, they have the opportunity of watching a presentation by the “Bacamarteiros”. The show consists of rhythmical movements co-ordinated by a sergeant. The sound of the “xaxado” is made by the eight-bass accordion, tanned leather “zabumba” and the triangle. As for the costumes, the members of the show wear blue cotton clothes, neck scarf and bullet pouch of Flanders. Another curiosity is the commanders wearing stars in their shoulders and hat, apart from walking sticks or umbrellas.

For about thirty minutes, they were delighted with presentation, which ends with the firing of guns. Luckily nobody was injured. They leave the culture centre and return to the walk on the town streets.

After a few metres Aldivan speaks again:

– What else have you got to show us about your town, Osmar.

– Follow me, gentlemen— He says.

– Let’s go, guys— Agreed Rafael.

– Sure— agreed Renato

The members of the group accompany the host and after crossing a few streets in the centre, they came across a large hangar. Getting near, as the gate was ajar, they realise that, it is the place of a musical group, because the place was full of musical instruments and trinkets related to music. Before the visitors enquiring look, Osmar clarifies:

– This is the headquarters of the society of Santa Cecilia, a cultural patrimony of the people. By coincidence, it is time for their rehearsal. Let’s go in, friends.

Accepting the invitation, Osmar’s friends enter the section that for many was sacred, because of the music. As expected, five musicians tune their instruments, greeted the present public and begin playing a beautiful symphony. Immersed in the serene melody of the music, each feels inside some of the moment’s magic. Through the sound they could see themselves, Rafaela feels the relief of her pains, Bernadete Sousa feels hopeful, Renato thinks of a promising future, Rafael remembers his adoration for the Almighty, Uriel of his devotion to his protector, and lastly, the dreamiest of them all, remembers the obstacles, failures, wins and non—corresponded loves. Before being “I am” he was a normal human and the music that represented at this time was the “I without you”. Even nothing to do with the present presentation, it was what was hammering his head, increasing the hopes of one day, meeting someone who wanted and indeed loved him as he deserves it. It was written!

The symphony ends. This causes a storm of applauses from the seven friends. Showing humility, the musicians come down from the stage and greet each one of them. They introduce themselves, and chat for a while, mentioning their objectives. There, everyone deserved full happiness, for it was this that Yahweh has created the humans.

After a while, the musicians return to their work and the others decide to go back to the inn. With them, it was included Osmar, an unbalanced and sick man, who was paying for his sins. Did he really have any chances of restart his life? Or was he a lost case? Do not miss the next scenes.

The group arrives at the inn. After the paperwork to accommodate Osmar, they head to the kitchen, and with the other guests, help themselves to the food available for dinner. They spend twenty minutes eating talking and silent.

Once they finish dinner, they start other activities during the evening: Watch TV, admire the starry sky and at last praying. Exactly a ten o’clock, in total agreement, they decided to go to sleep, because they were very tired from the journey. And so, they do it. Each one in their respective bedroom, tries to forget the worries and immerse in their own world of dreams. At this point, the “I am” of everyone was very active. Good night everyone, until the next chapter.

Belo Jardim

With the night gone, the dawn arrives, alternating between good dreams and nightmares for our esteemed personalities. Soon, the day breaks, and they consider themselves survivors. One by one, gets up, bath, brush their teeth, wear clean clothes and go to have breakfast at the inn dining room. The aim was to get ready for the next stage of the journey.

They get together in the dining room as a large family. It is served tapioca, wheat rolls, biscuits, cereals, yoghurt, fruit and juice, as for each one’s preferences. While they eat, the conversation flows easy.

– How are you feeling my friend, are you better? (The seer)

– Yes. Just being with you, makes me happier. (Osmar)

– How good. Count on us for anything. (The seer)

– Thank you. (Osmar)

– What was your position at the prefecture? (Renato)

– I was one of the chief in my sector. All the projects had to go through my sieve. (Osmar)

– Great powers, great responsibilities. I understand you and will never accept that type of position. (Renato)

– Me neither. But you have already told me that you dream of high remunerations?! (The seer)

– Yes. But I don’t want to be the chief of anything. My problems with hierarchy are enough. I still carry up to now marks from the time with my father. (Renato)

– Ok. (The seer)

– What was the problem, Renato? (Osmar)

– He was very authoritarian and mistreated me daily. So, I run away from home and the lady adopted me. (Explained Renato)

– I am very sorry. I find that I also felt something like it. (Osmar)

– The problem with power is that many humans are fascinated with it to such an extent that they cannot see anything else. (Rafael)

– I think that is what happened with me. (Osmar)

– So, after being through such experience, what would you advise other people that probably will be in the same situation? (Bernadete Sousa)

– Who am I to give advice? But it is alright. I would advise that the institutions provided comprehensive training involving management of the ambient, practical problems, ethic and administration. I must admit that I was lacking a little of substance and direct view. (Osmar)

– And about your other problem, how did it start? (Rafaela Ferreira)

– I don’t know very well. I only know that was happening. (Osmar)

– I understand you. The sin is like an animal watching us daily waiting for the slightest slip. If we are not in complete communion with the father, we fall in temptation and sin. Osmar, would like me to touch? Thus, I could know you better. (the son of God)

– Touch me? How does it work? (Osmar)

– He is the seer and through the touch he can see our past, present and future, feeling our innermost anxieties. It like a baptism— Explained Rafaela Ferreira.

– Oh, very well. At ease, friend. (Osmar)

Aldivan gets up going near his dear friend. At that magic time, he had a feeling that something important was about to happen by rubbing his skin on his partner’s skin. When he reaches enough distance, stretches his arm and touches tiny belly. Then the story is revealed:

“Osmar is the chief of the municipality of Sanharó financial section. As chief, he is responsible, strict and authoritarian, these last characteristics being well-marked. From a spectacular beginning of command of the town sector, he begins to fall in contradiction and corruption. Fraudulent proposals to the law started to emerge, he began to accept the bribes. At every slip of his, darkness was consolidating and expanding inside his being.

On a beautiful morning in February 2007, seventh day to be precise, he receives new sworn in prefecture employees in his office. One of them is called Aldivan, an aspiring writer whose greatest objective was conquering the world. From the time they met, a mutual friendship develops.

The days pass by, between work, social activities and leisure. At work, as an understanding chief, at work breaks allows the writing of Aldivan’s first book. How special was that lad, despite all his humbleness still believed in a better world, what was not his case. He remained amid corruption and allowed his inner demons to act in the occasions he had relations with minors. They were different and at the same time equal as human beings.

Two months later, they got separated, because Aldivan could not reconcile work, distance and studies at the university. It was indeed a pity, for who knows, with the convivence he may have changed, having someone so valuable by his side. However, it was so written.

The time passed, the crimes continued being committed, and was investigated and uncovered. Besides having lost his post at the prefecture, was incarcerated for some time. After being freed, returned home and began living from his savings. As he was quite old and having amassed a good deal of money, decided not to look for work and began his solitaire life, with a few friends and his employees. Until, on a beautiful day occurred the reencounter with Aldivan and his friends, promising a change in life and the father’s pardon. He accepted an invitation to take part on a journey hoping to reap the results at the end.”

The seer takes the hand away and with a complacent look starts talking:

– We are here to help you, Osmar. We don’t promise immediate success and happiness for that is utopia, but a great dedication to your causes. Here, we are brothers, friends and accomplices. Be at ease!

– Thank you, master. From now on, I will be your most committed apostle. Towards success, brothers! (Osmar)

– Amen! (Renato)

– Welcome to the team! (Rafaela Ferreira)

– Your pains are our pains too! (Bernadete Sousa)

– Count on me, human! (Uriel)

– Let Yahweh father bless this pact! (Rafael)

– Maktub! Let’s travel for time presses. (Concluded Aldivan)

The others obey and head to their respective rooms to pack. Once everything is ready, they meet again and go out to the streets. From the centre where they were to the bus station were fifteen minutes on foot, being covered without incidents. They wait a while until the bus arrives and then they board it.

They depart towards the town of Belo Jardim about 14.7 km (fourteen kilometres and seven hundred metres) away in a straight line. However, by road it was almost thirty kilometres, being covered in approximately thirty minutes.

In meantime, they take advantage to chat and consequently, make friends with other passengers. At the end of the trip, they discuss different objectives and the diversifying opinions, characteristic of a democratic state of rights. How good was to be unique and each one was conscious of it.

Arriving at the town, the transport left them at the highway and from there they hire a taxi taking them to a modest and cheap inn. It was called Blue Sky and they book—in there, arrange to meet in the main area in thirty minutes, and in meantime they try to rest a little. The seer also makes a mysterious phone call.

As arranged, they meet at the time discussed and the designated place. They form a circle and then the seer is the first to speak:

– My friends I have got a surprise for you. You are about to meet a phenomenal person and…

Before he could finish, Aldivan is interrupted by the sound of steps in his direction. It was a black and robust man, about thirty years old, hammered by nature’s forces, legs, arms and belly disformed, firm and strong features. In a matter of seconds, approaches and places himself by his side. Aldivan then explains:

– This is Manoel Pereira, the popular Maneco, I met him in one of my escapades in a fateful weekend. I met him in the ghetto, together with criminals, selling and consuming drugs. How are you my friend?

– The same. And you?

– I have become a writer and I am proposing you an alliance. (Aldivan)

– What? Good morning, guys. Pleasure to meet you all. What are your names? (Manoel Pereira)

– My name is Bernadete Sousa. I am from Mimoso and have done an abortion.

– I am Rafaela Ferreira, from Arcoverde, I am suffering from depression.

– I am Osmar, from Sanharó, a fraudster and paedophile.

– Renato, inseparable adventures companion of the seer.

– Rafael Potester, angel of first greatness.

– Uriel Ikiriri, the seer’s guardian angel.

– I want to change your life through my force and that of my father. We still believe in you. (the son of God)

– How? I have got no life anymore. Everything in me revolves around drugs, criminality, perversity and falsehood. I am no longer human, I am a demon – Lamented Manoel Pereira.

– I know your life and your feelings and I tell you that there is still hope. I guarantee that everything you have done will be left behind, if you give with confidence your problems to me. It is enough to say yes, and the God of the impossible will act! (Aldivan)

Manoel Pereira think a little. What was that madman saying? Was he the poor unarmed lad that he had tried to assault at the ghetto? Was he who asked for mercy when he was in his hands making him have pity of his misery? How could he now help him?

With a look of disdain, asks:

– What have got to offer?

– I want to show a new world, by the side of people with problems too, and together will discover what God requires from us. The key to success is the union and understanding and you will not find it in any place. The world only offers you vice, corruption and death, while I, my father and my friends offer life, happiness, knowledge and above all love. The love that you have never experienced. (The son of God)

Aldivan’s words acted as an alert. He sure was right. The world had not offered him anything good and as he could not see a miraculous way out, he makes a decision.

– It is right. When do we start?

– Right now. Where are your bags? (Aldivan)

– I have got nothing. They have stolen everything. (Manoel)

– I will lend you some clothes. Don’t worry. (Osmar)

– Thank you. (Manoel)

– Me too. You will not be missing anything. (The seer)

– Very well. (Manoel)

– Welcome. (Renato)

– You have made the right decision. (Rafaela Ferreira)

– I and my brother will protect you from anything. (Rafael)

– Let God enlighten you. (Uriel)

– I suggest a walk with our friend as guide. (Bernadete Sousa)

– Sure, at ease. (Manoel)

– Let’s go. (The son of God)

Everyone obeys, heading to the exit, passing through the door and going out to the streets. What was awaiting them in that wild town?

In the ghetto

The members of the group walk through the centre, towards south. At the time, the traffic is quite intense, with cars going and coming all the time. They cross one, two, three avenues having great difficulty at each crossing even with red signal on. Even so, they face everything in a good mood.

What propels them? Among the main reasons were the camaraderie, friendship, thirst for knowledge and the mutual empathy. It was like so for they were more than brothers, were companions at all the time, forming the team of the series the seer, the greatest series of literature of all times, which was on the fourth stage.

Everything they have lived before was serving as foundation for the present moment, where dedication and faith were the main strands. Could they fail? Yes. But they would not let the fear to be greater than courage and hope. They could lose, but not before they have tried.

At the present the group was composed by the son of God, Renato, the two archangels, a depressed woman, an abortionist, a paedophile. All the human scum was present and continuously rested on God’s chest waiting for the answers. And they would advance furthermore.

Head held up high, they would cross one more avenue, and go straight along Humberto Siqueira St., at Boa Vista neighbourhood. At the end of the road, there is a small ghetto, made of a few houses. Manoel leads them to the place where he consumed and trafficked drugs. Luckily at the time they arrived was nobody there. Then he speaks.

– Here is my stronghold of solitude and misery. Do you know what it is fighting and suffering at the same time? It is this way I felt when I helped to supply the drug to family fathers.

– I know it, brother. Think of all that as past which is not going to come back. I and my father are with open arms to receive you. (The son of God)

– I wanted to believe it so much, but… (Manoel)

– Have you got doubts? It is understandable. (Rafael)

– Don’t doubt. Aldivan can do what he says. I say that because I know him since he was only a baby. (Uriel)

– I can speak of my experience at his side. I have known him for five years and at no time I have perceived malice in him. If there is someone trustworthy, is called Aldivan Teixeira Torres, hate, selfishness, vanity, falsehood, rage, pride, luxury, are unknown to him. (Renato)

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