The unexpected encounter

By Zibia Gasparetto and By the Spirit Lucius

In a loving relationship, a demanding, an intractable, a jealous and a clinging woman suffocated the partner who, after seven years of living together, left the house. She had attempted suicide once and threatened to do it again if he didn't return.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: World Spiritist Institute
• Release date: Jul 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088239919

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The clock struck three bells and woke Gisele, who opened her eyes frightened. She sat on the couch, picked up the book that had slipped on the carpet, smoothed his hair, trying to remember the strange dream she had.

In the empty apartment, with the sun coming in through the curtain, she slowly relaxed and fell asleep almost seamlessly.

Her two brothers had gone out to eat and she didn’t want to accompany them, anticipating the pleasure to be alone and be able to read without being interrupted at every moment by one of them that with any excuse asked her something.

With the book closed in his hands, he thought of the dream of moments before with emotion. How nostalgic! She didn’t want to have woken up.

Her parents had died in a car accident more than five years ago and for the first time she had dreamed of them. When she embraced them, she felt overwhelmed by emotion, even smelled the faint scent of lavender that her mother used to wear. They were there, alive, as if they had never died.

Still a little perturbed, she wondered: Nothing happened and they are still here?

But all she did was take a look around to be sure that it really was a dream. That small apartment was very different from the beautiful house they lived before.

She remembered the life she was leading with them, which had been interrupted by the accident that terrible morning. They had gone to visit a nephew who was having serious marriage problems. When they returned, it was raining a lot. A car appeared out of control, her father tried to avoid the accident, but he couldn’t. They both died instantly.

At that time, Gisele was sixteen, Carlos eighteen and Franco twenty-three. They were all students. Their father, José Luiz, had graduated in law, but had never practiced that profession. He preferred to become a businessman. He rented a warehouse, opened a company and earned money buying and selling goods, providing comfort and welfare to the family. Her wife, Isaura, was a public teacher and taught first grade in a state school.

Gisele remembered how good that moment had been. After her parent’s death, she often rebelled thinking of the couple they had gone to visit. She blamed them for the accident. He was the son of her aunt Olga, her father’s sister, who had been married and was always at odds with his wife.

Very jealous, she fought over anything and threaten to commit suicide, alarming the whole family. She was a spoiled young girl and that’s why her parents had lost their lives.

After their death, the three brothers came together to decide how to move on with life. They had never worked and didn’t know what to do.

Aunt Olga, devastated by the death of her brother and sister-in-law, who had gone to her son’s home at her request, did what she could to help them. She took care of the funeral, comforted her nephews as best she could, but the truth is that José Luiz, despite earning a lot of money, spent it all with his family, giving them a good life. So he left them nothing, not even the house where they lived, which was rented.

Franco thought about abandon the Faculty of Psychology and taking over his father’s company. But his uncles wouldn’t allow it, claiming that he had no experience to take over the business and that it would be a shame to leave university in the last year. So, it would be better to sell the company, put the money in savings and live on the interest.

They would have to settle for a more modest life, but for now they would be fine until Franco graduated. Olga’s husband, David, helped them rent a two-bedroom apartment in Mooca and they moved there.

The sale of the company yielded less than expected. The warehouse was rented and more than half of the money from the sold goods and furniture was spent on workforce and the attorney who was handling the legal matters.

Carlos and Gisele left the private schools in which they were studying and moved to public schools.

The parent’s tragedy brought the three siblings closer together.

Gisele remembered the first night they spent in the new apartment. Gathered in the small kitchen around the table after having a hot dog with guaraná for dinner, she said:

I don’t know if we were right to accept the uncle’s opinion. We should have thought more. Maybe it would have been better to try to continue with the company.

Franco sighed sadly:

Well it was what I wanted… but we have no experience. I was afraid of losing everything and having to stop studying.

Mom always said we should never leave school , said Carlos.

I know. That’s why I accepted Uncle David’s advice. Gisele shook her head and said:

He helped us, but I don’t know why, when I think of him, I feel a strong tightness in my chest.

Why is that now? He’s a little limited, but he meant well.

I know Franco, but I feel he’s not sincere, he doesn’t look us in the eye…

That’s true! , added Carlos smiling, mom used to say that he was a man in disguise.

You mean false. That’s what I feel when he speaks. It was Franco’s turn to say:

Anyway he helped us. You two should be thankful.

" But from now on, let’s go on with our lives, let’s make decisions in our own way. The three of us together.

That’s right, Gisele. We’ll learn to take care of each other and be like the three musketeers…

One for all and all for one, agreed Gisele extending her palm of her hand upward to which the other two joined.

Since then, they stopped asking their uncles for advice, who were relieved not to worry about them.

At first it was difficult to adapt to the new life. The parents were in charge of everything and they didn’t know how to manage the maintenance of the house. But little by little they learned. Gisele bought a notebook where the expenses were written. She did the shopping and the cleaning. As for cooking, the three cooperated.

While Franco was good at making sandwiches, Carlos, who had a very good appetite, was interested in the recipes he tried on weekends. Gisele didn’t like to go to the stove, but she took care of the house’s hygiene and the laundry with care.

In the first few months, they realized that there wasn´t so much money and there wasn´t enough for much time, no matter how much they saved.

They decided to study at night and look for work. Franco gave private lessons in English, a language he spoke fluently, until he graduated. After that event, he rented a room he shared with his colleague, seeing people as psychologist.

The situation of Carlos was more complicated because he had never worked before, so he started as an encyclopedia salesman, but he did poorly. In two months he sold nothing.

He gave up. Seeing him discouraged, a schoolmate suggested him:

You like to cook… why don’t you look for a job in that field?

At first he didn’t like it and continued looking for another job. On the other hand, Gisele got a job in a store as a clerk, but Carlos was still unemployed. His siblings didn’t earn much money but at least they were working, while he was still a burden on the family.

So he decided to go to a restaurant and got a job as a kitchen assistant. At lunchtime, the place was crowded and the rush was intense, but he liked the movement. He loved seeing the dishes being created, decorated and savored with pleasure by the customers.

He was finishing school and wanted to go to college, but, which one? It would have to be one he could attend without leaving work. The pay was low, but it helped with expenses. He wanted more, so he dedicates to work with determination.

He collected recipes, wrote down the ones he saw the chef make and thought he was good at, did what he could to please the boss, and even though he succeeded, the salary stayed the same.

He decided to look for a better job. He bought the newspaper, cut out on five-star hotel ads, and looked for vacancies. Then he got a better job in a luxury hotel, as a waiter.

The salary wasn’t much better than the previous one, but there were tips that marked the difference.

Gisele looked back on the five years old since her parents had died. Carlos had reached to get into the Business Administration and Faculty and was two years away from graduating. As a waiter, he ended up working in hotel administration. Franco had established himself in his profession and had moved to a bigger and better situated place.

Already she, then to work in the store, entered a company as an office assistant. She enrolled in a secretarial course and went to study English.

The three siblings were thinking of joining forces and one day to open a company, as their parents did.

Gisele remembered what happened in the dream. She had walked into the old office of her father’s company and they were there. When they saw her arrive, they hugged her with joy.

They were both in a good mood and cheerful.

Mom, dad, I miss you! she said emotionally. It’s so good to remember the time when you were here. Our life was so different and so much better!

Don’t say that, my daughter. We are proud of you, said José Luiz. Gisele disagreed.

Everything became more difficult. There are days when I rebel with Miriam. She was to blame for the accident.

Isaura put her hand over her daughter’s mouth:

Don’t say that! She had nothing to do with what happened. Our moment had come, it was fatal. It couldn’t be avoided.

We were not good parents. We came to ask your forgiveness, said José Luiz. Gisele hugged her father in surprise.

Dad, don’t say that! You were the parents in the world. You gave us love, respect and good life.

It’s true, Isaura acknowledged, we love them very much. But love, to be efficient, must be intelligent. We don’t teach them to take better care of themselves.

She’s right. We didn’t prepare you to face life.

You didn’t know what was going to happen. They never imagined they would be killed in an accident.

That’s why, my daughter, Isaura added. Those who are living on Earth ignore the moment when they will be called back, and, those who lover their children, must teach them how to overcome the problems with courage.

José Luiz intervened:

We didn’t teach them to take responsibility for their own lives. When we came here we realized this and we suffered a lot because we couldn’t help them as we always did.

I don’t understand why are you telling me this. You were the best parents in the world!

We made a lot of mistakes. I was very proud to have prospered, to have built this company, and to have created jobs by giving other families the opportunity to work. From then on? As soon as we left, it was over because whoever bought the company couldn’t take it forward and closed it down. My employees, who became my friends, lost their jobs.

It was Isaura’s turn to step in:

Forget it. Don’t be bitter anymore. You were not at fault at all. To which he replied:

If I had put Franco and Carlos to work in the company, they would have kept the business going. I know they felt bad about having to sell everything for a bargain place. Only our assets were worth more than was paid for the entire company.

Saying this, José Luiz turned pale and Isaura supported him by asking:

You know you mustn’t return to this matter anymore. It hurts you so we can’t go back and you know it. It was hard to get this meeting. Now remember, we promised to remind only the good things.

José Luiz closed his eyes for a few seconds, and when opened them, his face returned to normal. He smiled:

It’s true. We came her to say that we are well and happy that you have been so brave, also that you are working, studying and learning to live.

We must go, said Isaura. Gisele hugged her:

Please, let’s go home and everything will be like before. José Luiz joined the hug saying:

We have to go, but remember, the love that unites us is alive in our hearts. Tell your siblings they are doing very well and continue to strive. I’m pretty sure that you three will be able to achieve what you want.

Give each one a kiss from me. I love you all very much.

Then Gisele woke up and Isaura’s last words still echoed in her ears.

Both she and her siblings would have the best memories of their parents. Why did José Luiz ask for forgiveness? I couldn’t understand.

A dream could be a fantasy’s fruit, she thought. It could only that. But everything was so strong that it seemed true. He didn’t remember having a dream that excited him so much. Would it have been because of the nostalgia? Finding them, even in a dream, was as if they were alive. They talked as if they lived far away and had come to visit her. How can a dream be so strong?

I hope her siblings were home to tell her, but she needed to contain the anxiety, because they would be back soon. They had commented that after lunch each one would go somewhere else.

Gisele decided to study English, as she had an exam the next day. She picked up the book, opened it for the lesson she had to translate and tried to start writing the text, but she couldn’t concentrate. Her thoughts drifted to sleep and the emotion reappeared with a strength.

What was going on? why was a dream provoking so many emotions? They were moments where she seemed to be smelling her mother’s delicate perfume and seeing her eyes, which closed halfway as she smiled.

She tried to return to study, but soon saw her father’s face, pale, blaming himself and asking for forgiveness. Then she felt a tightness in his chest and thought: It was just a dream! A fantasy! That really didn’t happen.

Calm returned and she tried to concentrate on the translation, but the memories of the dream gave her no respite. Finally, she gave up and she wasn’t going to be able to study.

The time was hard to get through. In spite of being cheerful and getting along well with people, she had no friends. Whenever she had a problem, it was always with her siblings that she god advice.

Carlos kept saying that she needed to have friends, to go for a walk on weekends, and to have fun. To which she replied:

I never knew someone I could trust and who could share my intimacy.

You are very demanding. That way, you will always be alone and you won’t have company to play with like most girls your age.

I have some female colleagues in the office, I get along with them every day. But I feel that they seek their own self-interest that they are not honest with each other. You know how I feel. I sense when a person is lying, being man. So I don’t get involved. I’m nice to all of them, but I don’t trust their sincerity.

Here you come with this habit of thinking that you feel like people are. Isn’t that just your point of view? How do you know what you feel is true?

I know it’s true. I have noticed that when I feel this way about a person, I always end up noticing an attitude that proves my feelings. Want to know? You should pay attention to how you feel. I’m pretty sure you would get out of a lot of trouble. Remember Juan?

That bad-tempered fellow. How could I forget him? He seemed like such a good friend, but when he did foolish things and it went wrong, he didn’t hesitate to blame me. If it weren’t for the testimony of other colleagues proving that he was to blame, I would have lost my job and maybe worse, looked bad in the company.

You should pay more attention to how you feel. When I met Juan, I asked you to do that, I felt he couldn’t be trusted.

I’m not like you, a lot of thoughts go through my head. I don’t want to be unfair, to misjudge people.

Would you rather be wronged?

" Of course not, but prejudging is wrong. ´

It’s cruel. That’s not what I do. Sometimes when I talk or meet someone, I feel I should pay attention and be cautious. It comes naturally, without judgment. Sometime later, I come to learn that she wasn´t trustworthy.

Carlos insisted that she needed to make friends, go out and have fun. Gisele promised:

" If someone come along with whom I can feel good; I´ll strengthen my friendship. ´

Looking at the English book that was open on the table, she decided to resume translating, and when she found herself thinking about the dream, she struggled to focus her attention on the book.

It was already getting dark and Gisele was hungry, so she made a sandwich. Then, Carlos arrived with a package when she was just starting to eat. He placed it on the table:

I arrived on time! I brought you that sweet cream you like.

Good! You came back early!

I had planned to go to the movies with Luciana, but plans changed.

Did something happen?

Actually not. I have been thinking and… I don’t really know if it’s worth going out with her anymore.

She’s a beautiful girl, also elegant and very much in love with you.

Actually, that’s the problem. She sticks to me; I feel like she wants to control even my thoughts.

Gisele laughed heartily:

And you, who hates to be controlled!

That’s true. I’m free and I don’t like routine or being a slave of rules. Do you know what she told me yesterday?

Gisele shook her head and he continued:

She came with a conversation that I should change my job. Also, her father is influential and could get me a much better one. She already talked to him, he wants to meet me.

She likes you, but not your profession, and wants to get married.

God forbid! What she wants is to put me on a tight leash. That will never happen! She will have to find someone else!

Gisele laughed nonstop at the frightened look on his face.

When I went to work at the hotel I liked it because, as I arrived, I was given a uniform and a list of my duties. I thought it was fair, it’s a tradeoff. And now I’m the way I want to be: I’m the head of the administration, I leave everything in order, they are satisfied and so am I.

You did the right thing.

The owners are polite people. Respect is fundamental in a relationship, and we have one respectful indeed, but, despite that, I continue with my project of setting up my own business, by my own way.

You sound like dad.

She was pensive and he noticed:

You talked about dad and your face became different. Gisele agreed and told in detail the dream she had about her parents. She finished:

I was a different dream, because they seemed alive, also they talked as if they had returned from a trip. I was shocked for all that, I even forgot they had died! How could that be?

Carlos’s eyes lit up when said:

I would love to dream of them! I miss them so much!

It was marvelous! Then we hugged, I could feel the perfume mom used. I just didn’t understand why they asked us to forgive them, but in the end a dream is a dream. Actually, it was a fantasy.

Or maybe not. A friend used to say that those who die are going to live in another dimension and come back to talk to those who stayed behind. He claims to have proof that this is true.

Gisele was thoughtful for a few seconds and then said:

Actually, I have also heard this theory, Carlos. If that is true, they will come back. In addition, if I dream of them again, I´ll ask them that.

They continued talking for a while longer, commenting on the matter until bedtime.

CHAPTER 2

Gisele was working in an engineering company, which was in the city center. As usual, at half past five in the afternoon, she left work and decided to go for a walk and do window shopping.

The afternoon was beautiful and she enjoyed walking through the crowded streets and stopping when she saw something that caught her eye. Suddenly, she stopped in front of a bookstore and went inside.

Reading was her favorite hobby. Whenever she got paid, went there to buy a book. She walked through the store, going from one place to another, when a cover or a title caught her eye.

She looked at a few novels, she was undecided because she was picking up one and then another.

Take that book, you will like it. She looked over and saw a boy next to her smiling. Are you a salesman in a store? No, but just yesterday, a friend told me he read this book and loved it.

Gisele fixed it and smiled back. He was nice and well-dressed boy.

Thank you. I´ll take this one.

She walked away, bought the book and headed for the door when he intercepted her, bowing slightly and holding out his hand:

I would like to introduce myself. I’m Gino Gouveia.

I’m Gisele.

Nice to meet you, Gisele.

Thank you, but I have to go. See you another day, and she left in a hurry, without looking back.

Also, she noticed that he wanted to continue the conversation, but, despite having sympathized with him, Gisele wasn’t in the habit of talking to strangers.

While waiting at the bus stop, she glanced at the bookstore door and Gino was still there, looking at her.

She realized that Gino had looked her admiringly, but she didn’t want to get emotionally involved with anyone. Gisele is beautiful and elegant; she always attracts attention and admires appear, but she had never been interested in any of them.

Having a boyfriend wasn´t in her plans. Before getting involved with anyone, she wanted to carry out the projects she had with her siblings. She was still young and wanted to do many things before thinking about sharing her life with someone else.

The bus arrived soon after and passenger’s line was short. Gisele got on and sat down near the window. She turned her head, looked at the bookstore’s door and saw that Gino was still there, standing and looking at her.

Then, the bus started moving and she opened the book and began to read. The story was so compelling that her whereabouts were passed on. When she looked around and realized what had happened, she rang the bell and, as soon as the bus stopped, got off in a hurry.

Because of that, she was forced to walk a few blocks. Thinking that she still had to prepare dinner, picked up the pace. Carlos had a schedule and she wanted him to have dinner before going to university.

As she entered the building, the doorman called out to her: 

Gisele, your aunt Olga was here and left a message.

What is it?

She needs to talk to you, but she couldn’t wait so she arranged to come back later.

Gisele thanked him and went up to the apartment, trying to figure out what her aunt wanted.

It had been a long time since she had shown up.

As soon as she entered the house, she took care of preparing dinner and set the table. Gisele picked up the book and sat down on the couch to read, but she couldn’t because the telephone rang and the doorman told her that her aunt Olga was coming upstairs.

Gisele opened the door and, as soon as Olga entered, she noticed that her aunt was pale and nervous.

Did something happen, aunt Olga?

Not yet, but it could happen. I want to talk to Franco.

He’s not here yet, but sit down and calm down, aunt. Do you want some water? Or maybe coffee?

Water, please.

Gisele hurried to bring her a glass of water. Her aunt took a few sips and then said:

I´ll wait for him. What time is he coming?

I don’t really now, uncle. Franco doesn’t have a fixed schedule. Actually, it depends on the number of customers. Can I help with anything?

It’s only with him. Today, by chance, I was talking to a friend’s wife of David’s boss and she told me that her daughter Neide has improved a lot since she started therapy with Franco.

Actually, he is good at what he does. He has a lot of clients.

Yes, he’s my nephew and I didn’t even know that. It’s because you never visit me.

You know the reason, uncle, we work and also study. There’s no time left to visit relatives. Life has been difficult.

I know, girl. It’s not easy for anyone.

The living room door opened and Carlos walked in. Olga had stoop up thinking I was Franco, but she sat down again because it wasn’t him. Carlos came over and hugged her:

Good to see you, aunt. How are you?

More or less, Carlos.

The aunt came to talk to Franco. Gisele said.

Make yourself comfortable, aunt. I’m going to change my clothes because I have to leave immediately. Excuse me.

He went to the bedroom and Gisele said:

I’m going to cook. I want him to have dinner before the university.

Wouldn’t it be easier to eat a sandwich there?

No! In fact, who works all day needs to eat well, aunt. She went to the kitchen and Olga followed her in amazement.

Hmm it smells good! Are you the one who cooks?

Actually, Carlos cooks better than me. On weekends he does the cooking, but, during the week, it’s me.

I see you are making an effort.

We need to get on with life. Olga looked at her thoughtfully, then said:

Even the circumstances, you look well. José Luiz worked hard, but he never saved money and spent too much. You were left with little money.

Gisele looked at her seriously:

He gave us comfort, also good times. When he was alive, we had a very good life.

Yes, but if he had save, you would be much better today.

Aunt Olga, we are learning to leave. It’s pretty good to work, to have your own money. We have what we need: good life. Furthermore, we are young and healthy. We make plans for a better future, it’s only a matter of time.

Olga made a vague gesture, she was about to reply, but Carlos came closer and she didn’t say anything. He sat down at the table and invited:

Do you want to have dinner with us, uncle?

No, boy. Thank you. I had a snack before leaving home. You two have dinner.

Don’t you want anything to drink? , Gisele asked

No, thanks.

I’m not hungry. Come on, aunt, let’s go sit in the living room, we will be more comfortable there, later I´ll have a coffee with milk.

After sitting next to each other on the couch, Gisele asked:

How will uncle be?

More or less. He has been nervous for the last few days.

Did something happen?

Nothing much, distribution problems. You know how he is. Your uncle wants everything to be perfect and his colleagues don’t always like it. Is Franco going to be late?

As I told you, he has an hour to arrive.  It depends on the number of clients. Olga was silent for a few seconds, then she evaluated:

He must be earning well; he has a lots of clients.

Yes, he really is, but there are expenses, you know. Carlos came closer:

" I’m going to the university. See you another day, aunt. Send Uncle David my regards.