18. THE SPRING

Wen the two greyhounds returned to the house, they quickly made friends with Nina and Nano, and tired of the race after Sofia's car and on their return, they lay down at Nina's feet.

“I think we have already become good friends with dogs.”

The cats were also curious about the newcomers. They got up, stretched, and approached Nina. She stroked the arched back, and the cats seemed pleased because they lay back down, waiting for more caresses from Nina.

“They are very affectionate,” said the Romanian woman. “We have brought them from Romania. We couldn't leave them abandoned! They seem to like this country. It was difficult for us to get along with the dogs, but they have already become friends. Young people, while I prepare lunch, you can go to cool off in the pool. You will find her following this path. The water is from a spring and comes very cool. You can drink from the spring, it is very healthy.”

Nina and Nano accepted the proposal and, preceded by the whippers, who already knew the way, went down the path to a clearing between orange trees, where a raft collected the crystalline spring waters.

Nina took off her shoes and put her feet in the water.

“It's cool! Do you think we can bathe here!” Nina asked, splashing her feet in the water.

“And why not? It is not standing water; it looks clean. But we better ask Oana.”

“Nano, the water from a spring is like love: it emerges pure and crystalline from the soul's bowels and quenches the thirst of lovers. I can think of some verses for a song.

“As the crystalline water arises

from the bowels of the earth,

my love for you arises

from the bowels of my soul.

I am the mountain

from which the water flows

that quenches your thirst,

I am the spring

where my love springs

that conquers your heart.

As the crystalline water arises

from the bowels of the earth,

my love for you arises

from the bowels of the soul.

I am the water

you are the thirst,

I am the spring,

you the pond.

As the crystalline water arises

from the bowels of the earth,

my love for you arises

from the bowels of my soul”.

“It is very beautiful, Nina, now we have to put as romantic music as the lyrics.”

“I think I can imagine it, let's go back to the house, I want to put music to these lyrics before its charm passes.”

They returned when Oana was preparing the enormous table for lunch.

“Did you like spring?” She asked them as she made a salad.”

“Can we take a bath in the pool?”

“Yes, especially these hot days! Lunch will be ready in a minute; you can sit at the table.”

“Don't serve her yet, Oana, now Nano and I will rehearse a new song, but it won't belong.”

“Do artists not eat?” She commented with a smile.

They unsheathed their guitars, and Nano suggested the opening measures. Nina seemed appropriate, and between the two, they finished composing the melody. In a few minutes, the new song had lyrics and music. They sang it several times and were amazed at how simple the composition had been.

“Yes, this is a perfect place to create.” Nina commented. “Because there is no better setting to inspire an artist than nature.”

After lunch, which Nina found delicious, they entered the great hall of the farmhouse, fleeing from the heat outside the house. An enormous fireplace dominated the spacious room, and many armchairs of distinct styles and shapes, invited to sit in front of the fire on the frosty nights of winter, but in the summer's heat, it remained off.

The two settled in two large armchairs and maintained an emotional silence.

“Nina, a penny for what you think!” Nano said to break the silence.

“I think that maybe I don't have the talent to become a renowned singer-songwriter. Sometimes I think what I compose is worthless, and that people applaud me out of courtesy.

“It is true that you should not trust the flattery and outbursts of enthusiasm of your admirers. You are the only one who should know if what you compose is good, mediocre, or bad, without waiting for applause from the public. If you do not know how to value your compositions, you will depend on your admirers' changing tastes. Talent is about being yourself. An artist does not create what his audience wants, but his audience wants what the artist creates. Only in this way, the artist is free and can put wings to his imagination.

“I also, think about my mother. She has paid me for music classes. Despite her behavior, I am indebted to her. I don't know how I can afford it.”

“And what do you know about your father?”

“The last time I saw him, he was making oppositions, for I don't know what official position. He seemed exhausted and depressed. I think he still loves my mother, but he doesn't feel strong enough to reconcile with her. And yours, Nano? You have never told me about them!”

“I can say that I have no parents. They are two simple employees who have never worried about my future because my ambitions exceeded what they can imagine. I have always used myself without help from anyone.”

“And now, because of me, abandon your studies at the Conservatory.”

“No, Nina, who knows what fate has in store for us! I believe in you; it is my desire to help you, and I do not mind sacrificing my career.”

“You are very generous, but for me, it is a great responsibility.”

“Nobody forces me to be by your side. But don't think about failure, or you will fail! It doesn't matter if something goes wrong at first. Success is not appreciated if it does not come after failure.”

“I enjoy listening to you. You speak as if you were already 30 or 40 years old, and you have not yet turned 18!”

“It is not the only age that teaches you how to live. A teenager abandoned on the street is wiser than an old man who has had a gift life. I was practically raised on the street.”

“Then I fell in love with a street child!”

“You have not fallen in love with Nano, but with the musician.

“And what is the difference?”

“The the musician is a ruled sheet of paper; Nano is a man of flesh and blood.”

“I don't understand!”

“It doesn't matter; it was just a meaningless thought.”

“My head is not working well, because I am dying of sleep ...”

“Yes, a good nap will be good for both of us!”

Moments later, Nina fell fast asleep. Nano watched her, unable to avoid a gesture of some sad premonition.

“Yes, Nina, I know the difference, and sadly someday you will know it too,” he told herself, trying to overcome her sad presentment.