C\u00e2nd mama \u0219i tata i-au spus c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103-\u0219i vad\u0103 de vacan\u021ba ei \u0219i s\u0103 nu o bage \u00een seam\u0103 pe bunica, Ruxandra a crezut c\u0103 totul va fi bine. A \u00eencercat s\u0103 nu stea prea mult pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, dar aceasta s-a \u021binut scai de ea. Cum s\u0103 o ignor c\u00e2nd toat\u0103 ziua umbl\u0103 dup\u0103 mine? \u0219i-a tot spus. Iat-o! O urm\u0103re\u0219te \u0219i acum, \u00eendoit\u0103 de spate \u0219i cu t\u0103lpile abia ridic\u00e2ndu-se de pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt. Totu\u0219i, Ruxandrei i se pare c\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2na merge mai repede atunci c\u00e2nd nimeni nu o prive\u0219te. Apare deseori l\u00e2ng\u0103 ea, pe nesim\u021bite. C\u00e2nd se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 asta, Ruxandra tresare \u0219i are senza\u021bia c\u0103 \u00eei \u00eenghea\u021b\u0103 corpul. Simte respira\u021bia cu miros de h\u00e2rtie veche pe umeri \u0219i privirea p\u0103trunz\u0103toare fixat\u0103 pe fa\u021ba ei. B\u0103tr\u00e2na are globurile oculare mari \u0219i \u00eeng\u0103lbenite \u0219i riduri ad\u00e2nci \u00eei br\u0103zdeaz\u0103 obrajii \u0219i fruntea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Rux, s\u0103 nu te duci la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Nu-mi mai spune Rux! Ruxandra m\u0103 cheam\u0103! \u00eei r\u0103spunde fata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dar bunica vorbe\u0219te \u00een continuare cu acela\u0219i glas tremurat \u0219i aspru:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u00cen f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 e un diavol mare. Are corpul acoperit cu o blan\u0103 scurt\u0103 \u0219i maro \u0219i mu\u0219chi de bivol. Are un bot lung, cu din\u021bi str\u00e2mbi \u0219i ochi ca c\u0103rbunii aprin\u0219i. Din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd scoate limba, o limb\u0103 lung\u0103 \u0219i ro\u0219ie, \u0219i muge\u0219te cuvinte de ne\u00een\u021beles. Are coarne care \u00eei ies din cap de deasupra urechilor \u0219i aproape \u00ee\u0219i unesc v\u00e2rfurile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Ca c\u0103rbunii! Bine c\u0103 are ochi ca c\u0103rbunii! Doamne\u2026 Bunico, las\u0103-m\u0103 cu diavolii t\u0103i! Numai diavoli vezi! \u021ai-a zis \u0219i tati s\u0103 vorbe\u0219ti pu\u021bin cu mine \u0219i nu despre bazaconiile astea! Dac\u0103 nu \u00eencetezi, te spun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Am v\u0103zut \u0219i la voi acas\u0103 unul, c\u00e2nd m-am sp\u0103lat la chiuvet\u0103. A ie\u0219it din ap\u0103 \u0219i m-a \u021binut de m\u00e2ini, dar eu nu m-am speriat. M-am rugat p\u00e2n\u0103 a disp\u0103rut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruxandra fuge de l\u00e2ng\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103. Se ascunde \u00een spatele nucului b\u0103tr\u00e2n din apropierea f\u00e2nt\u00e2nii. \u00cen m\u00e2ini are coarda pe care o folosea p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 apar\u0103 bunica. Ruxandra e cea mai tare dintre prietenele ei la s\u0103rit coarda. S-a \u0219i filmat odat\u0103 \u0219i filmule\u021bul a devenit viral. Apoi p\u0103rin\u021bii i l-au \u0219ters \u0219i i-au dezinstalat toate aplica\u021biile. \u201eUn copil nu are nevoie de TikTok \u0219i faim\u0103 online\u201d, i-au spus. A\u0219a c\u0103 folose\u0219te telefonul doar pentru vorbit cu prietenii \u0219i anumite jocuri, pentru c\u0103 nici s\u0103 se joace nu are voie prea mult. De parc\u0103 asta nu era destul, de c\u00e2nd au venit la \u021bar\u0103 acum trei zile, o ceart\u0103 de fiecare dat\u0103 c\u00e2nd pune m\u00e2na pe telefon. \u201eBucur\u0103-te de natur\u0103, de aer, c\u0103 iar \u00eencepi \u0219coala \u0219i numai \u00een cas\u0103 o s\u0103 stai!\u201d Bine c\u0103 aici, \u00een spatele nucului, nu m\u0103 vede nimeni, \u00ee\u0219i spune \u0219i scoate telefonul din buzunarul pantalonilor scur\u021bi. \u00cens\u0103 descoper\u0103 repede c\u0103 nu are semnal. Abia merge internetul \u00een sat, dar \u00een curtea asta e zero!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 M-am s\u0103turat de locul \u0103sta!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruxandra se ridic\u0103 \u0219i se duce hot\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103 spre prisp\u0103. Se \u00eentoarce cu o minge de tenis \u0219i o rachet\u0103 \u0219i \u00eencepe s\u0103 joace cu peretele lateral al casei. Love\u0219te cu putere \u0219i alearg\u0103 dup\u0103 fiecare minge. Este aproape pr\u00e2nz \u0219i soarele arde cu putere. Fata \u00ee\u0219i \u0219terge fruntea de transpira\u021bie la fiecare c\u00e2teva minute, dar continu\u0103 s\u0103 joace p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd simte c\u0103 obose\u0219te. C\u00e2nd merge \u00een cas\u0103, mama \u00eei spune:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 De ce nu-\u021bi pui ceva pe cap? O s\u0103 faci insola\u021bie!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Nu fac!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Mai stai pu\u021bin \u0219i preg\u0103te\u0219te-te de mas\u0103. A, \u0219i vezi c\u0103 eu \u0219i tati o s\u0103 plec\u0103m \u00een ora\u0219 dup\u0103-amiaz\u0103. Ne \u00eentoarcem m\u00e2ine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Cum adic\u0103 m\u00e2ine? De ce?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Cealalt\u0103 bunic\u0103 e bolnav\u0103. Trebuie s\u0103 mergem cu ea la spital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 \u0218i eu ce fac singur\u0103? Merge\u021bi doar unul dintre voi!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 E\u0219ti mare, Ruxandra! Ai 11 ani, po\u021bi s\u0103 stai singur\u0103. Acas\u0103 ai stat de multe ori singur\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Dar nu cu buni care vede numai diavoli! M\u0103 bag\u0103-n sperie\u021bi!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 E, da\u2026 \u0218tii c\u0103 bunica e bolnav\u0103. Nu o lua \u00een seam\u0103. Oricum ea se culc\u0103 devreme, n-ai tu treab\u0103 cu ea. \u00ce\u021bi l\u0103s\u0103m tot ce-\u021bi trebuie \u0219i m\u00e2ine diminea\u021b\u0103 ne \u00eentoarcem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u2014 Dar o s\u0103-mi fie ur\u00e2t\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tat\u0103l fetei, care tocmai a ap\u0103rut \u00een pragul u\u0219ii cu un motan galben \u00een bra\u021be, adaug\u0103:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Nu e\u0219ti singur\u0103. Ai un prieten de n\u0103dejde: Portocal\u0103. Uite cum toarce \u0219i se uit\u0103 dup\u0103 tine\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruxandra se uit\u0103 la motan \u0219i se enerveaz\u0103. I se pare c\u0103 p\u0103rin\u021bii \u00eencearc\u0103 s\u0103 o duc\u0103 de nas ca pe un copil mic. M\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 repede \u0219i apoi se duce \u00een camera ei, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 scoat\u0103 o vorb\u0103. C\u00e2nd p\u0103rin\u021bii vin \u0219i \u00eei \u00een\u0219ir\u0103 o list\u0103 de lucruri la care s\u0103 aib\u0103 grij\u0103, urmat\u0103 de \u201ela revedere! te iubim!\u201d, ea se uit\u0103 pe geam \u0219i le arunc\u0103 un \u201epa!\u201d rece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dup\u0103 ce p\u0103rin\u021bii pleac\u0103, se asigur\u0103 c\u0103 u\u0219a este bine \u00eenchis\u0103, apoi \u00eencepe s\u0103 se plimbe prin camer\u0103. Motanul se \u021bine dup\u0103 ea \u0219i miaun\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Vrei afar\u0103? Hai, du-te!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruxandra deschide u\u0219a \u0219i motanul fuge pe hol \u0219i apoi \u00een curte. Fata scoate telefonul din buzunar, dar internetul tot nu merge. Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? Nu poate vorbi pe chat cu prietenele, nu poate asculta muzic\u0103, nu poate face nimic! Porne\u0219te televizorul. Este un model vechi, care are culori ciudate \u0219i ni\u0219te linii care traverseaz\u0103 ecranul. Schimb\u0103 program dup\u0103 program, dar nu g\u0103se\u0219te nimic interesant, a\u0219a c\u0103 \u00eel opre\u0219te. Se plimb\u0103 iar prin camer\u0103. Pe unul dintre pere\u021bi este o bibliotec\u0103 masiv\u0103, plin\u0103 de c\u0103r\u021bi vechi. Ruxandra alege o carte cu cotor sub\u021bire \u0219i colorat. Coperta este rupt\u0103 par\u021bial, dar titlul se distinge clar: Luna-Betiluna \u0219i Dora-Minodora \u00een \u021bara lui Pe\u0219te-M\u0103m\u0103liga-Pr\u0103p\u0103de\u0219te<\/em>. O deschide \u0219i \u00eencepe s\u0103 o citeasc\u0103. Nici nu aude c\u00e2nd u\u0219a se deschide \u0219i bunica intr\u0103 \u00eencet. Vocea ei o face s\u0103 tresar\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 \u00cemi amintesc c\u00e2nd \u00eei citeam maic\u0103-tii din ea. M\u0103 punea s\u0103 \u00eei recitesc fragmente p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd adormea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Mamei i-au pl\u0103cut mult c\u0103r\u021bile?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Da, tare mult. A citit toate c\u0103r\u021bile astea \u0219i multe altele.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bunica tace \u0219i pare c\u0103 se afund\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2nduri. Ruxandrei i se pare c\u0103 privirea ei are ceva diferit \u00een acest moment. O str\u0103lucire inteligent\u0103 \u0219i melancolic\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0\u2014 Mai sunt cl\u0103tite, bunico?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Da. N-am m\u00e2ncat niciuna. Le-am p\u0103strat pentru tine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Hai s\u0103 m\u00e2nc\u0103m \u00eempreun\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merg \u00een buc\u0103t\u0103rie. Bunica pune dulcea\u021b\u0103 pe cl\u0103tite, apoi le \u00eenf\u0103\u0219oar\u0103 precis, de\u0219i m\u00e2inile \u00eei tremur\u0103 tare. Ruxandra le \u00eenfulec\u0103 una c\u00e2te una, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd simte c\u0103 nu mai poate. Cu m\u00e2inile pe burt\u0103, spune:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0\u2014 Gata, pe ultimele dou\u0103 le m\u0103n\u00e2nci tu!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fata \u00ee\u0219i umple un pahar de ap\u0103. Bea \u00eencet, savur\u00e2nd fiecare gur\u0103 rece, \u00een timp ce o prive\u0219te pe b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103. Bunica mestec\u0103 \u00eencet, cu privirea fixat\u0103 dincolo de sticla ferestrei. Ochii \u00eei sunt la fel de melancolici ca mai devreme. \u00cens\u0103, c\u00e2nd \u0219i-i mut\u0103 pe paharul cu ap\u0103, Ruxandrei i se pare c\u0103 un val de \u00eentuneric cuprinde pupilele b\u0103tr\u00e2nei.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Uite-l! E alb ca un nor \u0219i are coarne sub\u021biri \u0219i lungi. \u0218i are fa\u021ba plin\u0103 de solzi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Credeam c\u0103 ai terminat cu prostiile astea! Hai, bunico, \u00een\u021belege c\u0103 totul e \u00een mintea ta!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Nu, nu, e un diavol care st\u0103 pe marginea paharului de ap\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Asta-i bun\u0103! Cum s\u0103 stea \u00eentr-un pahar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Diavolii ies din ap\u0103. Unde e ap\u0103, sunt \u0219i ei. \u00cen toate formele apei sunt!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Dac\u0103 e a\u0219a de mic, uite cum \u00eel strivesc!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fata pocne\u0219te palmele deasupra paharului, ca \u0219i cum ar omor\u00ee un \u021b\u00e2n\u021bar. B\u0103tr\u00e2na r\u00e2de.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Ce naiv\u0103 e\u0219ti! Nu po\u021bi omor\u00ee un diavol. Uite, r\u00e2de \u0219i el! R\u00e2de \u0219i se uit\u0103 fix la mine, cu ochii aprin\u0219i\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Bunico, pove\u0219tile tale bat \u0219i cele mai proaste filme de groaz\u0103. Dracii nu erau cu focul, \u00een iad? Ce s\u0103 caute \u00een ap\u0103?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00cens\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2na nu r\u0103spunde. Se ridic\u0103 \u0219i se uit\u0103 pe fereastr\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 E unul mare la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103! Are g\u00e2tul lung ca un \u0219arpe \u0219i cap de \u021bap. E \u0103la care s-a speriat diminea\u021b\u0103 c\u00e2nd ai jucat tenis cu peretele! Uite c\u00e2t e de mare! Corpul seam\u0103n\u0103 cu al unui vultur. Are gheare la picioare, dar \u0219i bra\u021be lungi care \u00eei ies de sub aripi. Bra\u021be cu degete de om \u0219i unghii ascu\u021bite ca lamele. St\u0103 pe pomp\u0103 acum \u0219i url\u0103 groznic, cu aripile desf\u0103cute\u2026 Doamne, Iisuse, \u021bine-m\u0103 tare!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 OK, bunico, eu m\u0103 duc \u00een camera mea. S\u0103 nu vii dup\u0103 mine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00cen camer\u0103, umbrele lungi ale copacilor din curte se \u00eentind peste pat. Ruxandra se tr\u00e2nte\u0219te pe salteaua moale \u0219i ofteaz\u0103. Reia cititul \u0219i nu se opre\u0219te dec\u00e2t atunci c\u00e2nd \u00eencepe s\u0103 se \u00eentunece. Aventurile subacvatice ale celor dou\u0103 fete i se par distractive. E bine, dup\u0103 7 bunica se a\u0219az\u0103 la televizor \u0219i la 8 deja doarme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00centr-adev\u0103r, bunica urmeaz\u0103 programul obi\u0219nuit. Din camera vecin\u0103 r\u0103sun\u0103 muzic\u0103 popular\u0103. Ruxandra se g\u00e2nde\u0219te cum de poate o b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 care vede diavoli toat\u0103 ziua s\u0103 urm\u0103reasc\u0103 emisiuni cu muzic\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103 doarm\u0103 lini\u0219tit\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 diminea\u021ba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Bunico, d\u0103-l mai \u00eencet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Muzica popular\u0103 r\u0103sun\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 la fel de puternic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 D\u0103-l mai \u00eenceeet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niciun r\u0103spuns \u0219i nicio schimbare. Ruxandra porne\u0219te \u0219i ea televizorul \u0219i d\u0103 sonorul c\u00e2t poate de tare. A l\u0103sat pe un program cu filme. Se difuzeaz\u0103 un serial de comedie. Vocile \u0219i r\u00e2setele actorilor se suprapun peste glasurile care vibreaz\u0103 la fiecare \u201em\u0103i\u201d sau \u201eof, of\u201d. Dup\u0103 un sfert de or\u0103, Ruxandra simte c\u0103 nu mai poate suporta haosul. Iese \u00een hol. Deschide \u00eencet u\u0219a de la camera bunicii. Sonorul televizorului este la maximum, dar b\u0103tr\u00e2na doarme \u00een fotoliu. St\u0103 cu fa\u021ba \u00een sus \u0219i gura deschis\u0103. Un g\u00e2nd o face s\u0103 tresar\u0103 pe Ruxandra. Ba nu, a\u0219a doarme mereu. Fata merge pe v\u00e2rfuri p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd ajunge l\u00e2ng\u0103 fotoliu. Apuc\u0103 \u00eencet telecomanda \u0219i opre\u0219te televizorul, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 o scape din ochi pe b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103. Pune apoi telecomanda \u00eenapoi pe fotoliu. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u0219it, lini\u0219te! \u00ee\u0219i spune \u0219i se \u00eentoarce spre u\u0219\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 E diavolul cu barb\u0103 lung\u0103, cel din aburi! strig\u0103 bunica \u0219i o apuc\u0103 de bra\u021b pe Ruxandra. Fata simte c\u0103 s\u00e2ngele \u00eei \u00eenghea\u021b\u0103 \u00een vene. \u00cen\u021bepene\u0219te timp de c\u00e2teva clipe apoi simte cum m\u00e2na care-i str\u00e2nge bra\u021bul se \u00eenmoaie \u0219i alunec\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 se desprinde complet. Ruxandra se \u00eentoarce spre b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103. Aceasta \u0219i-a reluat pozi\u021bia de mai devreme, cu fa\u021ba \u00een sus \u0219i gura deschis\u0103. Doarme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ajuns\u0103 \u00eenapoi \u00een camer\u0103, Ruxandra aprinde lumina \u0219i reia lectura. Admir\u0103 ilustra\u021biile din carte. \u00cei fac chef de desenat. Mai t\u00e2rziu, dup\u0103 ce mai citesc pu\u021bin. Se cufund\u0103 iar \u00een lectur\u0103. Nici nu aude pic\u0103turile care lovesc tot mai repede acoperi\u0219ul \u0219i geamul. Abia c\u00e2nd Portocal\u0103 miaun\u0103 lung la fereastr\u0103 observ\u0103 ploaia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Unde umbli, vagabondule? Hai, vii sau nu? Intr\u0103 odat\u0103, c\u0103 bate ploaia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Motanul coboar\u0103 \u00een camer\u0103 \u0219i se scutur\u0103, apoi sare \u00een pat \u0219i se ghemuie\u0219te. Ruxandra se a\u0219az\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 el \u0219i se preg\u0103te\u0219te s\u0103 continue lectura. I se pare \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 aude o voce. Da, e bunica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Cu coarne \u00eencovoiate care \u00ee\u021bi ies din frunte \u0219i corpul plin de pori din care iese s\u00e2ngele\u2026 Nu m\u0103 sperii, sunt cu Iisus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Aoleu, e dus\u0103 r\u0103u! Acuma vorbe\u0219te despre draci \u0219i \u00een somn! spune Ruxandra \u0219i m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie motanul. Portocal\u0103 \u00eei r\u0103spunde clipind \u00eencet din ochi. Afar\u0103 ploaia devine toren\u021bial\u0103 \u0219i \u00eencepe s\u0103 fulgere. Ca s\u0103 nu mai aud\u0103 tunetele, Ruxandra deschide televizorul. Tata i-a spus mereu s\u0103 \u021bin\u0103 toate\u00a0 electronicele oprite c\u00e2nd sunt desc\u0103rc\u0103ri electrice, dar televizorul o ajut\u0103 s\u0103 alunge frica. Se relaxeaz\u0103 \u0219i chiar simte c\u0103 o ia somnul. \u00cens\u0103 zgomotul clan\u021bei o face s\u0103 deschid\u0103 ochii larg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Bunico, tu e\u0219ti?<\/p>\n\n\n\n U\u0219a se deschide. B\u0103tr\u00e2na, sprijinit\u0103 de prag, pare o umbr\u0103. Un fulger \u00eei lumineaz\u0103 fa\u021ba \u0219i fata observ\u0103 c\u0103 este palid\u0103 \u0219i ochii \u00eei sunt afunda\u021bi \u00een cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Rux, au venit diavolii \u0219i nu le pot face fa\u021b\u0103! Sunt to\u021bi, ploaia le-a dat puteri. E \u0219i cel galben cu coarne t\u0103iate, care vomit\u0103 fetu\u0219i, \u0219i uria\u0219ul acoperit cu p\u0103r ro\u0219u\u2026 Ajut\u0103-m\u0103!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ruxandra \u021bip\u0103 c\u00e2t poate de tare. Motanul sare din pat \u0219i dispare pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 picioarele b\u0103tr\u00e2nei. Fata se ridic\u0103 repede \u0219i tr\u00e2nte\u0219te u\u0219a. B\u0103tr\u00e2na apas\u0103 pe clan\u021b\u0103 \u0219i \u00eempinge, dar Ruxandra \u00ee\u0219i lipe\u0219te palmele de u\u0219\u0103 \u0219i se las\u0103 cu toat\u0103 greutatea pe ea. Nici b\u0103t\u0103ile \u0219i strig\u0103tele disperate ale b\u0103tr\u00e2nei nu o conving. Dup\u0103 c\u00e2teva minute b\u0103t\u0103ile se opresc, iar glasul bunicii se schimb\u0103. \u00cen locul strig\u0103telor g\u00e2tuite, fata aude fraze rostite ap\u0103sat. Pare c\u0103 bunica vorbe\u0219te cu cineva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Eu am f\u0103cut asta, da. Da, m-auzi bine, drac cu hain\u0103 de mili\u021bian, eu am ajutat-o. Da, am \u00een\u021beles. \u0218i ce? Nu mi-e fric\u0103. Ai auzit \u0219i tu, galbenule? Crezi c\u0103 am uitat? Nu trebuie s\u0103 vomi\u021bi fetu\u0219i ca s\u0103-mi aminte\u0219ti. Eu l-am aruncat \u00een iaz. Bine\u00een\u021beles c\u0103 sunt preg\u0103tit\u0103 s\u0103 pl\u0103tesc. Ha-ha, m\u0103 faci s\u0103 r\u00e2d! Nu mi-e fric\u0103, spune-le \u0219i celorlal\u021bi! Pute\u021bi s\u0103 m\u0103 privi\u021bi c\u00e2t vre\u021bi cu ochii vo\u0219tri de foc. Nu m\u0103 sperii. \u0218i r\u00e2njetele voastre m\u0103 las\u0103 rece. Da, oric\u00e2nd. Oric\u00e2nd!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dintr-odat\u0103, dincolo de u\u0219\u0103 se face lini\u0219te. Ruxandra nu \u0219tie ce s\u0103 fac\u0103. Ar merge \u00een pat, nu poate sta lipit\u0103 de u\u0219\u0103 toat\u0103 noaptea. Dar dac\u0103 bunica \u00eencearc\u0103 iar s\u0103 intre? Lipe\u0219te urechea de u\u0219\u0103. Nu aude nimic, \u00een afara propriilor b\u0103t\u0103i de inim\u0103. Ce ciudat, s\u0103-\u021bi auzi inima b\u0103t\u00e2nd \u00een lemnul u\u0219ii. Ce s\u0103 fac? Ruxandra \u00ee\u0219i plimb\u0103 privirea prin camer\u0103, ca \u0219i c\u00e2nd ar c\u0103uta o ascunz\u0103toare. \u00cens\u0103 fereastra este cea care \u00eei atrage aten\u021bia. Ploaia s-a oprit la fel de brusc cum a \u00eenceput. O s\u0103 ias\u0103 pe prisp\u0103 \u0219i apoi \u00een curte!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Din c\u00e2teva mi\u0219c\u0103ri \u00ee\u0219i pune planul \u00een practic\u0103. Aerul r\u0103coros \u00eei face pielea de g\u0103in\u0103. De la fereastr\u0103 traverseaz\u0103 prispa p\u00e2n\u0103 la intrare \u0219i se \u00eencal\u021b\u0103 cu papucii, apoi fuge. Curtea bunicii este uria\u0219\u0103. Dincolo de zona cu iarb\u0103 \u0219i copaci \u00een care se joac\u0103 este o gr\u0103din\u0103 de legume. Acolo se duce. Merge \u00eencet pe alee, respir\u00e2nd alert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ruxandra se opre\u0219te \u00een dreptul r\u00e2ndurilor de ro\u0219ii. Dincolo de acest punct lumina de la becul casei nu mai ajunge. Gr\u0103dina are un miros puternic de p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u0219i plante. Inima \u00eenc\u0103 \u00eei bate cu putere. Se uit\u0103 \u00een jur. \u00cen perioada verii, tata \u0219i mama \u00ee\u0219i petrec aproape tot timpul liber muncind aici. Ruxandra nu \u00een\u021belege de ce pierd at\u00e2ta timp pe drumuri \u0219i cu lucrul \u00een gr\u0103dina de legume, c\u00e2nd sunt at\u00e2tea legume la pia\u021b\u0103. Poate c\u0103 mama are dreptate c\u00e2nd spune c\u0103 sunt mai s\u0103n\u0103toase \u0219i fac economie, dar at\u00e2ta munc\u0103\u2026 Ce via\u021b\u0103 e asta? Gr\u0103din\u0103ritul e relaxant, mai spune mama. Prostii!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Oare ce se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 cu bunica \u00een cas\u0103?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00centrebarea i-a venit \u00een minte ca de nic\u0103ieri. Nu-i r\u0103spunde nimeni. Greierii c\u00e2nt\u0103 asurzitor \u0219i insecte mici i se lovesc de corp. Nu \u00eei e fric\u0103 de ele, dar \u00een acest moment nu suport\u0103 nicio atingere. Se uit\u0103 \u00een jur. Plantele au umbre lungi \u0219i acolo unde lumina becului nu ajunge, \u00eentunericul pare s\u0103 fie gros ca gemul de prune al bunicii. Un fo\u0219net \u00eei atrage aten\u021bia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Portocal\u0103, tu e\u0219ti?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fo\u0219netul continu\u0103 \u00een \u00eentuneric. Ruxandra se d\u0103 \u00een spate \u0219i piciorul \u00eei alunec\u0103 de pe dalele ude \u00een noroi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Fir-ar s\u0103 fie! Dar cine e acolo? Bunico, tu e\u0219ti?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nu prime\u0219te niciun r\u0103spuns. I se pare c\u0103 distinge o siluet\u0103. Un om cu umerii largi \u0219i urechi mari\u2026 Dar ce are \u00een cap? Coarne? Ruxandra \u00eencepe s\u0103 tremure. Oare e diavolul cu bot lung din f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103? \u021aip\u0103 \u0219i fuge spre bec, la lumin\u0103. \u00cens\u0103 \u00een fa\u021b\u0103 \u00eei apare o alt\u0103 siluet\u0103. E diavolul galben! E slab \u0219i are fa\u021ba lung\u0103 \u0219i slab\u0103. Fata se \u00eentoarce \u0219i fuge de-a dreptul peste r\u00e2ndurile de legume, p\u00e2n\u0103 iese \u00een alt\u0103 parte a cur\u021bii, acolo unde este vechiul WC. A \u00eenceput s\u0103 plou\u0103 iar \u0219i fiecare pic\u0103tur\u0103 pare o atingere de deget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Nu, nu! Pleac\u0103!<\/p>\n\n\n\n La c\u00e2\u021biva pa\u0219i de WC \u00eel vede pe diavolul cu aripi \u0219i g\u00e2t lung. Silueta corpului nu i se clinte\u0219te \u00een \u00eentuneric, dar aripile se mi\u0219c\u0103 \u00eencet, iar capul urc\u0103 \u0219i coboar\u0103 ca \u0219i c\u00e2nd ar vorbi. \u00cens\u0103 nu se aude nimic. Ruxandra fuge prin toat\u0103 curtea \u0219i peste tot diavolii \u00eei ies \u00een fa\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00cencearc\u0103 s\u0103 strige dup\u0103 ajutor, dar cuvintele i se opresc \u00een g\u00e2t. Se opre\u0219te l\u00e2ng\u0103 prisp\u0103. Abia mai poate s\u0103 respire. Se uit\u0103 pe marginea prispei, poate g\u0103se\u0219te o m\u0103tur\u0103 sau alt obiect cu care s-ar putea ap\u0103ra dac\u0103 diavolii o atac\u0103. \u00cens\u0103 pe prisp\u0103 nu este dec\u00e2t racheta ei de tenis, al\u0103turi de o minge jumulit\u0103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Asta e!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ruxandra trage aer \u00een piept, ia racheta \u0219i mingea \u0219i se duce hot\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103 spre lateralul casei. Love\u0219te cu putere. Sunetul mingii care atinge zidul pare o mic\u0103 explozie. Chiar dac\u0103 abia vede, nu rateaz\u0103 nicio lovitur\u0103. Se concentreaz\u0103 doar pe minge, alerg\u00e2nd dintr-o parte \u00een alta. Love\u0219te cu precizie. C\u00e2nd se opre\u0219te, realizeaz\u0103 c\u0103 a \u00eenceput s\u0103 se lumineze. G\u00e2f\u00e2ie \u0219i prive\u0219te cu coada ochiului \u00een jur. Niciun diavol nu mai apare din \u00eentuneric. \u00cen locul celui galben nu este dec\u00e2t bulumacul unui g\u0103rdu\u021b de lemn. \u00cen gr\u0103din\u0103, l\u00e2ng\u0103 brazda de ro\u0219ii, singura siluet\u0103 care se contureaz\u0103 este cea a unui gutui cu v\u00e2rfurile retezate. Fata face c\u00e2\u021biva pa\u0219i spre WC-ul vechi. Pe peretele magaziei v\u00e2ntul mi\u0219c\u0103 \u00eencet o sap\u0103 ag\u0103\u021bat\u0103. \u00cen fa\u021ba ei, sub strea\u0219in\u0103, tuciul uria\u0219 \u00een care bunica face bulion este nemi\u0219cat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Este frig. Ruxandra simte c\u0103 transpira\u021bia \u00eei \u00eenghea\u021b\u0103 pe spate. Se duce spre cas\u0103. Las\u0103 racheta \u0219i mingea pe prisp\u0103 \u0219i intr\u0103 \u00eenapoi pe fereastr\u0103. \u00cen cas\u0103 e lini\u0219te. Nu se mai aude nici muzica popular\u0103, nici bunica. Ruxandra se \u00eentinde, dar \u0219tie c\u0103 nu poate dormi p\u00e2n\u0103 nu afl\u0103. Se ridic\u0103 \u0219i deschide u\u0219a \u00eencet. Holul e gol. Merge pe v\u00e2rfuri p\u00e2n\u0103 la camera bunicii \u0219i apas\u0103 u\u0219or pe clan\u021b\u0103. Prin deschiz\u0103tura u\u0219ii o vede pe b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eentins\u0103 \u00een pat, cu ochii \u00eenchi\u0219i \u0219i m\u00e2inile \u00eempreunate pe piept. Fa\u021ba i s-a decolorat p\u00e2n\u0103 a ajuns de un alb str\u0103lucitor. Portocal\u0103 doarme \u00eencovrigat l\u00e2ng\u0103 ea. Ruxandra \u00eenchide u\u0219a la fel de \u00eencet cum a deschis-o \u0219i merge \u00een camera ei. Se \u00eentinde \u0219i deschide cartea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Mai am c\u00e2teva pagini \u0219i o termin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Proz\u0103 de Marian Negu\u021bu<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":298,"featured_media":14091,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[1960,2569,47],"coauthors":[1959],"class_list":["post-14090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fictiune","tag-marian-negutu","tag-nr-8-2025","tag-proza"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Marian-Negutu.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/298"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14090"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14090\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14096,"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14090\/revisions\/14096"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14090"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistafamilia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcoauthors&post=14090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}