The Encounter

Othon

The routine of a hospital the size of Central Hospital always holds unwelcome surprises, but today is particularly hectic. I wouldn't be surprised if another challenge presented itself at any moment.

As I try to quell the chaotic situations around me, my secretary interrupts my thoughts with information that initially bewilders me. Miss Buarque is waiting for the interview that, for some reason, I agreed to conduct this morning. A quick wave of self-criticism hits me, questioning why on earth I agreed to interview the daughter of my kind neighbors on such a chaotic day.

The Buárques, Mr. Átila, and Mrs. Margareth are those people who radiate warmth. Since I moved into the house next to theirs, encountering them at the end of the day has become a kind of routine in my daily life. Additionally, I cannot ignore the sweet feeling that little Otávio's presence captivates in my heart. His complaints about how much his mother works and how little time she spends at home always tug at m