Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:30:36 +0200 From: A.K. <andrej@andrejkoymasky.com> Subject: The Other Part of the World 11/16 (historical) ---------------------------- THE OTHER PART OF THE WORLD by Andrej Koymasky (C) 2009 written on January 12, 2002 translated by the author English text kindly revised by Bert Carley ----------------------------- USUAL DISCLAIMER "THE OTHER PART OF THE WORLD" is a gay story, with some parts containing graphic scenes of sex between males. So, if in your land, religion, family, opinion and so on this is not good for you, it will be better not to read this story. But if you really want, or because YOU don't care, or because you think you really want to read it, please be my welcomed guest. ----------------------------- Part III - Chapter 11 - An incredible surprise Celebrations were held in Curitiba for the tenth anniversary of the town becoming the capital of the Parana state. The most influential families of the town, one after the other, were throwing great parties, competing with each other in opulence and luxury, opening the saloons of their mansions to the state's fashionable society. So, on January second of 1841, Afonso and his family were invited to the mansion of the Ferreira Frana, a member of which was a representative in the national parliament. The great hall was swarming with guests who were showing off their most elegant and rich clothes. Afonso, because of his incredible handsomeness and elegance, was looked at with badly hidden admiration by everybody, envy by many young men, and with coquettish interest by the young women of marriageable age. It was just the beginning of the great reception when the slave, dressed in a rich livery, who was announcing the arrival of the new guests, announced with a stentorian voice, "Baron Bas"lio De Cunha Vargas and the lady baroness his consort, with the sons and daughters, baron Gregrio, baroness Isabel, baron Raimundo and baroness Esmeralda! The announcement went unnoticed for almost everybody, in the murmuring of the great hall, but for Afonso. His heart, hearing the name of Raimundo, skipped a beat then jumped in his chest like a young roe in love. He turned towards the great door and observed, carefully and almost holding back his breath, the group that was entering dispensing smiles to left and right, welcomed by mister Ferreira Frana and his spouse. But none of the two young men following the aged couple was his Raimundo. Puzzled, he drew near his cousin, who knew almost everybody in the town and its surrounding areas, and asked her in a low voice, "Do you know the baron Raimundo?" "I certainly do, my dear. He is just entering in this precise moment." "Ah, yes? And which one is he?" "That young man strutting in, wearing honey colour trousers and tobacco colour tailcoat. Do you see? That one who is bowing to miss Amalia... Why are you interested in that boy?" "Oh, nothing, I just heard about him... just curiosity... I've heard he leaved for a long journey... I thought he was in Europe." "A long journey? Not that I know, bedsides his trip to Rio a few months ago, a trip of a couple of weeks..." "And... do you know him well? Are you really sure he is that one?" "Of course, that conceited and off-putting little being... I've heard that he is fianc with a young marquise of Porto Alegre, but for what I know he really often and willingly takes his pleasure with the cheap actresses and housemaids of Curitiba... He has the notoriety of being an unrepentant Don Juan!" Afonso was greatly perplexed. If Raimundo was that boy, who was the Raimundo he met? Their builds were almost identical, and also their faces had something familiar, but while his Raimundo had a beautiful mane of soft, curled, black hair, this Raimundo had dark brown hair just waved and cut in the latest fashion. This Raimundo had also long whiskers and a hint of a blond moustache, while Raimundo had neither whiskers nor a moustache... To be absolutely certain, he asked his cousin again, "His father is the owner of the fazenda Casa dos Cravos, and thy produce tobacco, isn't that true?" "Yes, you are right. They are amongst the richest fazendeiros of the surrounding area." "The baron has only these two sons?" "Yes, and those two daughters." "And... with them is living some cousin, some young relative?" "Not that I know. I don't even think they have relatives here in the Paran. I've heard that the baroness comes from Minas Gerais, they can possibly have relatives there... May I confide with you something, dear cousin Afonso?" "Yes?" "I like the older son of the baron, Gregrio, who in some occasions showed some kind interest towards me... And for what I know he, even though he is the older, is not yet with fianc." "Do you have plans on landing him?" Afonso asked her with an amused little smile. "Well... after all... I wouldn't be at all annoyed if Gregrio..." the cousin said coquettishly. But Afonso had little interest on the hopes or the desires of his cousin, at that moment. He wanted to absolutely understand who the Raimundo he met in the house of this family was. So, during the party, he did get himself introduced to baron Gregrio, and after a few ceremony sentences, he said, "Some time ago, amongst my patients, I had a young man whose name was Raimundo Vargas... baron Raimundo Vargas... is he by chance one of your relatives?" "My brother? Gregrio asked, slightly surprised. "Your brother? The youth who is talking with those two misses? No, no, not him. The person I am referring to had black hair, rather soft and curly..." "No, there is no baron Vargas named Raimundo corresponding to your description in our family. Where did you meet this patient of yours?" "He was just passing here in Curitiba... about six months ago... he was on a journey to Uruguay, if I remember correctly..." Afonso lied. He certainly could not say he had been in their house and had met his Raimundo there, and especially that he said he was the baron's son... But the mystery was becoming more and more thick. "Then it was just by coincidence." Gregrio said with levity. Afonso thought he had to find a way to go again to the fazenda Casa dos Cravos to understand and discover who this Raimundo was he met in there, as he was not able to erase him from his mind or his heart. Of course he could not invite himself there, and he didn't know what to do to get an invitation A few days later, while Afonso was walking on Largo Da Ordem in Curitiba, he saw walking in front of the church of St. Francis' third order, a man he at once recognized - it was the servant who prepared a coffee for him in the Casa dos Cravos! If he remembered well that man's name was Prudente. At a fast pace not to loose his sight, he followed and reached him. Mister Prudente! he called out to him aloud. The man stopped and turned, and Afonso had the clear impression that the man turned slightly pale. Sir? the man asked. You are Prudente, the servant of the young baron Raimundo Cabral Vargas. No you are wrong, sir the poor secretary almost stammered. No, I'm absolutely not wrong! It's you who served me a coffee in the Casa dos Cravos, it's you who told me that the young gentleman I met there was the baron Raimundo Cabral Vargas, and it's you who had my gig repaired by the slaves You can't deny it! Prudente was visibly ill at ease and didn't know what to say, who to turn to. Afonso, decided to go to the bottom of that fact, went on, A few days ago I met the true baron Raimundo at a party he was not the Raimundo I met that day in the Casa dos Cravos, at your presence. You have now to make me clearly understand this mystery Prudente, almost stammering, ventured, Possibly your memories are not really accurate, marquis The baron Raimundo was in Rio in those days I already know it! So, then, who was the Raimundo I met? I was alone at home, marquis, sir the man desperately tried to say. No, eh no, you are not making me pass for a madman, not you! If you don't tell me at once who I met that day at the fazenda, I will come in person and ask the baron and his family explanations! No, I beseech you, you will ruin me. Please, marquis, sir, don't do such a thing! So then talk, for god sake! Tell me who really was that young gentleman. I have to know, I want to know and I will know, at any price! Please please I will tell, I will tell you everything But not here Where can we talk without risking to be overheard? Come to my surgery, then. Afonso said determinedly, asking himself what could that man, who seemed now to be terrorized, reveal to him. While Prudente was following the doctor, he was asking himself what to do to sort out from this bad trouble. If the baron came to know about it, he could say goodbye to his job, and Paulo would bitterly pay the consequence. Afonso closed his surgery door and had Prudente sit in front of him, So, then? he asked in a hard and determined tone. Marquis, sir, I'm relaying on your good heart I will tell you all the truth, but you you have to promise me you will say no word to any living souls about what I'm going to tell you. Don't ruin me, marquis, sir, please I can't engage myself in such promise, as long as you have not told me all the truth. You can not ask me to become the accomplice of a crime, of something illegal Oh no, there is no crime, nobody infringed any law it was just a a game a game that unfortunately took an unexpected bend, believe me A game? Try to talk clearly, once for all! Then finally Prudente explained to Afonso who was Paulo, and how that day the young white slave made himself pass for the baron Raimundo. So his name is Paulo and not Raimundo? at the end Afonso asked, totally taken aback for that revelation. Yes, marquis, sir it was only an innocent, harmless game, ours, believe me. A game that I consented to carry on only to cheer up a little that poor, unfortunate boy I want to believe you Mister Prudente. By the way Paulo has in his features something familiar with his stepbrothers But how, is that boy the illegitimate son of Baron Bas"lio and he keeps him in his house like any other slave? And also treats him badly, as you told me? It is a real shame! The baron Bas"lio he doesn't really abuse the boy, he just tolerates him. If he could he would even like not to keep him at home. Who abuses him is the baroness and, at times, also the sons and daughters. The baroness never forgave her husband for having taken his pleasure with that young mulatto slave As she cannot take revenge on her husband, or on the slave-mother who is dead, she takes revenge on poor Paulo. You are affectionate to that boy, I think I've understood I have always tried to protect him, as much as it was possible to do So, then will you say nothing to the baron? May I count on your silence? You certainly can, I give you my word. But you have now to answer with total sincerity to another question I have to ask you. Tel me, marquis, sir. Between you and this Paulo, is there a relationship of an intimate kind? As I told you, I always tried to protect him the man answered, but the light blushing that coloured his cheeks betrayed him. Mister Prudente, as I think you can have well understood, I'm nurturing a very strong interest towards that boy I would be ready to do everything for him, believe me But I have to first understand Is Paulo your lover? I marquis, sir, you se the secretary said more and more embarrassed. Forgive me if my question could seem to you too straightforward, but I need to know. I, after that fortuitous encounter I almost can't sleep in the night just thinking of Paulo I am feeling strongly attracted to him Frankly, sincerity for sincerity, I always felt attracted only to people of my own sex, but never as strongly as towards Paulo I believe I am in love with him. This is why I asked you if the boy is your lover. If he were, I would understand that all my dreams, all my hopes are in vain. But if it is not so, you can understand can't you? I have to get to offer my love to the boy in the hope he could and would accept and return it. Therefore you have to tell me, with my same frankness, what really is there between you two. Between Paulo and me there is an affectionate friendship that express itself also through a physical contact, marquis, sir But saying he is my lover I don't think I can affirm something like this. And rather, as at this point you and I are talking with such a great frankness I can tell you that you are not the only one who nurtures in his heart such a hope, such dreams. Also Paulo, after he met you, even now after half an year, also Paulo is consuming himself for you, he is not able to forget you! Afonso felt like a wave of warmth wrapped around him, warmed him, rising at his temples, and with a barely audible voice, feeling extremely moved, said, Are you telling me that that also Paulo is is in love with me? I was not wrong, then? In spite of all I did to make him understand that he had to forget you yes, marquis, sir, yes, it is so! Paulo is consuming with love for you! You aren't taking me for a ride? No, marquis, sir, why should I? I have to see him again then! I have to absolutely meet him again, as soon as possible! Are you thinking to to come at the Casa dos Cravos, marquis? I could not show up so, without a reason, not invited Help me, Mister Prudente, give me a good idea to get to meet Paulo again, and I will be forever grateful to you I could try to take Paulo here in Curitiba with me, the next time I have to come for some errands, for some business Yes, when? I can tell the baron that the headed letter paper is finished and that I have to come to the printer to order him some more Very good. When? Possibly Thursday afternoon around four o'clock. I will be here in my surgery waiting for you will you bring Paulo here? I really hope to be able to, marquis, sir. Should I should I say something to the boy? No, I would rather surprise him. Don't you think it could be a good idea? Prudente smiled, imagining the emotion, then the joy that Paulo would feel, I totally agree with you sir. But if you permit me to ask, how do you think you can manage to meet him again, to meet him sufficiently often as I imagine that you and Paulo as well desire? I would not be able to bring him here to Curitiba to often, I'm afraid. You are right but we will think about this later, after Paulo will tell me if he too feels the desire if he wants to accept my love. Possibly, in that case, can ask baron Bas"lio to sell me the boy I don't think it would be possible, marquis, as the baron swore to the boy's mother, one her death bed, he would never sell the boy, and in spite he would be more than happy to be able to free himself of the embarrassing presence of the boy, for what I know of him, the baron is a man who would never break the word he gave, an oath he did make But if Paulo wanted to be mine, if he wanted to live with me, I have to find a way to make this happen Marquis, sir, I would really be happy if Paulo could leave that house, if he could come here to live with you I will think about it who knows, we may find a solution. I could kidnap him, flee away with him Possibly moving to Rio, or even farther if necessary Let's leave this as the last solution, marquis. You well know that our laws severely punish a a slaves thief. I would be ready to take the risk, if Paulo wants me. Let that be the very last solution, listen to me. Alright, dear Mister Prudente. I thank you, for this moment. The following Wednesday Prudente made disappear almost all the headed letter paper with the barons coat of arms, then warned Dom Bas"lio it was necessary to have more printed as soon as possible. As he foresaw, the baron just told him to look after it. Sorry, baron, as I need also to do some other errands downtown, may I take with me one of the slaves to give me a hand? Of course, just take one with you. Just tell the superintendent who you take with you so that he doesn't happen to look for that slave for a task and does not find him. the baron answered in an indifferent tone. Prudente was silently rejoicing. So, on Thursday afternoon, he made Paulo wash and change his clothes, then took him with him on the gig and drove to Curitiba. The boy was excited and happy for that unforeseen trip, even though it was a very short one. I already came to Curitiba once, do you know, Mister Prudente? But it happened almost ten years ago so I almost don't remember anything Paulo said along the road. I am sure that this time you are not going to easily forget Curitiba. the man answered craftily. Of course, I'm almost twenty years old, now. I'm no more a child. On the contrary, you have become a very handsome young man, you are nicely grown up. Hey, but tell me, Mister Prudente, do you still like me now that I'm grown up, or did you prefer me when I was a kid? You are more and more beautiful, my boy. When they were in Curitiba, Prudente stopped the gig close to the building where was Afonso's surgery. He pulled out from the waistcoat pocket the turnip, opened the lid and checked the time - it was twenty to four. He asked himself if the marquis was already in his surgery waiting for them. They got off the gig. Prudente made a plan. Paulo, take these coins. In that street, as you turn left at the first corner, you will see a small shop where they sell inkpots, pens, pencils and inks. You have to ask for a red pencil and you got to have some change, if the price didn't change. When you are done come back here, and if I'm not here, just wait for me near the gig. Alright? Sure, Mister Prudente. I'll run. No, take your time, my boy, there is no need to rush. Prudente watched the boy go. He then entered the door of the building in front of which he had stopped the gig and was in the small hall he already knew. From there started a helicoidal stairway leading to the upper floor and on the wall at its side there were three doors. He knocked at the last door that he knew was that of the surgery. A short moment later Afonso came to open. He looked at Prudente, then at his back. Couldn't you manage to take him here? he asked, disappointed. I could, marquis, I just sent him for a small errand. As we are before time, I just wanted to ascertain you already were here. It is almost two hours I am here, I am waiting to see him again, and I am beside myself, believe me I will be back to the gig and as soon as Paulo is back I will send him here, at your place, without accompanying him I will then go for some errands. Keep him here with you. I will come later to fetch him when it is time we go back to the fazenda. Is it alright, marquis, sir? More than alright! Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Prudente went back to the gig. After a few minutes the boy came back running. Here is the change. Is this pencil alright? the boy cheerfully asked. Very good. Now, Paulo, you have to do another errand Yes, sure. I have to go to the printer's shop, and it will take me some time You have meanwhile to enter that gate. You will see a stairway. You don't have to take it, on the stairway's right you will see three doors. Go to the last one and knock there. Te person who will come to open, will tell you what you have to do. Alright, Mister Prudente. And after that? After that I will come by to fetch you. You just wait for me in there. Yes, bye Mister Prudente, see you later. the boy said with his usual gaiety and entered the gate. While Prudente was going away with the gig, the boy went through the small hall, knocked at the door that Prudente told him, and at once it opened. Oh, good Lord of the heaven! the boy exclaimed with a chocked voice, widening his eyes, and remaining petrified seeing in front of him Afonso. Oh, the baron Raimundo! You came to visit me, I see. But how comes that you are wearing so humble clothes, today? Afonso said trying not to burst in laughter. Oh, my god I I the boy stammered starting to tremble. But come in, baron, please, don't stay there at the door. I am really glad to meet you again Afonso said and, gently taking the boy's arm, made him enter then closed the door at his back. I I the boy repeated lowering his head, scared and confused. Then Afonso took him in his arms, caressed him on a check and with a gentle voice said, Aren't you happy meeting me again, Paulo? I you you know who I really am? Yes, I know. And And I am so happy having you finally here, with me Paulo, I am in love with you, after that day when we met, I am doing nothing but thinking of you Even though even though I am just a slave? the boys asked almost in a sob. Paulo, the good lord you were invoking just before, didn't he create all of us equal? But he created the masters and created the slaves I well know that we are not all equal. Even if it were as you say, love makes too people equal, don't you believe it? I, as I just told you, I'm feeling I'm in love with you But you, Paulo? Do you too feel something for me? Sir, marquis, sir, you entered into my heart on that day, you are the only light of my life but but who am I to deserve your love? You are Paulo, you are the boy who enchained my heart, who stole my soul, who seduced me with his smile, with his deep and sweet eyes, with his incredible beauty But I am just a slave Does this prevent you from giving me your love? Oh no! If I just could I would give all of myself to you, soul and body, spirit and mind, I would give you all the breaths of my life, all the beats of my heart. Afonso then kissed the boy with tender passion. Paulo returned the kiss, forgetful for a while of everything. He then gently parted from the man and looked at him with luminous eyes. Tell me I am not dreaming, sir, tell me that all this is real My sweet Paulo, to me too it seems a dream I finally can hold you in my arms, I can tell you how much I love you, and know that you too love me! It's too beautiful too beautiful I, sir, marquis No, Paulo, call me Afonso, as we said that day, please. But you are a marquis and I No, to you I am just Afonso, crazily in love with you, never forget it, my sweet, dear Paulo. Yes I can call you just by your name, if you want But then how can we manage to see each other, to love each other? The reality is that I am just a slave, and you are a marquis I will find a way to take you away from the fazenda, to take you away with me, to have you live with me, if you too want it. Oh, if it was possible, I would be the happiest boy in all the universe Afonso. God! How beautiful is your name! Just my name? the young man asked him playfully. No, all of you is wonderful really All! You still didn't see the rest, as I too didn't yet have the pleasure of seeing you naked If you want to undress me I am afraid that today we will not have the time. But I want at least have you in my arms, caress you, kiss you until Mister Prudente will come to take you back. When will we make love, Afonso? Do you desire to do it? Oh, yes, I desire it if you too want it. I am burning with desire to make love with you. Yes, I too am dying with desire I love you, Afonso! ----------------------------- CONTINUES IN CHAPTER 12 ----------------------------- In my home page I've put some more of my stories. If someone wants to read them, the URL is http://andrejkoymasky.com If you want to send me feed-back, or desire to help revising my English translations, so that I can put on-line more of my stories in English please e-mail at andrej@andrejkoymasky.com ---------------------------