Happiness

My name is Marcos. I’ve always wanted to be Cristóbal.

I don’t mean to be called Cristóbal. Cristóbal is my friend; I was going to say my best friend, but I’ll say he’s my only one. Gabriela is my wife. She loves me a lot and sleeps with Cristóbal.

He is intelligent, sure of himself and a good dancer. He also rides horses. He knows Latin grammar. He cooks for women; then he has them for breakfast. I’d dare say that Gabriela is his favourite dish.

Someone unaware of the situation might think that my wife is betraying me with him: nothing could be further from the truth. I have always wanted to be Cristóbal, and I certainly put in the effort. I practice not being Marcos. I take dance classes, I go over my student textbooks. I know that my wife adores me. And her love is so great, that the poor woman sleeps with him, with the man I wish to be.

In the muscular arms of Cristóbal, deceiving him, getting used to his body, his character and his tastes, my Gabriela waits for me eagerly with open arms. Such patience fills me with joy. ■

Translated by Trevor Stack & Julia Biggane.

Traveller of the Century by Andrés Neuman is published by Pushkin Press and currently longlisted for both the International Foriegn Fiction Prize and the Best Translated Book Award. You can also listen to a podcast with the author, here.