“Aula De Natação” is a witty slice-of-life story that unfolds from the concrete bleachers of a swimming pool. The narrator first meets João on 10 May during a school visit, and what begins with a shy invitation to watch his swim class quickly turns into the classic progression of courtship, marriage and family life. Holidays in the Algarve, a modest car, two sons and a predictable routine paint a picture of ordinary middle-class dreams. Yet every milestone is punctuated by the same image: she is seated alone, waiting for the lesson to finish, watching rather than participating.
That recurring scene becomes a playful yet poignant metaphor for a life spent on the sidelines. Decades pass, the couple eventually divorces and the narrator’s “bench view” remains unchanged, highlighting her quiet resignation as well as her resilience. Cristina Branco mixes humor with melancholy to question how easily people slip into passive roles, letting time swim by. The result is a relatable, bittersweet commentary on choices, expectations and the courage it takes to finally dive into your own lane.