1. Esperanza's Routine: Esperanza, the main character, is described as a lonely woman who lives in a quiet neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Her days are routine and uneventful, and the calls from a wrong number become the sole point of excitement and disruption.
2. Recurring Phone Calls: Esperanza starts receiving phone calls from a man who asks for "Mariana" and believes he's reached her residence. Although she informs him she is Esperanza and that he has the wrong number, the man keeps calling, apologetic yet persistent.
3. Fantasizing about the Caller: As the calls continue, Esperanza begins to develop feelings for the mysterious caller. She fantasizes about him and creates an imaginary life for him based on her interpretation of his voice and words.
4. Imagined Romance: Esperanza's imagination fuels her desire for the caller, and she starts to confuse fantasy and reality. She creates elaborate scenarios in which they meet, forming an emotional connection.
5. Miscommunications: Despite her desire for a relationship, their communication remains limited to these mistaken phone calls. Miscommunications and misunderstandings deepen their connection, as both characters seem to be longing for something more substantial.
6. Revelation and Reality: Eventually, the truth behind the caller is revealed. It turns out that the man does indeed have the wrong phone number, and he's not trying to reach anyone in particular. The realization shatters Esperanza's illusions, leaving her with a bittersweet understanding of the gap between fantasy and reality.
In "Esperanza Numero Equivocado," Cortazar explores the power of imagination, the fragility of human connections, and the ways in which loneliness can lead to intense emotions and misinterpretations. The story delves into the complexities of human desire and how our longing for companionship can sometimes blur the lines between reality and wishful thinking.