Chapter 10:
(Dolores POV)
- 7 years later -
I groaned as I heard Mirabel was running though the house waking everyone up. I had been up late las night with the buzz of everyone talking about what might happen today. Today was Antonio's gift ceremony and I couldn't believe that it was here. I looked in the mirror as I put on the chocker brushing my fingers over the charm before letting out a breath. I went down and grabbed a coffee before going into town with the family. Everyone went straight to work but, I could hear Mirabel talking about family with some of the kids in the village. I was making my way to the marketplace as I walked past her as she was explaining my gift.
I went over to my booth when, Abuela made her way over again, "Dolores, I need you to go on perimeter now and then head back to Casita. It's all hands on deck preparing for Toñito's ceremony." I nodded my head trying not to flinch. Abuela used to also call Tío Bruno, Brunito and it always shocked me when she would use the similar nickname for Antonio. I went to start going out when I saw Mariano make his way out on the balcony and I heard him sigh and I knew Isabella had to be nearby. I refocused on walking away to the fields. I had gotten really good at everyone believing that I was neutral about everything. After all, I had years of practice from when they were paired together.
- Flashback to the night of her quinceañera -
I followed Abuela up the stairs not sure what she wanted to talk to me about. She turned to face me and I felt a pit in my stomach. "D-Did I do something?" I asked. She shook her head laughed, "No. No of course not. Why? Did you do something?" I looked down at my feet, "Just heard people in town talking about me dancing with Mariano saying I was trying to steal him from Isabella or that he was cheating on her." She just laughed at the idea, "Sweetheart, I know that you and Mariano would never do something like that. Isabella was dancing with someone else. You just kept him busy. He is like family after all. Speaking of which I brought you up her because I need to tell you something."
I nodded my head. "As you know the Guzmáns and the Madrigals are very important families in Encanto." She began and I had a feeling I knew where it was going, "Isabella and Mariano are going to begin a relationship and I want to announce it to the town. Tonight." I let out a breath and nodded my head, "Of course Abuela." I knew she wasn't asking my permission but, I gave it to her anyway. She clapped her hands together, "Wonderful. Make sure to tell me what the town thinks about all of this tomorrow." I smiled, "Of course Abuela." We were about to leave when she stopped and turned to face me, "Just so there aren't any misunderstandings in the future maybe you and Mariano shouldn't dance together anymore." I nodded my head, "Yes Abuela." I painted a smile on my face and clapped with everyone else as the pairing was announced.
- Present -
I shook it off and made my way back to Casita. "Dolores, good you are back. Luisa is still in town help me move these," Abuela said gesturing to the gifts for Antonio. I heard the kids following Mirabel coming closer to Casita. The kids kept asking what her gift was. I could hear the tension in her voice. She didn't know what to say. Abuela and I were passing the doorway when she saw Mirabel, "What is that girl up to now?" Abuela started before calling out to her. All attention turned to her and as the kids began mentioning Mirabel's gift again I stepped in, "Oh, Mirabel didn't get one." I squeaked out. Today of all days was not the day for Mirabel to have to talk about it. I had a feeling that she wouldn't have been able to get it out and me saying it in passing would be better than Abuela's disappointment talking about it to the children of Encanto.
I walked away and tried to focus on listening to something else. People were coming in and out of Casita today. I had gotten a lot better at being around loud noises for long periods of time but, still it was going to be a long day and if I could avoid some of the noise now my ears probably wouldn't be as sore tomorrow. I went on the balcony and saw Isabella as she grew flowers along the banister. Suddenly the winds picked up again and Mamá was getting upset. "Mi vida the flowers." I turned to Isabella and nodded my head and hid back into the shadows. She understood the signal and began cascading down, "Did someone say flowers?"
I backed away into my room and closed the door. Honestly, no one would really notice I wasn't there. I'd make my way down and stand by la familia during the gift ceremony and join in the celebration later. I closed my eyes as everyone's voices filtered in and out of my mind. All of them were loud today but, some were easier to ignore than others. I sat down on my bed and let my hair fall down as I laid back. I looked out the windows at the world beyond Casita. The rats were running through the walls as Tío Bruno was playing out one of his telenovelas with them. I wished I could see him. I really wanted to see him, but all I could do was listen.
- Flashback -
The people in town were happy about Isabella and Mariano as they began dating. He would escort her to all town events. They didn't spend any time together outside of them though. I always found it strange but tried not to focus on it too much. I made my way out of the room when Abuela stopped me, "Dolores, don't forget to do something with your hair." She said waving her hand around my head. I had left my hair down but, I nodded my head and put it up in a bun. I looked in the mirror and nodded my head, not a hair out of place.
I went to the breakfast table and sat quietly as I heard the same sound as last time. There was no mistaking it. Mamá was pregnant. I looked up at her as she was talking to someone else. When she looked over at me I discreetly tapped my stomach looking up at her. She nodded her head and smiled. I smiled too but, didn't say anything. This time they would get to share the news, when they were ready. I went into town with a smile on my face and went about my day trying to keep the secret in the entire time.
- Present -
I sat up and began rearranging my curls in a bun and retying my bow. I looked in the mirror and when I was happy with it, I took a deep breath as conversations were flooding my ears. People were looking for Antonio. I could hear him in the nursery but Mirabel was going in anyway. I made my way downstairs and joined my family as we waited for him and Mirabel to come down. I smiled as he made his way around the corner holding onto Mirabel's hand. I smiled as he came over and Mamá and Papa focused their attention on him.
- Flashback -
Camilo looked over at me as the weather quickly turned. I grabbed his hand and brought him to my room. "Dolores, what's happening?" He asked and I smirked, "We are getting a younger sibling." He looked over at me, "Seriously." I nodded my head and looked out the window, "You know it was worse weather when it was you." He looked up at me, "It was." I began telling him all about the day he was born taking his mind off the storm. I talked about the weather and how everyone was yelling and the village needed to take cover. I left out the part about Tío Bruno though. I knew that people were upset when I brought him up and today was supposed to be a happy day.
I heard all of Mamá's screams but I kept a smile on my face for Camilo as I played card games with him like Tío Bruno did with me. When it was finally time I took his hand and we walked over to Mamá and Papa's room. We went over and I could hear the smile in Mamá's voice as she said, "Meet Antonio." I smiled down at him as Camilo's hand was shaking, "He's so tiny." I looked over at him, "He's even smaller than you were." Mamá looked over at Papa, "Everyone take it all in, because we are not doing this a fourth time!" We all nodded our heads in agreement and stayed in the room together knowing that our part of the family was complete.
- Present -
I heard Abuela, "Abuela says, 'It's time.'" I went to the other side of the curtain and walked over to the other members of the family. I stood beside everyone as the curtain opened. Antonio looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he turned to gesture for Mirabel. Those two have been close for years. Sharing the nursery would do that to them though. They made their way up the stairs where Abuela was holding the candle. I smiled as Antonio hesitantly touched the candle and turned towards the doorknob.
Suddenly a Toucan flew onto his arm. I heard all the animals on the border of the jungle begin to make their way closer to the edge. Antonio smiled, "Of course they can come." Suddenly they were sprinting towards Casita. As the animals flooded the room it became clear to everyone that his gift was that he can communicate with animals. Fireworks were set off and I had to cover my ears as we made our way up into Antonio's new room. I stayed by Camilo as the crowd's ohs and ahs rang loudly in my ears. When it was time for a picture everyone displayed their gift so I held up my hand like I was listening to something far away. That was when I heard his voice again, "Perfect." Mariano had to be looking at Isabella. I had also heard the murmurs of over families realizing that the miracle was still bestowing blessings and encouraging their sons to talk to me since Isabella was taken. Second choice yet again. I kept the smile on my face, but I had every intention of going to sleep in my room as soon as it was over.
Just as I was about to sneak away I heard a pot fall somewhere. Something wasn't right. Tío Bruno and the rats in the wall began running around almost in a panic. I heard Luisa grunt as she tried to lift something up. Something was off. I then heard Mirabel panting as she was running towards us. What was going on? Mirabel came up to us saying something was wrong. I went out with everyone else but there was nothing wrong, but I heard cracking, or at least I thought I did. The rats in the walls and Tío Bruno were scurrying in the walls. We all looked toward Abuela, if anything was wrong with the miracle as the candleholder she would now. So when she said everything was fine that was what I choose to focus on.
I slipped away from the party and laid awake in bed. No one noticed I was gone, one of the perks of having a cousin like Isabella I mused to myself. I wastrying to think about the sound that I heard. It sounded like the house was cracking but, if Abuela said everything was fine... I closed my eyes late into the night but I heard someone's eye twitching the entire night. I tried to figure out who it was. It was definitely in Casita. It wasn't any of the parents. Luisa. I opened my eyes, I knew that Mirabel was worried but why was Luisa. Tío Bruno and the rats in the wall were up late into the night. The house stirred the entire night and I couldn't help but wonder what Abuela wasn't telling us, but I knew better than to ask.