[Chapter 2]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Even though the black truck Agustin had rented was a brand-new, 1940 model, built that same year, it bounced up and down as they drove down the highway. Mirabel felt that at any moment her back would not resist any longer and would break. They had been in complete silence for more than three hours, as no one was in the mood for conversation. However, Julieta was the first to lose patience.
"Please. I know we're all upset, but can we try to be civil and talk about a nice, calm, non-controversial topic to pass the time?" Julieta said. Agustín nodded agreeing with his wife, "How about politics? Have you heard the speeches of that lawyer from the capital? I think his name is Gaitán. Something tells me that he will be very popular". Mirabel almost smiled for the first time in days. That was the most controversial topic she could think of. "Wow, Uncle Agustin, what a non-controversial topic. Don't you want to add 'religion' to the mix, just for a little bit of flavor?" Camilo moked, so Mirabel couldn't help laughing out loud.
"Apparently, she can laugh, I thought she couldn't do it, '' commented Camilo who seemed very proud of his achievement. "Ay, Agustín," Julieta complained. Clearly that was not the uncontroversial topic she wanted. "Your husband has a good point, Julieta." Bruno replied. "I would be more interested in the subject if people like Mirabel and I could even vote," Julieta said as Mirabel nodded in the back of the truck. They all fell into an awkward silence.
"How about Football?" Agustín asked.
The three of them arrived at the capital in the middle of the night, and stayed in a huge and luxurious house that belonged to Agustín's mother, in one of the most elegant neighborhoods of the city, except for Bruno, who would not be welcome at her grandmother's house. He went to a hotel, and promised Mirabel that he would arrive the next morning before departure time. Dinner was awkward, but brief. Mirabel decided to return to the living room before bedtime to say goodbye to her grandmother and thank her for her hospitality. However, she stayed on the stairs for a moment listening to the conversation between her parents and the old woman, since it seemed serious.
"It only took the private investigator six months to find her. I can't believe you waited so long to ask for my help, but you never gave me the authorization to do anything" said the annoyed old lady. "Mom, Mrs. Alma Madrigal said that..." Agustín began, but she didn't let him continue. "I don't care what that awful woman said, you are her parents, it was your responsibility to find her", she replied.
"Señora Julia," Julieta said to her mother-in-law, "Mirabel doesn't have a gift, that's why there was fear in the town that she could bring bad luck," continued her mother. Julia opened her eyes wide "but what a misfortune for me, the day my son had to join your miserable family", the woman began "that girl was lost for more than ten years, I wanted to get my granddaughter back. I don't care about the wicked witchcraft of the Madrigals".
"My family was looking for her for a long time along with the police," answered Julieta, offended. "Well, they didn't do a great job, because the detective told me that it was relatively easy to find them, your brother had left clues all over the country. He had the courage to go doing turism with the girl, "Julia answered. "My mother was in charge..." Julieta said, who was again interrupted by her mother-in-law. "That woman was not interested in finding her. She doesn't have that witchcraft that you value so much" Julia mocked, then, she turned to Agustín.
"My dear, please, I beg you, don't take the girl to that town. It won't be good for her, you can leave her with me," said Julia. "It is truly worrying that she is fond of that criminal, but I assure you that if you are not gentle and patient with her, all you will do is lose her completely. You will prove to her that Bruno Madrigal is the hero in her story"
Mirabel didn't want to hear anymore. Mrs. Julia had touched on each of the fears that she had regarding the Madrigal family. Suddenly, her parents left the room without seeing her hiding on the sliding panels in the room.
"Mirabel," her grandmother called from the living room. "Girl, get out of there, I don't know how much you've heard, but I want to talk to you." Mirabel bit her lip and walked out of her hiding place into the living room, feeling completely humiliated at having been caught snooping around. "I'm so sorry, Grandma"Mirabel apologized, for some reason, she didn't have such a hard time calling her that way. Julia gave her a smile and motioned for her to sit in the chair previously occupied by Agustín.
"My dear, I know this is all terrible for you," the woman began. "I understand what you feel. We all tell you that this man is a criminal, but you don't see things that way. You think he's your dad" said Julia, to which Mirabel responded by nodding "The Madrigal family is very complex. I never wanted Agustín to marry that woman. But he is a Madrigal now, in every sense of the word. All I ask is that if things don't go well with them, don't forget about me. I will help you, with magical powers or without magical powers."
Mirabel held her breath, and returned the tight hug she gave her. It was the first time since she found out the truth, that she felt free enough to cry. Until now, everyone around her kept repeating that she should be thankful, because her real parents were "saving" her. Julia was the first person who seemed to understand what she really felt.
The next day, Mirabel prepared herself for the most difficult part of the journey. Apparently, there was no road where they were going, so they would have to travel by train, and climb the mountain on horseback in the company of expert mountaineers. She gave one last hug goodbye to her grandmother, who put some folded bills in her hand without the others noticing her. "Your mom told me you didn't want to try her food," she murmured. "I can't blame you, I wouldn't want to have anything to do with it either, but she's your mother, she doesn't want to hurt you. However, if you don't feel safe, or if it's really impossible for you, use this money so you can have dinner away from home" she said. Mirabel nodded and thanked her.
She didn't think anyone had realized the distaste she was beginning to feel for Julieta's magical food. However, during the following days she had no problems, since her mother hadn't opportunity to cook, and all her meals were bought on the way. Mirabel tried to go unnoticed during those days. To the point that she barely spoke when it was completely necessary.
Camilo and Mirabel shared a horse that he led along the path. Suddenly, the caravan approached a hill where she was allowed to see towards the valley. Mirabel saw the town anchored in the middle of the forest, and she understood that it was the place that appeared in her dreams. Mirabel gave Bruno a look. He must have known, and yet he had kept quiet. He perfectly understood the meaning of her dreams and still made her believe that she was completely crazy. That filled her with anger.
"That's Encanto" Camilo said smiling "Consider yourself lucky, it's much prettier than that cold chochal you used to live in'' Camilo said "Excuse me?" Mirabel asked, offended. "Chochal, moridero, hole from hell, stinking town, whatever you want to call it," Camilo explained. Mirabel gave his arm a pinch. "I know what it means, so you should take it back," she said.
"Ha, I finally managed to get you to talk to me", Camilo laughed "well, I take it back, but it's sad that it had to come to this point so that we could even have some conversation"
"Camilo," Mirabel said suddenly, "why hadn't they looked for me before?" she asked. She felt Camilo take a deep breath. Again, she put her finger on a complicated subject "I don't know, Mirabel. As I told you before, our grandmother is a very difficult person, sometimes it is hard to understand the reasons behind her actions" he answered. "Is it because I don't have a gift? Does she think I'm worthless? she asked her.
"You are so silly, " Camilo laughed. "Of course not. We are her grandchildren, you will see how happy everyone will be when they see you" said her cousin. Mirabel got the impression that he, like Bruno, lied to deny her fears, to make her feel paranoid, even though she knew very well that her suspicions were real. "I know that in your town you were very happy, but I also know that soon you will forget it. You'll be very happy here in Encanto", he added. She doubted it, but she preferred to remain silent.
"I'll go ahead to tell Doña Alma that we've already reached the town. I don't think it's a good idea to surprise her" Agustín from his horse. "You should rest and have something to eat", he said. The caravan stopped at the inn, where Julieta took care of paying the mountaineers who guided them during the trip. Afterwards, the four had lunch and waited for news from Agustín.
"Mrs. Alma is very happy about the good news," Agustín said, cheerful as he joined them at the restaurant table. "Who wouldn't be happy to see my mariposita?" Bruno murmured as he gently ran a hand through her hair. Mirabel gave him a smile. That was so personal that she thought no one would notice, but her mom was staring at them.
"However," Agustin began again. "I think we will have to spend the night at this inn. The mayor is having dinner with the family and it would look very bad to interrupt that event." he said. Julieta closed her eyes as if she had received a kind of blow to the stomach. While Bruno laughed, he raised his glass and said: "I propose a toast to Mrs. Madrigal, a woman who never disappoints. She always does exactly what you expect of her."
"She's busy, she must be doing something very important" intervened Camilo, who despite talking to Bruno, only looked at Mirabel, as if he was trying to apologize. She understood her cousin. After all, he had promised a grand entrance to Encanto. Mirabel gave him a smile, to assure him that everything was fine, since it wasn't his fault.
"No problem," Mirabel said, dismissing it. Mirabel walked up the stairs of the inn to the room her parents had rented for her. Nothing had surprised her, but it didn't make her hurt any less, especially since she wanted to meet her sisters. She sat on the bed, not quite understanding why these people had brought her to that place, if no one was interested in her, not even her older sisters. Bruno had warned her and so had her grandmother. If she saw it on the positive side, maybe if they realized they weren't interested in her, they'd let her go back to her town and with her dad, her real dad.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. "Go ahead," Mirabel said. Julieta entered with a smile on her face and holding a tiny plate. "Mirabel, I feel so sorry for what happened this afternoon that I wanted to give you something. A little love from mom" she said in a soft voice as she caressed his cheek.
"You didn't have to do it, señora Julieta. I understand, we arrived suddenly, the family already had other plans, "Mirabel answered, somewhat nervous about her mother's interference. "Even so, take this little gift before bed, my love" said Julieta. Both said goodbye, and Mirabel found herself alone again. She removed the napkin that covered the plate and found an arepa with cheese. Mirabel didn't know why, but she made her feel very nervous. It was almost ten o'clock at night, they were in an inn with no apparent access to a kitchen and yet that woman had found a way to prepare food for her. Mirabel took the arepa very carefully not to touch it with her fingers and threw it out the window. The next morning,
The next morning, Mirabel put effort into her appearance, after all, she wanted to make a good impression. She put on a black skirt that she had made a couple of days ago, trimmed with colored ribbons at the edge, which she had embroidered herself, and a peasant blouse with lace and red ribbon at the edge of the neck grommet. That outfit was the typical costume of the region from which she came. That would probably remind them that she belonged somewhere else, and not here. Mirabel rarely did anything with her hair, as she wore it short, but she felt the situation called for it, as she made a couple of small braids out of one section and secured them with a couple of butterfly pins her dad had bought her. Maybe then, he would understand that despite everything, she didn't hate him.
"Wow, wow, but how elegant" Camilo mocked, approaching her "Today is the big day, and it looks like you're excited. Everything will work out just fine, you'll see" he said. Mirabel thanked her and went down to the first floor where the horses were waiting for her, accompanied by her parents and Bruno. "Beautiful, truly beautiful" Bruno said as he placed a kiss on her forehead, Mirabel gave him a smile. "Please don't do that, Bruno," Julieta said annoyed, "Mom and the rest of the family won't take it well that you continue behaving like her dad."
Bruno didn't reply, but she knew him well enough to know that there was a sort of silent challenge on his face. The five of them rode the short way to the Casita. Maribel felt the eyes of each person she met on the road above her. Some watched her with simple curiosity and others, with genuine fear. Suddenly, a group of girls her age approached the horse that she shared with her cousin.
"Wow, Camilo, you are amazing, you really saved and brought back your cousin", said the girl with great admiration. Camilo settled himself on the horse and shrugged, while he gave the girl a smile full of false humility. "Yeah, you know how it is. I do what I can, to serve the people, help others. She is very grateful, isn't she, Mirabel?" he said. Mirabel wanted to laugh at all this pantomime of the hero and the damsel in distress. "Infinitely" replied Mirabel following the game. "You are the best, Camilo," yelled one of the girls. "You have a whole fan club," Mirabel scoffed with a laugh. "There aren't that many,"Camilo Humble bragged, who looked very proud. "God, you truly are arrogant," Mirabel muttered.
Suddenly, as they were walking past the market, someone threw an object at Bruno. "You bastard, child kidnapper," a male voice yelled. Mirabel turned around right away to check if he was okay. Someone had thrown an egg at him, and he was removing the remains of the shells from his clothes. Bruno looked up and gave her a smile letting her know he was fine. Unfortunately, Mirabel could not return it to him. She just wanted the two of them to get out of that town as quickly as possible.
Mirabel had to admit that the town was physically more beautiful than her own, since the houses were no more than fifty years old and were decorated with beautiful colors recently painted. It was clear that El Encanto was a place founded by newly arrived settlers from all corners of the country, still finding their own identity and trying to get ahead. While Tocama was the opposite. It was a very old place, which had been a very important indigenous settlement, colonized with blood and violence. The families there were so old that each of them had at least one member who had fought in the wars of independence against Spain. Even Alberto's father had become a judge thanks to a scholarship to study law that the patriot government had given to his great-great-grandfather as a reward for his work during independence.
Mirabel looked at the pendant on her necklace as she thought of Alberto. She really needed to convince her family to let her back as quickly as possible. The question was: How?
"Mirabel" said Camilo. "This is the Casita." That place had nothing of "Casita", since it was huge, and was made up of a mixture of styles that made it look quirky but gorgeous. Mirabel held her breath as she saw a group of people in the doorway. She knew immediately that it was the Madrigals.
Mirabel got off the horse with the help of Camilo, and she watched them while she tried to distinguish each of their faces. She didn't wait for anyone to approach her, instead she ran towards two women who she assumed must be her sisters. "Are you my sisters?" Mirabel asked, excited to see a tall and muscular woman very similar to those who worked the fields in her region, and another that must be one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen in her life. Hearing this question, the muscular girl began to cry, while her sister dropped an expression of polite interest to fight back tears.
"Mirabel, it's me, Isa. You sure remember me…" said the girl in the pink dress as she took her hands in hers. Mirabel slightly shook her head. The two of them seemed so touched to see her, that Mirabel would have liked to be a better liar and tell them that she remembered them, just to please them. "Luisa, Isabela. Mirabel can't remember any of us. We don't know what happened to her, but she can't remember" said Agustín "He did something to her". Suddenly, the girl's face stopped being peacefully beautiful as she was furious.
"What did you do to her?" Asked the girl. Mirabel thought she would be scared to death when she saw two prickly ivy sprout from the ground and wrap Bruno. Her dad didn't say a word. She supposed he didn't want to give them the pleasure of hearing him complain. Mirabel ran towards him and tried to free him, but she could not. In fact, her hands were injured by the thorns.
"Dad, please, dad," Mirabel yelled, unable to free him. "Miss, please, leave him alone, don't hurt him" she asked the girl, but she didn't pay any attention to her, while Julieta and Agustín joined her pleas. "Isa, we are all upset, please calm down"
"Isabela, is enough" said the imposing voice of an old woman. Mirabel knew immediately that this was her famous grandmother. Isabela let her father go without the woman having to repeat it a second time. Mirabel checked and he was fine, then she realized that he had injuries to his neck. That woman had really intended to kill him with her magic. " all is fine. I'm fine," Bruno said.
The rest of the presentation was quite awkward. Her sisters were called Isabela and Luisa. However, Mirabel couldn't manage to pretend to be happy enough to shake Isabela's hand. Camilo's mother was Pepa, who had a fearsome cloud on her head that scared her. Later she met Félix, Dolores and Antonio, but Mirabel still couldn't give them a single smile, since the sight of her father hurting and the tiny scrapes on her hands were too eloquent. All she wanted was to go to a hospital quickly to get her and her dad's injuries treated.
"My name is Alma Madrigal, dear" said the old woman "I am your grandmother", said the woman. Mirabel could barely manage a false smile. She must have felt it, since she didn't return it either. The truth was that Mirabel had heard such terrible things about that woman that she did not inspire anything other than fear, like the rest of her family.
"We have to hurry up and get into the house. We have a lot of work to do. Unfortunately, you have arrived at the busiest time of the year, and besides, we have to plan Isabela's marriage "the woman continued as she gave Isabela a smile. Mirabel didn't care about any of these things, she just wanted to get away.
"Maybe we should leave this whole reunion thing for later, maybe dad and I should go back home, and visit you when you have a little more time," said Mirabel who was really desperate to escape from there. "Dad?" asked Alma Madrigal, surprised, "oh, you mean…". They all shared an uncomfortable look. "I'm afraid it won't be possible. Mirabel, you belong to Encanto, and you have to assume your responsibility as a member of this family. You are never going back to that place," she said. Mirabel felt her heart break as her breath quickened and her eyes watered. Something in her expression must have given her away, since her aunt Pepa took her by the shoulders and guided her to the house.
"We are all very happy to see you, Mirabel," her aunt said as the cloud on her head began to sparkle. She had the impression that Pepa wanted to break the tension of that catastrophic first encounter, but she was only managing to make her more nervous. Just as they passed through the threshold. Mirabel saw the most impressive scene in front of her eyes. The floor tiles began to dance of their own accord, while the drawers of all the furniture visible from the central courtyard opened and closed again and again. That place was haunted.
"Casita is happy to see you, I had never seen it so happy," said her cousin Dolores, who had joined them. Mirabel remembered that this was the same house that had refused to give her a door. Perhaps the house was not happy to see her, but furious, and it wanted to hurt her. She released Pepa's grip quickly, and ran to the door. "Mirabel, calm down" said Bruno who got in her way and calmly held her by her shoulders to prevent her from leaving her. "The house will not hurt you, Mirabel, this magic is harmless" he said as she stared at the wounds that Isabela had caused her, and that did not seem harmless.
"I'll help you with your bags, sister," Luisa said happily as she stood next to her. There was something about her that made her feel safe. Perhaps because she had a very warm and good presence like Julieta. "Thank you," Mirabel replied. "Maybe later we could go out for a walk around town, eat something and talk a little," said Luisa. Mirabel gave her the first real smile "Yes, I would love that."
"That will have to wait a bit. We're already late for the Municipal Council meeting" said Alma Madrigal as she took out her pocket watch. "Julieta, go and heal your brother's wounds. Afterwards, I'll wait for both of you in the council, we have to discuss Bruno's situation, I want you all there, "she said. The old woman spared her a look. "Mirabel, I need you to wait. This meeting is not the right place for you. Sit here,"she told her as she led her to a wooden bench in the hallway by the entrance. "If we took too long, on the second floor is the room you used when you were a child, you can reoccupy it."
"Yes ma'am" replied Mirabel who had not the slightest intention of setting foot in that house on her own account. She preferred to wait as long as it took, than looking for her room alone. They all left and she just sat there waiting. Mirabel took out a book that she had bought at the train station and began to read. She didn't think they would be so inconsiderate as to leave her waiting for a long time.
Mirabel looked at her pocket watch and noticed that a little over two hours had passed and still no one had arrived. She would have wanted to go to the bathroom, or eat something, since she was very hungry, but she did not dare to touch anything in that house, she felt fear that it would start moving on its own again.
"Hello," said a childish voice. "Hello" Mirabel replied when she saw that it was her little cousin Antonio accompanied by various animals. "Are you still sitting there?" he asked. "Clearly, I do," she said. "Come with me, I'll take you to your room, you must be tired" Antonio said as he took her hand and guided her to the stairs at the end of the hall. Mirabel and Antonio walked to a green door. He opened it and showed her what appeared to be a deposit. "This is the nursery, six months ago this was my room, now I sleep on the other side of the hall," said the boy, pointing to a bright door with his name on it. Mirabel entered very slowly, and she realized that the boxes were only on one side of the room. On the other, there was a pink bed decorated with dolls and butterflies.
"That's your side of the room" said Antonio "your mom never allowed anyone to touch it, she wanted to keep it intact for the day you could return". Mirabel felt sadness seeing all those dusty memories. She may not have trusted Julieta's magic, but she couldn't help thinking that there was something terribly unfair in what had happened to that woman. Suddenly, she looked at the nightstand and saw a half-finished religious candle, a prayer book and a crucifix. "Who does this belong to?" she asked. "Aunt Julieta's family usually comes here from time to time" answered Antonio.
"Mom must have forgotten to pick up my things" Antonio continued as he looked at the boxes, "but I'm sure you'll be able to fit in without any problem". Mirabel looked around her. The only objects that seemed to have been moved in the last six months were Julieta's religious objects. The other things in the room were covered with a fine layer of dust, and there was a terrible concentrated smell. Suddenly, the window opened by itself, and a parrot entered through it. Mirabel had only seen those birds at the zoo, since they belonged to a warmer climate than the one she lived in. The bird landed on her cousin's shoulder and it seemed to say something to him.
"The adults are back" announced Antonio who left the room, probably expecting her to do the same. Mirabel wasn't in the mood to try to face these people again. She wanted to be alone, even if it was in that stinky room full of dirty things and boxes. Suddenly, the door opened wide, it was Camilo who was looking at her with a pale face full of concern.
"Antonio told me that he had brought you here" said Camilo who sat slowly on the bed, next to her "Mirabel, I think I owe you an apology. I promised you that everything would be fine, but this day has not been how I planned it". She smiled at him. "It's not your fault, I don't really think it's anyone's fault, the circumstances haven't been the best," she said.
"If there is anyone to blame, is that guy" answered Camilo, furious. "Dad hasn't…" Mirabel started, but he didn't let her continue. "If he hadn't kidnapped you and erased your memories, everything would be fine," he said. Mirabel shook her head. "Why do you think he erased my memories?" she asked. "It's obvious, he did something to you. It is impossible that you do not remember us, not even a little. Bruno has as much magic as any of us. Aunt Julieta could easily do that with her food. Our grandmother thinks he had trouble getting you out of the Encanto. After all, you were always very close to your parents and Luisa. She thinks that if it had been up to you, you would have found a way to get back, or even communicate with them. He should have taken away your memories so he could manipulate you more easily."
Mirabel was silent. This was terribly disturbing. It was the first time she was confronted with the fact that maybe her dad was a bad person. He had not only kidnapped her, but he had transformed her into a defenseless being so that she could not fight, while her mother spent her days praying for the well-being of her daughter in a dusty room. However, she wasn't a machine, she couldn't just turn off her feelings for Bruno and turn on new ones for her parents and this family, to whom she seemed to be an annoyance. She loved her dad, despite everything.
"What are they going to do to him?" Mirabel asked. "Nothing" answered Camilo. "Aunt Julieta is furious. She wants blood, she wants revenge, but she said she would settle for taking him to the police and let them make the decision. Grandma insists that it is not necessary, "he explained. Mirabel was silent. This was a prerogative of a town as remote as Encanto, where the true authority was the Madrigal family, because if it had happened in her own town, people like Alberto's father would have flatly opposed this decision. However, Mirabel was grateful, as she did not want to have to visit her father in jail.
"Agustín asked Aunt Julieta not to insist. I think they both know that if Bruno ends up in jail, you'll never want to talk to them again." Camilo said Mirabel didn't deny it, because if that had been the case, she wouldn't have been able to forgive them.
"Do you know where I can find tools to do cleaning?" Mirabel asked, impatient to change the subject. "I want to clean this room, I can't sleep here" she said. Camilo sighed and looked around. "I'm sure you think this is disgusting compared to that beautiful room you had in your old house. Don't worry, I'll help you clean up" he said. Both went down to the kitchen where there was a delicious aroma. Mirabel was starving, since she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and it was already starting to get dark.
Camilo and Mirabel entered the kitchen, where Julieta and Pepa were working frantically to finish the dinner. Camilo went to a closet and gave her wax to polish the floors, as well as rags and brooms in a bucket. "What do you need, darlings?" Julieta asked as she approached them. Pepa followed her, as she was also curious, "Mirabel's room is very dirty, we'll clean it so she can sleep there," Camilo answered. Julieta frowned upon hearing that, while Pepa covered her face, and prepared to receive her blow. "Pepa, this is the first favor I've asked of you in a long time. You agreed to clean everything for Mirabel's return," Julieta complained. "I know, I know. I'm so sorry, Juli. I forgot, it was not my intention, we have had a lot of work and mom does not want to hire anyone to help us clean the house, there is also the issue with my powers, "said Pepa while a cloud formed over her head. Afterwards, she looked at Mirabel "I'm so sorry, nena. This is my fault, and no one else's. I promised your mom that I would have everything ready for your arrival."
Mirabel gave her a brief smile, because she actually looked exhausted, as almost everyone in that house. "No problem, it just needs to be dusted and it'll be fine. Besides, it's just a temporary thing, while I can return home" said Mirabel, who had decided to ignore her grandmother's words. Pepa and Julieta shared a look and smiled at her awkwardly. "Tomorrow I'll ask Félix to pick up Toñito's boxes," said Pepa to avoid giving her an answer.
"Dinner will be served in a couple of minutes," Julieta said. Mirabel was alarmed, she remembered Camilo's words, "Aunt Julieta could easily do that with her food" speaking about the possibility of erasing her memories just like Bruno had done years ago. "Thank you very much, I'm not hungry" she lied. "How come you're not hungry, as far as I know, you haven't had lunch?" Juliet asked.
"Juli, leave her alone. Isabela and mom made a complete number for her, surely she just wants to sleep" commented Pepa. Julieta did not seem convinced, but she did not insist. Mirabel returned to her room with Camilo, and they began to clean the floors. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. It was Dolores who told them that their grandmother needed Camilo, so Mirabel had to continue cleaning alone. Mirabel took out of her suitcase another of the sweet arepas campesinas that Miss Maria had given her. They were already old, but still edible. The truth was that she was starving.
Mirabel opened the closet and took the girl's old clothes, and arranged her luggage. She used one of the empty boxes that were on the floor and left it next to her closet. She didn't think she would get in trouble for something like that if they expected her to stay there. Suddenly, she saw a map of the country hung on the inside of the closet door. Mirabel looked for a tiny point in the department just north of the capital; there, in the middle of the high-plain lands, was her home. She took a pencil from the desk and circled it with a heart.
It was close to ten at night. However, she still had to push Antonio's boxes aside until the path was completely clear to get to her bed. Mirabel swept and dusted the boxes, moving them to the wall. She moved an especially large one, that exposed an ugly rat. Mirabel couldn't help but scream, so the animal jumped up, bit her hand and left. She observed the wound, it seemed superficial, but the truth was that those creatures transmitted many diseases, so she had to find a doctor as quickly as possible.
Mirabel left the room, and did what seemed most obvious to her: seek Dad's help. She repeatedly knocked the room with the face of her father. That drawing hardly resembled him, since his face inspired fear, very different from the original.
"Papi" Mirabel called him. He opened the door right away. "Mariposita, it's too late, it's been a long and awful day, what's wrong?" asked Bruno who was already ready to sleep. "A rat bit me," she said, showing him the wound on her hand. Bruno went on alert. He took a light green ruana that he hung by the entrance, and looked at her hand carefully. "We have to talk to Julieta," he said. Mirabel pulled her hand away and yelled, "No!" She squeezed her hand tightly. "I don't want that magic, or whatever, I just want a real doctor," she said. Bruno looked at her worriedly and bit his lip hard. "Okay, let's go."
She went back to her room, took the shawl Miss Maria gave her, and her grandmother's money in case it was needed. "The health post must be closed by now, we have to go to Dr. Calle's house," said Bruno as they walked through the deserted streets. Bruno knocked on the wooden door of one of the houses near the town square, until a woman in pajamas and holding a lamp opened.
"We have an emergency, my girl was bitten by a rat," said Bruno. The woman immediately ushered them into the doctor's office, who wasted no time in going down the stairs. The doctor was an old man with gray hair and round glasses, a mustache, and was covered in a red velvet robe. The old man looked them up and down. "Madrigal?" he asked "I thought the dragon lady had completely forbidden you to speak to me. Also, this is that woman's daughter."
"I don't care what my mother thinks. My daughter wants a real doctor, I will give her a real doctor" answered Bruno. "Sit down, any enemy of Alma Madrigal is my friend," he said. Bruno explained to her while the doctor treated her and injected her, that her grandmother had not made life easy for the doctor, since before her arrival, she was the only one who said who received medical treatment and who did not. However, people from the nearby villages had kept his business afloat, as well as the people who hated the matriarch. "There are not many of us in this town, so we have to stick together," he said.
Suddenly, the woman who opened the door for them brought hot coffee, bread, sausage and cheese. She was so hungry that her mouth watered. "Estelita, my love, please bring another plate of that, this girl is so hungry that she might hit me if I don't give her some '' the doctor joked. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to…" Mirabel apologized. "Calm down, calm down," replied the doctor.
"Mirabel adamantly refuses to eat Julieta's food, and I don't know why," Bruno explained, but Mirabel wasn't in the mood to explain herself. The doctor smiled triumphantly, clearly he was enjoying the situation. "I can't blame her," he said. "From what I see, you and the girl are very close," Dr. Calle continued. "Every word I said to the municipal council this afternoon is true" answered Bruno "I just want to protect her from my family. She is my daughter," he said.
"Great intentions, but questionable actions" replied the doctor as he put on his glasses.
Mirabel ate her food and left with Bruno. The two arrived at the Casita around two in the morning. Apparently no one had noticed her absence there. Mirabel didn't want to go back to that musty room where a rat had bitten her, so Bruno told her she could sleep in his. Her dad's room was just as scary as the rest of the house. It had a curtain of sand that he brushed aside with a snap of his fingers. There was a long stairway, but he led her right down a stone path with indigenous decorations. Mirabel saw a pergola at the end of the path, in it there was a simple but spacious room with a sofa. Bruno put a few blankets on the sofa and left the bed for Mirabel.
"I think we should talk, Mirabel", said Bruno who sat next to her. "I suppose you want to know exactly why I took you with me all those years ago." Mirabel just nodded slowly. "I am going to be very frank with you. What you saw today in this house is just a sample of what awaits you. I don't want to sound too harsh, but you don't have a gift, so you are worthless in the eyes of mom and family. Unfortunately, no matter how much your parents love you, they won't be able to stand up for you. I know Agustín will try, but he won't make it. I have the feeling that mom only sent for us for a reason, and I know that as soon as I find it, I can get us both out of here and back home."
And with that promise, Mirabel was able to sleep peacefully for the first time since all that nightmare started.
Hi guys, still not feeling so well. On a positive note I have a chapter ready.