Héctor took Imelda from shopping, carrying her groceries.

"Thanks for everything you do, Héctor," the woman spoke softly. If her voice was still full of melancholy upon seeing her family, she concealed it. To cry in front of Hector or anyone was the worst thing she could do. As long as she blinked her eyes, no tear shall cascade from them.

"De nada," Héctor answered, placing groceries down inside the kitchen. He felt a bit weary from all that walking and tiptoeing around. Head lifted up, his eyes laid on the troubled woman.

"Imelda, are you all right?"

The question threw Imelda off. No one has ever asked her in a long time about her well-being. "I'm fine," she said, annoyed. Trying to divert herself, the woman walked outside to the well. "I am going to get water from the well," her voice stated unemotionally. She was aware that her guest had followed her but she acted as if she didn't care or noticed. When Imelda reached the well, there was a pail hanging over it, supported by a rope. Imelda lowered the bucket into the well. The job was very difficult but it was a task that she had been used to doing by herself because no one would help her. Especially Ernesto. The woman was bemused when her guest willingly, assisted her in pulling the rope.

"Why haven't you been in contact with your family?" Hector asked, his voice straining. "And why did they refuse to see you?"

Imelda continued pulling the rope. She was doing it better than Hector whose strength wasn't as great as hers. "I committed a sin!" Her voice strained.

"What sin?"

"Having a baby out of wedlock!" Imelda yanked at the rope.

"Que?" Héctor squeaked, with his voice raised an octave higher than usual. He was so shocked that he almost lost his grip on the rope. Lucky for him, Imelda finished pulling the heavy pail of water. After regaining his composure, Hector made no hesitation to help his hostess carry the bucket.

The two carried the object inside the house and set it down in the kitchen. The songwriter was so exhausted from all the heavy lifting and carrying that he collapsed on the floor. Imelda rolled her eyes at the display before continuing her story).

"When Ernesto and I met at the plaza, I didn't know what to expect. I was just having fun with my girlfriends by engaging in dancing. After my friends left, I stayed a bit longer. By the time I decided to finally go home, Ernesto approached me. We started talking." the young woman paused, mustering the strength to carry on. "I don't know what happened when he invited me to his house. One minute, I was drinking tequila with him, and the next minute...I woke up lying next to him!"

Héctor's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Judging from her subtlety, he had a dreadful feeling of what took place.

"Then the next thing I knew, I was pregnant and I was forced to marry Ernesto, just to save my honor. My mother assured me that I would have a happy family despite the circumstances. But she was wrong! After we got married, things went from bad to worse! The baby was stillborn, Ernesto's mad at me for getting him 'trapped' and as for me, I have been quite miserable!"

The songwriter was so appalled that he couldn't find any words to express his reaction. Is this what Ernesto's been doing since he moved to Pátzcuaro? Wasn't he supposed to get experience in performing so that the two of them can become musicians just like they had dreamed? Was he just fooling around? Héctor knew his friend to be a big flirt with the ladies but he couldn't believe that Ernesto used strong drink on an innocent woman this he could easily lay with her without her crying for help! Was that how he treated his past girlfriends? Anger began to bubble inside him. His fists clenched, and his jaw tightened.

"Imelda..."

"It's all right, I am getting used to it," the woman ended, defeatedly.

The songwriter started stomping toward the door. "I am going to talk to him!"

"Que!?" The woman grabbed his arm before he could take one more step. "Usted loco!?"

The songwriter turned his head swiftly to her.

"No! How could he treat you like this? You are his wife, Ernesto is supposed to love you, like how Christ loved the church-not like a slave!" He tried to leave again but Imelda's trip was tighter on him. He tried again but it was clear that she didn't want him to leave at all. Sighing he gave up on heading toward the door. Maybe it was not a good time. He would talk to Ernesto later. Right now, his hostess needed comfort. Boy does everything make sense!

"No wonder why you were scared of him whenever he was in your presence!"

"I wasn't scared!" Imelda denied.

His heart sank at the fact that Imelda denied her feelings. Was she having trouble facing reality or was she too scared?

"And why did he keep you away from your family? You should be allowed to see them even if you are married!"

"It's okay, Héctor! I don't care!"

But Héctor could see that deep down she really missed her family.

If my family doesn't want me," Imelda sniffled. Tears had formed and been already falling down. "Then...I don't want them either!" She shielded her face so Héctor would not see her tears.

But Héctor was not fooled. His heart was moved with compassion, that he fished out a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to Imelda.

The woman was a bit surprised at the gesture but appreciated taking it. She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose.

Héctor slowly wrapped his arms around the woman who welcomed it. She stayed in his comfortable arms for a long time.

For the next several weeks, everybody continued doing the same routines.

The sun shone hot and brightly on the last day of August. Héctor was happy that work ended early for him (due to feeling too hot).

"Ugh, hace calore!" Héctor groaned as he walked down the road. He opened his water bottle and drank every last drop. His bottle was empty but he was still thirsty. Looking around hopelessly and tiredly, he brightened up when he saw a river nearby.

"I hope the water is cool and fresh!" He said to himself. He kneeled down by the edge of the river and observed it. It looked fresh and cool. Héctor scooped some water into his cupped hands and cautiously took a sip. Much to his relief, the water was cool. Enough for him to drink and be hydrated. He put his bottle in the river to gather water. While he was doing that, he felt something small and furry by his leg.

"Meow!"

Héctor looked around and then looked down to see a small gray kitten looking up at him. Her paws were on his leg and her eyes were staring at him.

"Aw, Hola gatito," the songwriter kindly smiled.

"Where did you come from?"

The kitten said nothing but only nuzzled her head toward the man's right hip.

"Are you thirsty?"

Héctor didn't have any milk but he gave her a bit of water from his bottle. The cat happily lapped at the tip of the bottle and savored

every drop. When the kitten was done, it nuzzled itself against Héctor and purred.

The man giggled and ruffled the cat's head. He also scratched the kitten's ears which the animal enjoyed.

"Would you like to come home with me? I know someone who is as lonely as you."

Meanwhile, Imelda had been sitting inside with windows wide open and wearing a pink dress of thin material. Her book was the only thing that she was focusing on. Reading was her favorite hobby. Books were something she could escape to and forget about all her troubles. She loved reading stories full of dashing knights, sweet commoners, witty women, and evil warlocks. On the plus side, reading increased her vocabulary intake. And people said that she wasn't smart, ha! Currently, Imelda is reading a story of a woman who despite being already married, fell in love with a dashing young man. The more the woman read, the more disturbed she became with her book. "Ugh, there's no way I would do what Anna Karenina did!" Imelda scoffed. "Yes, I have a crummy husband but I am not cheating on him by befriending his amigo, am I?"

Her train of thought was interrupted by a knocking on the door.

"Imelda, I have a surprise for you!" the voice called.

Imelda's heart fluttered at the sound of her guest's voice. She always felt happy to see him! And was always happy to be with him.

"Coming!" she answered, rising from her chair. Imelda opened the door, with an enquired look. Her guest seemed to be in high spirits. More than usual.

"Why are you so happy?"

"Look what I got!" Héctor beamed, revealing something that was nestled in his arms. It was a very small kitten. Usually, Imelda had no need for animals-too messy. But that was back when she lived in her old big house with her old family. Now upon looking this small animal with its big eyes and soft gray fur was enough to make her smile. What really warmed her heart was when the cat let out a greeting meow.

"Oh my...," she gasped, taking the new pet into her arms. "She's lovely!" The cat purred and licked Imelda's cheek which made Imelda giggle. "Oh gracias Héctor!"

"I knew you'd like her," the songwriter said kindly.

Their sweet moment was interrupted by Antonio who came to tell Héctor that they need to come back to Plaza for another rehearsal because Ernesto demanded.

Héctor assured the frantic man that he will be there shortly, and to go on without him.

"Wasn't my rehearsal canceled because of the extreme heat?" the songwriter wondered. He sighed, wishing that he could really take the rest of the day off. "Lo siento Imelda, but it looks like I have to go."

"Está bien, Héctor," the woman responded gently. "I'll have dinner ready for you when you come back." Then, she did something totally unexpected. She pressed her lips against his cheek. It was just a peck but it was enough to make the man fall into a stupor. He didn't notice Imelda pushing him out and closing the door. He almost tripped on his way out.

Ernesto had called everybody back for another rehearsal. Secretly, Señor Molina had told him that if he hadn't been practicing enough, then he would have no reason to come and see them perform. He wanted to work with someone who works hard. Thus that was why Ernesto called everyone back. Not that he would admit because he didn't want to admit that he hates rehearsals or that he rarely practiced.

During rehearsal, Héctor had trouble playing his guitar and singing the song well because all he could think about was that kiss! Did it mean anything? Or was it just a spur at the moment?

"For this music is my language, and the woman is mi world-"

"HECTOR!" The men yelled, so loud that Héctor hit the wrong chord.

"Sorry!"

"Idiota!" Ernesto criticized the guilty tall man so harshly. "Why are you playing so poorly? We would have gone home early if you hadn't screwed up!"

"Sí!" Gustavo chimed in. "You stink!"

"Oye amigos!" Antonio spoke up, defending Héctor. "At least he's trying! You Ernesto, on the other hand, had not been working hard either!"

"Sí, I have!" The bulky man whined, like a four-year-old. "I did too, practice!"

"Not really," the band muttered underneath their breaths.

Ernesto gave some thought.

"Okay, so today was not a good day, and we haven't practiced as well as we should have but, on other days I worked hard!" He turned to his best friend. "Héctor, haven't I been playing well during rehearsals?"

"Well...," Héctor drawled out, awkwardly. "Only whenever a huge crowd of girls stopped by to listen." Usually, Héctor would always choose words carefully whenever he had to give constructive criticism. Always kind and encouraging. But for his friend, he had no choice but to be blunt.

"Oye!" Ernesto huffed. "Where is this coming from?"

"Nowhere, But I was just saying-"

"Saying what? That I am not good enough to play at the talent show at all!? If that is the case-"

"Ernesto, stop being so overdramatic!" Héctor rolled his eyes. "Take a deep breath, will you?"

The others agreed, knowing that they cannot succeed without Ernesto's voice.

At first, Ernesto revisited. However, the more they coaxed him into relaxing, the less angry he felt.

"Should have given everybody the rest of the day off!" he muttered. "There is always tomorrow."

"Exactly!" Héctor nodded, very agreeable. "So how about you and I go home and see what scrumptious food Imelda is cooking for us?"

"You go ahead, I will stay at the hotel for they are giving me food that is much more 'scrumptious' than whatever my wife can cook!" Ernesto responded. Then he left before anyone could say anything to make him change his mind.

"Whatever," Héctor shrugged. He had become used to Ernesto not coming home with him. Besides, Imelda's a better host than him!

"Buenos Noches Imelda!" the tall man called while coming into the house.

Imelda looked up from her pot and smiled as if she had been waiting for him. "Buenos Noches Héctor!"

They wrapped their arms around each other.

Imelda greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. This gesture surprised her guest but not enough to put him into a stupor like last time.

"How was work?" Imelda led Héctor to the dining table and sat him down. "It was okay. How was your day?"

"I have fun with Pepita today!" the woman beamed, before going back into the kitchen.

"Pepita?"

"The cat," Imelda clarified. "I caught her trying to eat some pumpkin seeds from my jar. That's how I named her!" She reappeared with two plates of rice, beans, and tortillas. During dinner, the two shared their stories of the day. When Hector told Imelda of his not-a-good day at rehearsal, the woman soothes him and told him that he would get better. It was probably rough day due to the intense heat. The songwriter was pleased to hear that Imelda was getting along with Pepita very well.

As Imelda was finishing a funny story of Pepita chasing a mouse, she noticed that her guest was fixated upon her.

"Qué? Do I have something on my face?"

"No," he shook his head. "I was staring at your smile!"

"Por qué? Was there something in my teeth?"

"No, no, no!" Héctor giggled. He giggled so much that súmeles found herself giggling too.
After the two regained their composure (which took a while), Imelda asked him: "What's so fascinating about my smile?" She had kind of said it within self-deprecating humor.

"It makes you look beautiful," Héctor answered, almost in a dreamy voice. "You should smile more often."

Imelda blushed a deep shade of red. No one has ever told her that-especially, Ernesto.
"Oh, eat your dinner!" she said, trying to cover her embarrassment with annoyance. He was trying to flatter her for some reason.

"But I do mean it!" her guest said, placing his hand softly on hers. "You really do look beautiful when you smile."

Imelda's heart was pounding so loud that she wondered if Héctor heard it.