[Cap2:A broken romance]
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The day began, but not for Mirabel Madrigal, as she did not sleep all night. Her grandmother's words kept echoing over and over in her head like some kind of prayer. Mirabel slowly got up from her bed and studied her bedroom carefully. That room was a nursery, unfortunately, she was never able to get out of there. Mirabel was still sleeping in the same bed where she had when she was a child, without her life having undergone many changes since then. And yet, everyone expected her to remain completely calm as an uncertain future loomed, even though she had never learned to adapt to change.
Mirabel got ready that morning with the certainty that she would have to accompany her mother to the town square.
That Monday, as every week, it was market day, which would imply that all the farmers in the surrounding villages would leave their farms and bring their products, to sell them in the town square. That was one of the busiest days for the women of the Madrigal family, as the purchase of the week was monumental in a house with so many inhabitants. Additionally, it gave the youngest members the chance to socialize and lose themselves in the stalls of food, clothing and accessories brought from the capital.
Mirabel had a new incentive to attend the market, since the town was not exactly huge, and there was the possibility of meeting that "someone", so she put a little more effort than normal in her appearance.
"I thought we were only going to the market" Dolores commented with a smile hidden in her gesture when she saw her go to breakfast.
"You're the one who only goes to the market. My sister clearly has ulterior motives" Isabela commented, joining in the teasing of her cousin "isn't she like that, little sister?"
"If you continue like this, you will become as fond of going to the market place as Luisa," said Dolores.
"Luisa?" Mirabel asked who was no longer sure to talk about the same subject "What are they referring to?"
"Alfonso Ruiz, of course" Isabela said as if it were the most obvious thing, referring to the son of some farmers who worked there "How come you never realized it?"
"I didn't know," stammered Mirabel who had always prided herself on having a close relationship with her older sister.
" Everyone knows, Mirabel." Dolores intervened.
"Except for grandma," Isabela commented.
"Do you think grandma is opposed?" Mirabel asked genuinely concerned.
Dolores and Isabela shared a confident look.
"I don't think so, but you know how our grandmother is like, if you are going to introduce someone in this family you must be completely sure, otherwise, things can become… intense" Dolores said worriedly.
Mirabel bit her lip, of course, if anyone knew about it, it was the two of them. Especially Isabela, since four years ago she had practically been pushed into a marriage that she did not want with a person for whom she felt nothing.
"I had never thought about that," Mirabel commented as she felt she was opening her eyes for the first time.
"Don't worry, Mirabel" Isabela intervened who seemed to have realized how worried she felt.
"What if our grandmother does not like the person we choose?" Mirabel asked again as her cousin and her sister shared a concerned look.
"Well... Isabela began who clearly did not know what to answer.
"Don't worry, Mirabel, you will surely find someone good like Mariano, grandma adores him, and she will surely adore whoever you choose" said Dolores who was obviously trying to calm her down.
Mirabel did not want to continue with the subject, and she preferred to give her cousin and her sister the false impression that this simple talk had been enough to calm her down. However, as she walked to the market in the company of the other women in her family, she realized something. Her uncle Felix and her father had the full approval of her grandmother, they always did, from the beginning. In fact, considering the authority that this woman wielded, she very much doubted that her daughters even thought of contradicting her.
Once in the market, Luisa seemed to evaporate into the air, since they did not hear from her again. While her aunt, Pepa, was getting into an argument with one of the avocado sellers.
"Are you sure it will be ripe for lunch?" Pepa asked "if it isn't, I'll give it back".
"But you will return it to me accompanied the complete lunch, because it is of first quality" the woman answered.
"We'll see".
At that moment, Mirabel saw a few meters from where she was, the group of travelers from the capital. Juan seemed to notice her presence, as she returned her gaze and gave him a warm smile that made him lose his breath for a moment.
"Mirabel" said her aunt Pepa to her while she looked up from the avocados " You seem bored,if you want, you can look around, if you find good quality potatoes let me know".
Mirabel stared at her for a few seconds, to get an explanation. Apparently, she was trying to tell her that she gave her permission to leave.
"Yes ma'am," agreed Mirabel before leaving.
Mirabel pretended to walk through the market stalls, as the smell of fruit and waste filled her senses. It was the first time in her life that she did not have a childish interest in market day, because she was not interested in Don Luis's carved toys or Doña Celina's sweet melcochas, the only thing that mattered to her was this new feeling in bloom wich didn't want to leave her alone.
Suddenly, she felt herself being watched through the white tarps of the market stalls, so she turned around and feigned surprise. He looked just as charming as the day before, but this time he was wearing a classic beige linen suit, which fitted perfectly with what was worn in Encanto.
Mirabel had never purposefully filled the air with so much enchantment as at that moment. Greetings were exchanged and smiles for completely trivial comments as well. She had never felt that anyone was as happy to find her as this guy did.
The two of them walked through town, and she took the opportunity to show him Mirabel's most common sites, however it wasn't long before he said goodbye to her. After all, he was working, so it was not possible to be absent any longer. However, they made the promise to meet that night by the river. That night, Mirabel attended her date, and just like her sister Luisa did, she also prevented the family from finding out about her plan.
Mirabel sat on a stone by the river, while she watched the ripples in front of her, slightly illuminated by the lights of the lanterns from the houses on the other side of the bank. She didn't need the powers of her uncle to know that this private meeting between the two of them would be completely forbidden by her parents, let alone her grandmother, but she didn't care.
In reality, she was so exhausted from pleasing everyone's wishes that she no longer had any strength. It had always been the cheerful Mirabel Madrigal, the one who never wore an expression of sadness, or annoyance, who was more than happy to entertain the children of the village while the other members of her family displayed their powers in front of everyone. She had made a resolution a long time ago: never complain, after all, doing so meant admitting that there was actually something wrong with her, that she was below her family.
However, the news of her grandmother had sent her into a spiral of emotions, and she had no energy left to maintain that facade that required so much work.
"Hello" said Juan "who sat next to her for a few moments".
"Have you had a good day?" Mirabel asked
"Yes, it was a good day, we spent the whole morning on the farms in the corregimientos nearby," said Juan.
"It must have been difficult".
"It was easier than it seemed".
"Actually?" - Mirabel asked as she could not believe him "many of the farmers in that area do not even know how to read, they will surely have problems reaching them".
"No matter how many communication problems there are, the vast majority of them are interested in aligning their lands and obtaining the proprietary certificate," he replied.
"I see," Mirabel agreed, "although I don't understand why you started with the most difficult terrain, you could have started with the townspeople".
"Mirabel," Juan interrupted smiling, "are we going to talk about this? On our date?"
"You are right".
For the first time in a long time, Mirabel knew she had nothing to prove. The two talked for a while, until late at night. She felt the back of his hand on her cheek and blushed as he reached over to kiss her. That was her first kiss, and she did not hesitate to receive it as a beautiful and generous gesture, which filled her with an almost adult and unknown feeling: desire.
Mirabel returned home late at night, so she decided to take off her espadrilles and enter as quietly as possible, while she prayed that Dolores had already returned to her room, because if there was someone who could discover her, it was took the first step on the concrete floor of the patio, feeling like a dancer who could barely touch the ground.
"Mirabel!" Dolores exclaimed in a very loud whisper, which came from the entrance of the house.
"Shit" Mirabel thought.
"What do you think you're doing? Where were you?" Asked her cousin.
"Why are you awake at this time? Where were you ?" Mirabel countered, in order not to answer her questions.
"Stop teasing me. I asked first and I am the oldest" Dolores said trying to sound serious and authoritative. Mirabel smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"Surely you were in town in the company of your boyfriend" Mirabel answered, referring to Mariano.
"Excuse me, I'm going to marry Mariano, I'm not a silly brat who's making out with strangers by the river," she answered. That was a low blow. Mirabel did not understand why she had questioned her if she already knew exactly what she was doing.
"I… well, this, no," Mirabel stammered.
"Come here" Dolores said to Mirabel as she indicated her to sit on the floor of the patio, by the columns, just like they did when they were children and played dolls in that place.
"Hey" Dolores began thoughtfully. "Are you aware that this boy won't be in town for more than a month?" she asked. " As I understood, his job is temporary, so he will soon be leaving".
"Of course I understand," Mirabel said with a trembling voice as she was trying to sound more confident than she really felt.
"Mirabel" Dolores began" I'm being serious, I don't want you to be hurt, this may seem fun and exciting at the moment, but you must be careful with your feelings".
"Don't worry, it's just a flirtation, I'm just a little flattered, no one had flirted with me," Mirabel replied.
"That's precisely why you should not lose your head and let your feelings fly without any control, you will suffer a lot if you do'' Dolores warned "believe me, I am an expert in broken hearts".
Mirabel looked at her cousin over her shoulder. She had never paid attention to the relationship between Dolores and Mariano. But Mirabel knew she had spent a long time in love with him, without him reciprocating, or even knowing about her existence. And yet, she accepted Isabela's commitment to Mariano without any complaint, without any resentment against her sister, almost in the same silent way that Mirabel accepted the lack of her gift. Maybe Dolores understood her even a little better than the otrhers.
"I won't lose my mind, Dolores, I promise you, this is just a flirtation, and it will stay that way," Mirabel said.
"Okay, but be careful".
"Mirabel, Dolores," called her grandmother from the top of the balcony, "What are these hours of arrival?" The old woman asked, annoyed.
"We had already arrived a long time ago, we were just talking," Dolores lied.
"It's very late, the best thing is for you to rest, good night," Alma said before taking her candelabrum and heading back to her room.
"Good night" they both answered in unison.
"Good night Mirabel" Dolores said before the two took refuge in their respective rooms.
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Mirabel spent the rest of the week immersed in work and in encounters with Juan around town, to the point that she had already lost some embarrassment or prevention of her grandmother finding out about their relationship.
The two had agreed to meet at the back of the church, in order to go for a walk in the garden of the Capuchin monks who lived there. It was a remote place that hardly anyone frequented during the weekdays, so they could have privacy.
Mirabel looked at her clothes, and found nothing to please her, since everything was appropriate for a little girl. She took out of the trunk her blouse and her favorite skirt, the ones that were beautifully embroidered. These garments had been hand-embroidered by her grandmother herself. Ironically, she always insisted on making and hand embroidering Mirabel's clothes. She could be tough and sometimes a bit dismissive of her, but it was as if this gesture was the way to show her some love. After all, none of her sister's or her cousin's clothes had as much work as hers, and not even Isabela had as many clothes as she did.
Such was the importance that her grandmother had given to the matter, that she herself had taught her to sew. Mirabel remembered her last birthday before Antonio received her gift. Her grandmother had surprised her with nothing less and nothing more than a Singer brand sewing machine.
The Singer sewing machine was a staple in every town in the country, an iron artifact painted black with gold arabesques to make it more beautiful, supported by a wooden table. However, the most practical thing was its pedal, which served to work without electricity, one of the most important elements in a place like Encanto where they still did not have electricity.
The arrival of the sewing machine to Encanto was quite an event. Everyone wanted to see the artifact, and housewives in the region wanted to see if it really saved as much time and work as promised, and it turned out to be completely true. Mirabel still remembered the exact moment in which Don Ignacio and his boys took it from the cart, for their machine had made a long journey across the sea, by train, and by mule to their little town in the middle of nowhere.
As she learned after that, her grandmother had received the catalog from a vendor during a market day, where she chose it from the machines availables in Manizales from where she was dispatched up into the mountains. That journey cost little less than a fortune, so Mirabel could not help but feel overwhelmed by that gift.
When she finished sewing her first garment on that machine of hers, her grandmother had the same reaction as she always had when she modeled one of the garments that she had made for her.
"Very pretty, very pretty," said her grandmother without her emotion as she adjusted the collar of her shirt and looked into her eyes.
That was the maximum expression of affection that she could obtain from a woman as tough as Alma Madrigal. That was one of the few moments in which she could feel that her grandmother truly loved her even though she was not what she expected or desired.
Despite the above, no matter how fast her machine was, it was not going to solve her current problem. Well, it was completely unthinkable that she could make a piece of clothing in less than two hours. All of her clothes were what was expected of a little girl and nothing satisfied her. Mirabel thought about taking something from Isabela's trunk, but there was something that did not fit with what she really wanted, because she did not want perfection, she wanted something more, in fact, she wanted sensuality.
Suddenly, the figure of Dolores came to her head. Her cousin was beautiful, but in a very different way from her sister. There was something about her red lips, the softness of her skin, her clothes and the way she behaved That made her want to look like her. It was then that Mirabel decided to borrow something from her cousin's room, of course some might say she was stealing, but she wasn't going to pay attention to that miniscule detail. Mirabel took one of her white blouses with a low cut and shoulders exposed, as well as the lipstick and another couple of cosmetics. She just hoped her cousin didn't get so upset.
Mirabel was a little late for her appointment, but she looked good like she never did before. When she finally found Juan, he was at the back of the brownstone monastery, waiting for her seated on a railing that surrounded the building. He got up and stared at her for a few seconds. It was clear that he sensed a difference, but she didn't say a word. The two chatted for a while while standing by the wall, until he decided to take the first step.
She received that kiss with joy, which quickly turned into passion. Mirabel Madrigal had never felt so desired as she did at that moment. He did not seem to care that she did not have a gift, that she was not as pretty as the other women in her family, about her silly glasses, or her somewhat clumsy gestures. All she knew was that in the blink of an eye that kiss had become the definition of "too much", as one of her partner's hands had gone directly to her thighs while the other caressed the skin that her blouse left exposed on her back.
"But what …" Juan murmured when he felt she was pushing him hard. Mirabel had heard footsteps in the meadow, and she was not mistaken, since in front of them was Roberto Herrera who was watching them with flushed cheeks and an expression full of surprise and shame.
"Sorry ... me, this, baptism, nephew" Roberto stammered without being able to articulate the phrase. He stopped, took a deep breath and calmed down "sorry, I was looking for the abbot. My family wants to get a date for my nephew's christening".
"Yes, of course, anyway I was just leaving" Juan Pablo said as he played with his hat in his hands and left as quickly as possible.
"Please don't say anything to my grandmother," Mirabel asked after a short pause.
"I won't," he replied.
"Good, thanks" Mirabel said who just wanted to get out of that place quickly.
"Wait" Roberto told her before she could leave. He took off his hat and started spinning it in the same nervous way that Juan had done minutes before "I don't want to intrude on your life, but I heard he will be leaving town soon. My uncle told me he and his companions visited him at his farm, they told him they already have everything they need. My uncle signed some papers, I think it has to do with the limits of his farm, when doing so they told him that in less than a week they would leave here, so I think it would be best if you did not get excited about that guy .
"This is not what you think it is," Mirabel hastened to correct.
"So what is it?" asked Roberto.
For some reason, that question filled Mirabel with anger. The truth was not even she knew what she truly felt for Juan Pablo, her relationship had been fun, she granted him that. However, for a moment she couldn't help but think that Roberto had seen the truth in their relationship, one that was eating into her inside and that she refused to accept: the truth was that he was using her as a simple disposable object, and She was nothing more than a silly girl who allowed it, since she had such low self-esteem that any kind of male attention gave her a bit of the validation that she had wanted so much, and that her family was always incapable to give. The thought made her feel a deep humiliation.
"It's not your problem" Mirabel said as she crossed her arms "you have no right to interfere in my life, besides, why did you stare at us? Are you some kind of pervert, or what?" She asked with her voice loaded with malicious intent.
"Of course not!" Roberto defended himself "It was an accident. I just wanted to warn you, I just ... forget it" he said frustrated before turning around.
"Roberto!" Mirabel called him before she left, whether she liked it or not, she was in his hands.
"Don't worry, I won't say anything to your grandmother, good afternoon," said Roberto annoyed. Then he left.
Mirabel came back to her house in a bad mood, so bad that she didn't even bother to change before going down to the dining room for dinner.
"Nice blouse. Is it new?" Dolores asked annoyed, seeing her pass the threshold.
"I'm very sorry, I'll return it to you right away" Mirabel apologized.
"Mirabel" exclaimed her grandmother, surprised by her "Why are you wearing Dolores' clothes?" She asked. She didn't sound upset, she was just curious. "Don't you like your clothes anymore?" she asked
"No, grandma, it's not that," Mirabel hastened to reply, who realized that she was very close to hurting her grandmother's feelings. Alma took a couple of steps toward her and placed each of her hands on her shoulders. Suddenly, she put her palm on Mirabel's cheek and very lightly ran her thumb over her lips, staining it with her lipstick.
Her grandmother gave him a simple, weak smile, but she didn't say left Mirabel completely shocked. Afterwards, she took the neck of her blouse, adjusted it and said as she always used to do it: "pretty, very pretty".
Dinner passed calmly until coffee was found on the table and the family began to chat, and by chatting which really meant answering questions about their chores, and things that were going on in town.
"Mirabel," her grandmother began, while she held her breath, since when Alma spoke to one of the family members, they simply shut up and listened.
"How is your friend's business in town?" Asked her grandmother who clearly did not mean to ask about her relationship, but about something else.
"As I understand it, Don Efraín began the processes of mapping and tracing bourders
through the farms near El Encanto. They didn't start in the urban area" Mirabel said as her grandmother frowned.
"Did he explain the reason?" Asked her grandmother.
"No" she explained "but as I understand they have already obtained the signatures on the documents they needed. They will leave at the end of the week" concluded Mirabel who felt the gaze of her family upon her, without knowing if it was due to her discourse, or Juan leaving.
"Why are they going to leave if they have not finished mapping the urban area of the town, that's the most important task?" Bruno asked suddenly.
"I don't know," said Mirabel. " I asked him once, but he didn't answer me".
The family soon forgot her response and they all moved on to more happy topics. In this case, the wedding between Mariano and Dolores, which was scheduled for December of that year. Both the Madrigals and Mariano's family had been surprised that the date was so distant, but after what had happened with Isabela, no one was able to force the commitment.
"You have to buy the fabrics for the wedding dress," said grandma.
"I already chose some from the catalog from Doña Flor's store," Dolores answered. "But they have to bring them on a boat from Barranquilla, they will have to hire someone to travel to Honda and La Dorada to pick them up" she explained, referring to the two towns with the nearest train station.
"We have to talk to Don Ignacio and his boys about this issue," answered her grandmother.
After coffee the parents left, leaving the Madrigal cousins alone at the table.
"Hey, hear me" Camilo said to Mirabel with a mixture of mischief and evilness in his eyes. "What were you doing?
"Ay papayay, Mirabel'' Camilo mocked, using a nursery rhyme that the children in school used to sing to each other when one of them did a mischief " were you misbehaving Mirabelcita?" Asked her cousin, while she kicked him in the shin. He complained, while the others laughed.
"What impresses me the most is she didn't even bother to hide it, she came here with borrowed clothes and makeup," Isabela scoffed while the others laughed even louder. "Not even Luisa dares so much".
"Well, a little respect for me," Luisa replied laughing, so the whistles and laughter were immediate.
"Those clothes and makeup are not borrowed, they are stolen, which is very different" Dolores corrected "Imagine my surprise when I got to my room and found that someone had vacated the trunk".
"No, no, no, in short, that is why we are as we are, because these boys do not know respect" Camilo said, clearly making fun of the phrases said by some of the village elders, since he was one of those boys, and he didn't know the respect that saying referred to.
Everyone else laughed, and decided it was a wonderful night to wear at a parquet game. However, before they could start the game, someone came to the dining room again.
"Dolores" called Bruno from the doorway "come please, mom and I need to talk to you.
"No problem, I'll be back for the next game," said Dolores
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Another week passed and Mirabel's life did not undergo many changes, the work on the farm was arduous, as there was much to do. However, at the end of Friday, the Madrigal home had an unexpected visitor.
"I came to thank you very much for your hospitality, the time I spent in Encanto has been one of the most pleasant I've had - said Juan Pablo after sharing the usual greetings with the grandmother, Bruno, Julieta and Pepa, as well as Mirabel, Dolores and Isabela who were also in the house when that event happened.
"Mijo, you have nothing to be thankful for," Grandma said formally as coffee and baked goods were served on the table in the living room. "I just hope you finished what you came here to do".
"Yes ma'am, we finished it and we are very grateful for your collaboration" said Juan Pablo.
"What are your plans, mijo?" - asked the grandmother "Are you planning to return to Bogotá?"
"Yes, I have to go back there, and then to Medellín, where my family lives," she said.
Mirabel shared a look with him. So that was it, it was the end of her story, she certainly could have ended much worse, to tell the truth she did not feel so sad as it was the expected ending. Suddenly, Mirabel felt the gaze of her family upon her, and did not know why, but it reminded her of the day when the magic of the house had not given her the door that she desired so much. She was considered a pitiful person, and that was the only feeling she inspired on everyone. That situation broke her heart.
At the end of the visit, Mirabel moved away from the rest of the family and followed Juan through the patio to the garden in front of the house.
"Wait!" She asked in a firm voice.
"Mirabel," Juan began as he turned around and watched her. At that moment, Mirabel felt her cheeks burning, and her blood practically galloped through her veins, the last time she remembered feeling so upset was when she had that argument with her grandmother shortly before the candle went out.
"Was it necessary to do this to me?" She asked angrily "you could have spoken to me in private, but no, you decided to humiliate me in public in front of all my family".
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean …"
"Oh please, you just wanted to avoid a confrontation with me" Mirabel said feeling completely sure of her words, because he was a charmer by nature, one of those people who always wanted to please and be admired. He probably thought she would not react so abruptly if he said goodbye in public. Unfortunately he miscalculated.
"Mirabel, please forgive me, you know well that I cannot stay, I …"
"That's not what bothers me, I …" Mirabel began and soon understood that it was not worth spending words in that "forget it, it doesn't matter anymore, I wish you a good trip, Juan Pablo".
"Can I at least get a kiss goodbye?"
"Of course not."
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Mirabel left the garden and walked to the back of the house that led to the family plantations. Fortunately, the coffee bushes were grown, since she was able to sit among them to cry freely. Unfortunately, her peace did not last long, since upon hearing the sound of her footsteps, Mirabel wiped away her tears.
"By God, I told you to be careful,to not let your emotions get out of control" Dolores said when she saw her sitting there with her eyes swollen from crying. Mirabel lost what little patience she had left.
"It's not what everyone thinks, I don't care what you think" said Mirabel who felt that something inside her burst without the possibility of stopping "I am the laughingstock of this family, I am the laughingstock of all this miserable town. Mirabel Madrigal is only good for entertaining children and for getting out of the way. Juan Pablo was not my first love, but he was the first person to see me, and seeing him go is just a reminder that I am trapped here, knowing that despite what everyone says I will never be enough. I'm fed up, I want to get out."
"Mirabel ... " sighed Dolores who was ready to comfort a broken heart, but she did not expect that kind of reaction "don't say that, you have a very important place in this family".
"Grandma is wrong" said Mirabel "I'm not the right person, I just want to leave this town and never come back".
"Enough, Mirabel, don't talk nonsense" Dolores plaid. "We should go home and ask your mom to make you some citronella tea for your nerves" she said almost maternally as he took her by the shoulders, but she got rid of her hold and moved away from her through the coffee plantations.
"Mirabel!" Dolores yelled. However, she did not return, she only continued to descend along the coffee plantations until her calves began to burn and her espadrilles caused injuries.
Mirabel stopped and looked up at the mountain, which was slightly cloudy as the late afternoon arrived. She took a deep breath and realized that she had said much more than she had initially planned. She had spent so many years hiding her feelings from everyone, but she had exploded in front of the least suitable person to hear a secret. She only hoped it did not affect her plan, because she had already decided she would leave Encanto no matter the pri
Hi everyone I am leaving this chapter here before leaving for work. Hope you like it. By the way, did you guys see Mirabel's sewing machine in the first scene of the movie? yes, it was. I can't speak for all the grandmothers, but both my grandmothers said that these machines had been quite a revolution when they went on sale. I still have my great-grandmother's. I use it as decoration, but it is a piece that is almost a hundred years old, and it was one of the few things that my great-grandmother took from her town when they moved to the city with my great-grandfather.