Summary:
A craving for sweets lands a stranger smack dab into the path of Mirabel Madrigal.
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A "What We Don't See" One-Shot. The beginning starts before Chapter 36, and the ending is between Chapters 42 and 43.
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Someone once asked her about the family when she first arrived.
There were things that she knew about people. Most of the time, their judgment is never wrong. She had learned it the hard way when she ignored the warning signs, the whispers in the wind, the glances her way.
Their thoughts had always been laid out so plain for her to see.
Years passed. The town changed. People grew older, but everyone still had a lot to say about the mystical Madrigal whose name never escaped their lips. They thought about him constantly, worried that the day would come when he would return to smite them all.
If only they knew the truth.
Gabriela moved past the vendors in the mercado, careful not to catch anyone's eye. If it wasn't for her stocked necessities running dangerously low, she wouldn't dare show her face in town. She had been living on her own for the better part of ten years, and every time she passes by la escuela on the way down to the plaza, she finds herself struggling to breathe. There, painted on the side of the building, was the family Madrigal, sans the esposos, lively and in order.
Oh, how they captured his confused essence perfectly. This was the family she was supposed to be married into if he had not left the day after without a word nor an explanation why.
He broke her heart into a million pieces, and the loss of their miracle hit much worse. There would have been talk in town, sure, had the baby lived—they would grow up without a father but with enough love from their families that they would never feel alone. And for Gabriela, the gossip would be a small price to pay, just to have a piece of Bruno near and dear to her heart. There were nights when she contemplated the possibility, but when the morning breaks, her mind always changed.
She would never want to put anyone in such a position of shame all because she longed to see him again.
Gabriela let out a startled gasp when someone quickly running past accidentally bumped into her, making her lose her balance. She found herself frozen in fear at the circumstance.
"Ah, lo siento…" The young girl said, quickly adjusting her glasses. "I wasn't looking at where I was going. Are you…ah! You're the ermitaña!"
People were puzzled when the ermitaña first "arrived", not knowing it was still Gabriela in disguise. She had fled casita and ended up a changed woman, in all sense of the word, when she came to hours later, slumped against her Mamá's tombstone. Knowing how complicated everything would be and with the pain still raw, she decided to live in exile, fully embracing the new identity the townsfolk called her. Everyone was none the wiser, save for her family who she had sworn to keep their mouths shut.
Gabriela knew that the Madrigals were still out looking for her, even many, many years later.
But she just couldn't keep herself away from them, can she? Fate always finds a way to mess up her day.
"I'm very sorry," Mirabel continues as reaches her hand out to help Gabriela up. "Are you alright, señorita?"
"Mmmhmm!" Gabriela squeaked, a pitch higher than she normally would. While she looked different, Gabriela didn't SOUND different. She usually had to employ a way to alter how she talked to avoid Dolores hearing her. She fought the urge to clear her throat that was beginning to itch. "No harm done, mija. Ah, I have to go. Excuse me."
She barely made a few meters before she fell back down again. Mirabel was quickly by her side in a flash. "You don't look okay," The teen fussed when they found the culprit—Gabriela's ankle was beginning to swell. "Let's get you to miMamá, she'd know what to do."
"Thank you, but I don't think that's necessary—woah!" Gabriela squawked as strong arms gently picked her up.
"Hey sis, need a hand?" Luisa greeted them both. "Oh, and buenas tardes, señorita ermitaña."
A rising panic bubbles up in Gabriela's stomach. One Madrigal was bad, but two were much worse. If she knew this would happen, she would've just waited a day more.
But no, she just had to crave a cocada. Stupid hormones.
"Luisa!" Mirabel breathed in relief. "Great timing. Have you seen Má? Is she still at the plaza?"
Please don't be at the house.
"Nope, she packed up early. She's helping Tía Pepa with what they'll serve the guests at Antonio's birthday soon. A big event, you know?"
Mierda. Joder. Hijo de puta.
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Gabriela felt herself stiffen as they entered the threshold of La Casa Madrigal. It's been too long since she's been here. Casita flips its tiles in greeting while they make their way into the kitchen. "Má!" Luisa calls out as Julieta and Pepa look up from the recipe cards to find them standing in the doorway. "Sorry, but, ah, we need some help."
The two sisters of the Madrigal triplets are the same as Gabriela remembered them, though they wore their hair differently than they used to. Julieta has her long, dark hair coiffed to keep it away from her face, while Pepa had her fiery one in a long braid. They're still wearing the gifts she had given them on their 35th birthday. It was wonderful to see how vibrant they still are like the day they were given.
The day their brother confessed his true feelings.
"Oh, la ermitaña!" Julieta motioned for her daughters to set Gabriela down on a nearby chair. "This is unexpected. What happened?"
Before Gabriela could even respond, Mirabel explained her situation in a single breath. "I accidentally bumped into her at the escuela, Má. I think she may have sprained her ankle when she fell."
Julieta moves close to inspect her leg. "Looks like a sprain, alright." She presses it gingerly and Gabriela hisses. "No broken bones, at least. Why were you running in the first place, corazón? Ah, lo siento, señorita. Let me get something to help with the swelling."
Mirabel looked down at her shoes sheepishly. The action reminded Gabriela so much of him. She wondered how much of his mannerisms had rubbed off on her in the short time they had. "I was trying to get to the dressmaker as quickly as possible before they closed up for the day." Mirabel eyes Pepa out of the corner of her eye. "I got there just in time, Tía. They've agreed to make Toñito's ceremonial vest."
"Oh, gracias," Pepa wrung her hands. Her thoughts read of worry and stress, not to mention the cloud above her head threatening to pour. "I would have used the one Camilo wore, but then I remembered he tore it when his gift manifested." Gabriela gulps thickly when her best friend offered her a dampened smile. "Oh, pardon my manners. La ermitaña, I know this is quite sudden and all, but you're welcome to join mi mijo's celebration next month."
"Ah, thank you for the invite?" Gabriela blinks in confusion. It's been years since she's ever attended any of the town's festivities, not knowing if she could still handle the noise. It's not like her gift went away. "I will think about it. I'm not very good with crowds."
At that, Pepa's face goes wistful.
Gabriela wanted to slap herself silly for making a faux pas. My secret will be out, for sure.
"That reminds me of someone we used to know…" Pepa began before Julieta appeared next to her and poked her sides. "¡Ay! What is it, Juli?"
"I hate to ask you to do this, Pepita, but…we're out of ice."
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"I'm so sorry for the trouble I caused. It won't happen again," Mirabel says as she walks the ermitaña to the door. "Are you sure you're okay, señorita? I can walk you back to town."
Gabriela groaned inwardly when she spots the sun setting on the horizon. She had been held up too long, waiting for Pepa to conjure the right weather to make an ice pack. Julieta refused to heal her injury with her magical food unless the swelling went down.
What a day. All because I was craving something sweet.
"Ah, well…" Gabriela began but stopped when she caught a sliver of Mirabel's thoughts and changed her response. "I don't mind the company. Do you know if there are still any shops open that sell sweets? I know Señora Julieta is a great cook and all, but I think I had my fair share of magic for the day."
"I think I know a place," Mirabel beams, eager to be needed. "Follow me."
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She wouldn't admit it, but she missed this.
Mirabel was a riot, cracking jokes and making small talk. It wasn't unpleasant, though Gabriela was sure she'd have a sore throat tomorrow morning. She never had anyone to talk to for quite some time, save for herself, for fear of being revealed. Gabriela's not one to take chances, especially knowing Mirabel's prima has ears everywhere.
She can always brew herself a nice cup of ginger tea later.
"Ah, señorita, is it okay if I asked a question?" Mirabel asks her as they make their way through the streets.
"Of course. What is it?"
The bespeckled youth blinks. "Really?" She continues. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"Mirabel, is it? As long as it's not my name or my age, I'll answer."
The last line elicits a giggle from Mirabel. "Oh, okay. Thankfully my question isn't either of those." She discreetly coughs to compose herself. "I was wondering, what were you doing behind the school?"
Busted. "Ah, I was just admiring the mural. I do pass by that area very often, but today it looked extra lively."
"It is, isn't it? Abuela had it retouched a few weeks ago," Mirabel contemplates for a moment. Her voice becomes small. "Señorita, I have another question."
"Wow, you're an inquisitive one, aren't you?" Gabriela teases. "Let me have it."
"When I bumped into you, I noticed you were looking at my…Tío Bruno's portrait. Do you…know him?"
Oh. Oh no.
Gabriela digs her fingernails into her palm, willing herself to come up with a good answer, and finds none. Mirabel, noticing her silence, begins to apologize profusely. "Lo siento, I didn't mean to be rude. I was just curious as to why you were staring at it."
"We don't talk about…Bruno." The words feel heavy and foreign on Gabriela's tongue. It's what the whole of Encanto said. No one talks about El vidente maldito. No one mentions his name lest you'd want a curse upon you and your family. La mala suerte. Desgracia. Terriblé. No bueno.
A few years ago, she would have agreed with everyone. As time passed and the loneliness crept in, her thoughts filled with nothing but memories. All Gabriela wanted to do was talk about him. There were so many questions that she desperately wanted answers to.
Maybe this is the moment she's been waiting for.
"I know no one in town talks about my Tío. To be honest, I don't have much of a memory about what kind of person he was, all I know is that he disappeared the day after I didn't get a gift." Mirabel's brow furrows as she kicks a stray pebble. Her hands clutch the straps of her mochila tightly. "My family isn't that helpful either. When I ask them or the townsfolk, all I get is dead silence or fury."
"Why do you want to talk about him? Is there any particular reason why?"
"It's not so much of a big deal," Mirabel shrugs, but Gabriela knew better. "I just want to know."
Before she could even stop herself, her true feelings spill out of her lips. "Your family is unique, but he's a wonder, Mirabel. Just like you. Someone that's unlike anyone has ever known."
"What?" It surprises the teen into a state of disbelief.
Whoops. I shouldn't have said that. Now how do I get out of this mess?
Thankfully they reach Señor Osvaldo's store with the "open" sign still hanging outside. Gabriela immediately changes the subject, anxious to escape the danger she unwittingly placed herself in. "Ah, I didn't know Osvaldo had a shop. I thought he just focused on delivering everything via burro."
"It's always been here. You don't come down often, do you?"
"I guess you're right. I don't." She clasps Mirabel's hands in hers, hoping they aren't clammy from nervousness. "Well, this is goodbye. Gracias, Mirabel, for the help. You should get going. Your family might worry you're still out at this time because of me."
"Oh, right. Um…adiós, señorita ermitaña," Mirabel hesitantly bids Gabriela goodbye. "Thanks for not being weird around me. You're pretty nice. I hope we can be friends someday."
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Fate is a funny thing. Miracles are a strange concept. A few weeks after she bumped into Mirabel, Gabriela came face to face with her beloved Bruno. All of the emotions that she had bottled up for a decade burst forth. He had nothing else but apologies and confessions.
It brewed such turmoil in her soul, creating a dilemma that no logic could assess. Yet, he persevered in the face of such a challenge, vowing to build themselves up all over again.
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Someone once asked her about the family.
It was so long ago that she had almost forgotten. The question was probably a redirection, for the looming curiosity with the man whom everyone had feared.
"Gabriela," Bruno murmurs. The coolness of the water nipped their toes where they sat beside each other. "Will we ever be okay again?"
There is some comfort in knowing the times are now different, but there are secrets that remain the same. She lays her hand close to his, their fingers barely touching. The small inch of space spoke volumes.
Gabriela wondered if Mirabel understood the words she said then. Their families are dear to her. Madrigal and Álvarez. Why else would Gabriela have lurked so close to everyone, watching from the shadows?
She loved everyone equally, but only two people captured her heart well to make her stay.
"Time heals all wounds. Life comes and goes. We have ways to go, but it never changed how I feel about you."
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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
La escuela - The school
Cocada - a type of coconut confectionary found in many parts of Latin America.
El vidente maldito - The cursed seer
La mala suerte - Bad luck
Desgracia - Misfortune
No bueno - No good
