Author's Note:
So the next few chapters are going to be a little bit different from what this story was like before. They are going to be from Olivia's perspective and go over everything that she went through leading up to where we left off in chapter 13. These chapters are going to be a little bit longer than usual because I am going to be compacting information. After this the chapters in this story are going to have both Camilo and Olivia's point of views.
Chapter 14:
(Olivia POV)
I hadn't left the house since the day that Mama died and I hadn't spoken to another soul since then either. Papa kept trying to coax me into talking to him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I remember talking to that boy when the town healer was with Mama, I remember him making me feel better. I really wanted to talk to him again, but like I said I hadn't left my house and Papa didn't seem to keen on letting me talk to the people in town.
He came in that morning and looked over at me, "I have to go into town today." I cleared my throat and looked up at him, "Can I come too?" His eyes widened as I finally spoke. He tilted his head back and thought it over, "Alright, but only if you do exactly what I say." I nodded my head in agreement and I took his hand as we walked towards town. I saw a bunch of kids playing and it looked like so much fun. I was going to go join when I felt myself being pulled back by the Papa's hand, "Where are you going Olivia?" I pointed to the other kids, "I thought I could go play with them." He shook his head and walked me over to a rock, "You are going to stay here. I shouldn't be too long but you have to stay here." "Papa," I said wanting to argue with him but he shook his head, "Remember your promise?" I nodded my head and he kissed my forehead, "Good now stay here."
I sighed as I watched a game being played out in front of me. I stayed completely still not daring to move an inch when suddenly someone kicked the ball towards me. A boy around my age ran over to get it and flashed me this big, broad smile, "Do you want to play?" I couldn't believe that this was actually happening someone was actually asking me to come over. I looked at the ball in his hands and over at everyone else who was waiting to play. I knew that I was supposed to say no, I also knew that by saying yes I was going to get into a lot of trouble. Still... I felt myself nodding my head before I could even finish thinking this through and running over to play with all the other kids. It was so much fun.
Suddenly I heard a loud roar "OLIVIA." I froze as I slowly turned around and saw Papa angrily making his way over. Oh no, I thought as I saw how angry he was, "What are you doing?" He asked. I was trying to come up with the right answer opening and closing my mouth when suddenly a little boy stepped forward, "I invited her to play sir." Papa was boiling but I couldn't help but smile at the boy. I knew that he was trying to help and I did appreciate that. Still I knew that I had to apologize to Papa, "Papa, I'm..." before I could continue. I felt something bang against my head and my body land on the floor.
What happened I thought. Everything was a blur. I felt myself being lifted off the ground and I tried to open my eyes but it was still dark. I brought my hands to my eyes trying to clear them but it wasn't working I could feel the tears hit my cheeks but I still couldn't see. "Ollvia what is wrong?" I heard Papa ask but I couldn't even tell what direction that was coming from. "Papa... I-I can't..." I started choking out but it still wasn't clear. "You can't what?" He asked. "I-I can't see anything."
(Olivia POV)
I broke out in a cold sweat as I felt myself awaken from my nightmare, but it only took a few moments to remember it wasn't a nightmare but a memory. I felt along the fabric of my blanket as I leaned back into the pillow behind me. I hated waking up. I wasn't really sure how but when I slept I could still... see doesn't feel like the right word but it was the only word I had... it was mostly memories that had faded and the details were never clear but it was much better that the alternative reality offered.
It was well over 8 years ago since I had lost my sight but I still could relive that moment the same way everytime. I knew that it was my punishment for not listening to Papa. I always had to listen to Papa. He was right back then and he has to be right now. Still today was going to be a good day. I smiled to myself.
- 8 years ago -
(Olivia POV)
I was crying hysterically as I sat on my bed waiting for Papa to return. I couldn't believe that this was happening. I knew that I should have listened to Papa but, I didn't think anything this bad would happen. I continued to cry into my arms when I heard a loud noise. There was loud sounds surrounding me when Papa finally said, "I went to Julieta Madrigal." "Really," I asked surprised he vowed to never do that again after what happened to Mama. "Yes, now take a bite." I felt something press against my lips and I took a bite. I squeezed my eyes shut really tight but when I opened them nothing happened. I leaned forward to take another bite but nothing was working, "Papa I still can't see."
He let out a breath, "Well then. I guess the miracle just doesn't work for our family, I mean unless..." "Unless what Papa?" I asked wanting to know why this wasn't working, "Maybe it is because you didn't listen to me." I tired looking at where his voice was coming from, "Y-You think it didn't work because I didn't listen to you." "I don't know I mean, besides your Mama I have never heard of this stuff not working and I mean your Mama..." His voice teetered off and then he asked, "Can you think of another reason why it wouldn't work for you now."
I cried harder, "I'm sorry Papa. I will listen to you from now on. I'm so sorry." he just leaned in and kissed my forehead, "Don't worry. I'll take care of you from now on. After all you are the last piece of your Mama I still have. I won't let anything happen to you ever again." I opened my arms and leaned forward to hug him. He wrapped his arms around me, "Just promise me you will never disobey me again." I nodded my head into his arms. I was already being punished by the world for not listening to him once I wasn't going to do it again.
(Olivia POV)
Today I got to go into town. Papa started agreeing to this 4 years ago when he would go for his monthly supply trip into town. I was usually left home alone to my own devices all day but on the monthly supply trip he was gone for far too long and he knew that Padre Sanchez was someone he could trust to look after me and that was the best part of my month. The change of scenery, the choir, everything about it made the day more special.
- 4 years ago -
(Olivia POV)
I was so tired by being stuck home all day. I knew I couldn't leave home, I could barely make my way around the inside. Papa came home and set his stuff down loudly on the floor, "Hello Olivia." I smiled, "Hi Papa." He came over to me, "So tomorrow I go in town for our monthly supplies I sighed nodding my head. "What is wrong Olivia?" "Is there any way I can leave the house?" I asked. I heard another loud thud and I knew that he wasn't going to like this, "Olivia you know how dangerous it is out there. I mean look at you from the last time you went out there." I let my head sag down, "Yes Papa." I could hear him letting out a harsh breath through his teeth, "There is one place where you might be safe." I perked up trying really hard to face his direction, "REALLY!" He let out a breath, "I need to go talk to an old friend. You stay here. I will be back soon." I sat down on the bed anxiously waiting for Papa to come back. If he figured this out it was going to be the best birthday ever.
The next morning I was so excited as Papa led me to our cart. I felt the wind in my face as we rode and felt every bump in the road along the way. This was it. I was finally getting out of our house and going into town. I wonder what people would say when they saw me after so many years. I never had a lot of friends in town but everyone in Encanto knew everyone in Encanto.
We came to a stop and Papa took my hand and guided me inside a building I wasn't sure where we were until I felt these wood benches. I heard footsteps as someone was coming over, "Hello Padre." Papa said. That was when I realized we were in a church. He shook my arm slightly reminding me that I had to speak to, "Hello Padre." I felt his hand on my shoulder, "Hello Olivia we are so glad that you could come here today. You know the choir practices soon and I think that you might really like it." I smiled and nodded my head. I missed music more than anything else. It was one of the things I was still able to experience but never could because we were so far away from town. Papa guided me down one of the benches and told me to take a seat, "I will be back in a few hours." He told me and I nodded my head. He then told Padre, "None of the Madrigals are going to come in here today, right?" Padre then said, "I already spoke with the head of the family. She agreed that they wouldn't come here today as well." Papa then let out a breath, "Thank you Juan."
(Olivia POV)
I felt along the frame of my bed to my dress and quickly slipped it over my head feeling along the top to make sure that it was facing the right way. Papa helped me with this system where he would leave stuff for me in the same places everyday so that I could find them with ease. I followed the bedpost down to the ground where my blankets were. Same place everyday. I picked it up and placed it next to me on the bed and waited for Papa to wake up.
- 3 years 8 months ago -
(Oliva POV)
I sat in the church listening to the choir singing. It was always so pretty. I heard a knock on the bench, "Hello Olivia." I smiled trying to look in the right direction, "Hi Padre." He slid into the row and he placed something in my hand. It was really soft like my blanket at home. "What is that?" "This is yarn. You see the church was just given a bunch of it to help make blankets for members of the community." I smiled, "That is so cool." I remembered Mama used to make blankets too. She made the one that was on my bed, at least I think that was her blanket. Padre put two long rods in my other hand, "Do you want to try?" I opened and closed my mouth, "I don't know how to." "Why don't you just try? Worse comes to worse you can try again." I smiled to myself, "How do I start?" "I will start it for you and then you can keep it going." I smiled and got more and more invested in trying to make more and more.
(Olivia POV)
My leg was bouncing on the mattress and I heard him groan, "Olivia." I immediately stopped, "Sorry Papa." I heard him sigh as he walked through the house, "So last Thursday of the month." I nodded my head. He came over to me and patted my head, "We will head into town soon. I just need to make coffee first." I nodded my head again. I thought he was in the kitchen area but he kissed the top of my head, "Happy Birthday!"
I sat in my pew, listening to the choir working on my knitting. I was enjoying my day when suddenly I thought I heard someone nearby, "Hello? I asked questioningly thinking that it might be Padre Sanchez. I didn't hear anything for a moment but then I heard someone say, "Hi." I sighed, "Oh I thought I was going crazy for a second. Hi, I'm Olivia." The voice sounded so familiar but I couldn't place it still not many people talked to me so I was choosing to enjoy it, I held my hand out in the direction. It took a moment but then he shook my hand as well and I leaned in closer having his arm as an indicator of where he was, "This is the part where you tell me your name." He laughed a little, "Oh, right I'm Cam- Cameron." Cameron, I smiled to myself it was nice talking to someone else, "Nice to meet you." I then leaned back and started working on my knitting again.
I thought that was going to be the end of our interaction but then he said, "I don't see you in town much." I didn't try to look over at him at this point, "I don't get out much. My Papa doesn't like it when I am in town alone. He is only ok leaving me here and I was going stir crazy being at the house all the time." I didn't hear his response for a moment but then he asked, "Oh, when did your Papa start letting you come here?" I knew that today was the anniversary. It was four years ago today on my birthday, but I wanted to know why he was skirting around the obvious question. I knew that I wasn't good at hiding the fact that I was blind, not that I tried to hid it much these days anymore still I wished he would just ask already, "A little over four years ago."
He went quiet for a while and I sighed stopping my knitting for a moment, "You can ask you know." "About what?" He asked and at that point I was done. I put my knitting back in my bad. Did he really think I was that naive to not understand that everyone wonders about this. Whenever people used to come into church and I was here it was always a million and one questions about how I lost my sight and he still didn't say anything, "Seriously you had to have noticed by now." When he still didn't say anything I just decided to answer the questions for him, "If you aren't going to ask fine. Here are the answers:I went blind when I was little. I can't see anything. As far as I know it is permanent." He cleared his throat, "I wasn't going to ask. It didn't really seem like my place to."
I could hear the smile in his voice and for some reason that made me feel really warm inside, "Oh." I said as I began playing with the fabric of my skirt, "So what are you doing in the church on a Thursday afternoon?" I don't know why I was continuing the conversation I never really let it go beyond this before but I actually really liked talking with Cameron. "No particular reason, I heard the choir practicing and thought I would come in." I nodded my head it was always nice listening to the choir, "They do sound great." He cleared his throat and I heard him shuffling on the pew, "Hey how long have you been here?" I shrugged. I don't know why but time really stopped having much meaning to me. My life revolved around Papa and when he did what he did, "I don't know. Since Papa brought me here this morning. Whenever he has to come into town we come early in the morning and we always leave right before dinner time." I said.
We kept talking and I really enjoyed having someone there. He sounded like he was my age or at least close to it but, it felt like more than that and I really enjoyed talking with him. After a while he finally said, "I have to go." I tried to look at him and smiled, "Thank you for sitting with me." It really made my birthday, I thought but I din't say it out loud. I heard him shuffling when he asked, "Are you here every month." I nodded my head, "Like clockwork." He finally said, "Good." I wasn't expecting him to come back. I doubted he knew I was a Santiago I mean that usually stopped people from talking to me further but, I let a part of myself hope he would.
I don't know how much time passed but, soon Papa came to pick me up. He walked down the pew and grabbed my elbow, "It's time to leave Olivia." I smiled, "Yes Papa." We walked to the cart together and he got me situated before we started driving back home. "How was the choir?" He asked like he did every time I came home from town, "They are great. The music is just so pretty." I smiled. "I'm glad you liked it Olivia." I smiled to myself, "Yeah I had a really great time."
- one month later -
I settled into my seat and was settled into my routine. I wasn't expecting anyone else to come... I wasn't expecting Cameron to come. I spent the last month convincing myself that it was a one time thing and that he was just trying to be nice when he asked is I was going to be here next month. It was just another nice memory that I could hold onto and nothing more. Padre Sanchez made his way over, "Hello Olivia." I smiled, "Hi Padre." I heard him walking away when I asked, "Padre what time does Papa drop me off here." He sounded confused but he said, "8 in the morning." I smiled and nodded my head, "Thank you."
I don't know why I held onto that so much. I laughed at myself for thinking to ask about Padre about it. I opened my bag and started knitting. I don't know how much time passed but I heard footsteps coming from the front door and they seemed to be coming closer. "Is this seat taken?" I was so surprised it was his voice, he came back, "Cameron?" "Yeah," he said and I smiled up at him, "I didn't think that you were going to come back here." I wanted to ramble off so more but then I decided to answer his question, "The seat has been open all day so I guess that it is yours." I felt the wood shift as he sat down next to me.
I leaned back to where I was sitting before. I should probably tell him what time I get here, "8 o'clock." He didn't say anything and I realized that it came completely out of nowhere. Of course he is confused, "That is the time that Papa drops me off here in the morning 8 o'clock. I asked the priest when he said hi to me earlier." He still didn't say anything and I felt myself frown worrying I said the wrong thing. Suddenly he broke out, "Sorry I just nodded my head." I couldn't help but laugh, "I'm glad that you responded at all. I was worried that I said something wrong." "Nah," He said joining in as I laughed. "I brought some stuff for you," he said and I was surprised by this. I wasn't expecting him to come back much less bring me stuff. I didn't realize what we started that night but it was becoming one of the best parts of my life.
