It had been three weeks since Mayra had asked Agustín if she was a monster. The question still rang in his ears. He didn't understand how she could think she was a monster. He didn't help the matter by standing there and staring at her. She didn't leave Casita since that day. She tried one day but only got as far as the door. That morning at breakfast everyone talked amongst each other but Mayra. She pushed her food around a bit before she took a bite. She wasn't focused on anyone at the table, so she jumped when Mirabel touched her arm. Mirabel pointed at Alma, making Mayra turn to her. She already knew what she was going to say.
"Mayra, it has been three weeks. The Encanto still needs you. The Encanto needs us. Please help someone today."
"I will Abuela."
Julieta gave Mayra a concerned look as the young girl pushed some food around her plate. Julieta tried to get her attention, making her push food up with her fork. She looked up to see that she hit Dolores with it. She put the fork down before she looked down at the table. Dolores wiped the food off her face before she started to laugh. A few other members of the family started to laugh, making Mayra look up. She smiled a bit as she stood. She took her plate to the kitchen and made her way to the front door. Casita opened the door, but she stood there like she had the last time she tried to leave. She lifted her foot but put it back down. Agustín was about to walk up the stairs when he noticed her standing there. He walked over to her to see that she had tears in her eyes.
"Mayra, it's okay you can try again tomorrow."
"No! I have to do it today. I told Abuela I would do it today."
He pushed his glasses up while he watched her struggle. He knew no matter how much he tried to prevent it from happening Alma would eventually get Mayra to be the perfect Madrigal in her eyes. It killed him to see that she had to suffer in the process. He reached out towards her, but she took a step forward. Pasos de bebé, Mayra. You'll get through this. He smiled at her when she took another step. He chuckled a bit when she tripped and caught her footing again. She turned and fixed her glasses before she started to head to the village. She soon was greeted with smiles and hellos from everyone. She was soon stopped by Señora Guzmán. She forced a smiled and waited for the older woman to ask her questions. She thought she knew what it was about, but she was wrong.
"Ah Mayra, no one in town has seen you for a few weeks. Have you been ill or is it something else? Maybe it was what some of the people in town are talking about? They say you chased people out of the Encanto."
Mayra stared at Señora Guzmán as she thought back to that day. No one would understand what happened that day. She felt someone touch her arm, but she pulled back. She saw that Señora Guzmán was staring at her. She looked at her feet for a few minutes before she looked back up.
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear in town Señora Guzmán. Now can I help with something?"
"Yes, do you have a match for my Mariano?" Mayra tilted her head to see him standing several feet behind the two. "We think he just needs a nudge in the right direction."
"Actually, I do. It is one of the older Madrigal girls. I think he will love her. She is a great lis-"
"That is wonderful. I'm going to tell your Abuela right away that you said he is matched with Isabela."
Before Mayra had time to process what was happening Señora Guzmán grabbed Mariano and the two were on their way to Casita. What just happened? How did she get Isabela from that? Crap Abuela is going to be so mad if I tell her I was wrong. She wanted Isa to be with Mariano. Mayra started to sprint after the two until she heard her name. She turned to see her Tío Desmond. She turned back around and continued after the Guzmán's. When she got to Casita, she saw that they were already talking to her Abuela. She covered her mouth as she slowly made her way up to the door. She saw the smile on her Abuela's face. When her Abuela saw her, she placed her hands under her chin to push it up a bit.
"I'm so proud of you. You matched the first Madrigal with someone. You matched our perfect Isabela with Mariano, such a perfect match for the Encanto. You are the perfect matchmaker."
Mayra nodded, turning her attention to Isa and Dolores. When her Abuela and the Guzmán's were done praising her she left. She wiped the tears off her cheek. How could I mess up so bad? Why didn't just say that Señora Guzmán misunderstood you? Ugh I'm so stupid. Mayra was so focused on her thoughts she wasn't paying attention to where she was walking. She walked into Miguel. She apologized but went back into her thoughts. She soon realized if she wanted to keep her Abuela happy she better continue to help people. She didn't realize how many people really needed her second gift until she missed three weeks' worth of chores. It was getting harder for her to concentrate on what she was doing. Every time she tried to focus, she thought about what happened. She turned her head when she heard a yelp. She noticed that she had a tight grip on someone's wrist. She absorbed their fear before she let go. She stood there for a bit before she ran from everyone. When she thought she was away from everyone she sat on the ground. She thought maybe it was best for the people in the village if she went back to Casita. She got so angry at what happened she started to cry. She grabbed a pocket-sized rock in her hand when she heard a stick crack. She turned, throwing it as hard as she could. She gasped when she saw who she threw it at. She watched as it hit Mirabel in the face, making the young girl fall to the ground. Mirabel screamed out for Julieta before she started to cry. Julieta quickly rushed to the two girls. When asked what happened Mirabel had barely gotten the words out. She turned to Mayra to ask her what she was thinking when she noticed that her other daughter had been shaking. She reached out towards Mayra, but the small girl shook her head before she darted. Julieta sighed before she turned her attention back to Mirabel. Mayra continued to run through the town until she ran into Luisa. She fell back with a thud.
"Woah there sis, are you okay?" Mayra nodded. "Here let me help you up then. Papá asked me to tell you to come to the candy shop. He was heading that way and he wanted to talk to you. He said if he isn't there, he will be around town somewhere."
Mayra nodded at her older sister as she finally processed what she heard. She started to walk towards the candy shop. She knew what he was doing. She sighed and continued through town. She soon stood near the shop. Her steps slowed but she continued until she was right outside. She opened the door but not enough for the bell to chime. She stopped when she heard her Papá talking about her.
"I just don't get it. She always told me everything now she thinks she can't trust me. I wish Juli and I would have told them. That was no way for her to find out. I wish she would talk to someone or show some hint of her old self."
Agustín and the Rojas family turned to the door when they heard the bell chime. Mayra stood in the doorway, pulling at her dress a bit. She stared at the back of the store for a few minutes before she felt someone touch her. She was met by a warm smile from Señora Rojas. She walked in and stared at everyone for a bit.
"Umm Luisa said you wanted to talk to me."
"Do you think you could help this part of your family? I know your Abuela wants you to help people but if you don't feel comfortable helping, I don't want you to do it. I want you to do it because you want to help."
She blinked a few times at she stared at her Papá. She had never been given a choice with her gift before. She was always told what to do with them. He bit his lower lip as she continued to watch him. She turned to look at the Rojas family. She took a step towards them as she reached out. Agustín leaned forward a bit as he moved his hand to his shoulder. She brushed her fingertips against Señora Rojas's arm and stopped. She pulled away quickly, holding onto her hand as if she had been burned. Señora Rojas reached out towards her, but Mayra took a step back. Agustín gave her a worried look when he saw the tears start to form.
"You're terrified... of me? I need to go, Lo siento."
She turned and grabbed the handle to the door. She stared at her hand when she saw someone grab her. She felt the same emotions she had been feeling for weeks. She pulled away slowly without glancing at anyone. Everyone but Mayra turned their attention to someone yelling outside the store. Agustín soon realized it was Julieta. He moved Mayra a bit before he opened the door. He called after her, noticing the worried look on her face. He gestured for her come to the shop with him. When she entered, she saw Mayra standing there staring at the ground. She rushed over to her, gently placing her hands under her chin. She gently pushed up so the two could look at each other. She ran her thumb across Mayra's cheek while she smiled at her.
"I... I didn't mean for it to happen. It was an accident. I heard the stick crack and I panicked.
Julieta wrapped her arms around Mayra, but the young girl stood there. Mayra soon brought her arms up, wrapping them around Julieta. She jumped when she heard her Mamá gasp. Agustín was surprised that she had hugged Julieta. The last time Mayra had hugged anyone was the day she was kidnapped. He reached out and touched her arm, making her flash a brief smile. She pushed her face into her Mamá's apron.
"Mamá, I want to go back to Casita. Can I go back now? I did what Abuela wanted me to do."
Julieta smiled as she nodded. She couldn't believe that Mayra thought the only way she could go back to Casita was if she was given permission. Mayra pulled away and walked to the door. She forced a smile before she turned and left the store. She smiled at the people in the Encanto while she walked back hoping that no one would know that she still wasn't feeling herself. She soon got to Casita, but she hesitated to enter. She knew if her Abuela was home she would tell her to continue to help the community. She soon felt a hand on her shoulder, making her jump. When she turned around, she saw Mateo standing there. She simply shook her head before she entered Casita. She started to make her way to the stairs slowly when Isabela stepped in front of her. She expected to hear her older sister yell at her, but she didn't. She handed her a letter with a few flowers. She stared at it with a surprised expression. She thanked her sister before she started to walk to her room again. She almost fell when Casita moved the floor. When the floor stopped, and she finally caught her balance she looked around.
"What the heck Casita? What's with the detour?"
She tried to walk to her room, but Casita brought her back to the same spot. She didn't understand until she faced the wall. She lightly touched the picture frame. She noticed the smile she had that day. It's not fair. Why can't I still be that happy? What is wrong with me? What is going on? I am the one who cheers everyone up. She soon started to walk to her room again, hoping for no more detours. When she entered her room, she threw the letter and flowers on a table. She tossed her glasses on the table before she plopped on her bed. She laid there until she heard a knock at the door. She slowly opened the door to see Mirabel on the other side. She hid behind the door partially as she opened it more. She watched Mirabel enter her room. The two sisters faced each other but said nothing.
"Mamá, wanted you to know dinner was ready. She wants you to try and eat something."
Mayra nodded showing she heard Mirabel. Why is apologizing so hard? Mirabel went to leave but Mayra grabbed her wrist. She felt the hurt, making her let go. She wondered if she took all the hurt away or if she felt it. Mirabel rushed out of the room towards the dining area, leaving Mayra standing there by herself. It took her a bit to move but she finally took a step. She soon started to head towards the dining area herself. When she entered, she could see everyone had already taken their seat. She took her usual seat next to Mirabel and her Papá. She noticed her dish had already been prepared. She faked a smile before she took a bite. She played with her food a bit while she listened to everyone talk. She glanced at her Abuela, making her bring up how she is the perfect matchmaker. Julieta could see by the expression on not only her daughter's faces but her niece's face that they didn't want to talk about it.
"Mi Vida? Mayra, are you okay?"
"Am I okay? No, I'm not okay. Dios mío what would make you think I'm okay? None of you get it. None of you went through it but you want me to be perfect. You want me to go back to the way I was before." She stood but Agustín touched her arm. "Don't! I'm still mad at you. I trusted you, but you couldn't even trust me. I'm going back to my room."
She stormed off towards her room where she started to cry. At the table everyone stared at Agustín. He sat there for a few minutes before he wiped his face with his napkin before he stood.
"Excuse me, everyone."
He left the room, making Julieta sigh. She knew Mayra and Agustín had an amazing relationship. She knew they had secrets they kept together. She knew it would take them some time, but they would get through it. Everyone finished eating in silence, but
Julieta could feel her Mamá and her three other daughters staring at her. She knew that they would eventually ask what Mayra meant when she said about Agustín not trusting her. She was going to put it off as long as she could. When everyone was done eating, Julieta went to search for Agustín. She found him leaning against Mayra's door. She slowly walked over to him with a smiled.
"Mi amor, I don't think she is going to open the door. She's hurt with what she knows. It is going to take her some time. She went through something difficult. We need to give her time."
Before he could stand away from the door Mayra pulled it open. He fell back, hitting the floor with a thud. She looked down at him as she giggled. Julieta and Agustín gave her a surprised look. It had been three weeks since they heard a laugh that wasn't forced. She bit her lip before she shook her head and laughed some more. She bent down, touching his head a bit.
"Are you alright? Eres tan propenso a los accidentes. You need to be more careful."
"I guess I should be. You know my Mamá and your Mamá say the same thing. Maybe I should take the hint, huh?" He sat up a bit and touched her arm. "Do you want to talk about it? Why we never told you?"
She turned to her door that Julieta was now closing. She looked at her Papá again as he stood. She stood and started to pace her room a little. She wanted to know about them for so long. She wanted to know why they never visited. She wanted to know why they never spoke of them. She was just given that opportunity so why did it seem so hard to say yes. Was it because she knew her Abuela most likely had something to do with why all of the stuff that happened? She wanted to keep her Abuela happy. She wanted to be perfect like Isabela. She started to pick things up and put them away, making Julieta and Agustín worry a bit. She had some ingredients in her hand, trying to find a place for them. She started to mumble to herself, but neither parent could hear her. Julieta got closer so she could hear. She covered her mouth when she heard what Mayra was saying.
"Abuela is going to be mad. Don't ask. If you want to be perfect like Isa don't ask. Make Abuela happy."
"Mayra, you're already perfect. If you want to know we will tell you. Your Abuela doesn't even have to know. Here sit, and we will tell you everything."
Mayra stopped mumbling and turned. "Everything?"
"Come here." Agustín gestured for her to sit with him and Julieta on her bed. "Well, you know that my family somehow found the Encanto when I was your age. You also know it is no secret I am accident prone. It was less than a week before I was at your Mamá's stand."
"Papá, I'm not really understanding what this has to do with not talking about your family."
"I was going to give you the more drawn-out love story version, but I guess you didn't want that version. Anyway, we became friends and your Abuela tolerated that part. Fast forward to when we were Isabela's age, I started to date your Mamá. Your Abuela made it a bit more obvious that she did not think I or my family were good enough for any of the Madrigal family, especially your Mamá. The whole time we were together I could tell she wanted someone better for your Mamá. When we hit our early twenties, I wanted to propose. My family and I asked your Abuela, and she absolutely refused. She said the boy from Bogotá was not good enough for her daughter."
"She said that before. She's said it recently."
"I didn't think Mamá called you the boy from Bogotá anymore."
"No, not him. She was talking about Mateo. She said she didn't understand what the Madrigal girls saw in boys from Bogotá. I didn't understand. All I did was get help to save his life. That is what we do. We help people. Should it matter where he comes from? So how did you guys get married if Abuela said no?
"No, it shouldn't and that's why your Mamá did an amazing job to help him. So, your Mamá heard the disagreement my family had with your Abuela. As she came out, I dropped the ring. She knew the second she saw the box. Your Abuela said if we wanted to get married, they couldn't attend things with the family unless the rest of the community did. That's why we do the walk through in town for your birthdays every year. We weren't allowed to tell you about them or where they were just that they were in the Encanto if you asked. They can talk to you guys if it is to ask for help or if you go in the shop, but they can't tell you who they are. Your Mamá and I didn't want to make the deal, but my parents wanted me to be happy. The thing is I don't think your Abuela thought you would get the sweet tooth that you did. My parents said you live in their shop. Your Tío Desmond said your favorite piece of candy matches a certain Madrigal woman when she was your age."
She looked down at the ground as she tried to process everything. She didn't get a chance to know her Papá's family because her Abuela didn't think they were good enough. Would that happen to her in the future when she meets someone? She stood, trying to avoid asking why they didn't tell her or her sisters anyway. She stared at the floor and thought that what she was doing with her secret was the same thing. She took a deep breath and turned to her parents.
"Mamá, I have something to tell you. Tío Bruno, he has-"
Alma opened the door and stared at the three for a bit. "Julieta, Mayra, one of the families from town is here. They need your help. Please go help them with whatever they need."
Mayra smiled and nodded before she left her room. Julieta and Agustín watched her, hating that she was trying to be perfect for Alma. Agustín gave Julieta a quick kiss on the cheek before she followed Mayra. When Mayra got downstairs, she was expecting to help someone fall in love but that wasn't case. She entered the room to find a mother with her two sons and daughter. When she got to the group, she saw that the daughter and the younger son who was about Isabela's age were both upset. She went to see if she could help the other brother. He was the only one who was seated so she knew he was the main reason the family was visiting. She accidentally bumped the man's foot who was sitting, making him jump a bit before he pushed her. She closed her eyes and clenched her fist as she propped herself up. She soon felt a hand on her arm, making her open her eyes. She saw her Mamá sitting next to her with a slight smile on her face. She leaned a bit closer to her, hoping no one would hear what she said.
"Mamá, I don't think I can do this. Since that day it is getting harder to use my gift."
"You are my daughter and a Madrigal which makes you strong. You can do this, but you have a choice and if you don't want to then don't do it."
"Won't Abuela be mad?"
"Maybe, but don't think about that."
She stood and slowly made her way to her Abuela. She turned her head to look back at her Mamá who nodded at her. She smiled and gestured for whoever needed her to follow her. Julieta sighed while she walked over to brother that was injured. After Mayra and Julieta helped the two brothers they went to bed for the night. As Mayra slept, she felt a sudden fear. Her room started to turn red as she clenched her sheets. Her eyes opened and she stared forward a bit as her vision started to focus. She stood and made her way to her door. She opened it and turned her head when she saw a quick movement near the stairs. She ran when she heard crying. When she got there, she didn't find anyone, but she saw a quick movement downstairs. She ran down after it, trying to find out what could be so quick. Bruno was at the picture when he heard her. He looked down to see her sprinting out the door in nothing but her pajamas. He knew there was no way Julieta knew Mayra was up. He rushed to her door and knocked before he hid. He watched as it slowly opened. He watched as Julieta walked out slowly rubbing her eyes. She looked around but didn't see anyone. She was going to go back into her room until she noticed Mayra's door was opened a bit. In town Mayra was chasing after whatever had been in Casita. As she got closer to the Rojas and Sánchez homes the figure got further.
"Wait, come back! I just want to help."
Both families woke as they heard Mayra yelling outside their homes. Both families ran outside to see if she was okay to see her sprinting towards the outskirts of town. They rushed after her to make sure she was okay. Mayra finally caught up to the figure but when she saw what it was froze. She stared at the hallucination of herself. She focused on the eyes. One glowed red and the other glowed blue. Fear and Sadness she told herself. When the Rojas and Sánchez families found her, they saw a bright poof of glowing red and blue glowing dust. Mateo was going to walk towards her, but Señor Rojas grabbed his arm.
"Wait, Madrigal gifts may look pretty and harmless, but it can be dangerous. Julieta made people sick instead of healing them when Bruno disappeared. Accidently of course. Pepa causes dangerous storms. Luisa has hurt a few people already because she didn't realize her own strength. Isabela and Dolres even hurt people."
Mayra stared at the hallucination as it stepped towards her. She didn't hear or see anything but the hallucination. As the hallucination got closer Mayra took a step back. When it was right in front of her it grabbed her. She screamed as another burst of red glowing dust appeared.
"You did this. You did this to me. This is your fault."
Julieta and Agustín managed to find her, but they didn't know what to do. As Señor Rojas had said Madrigal gifts could be dangerous. Julieta tugged on Agustín a bit before she pointed to his brother and Mateo. She knew if anyone they would be the ones to get through to her safely. She pulled away from her husband and walked over to Desmond and Mateo. The two watched as Julieta stared at Mayra with tears in her eyes. She continued to stare at Mayra as she spoke.
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you two could help her. Desmond, I know Agustín, and I didn't stand up to my Mamá like we should have. That you guys missed all those years with her, but she needs you. She needs her Tío, she doesn't have my brother, but she still has you. She still has her Tío Desmond when she is mad at us or just needs someone to talk to about things. Mateo, she just needs someone her age that went through the same thing to make her seem less crazy."
Desmond and Mateo thought about what they could do to try to convince her to go home. It finally hit Desmond and he told Mateo to wait for him. When he got back, he held his hand out to show the group he had Mayra's favorite candy. He started to call out for Mayra who turned to face him with tears in her eyes. He held the candy out towards her. She wiped her eyes as she blinked a bit. Her eye that was glowing red turned back to normal. She reached out for the candy, taking one. She smiled at him before she put the candy in her mouth.
"You know the people in the Encanto just talk because they are bored. They always have. Gossiping and creating rumors is better than have conversations with the actual person to them. You have been more than this Encanto and our families have ever deserved. You proved that the night of your gifting ceremony."
"Tío Bruno would have helped me if I couldn't handle being a Madrigal anymore."
"I'm not talking about Bruno. He has known the pressures of being a Madrigal long before that night. I'm talking about Mirabel."
"Desmond, don't. She doesn't know."
"Maybe she should, Agustín! How many secrets have you kept from the girls over the years? How many times have you come into the store and said you wished you would have stood up to Alma for them, for Julieta. That they simply give her the answer she wants. That the only reason you didn't ask Julieta to leave the Encanto was because you knew her brother and sister meant everything to her."
Mayra watched as her Papá and Tío Desmond argued. Her Tío Desmond got closer to her Papá as he got louder. Things like that never happened in Casita. The gifts got in the way when the emotions surfaced. Her Mamá and Tía tried to calm the two. Mayra covered her ears and closed her eyes. She soon heard a small voice telling her it was going to be okay. She took a deep breath before she opened her eyes and looked at the two again. She saw her Papá point at her before he pointed at himself. She watched her Tío Desmond gesture to his family before he gestured to himself. She uncovered her ears and ran between the two as they got closer.
"Stop! Stop it. You're family, you aren't supposed to fight like this. Yes, I don't always like the pressure and rules of being a Madrigal, but I have to live with those expectations. So, please stop fighting."
"Desmond tell her."
"Julieta, you can't be serious?"
"Agustín, I never wanted our daughters to feel the way I did growing up. That they have to be perfect to make my Mamá happy. That they had to follow every expectation. I just wanted them to be happy and know they were loved."
"Mayra that night you saved Mirabel. Your gifts saved her. She was going to have your parents give Mirabel to us. Mirabel didn't get a gift that night, but you got two. She thought your two gifts could make up for Mira not getting one. If you would have only gotten one gift Mira would live with us. Then Bruno had his vision of you, and everyone knew it worried Alma."
"That's why Tío Bruno won't come home..."
"What did you say Mija."
"Tío Bruno, won't come home because of Abuela. Think about it. His vision worried her that night, it worried all of you. If she was really that upset about Mira not getting a gift, wouldn't she want a vision about that? What if Tío Bruno saw something that would upset Abuela more?"
"No, she wouldn't do that. She knows how much we all miss Bruno."
"What if I had Tío Bruno tell you himself. I won't take you to where he is staying because I promised I wouldn't tell anyone I even talk to him. I will have him come to you."
Everyone stared at her for a moment. Julieta couldn't believe that her own daughter knew where her brother was this whole time. She felt a wave of relief knowing that he was at least okay. She smiled at Mayra before she nodded. Mayra sighed as she thought about how she would get her Tío Bruno to listen to her. She knew that he didn't want to leave his spot, but her Mamá needed this. Everyone said their goodbyes, but she was still distracted. The three made their way back to Casita. When they arrived, Mayra informed her parents that she would bring her Tío Bruno to their room. When she made sure all the doors were closed, she quick pulled the picture out before she jumped in and pulled the picture back. She started to walk until she found his small area that he stayed in. She knocked on his small door, but there was no answer. She knocked again and pushed the door a bit.
"Tío Bruno? Tío Bruno, are you in here? Listen, I need a huge favor from you. Mamá really needs you. Please, no one has to know where you are staying."
The door flew open, reveling a slightly panicked Bruno. He looked down the way she had come many times before he looked down at her. She gave him a worried look as she reached out for him.
"They know where I am? They know I haven't left the Encanto?"
"N-no. I mean in a way. Mamá needs to know about the night of my gifting ceremony. She needs to know why you left. Just come with me to her room, please. She has no clue where you are."
He shut the door on her, making her sigh. She should have never said she knew where he was. She started to slowly walk away but she heard the door open again. She turned to see her Tío Bruno with one of his rats poking out from his pocket. She chuckled as the two walked down the hall behind the wall. They soon arrived at the picture and Mayra pushed it out to see if it was safe for Bruno to follow. She soon signaled for him to follow her and the two ran for Julieta's room. She opened the door, pushing him in. When she closed the door, she saw the look on everyone's faces. The shocked look on her Mamá's face. She nudged her Tío Brno a bit, making him look down at her.
"Hey Julieta, how's it been?"
(Author's note: So, I did want to update this for Agustín's birthday, but I got super busy. I hope you enjoyed it. Bruno saw Julieta. Will he tell her the truth? I wanted to have some famiy secrets come out. Reviews are appriciated. Thank you for reading.