Summary:

Gabriela has a heart-to-heart talk with her Mamá and recalls the day she developed feelings for Bruno.

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Written in Gabriela's POV.

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"Mija, Gabriela," I hear Mamá knock on my door. "May I come in?"

I'm sketching a design out for a project I'm working on. "Sure, Má, the door is open." I hear my door creak open and she walks in. "What's that you're making?" Mamá peeks over my shoulder.

"What do you think of this?" I pick up the paper and hold it out for her to see. She hums. "Wow, that's a beautiful design. So, is this for Bruno?"

I nod. Mamá laughs. "Ay, I can't believe time flies so fast, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, who would've thought five years later Julián would be getting ready for his engagement? I can't believe my brother's getting married now."

Mamá playfully nudges me. "True. I feel like it was only yesterday when Julián brought over Lucía home to meet us." I shake my head and laugh. Who knew that the baker's daughter was also interested in my brother? Imagine that! Now they're on their way to the altar.

"Well, I hope she's ready because being a part of this family means she has no choice but to endure Julián's annoying tendencies."

"Your brother isn't that half-bad, though you two should stop teasing each other so much. Speaking of weddings, when will Bruno propose?" My eyes grow wide at Mamá's remark and my cheeks heat. "Má, you know it's not like that. Bruno's just a friend."

"Ay, a friend who you're making an extra special gift for?" Her lips point towards my design on the table.

"¡Má! You know that I'm making gifts for ALL THREE of the Madrigal triplets, right? For their birthday?"

Mamá laughs. "Yes, which is still a few months away." I begin to sort out the sketches I have at the table. "Seriously, Gabriela, what's taking that Madrigal boy so long? Anyone with two eyes can see that he likes you."

I roll my eyes at her. "Má, trust me, I don't think he sees me that way." I digest my mother's words. In all honesty, I'd like to believe that he does like me, but he's…Bruno. Mysterious, anxious, sometimes awkward…definitely cocky…Bruno. I've once thought about reading his mind, but I was too scared of what I would see that I never did. I never used my gift around any of the other Madrigals, either, well, except for Pepa, but I've toned it down in recent times especially with Isabela and Dolores now joining their magical ranks. There's an expectation now that Luisa, Julieta's two-year-old second child, and Camilo, Pepa's newborn and only son, would also be receiving a gift when they come of age.

"But you've told me that there were a few times that it came close to something, didn't you?" I heave a deep sigh. I recall those moments over the years we've known each other. I now feel silly for ever dismissing the possibility that I would develop a crush on him. No one but Mamá knows how I feel about Bruno.

"Mamá, you know it's complicated."

She tuts at me. "Ay, are you worried about what other people have been saying about him lately?" I open my mouth to say something, but then close it again, slumping down next to Mamá on the bed. I want to say I don't think about it, but it's hard not to think about it when I can hear everyone's malicious thoughts towards Bruno. It doesn't make it any easier that he's also been distancing himself from me and Julián more and more lately. The look on my face says it all and Mamá wraps me in a tight hug.

"Ay, ay, Elitta. No hay nada que no puedas manejar cuando estás enamorado," She soothes me as tears start to fall down my face.

"But Má, I don't even know if what I feel is…love. You know it didn't work out well the first time…and…and…"

"Shh." She shushes me and holds my face tenderly. "When the right time comes, Gabriela, I promise you, you will know. And when you decide to tell him the truth, I know he will love you all the same."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

I clearly remember the day I started developing feelings for the charming, mysterious Bruno Madrigal.

It was the night before my thirtieth birthday. I was about to fall asleep when I heard pebbles being thrown at my window. Annoyed, I looked out, planning to threaten the person when I saw that it was just Bruno, the hood of his ruana covering his face.

" Ay, Dios mio , Bruno, it's just you. You're going to give me a heart attack. What are you doing here? It's almost midnight!" I hissed at him. He pulled his hood down, which made his head a mess of curls, and despite the dim light, I could see his mischievous grin.

"I know. Come with me. I've got a surprise for you."

I gave him a look. Everyone in town is asleep, save for us both. "Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

He shook his head. "No. It has to be tonight. Come on down, princesa."

I rolled my eyes at him. He heard Mamá call me 'princesa' once, and started using the nickname ever since. It always garnered amused looks from his sisters and even my brother, much to my embarrassment. "Ha. Ha. Give me a second." I changed into my daywear and snuck out through my window, landing on the ground with a soft thud. Bruno tried hard not to laugh out loud. "I didn't think you'd actually sneak out."

I'm not one for breaking rules but if it's to shut Bruno Madrigal up, I would continuously break them. People always saw him as awkward and unlucky, but they never knew how cocky he could be. "Well, you wouldn't leave me alone if I didn't. So what's this surprise that couldn't wait?"

He motioned me to follow him in the direction of the mountains. "Quickly. We don't want to be late." I doubted but I walked on with him until we reached the peak, where we could see the entire town from above.

"Look up." And the moment I did, lights started streaking across the sky. A meteor shower.

"Wow." I breathed. It was the first time I'd seen one. I turned to look at Bruno and was surprised by what I saw. He held in his hands a small slice of Brazo de Reina with a lit candle stuck in the middle.

"I got a vision of the meteor shower happening on your birthday, and I knew you've never seen one, so I had to share it with you." With his eyes so earnest, I understood why his surprise couldn't wait. His gift wasn't something material, but it carried on so much more weight. I realized he would do anything just to see me smile. He had always made me feel special ever since we became friends, and that was it.

I fell.

"Feliz cumpleaños, Gabriela, mi princesa. Make a wish."

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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):

No hay nada que no puedas manejar cuando estás enamorado - There's nothing you can't handle when you're in love.
Brazo de Reina - a swiss cake roll. There are many variations of this cake all over the world, but the most common filling for Latin American countries is Dulce de Leche. The version Bruno gave Gabriela however is filled with strawberries and cream.
Feliz cumpleaños - Happy birthday