Chapter 2

An unforgettable night

Día de Muertos that night had surely been as busy and as fun as always.

But it would have been way more enjoyable if they had had music, Rosa had kept thinking throughout the night. But at least the music from the neighbours was loud enough for them to hear, and even though it bothered Elena, Rosa and Miguel were certainly grateful for it.

The twelve-year-old girl had helped as much as she had been able to, the bliss of the celebration helping everybody to relax and to enjoy the time they spent together.

Despite her major efforts, she could not tame her fear, nor her exhilaration whenever her mind wandered off to the plans she and Miguel had for that night, and after the celebrations had come to an end, the cousins slipped into Rosa's bedroom to get ready.

"Are you sure about this, primo?"

"Yep. Now hold still and look up!"

Even though she normally didn't take orders from him, Rosa wordlessly obeyed and patiently waited for Miguel to finish applying the shoe polish and paint onto her face. After what seemed like an eternity, he took a step back to admire his work before proudly declaring "Done!" with a satisfied smile.

Rosa put her glasses on. "Alright, primo, let's see what masterpiece you've turned me into."

She looked into the mirror and nodded in asseveration. It was a regular calavera make-up, with markings consisting of broad blue petals surrounding the black make-up representing her eye sockets and some purple swirls on her cheekbones. She mugged at her reflection.

"Do you like it?" came Miguel's eager tone.

"It's beautiful, but… you can't beat tía Gloria's skills." she replied with a smug smile.

Miguel raised his palms in surrender, giving a lopsided grin. "I'm not saying I can do that, she'll always be the best."

Rosa chuckled, the memories of their awesome aunt colouring their faces on previous Días de los Muertos making her twinkle in amusement.

As Miguel started covering his face with shoe polish, Rosa was suddenly overwhelmed by nervousness. She began pacing, steering to the open window and inhaling the chilly air of the night to try to cool herself off.

That was crazy. Yet she felt eager and animated as she permitted her adventurous spirit to be unleashed. Her heart was pounding, despite not having even reached the end of the first step of the plan. Before she knew it, Miguel was ready with his make-up, which turned out to be simpler than hers, only a few dots curving under his eye-sockets and some marks on his forehead that were overlaid by his bangs.

Their appearance was indeed different now, she meditated. If one didn't look close enough, they could easily be mistaken for two random kids from Santa Cecilia, when they were in fact part of the Rivera family, the most well-known people in town.

Miguel had said their disguise was essential if they wanted their plan to work. If they were discovered, things could end up really messed up, as their family would find out pretty quickly what they intended to do, thanks to how much everyone loved gossiping.

Rosa knitted her brows, banishing the worst-case scenarios out of her mind, hoping with all she had that they were going to triumph.

When she looked up, Miguel had already put on his favourite red hoodie and was handing her hers, which was violet. She took it with a quiet "thank you" before sliding it onto her arms and doing the zipper up to her chin.

Miguel pulled his hood over his head, adjusting it carefully. Even though she loved styling her hair in a high ponytail, Rosa knew she had to further her camouflage, therefore letting her hair loose and braiding it in two pigtails. She also had to take down her favourite headband so that she could make good use of her own hood.

At long last, they were ready to go, but she turned to her cousin and questioned, grabbing his arm: "Miguel, have you ever done this before?"

Her edgy expression was in contrast to his, as he just smiled from ear to ear and light-heartedly responded: "Well, there's a start for everything, right?"

Rosa's jaw dropped, being astonished by his boldness, if they appraised the circumstances. Miguel had always been a trouble-maker, but she had had no idea he could be up to such daredevil-like plans. Or at least she thought it was high-level danger, because he didn't seem to be as concerned, yet she still noticed a glint of fear in his eyes. She let her mind wonder as his voice dimmed out.

She had always been the more obedient one when it came to rules, while her cousin definitely relished and yearned to have an out of the ordinary adventure. He was infamous in the family for his audacity and stubborn, headstrong personality.

Until that moment, Rosa had taken pride and joy in being the more disciplined and the more responsible cousin, but now, when Miguel's rebellious and defiant nature would help them bond, would help to get her closer to a dream she had been denied for so long, she was able to appreciate things otherwise. She saw Miguel in a different light.

"...And thanks to this make-up, there's a big chance that people won't recognize us, otherwise…" Miguel couldn't finish, not venturing to think about the consequences of their possible fiasco.

"And besides, Día de Muertos is only a few hours a year, so having a little fun tonight won't do any wrong, right?" he finished with a cheeky grin and wiggle of his brows.

Rosa did her best to seem unimpressed, but her stern look was betrayed by a content smile which she couldn't hold back at the thought of being able to fulfil the promise she had made so long ago. And she was especially elated to do this alongside her awesome cousin. Although she was experiencing trepidation and plenty of fright at breaking the rules more openly this time, she gladly welcomed the sensation of adrenaline. She was ready. They were ready.

"And it's not like someone would come right up to you or me and throw a bucket of water in our faces and going: "Oh man, I found two Rivera kids partying at Mariachi plaza."" Miguel further added, widening his eyes and slapping his forehead for dramatic effect.

Rosa tittered at the joke and soon enough, she was laughing wholeheartedly; so hard that she had to lean against the wall of the bedroom to remain standing.

"Hey, take it easy, prima." Miguel laughed along and came to her side to help support her. "We don't want to wake up the entire house."

"You made me laugh, idiota." she quickly retaliated with a smirk to match, nudging her cousin playfully before ruffling his bangs.

Miguel raised a finger up into the air as she dried the tears from her eyes. "And I must say that I'm pretty proud of myself for accomplishing that mission."

Rosa giggled at her cousin's antics for a few more seconds before a sudden idea occurred to her. "Are you going to bring your guitar?"

The question made the boy come to a halt and all his previous liveliness promptly disappeared. He looked to the side and she could literally feel how unsure and timorous he was.

"I… I don't know. I mean, I've never really played for anyone before but me." Miguel bit his lip and clutched his arm nervously, looking away from her; it almost seemed he was embarrassed. "I know I told you about my dreams, but I merely don't have the stomach yet. It's just that… argh, what a great aspiring musician I dare call myself!"

Seeing him so discouraged and dejected hurt Rosa more than she could have ever imagined; it was clear that the loneliness accumulated over the years in following his passion without any support had made Miguel insecure and brokenness was seeping in his heart. She couldn't bear to see him that way.

"Listen, primo. I may not be any good at comforting, but if there is something I know for sure, it's that you're not alone in this anymore." she approached him and took his hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly; it was the least she could do. "I know it's been hard, but I really believe you should try. After all, if you don't give it a chance, then you'll never know."

"But Rosa, it's not that simple." he retorted, frustrated, putting his head in both hands. "I guess I should just keep doing what I've been doing until now and see how things go."

If he didn't want to, then she wouldn't pressure him. It was his choice, not hers, and Rosa was already experienced in having doubts about her own self, so she completely understood his decision, therefore opting to let it go.

She then surveyed the room as he made sure everything was just the way it should have been, making it appear as if there was someone sleeping on the bed.

"You've done the same to your room, haven't you, Miguel?" she queried, hoping to brighten up the tense atmosphere.

"Sí, prima, of course I did. Need I remind you I'm not as stupid as you think I am?" Miguel eyed her over his shoulder with a slight frown, but she just gave him a sassy shrug and snickered:

"I just had to make sure your head is in the right place at the right time."

Miguel sighed with a small smile. He couldn't ask for a more nagging, yet fun, caring and responsible cousin, who enjoyed teasing him endlessly because she was older. They just had a special connection, because they were almost the same age.

"Come on now, let's get going. We don't want to miss the fiesta." he urged.

The two cousins held hands and with that, they crept their way out of the Rivera household and ran onto the shimmering streets of Santa Cecilia.

As they sprinted down the streets, Rosa couldn't help but feel the wings of freedom strengthen her being with each step she took. She acknowledged that intense feeling with both her heart and her mind, meticulously absorbing everything she experienced for she knew that to be given such a chance meant living the most out of it.

She subconsciously clenched her cousin's fingers, but Miguel didn't mind at all. To say he was glad to have someone to share his love of music with would have been a big understatement. Having Rosa by his side was a blessing he counted, and he was very delighted to have such a strong bonding point with her.

The streets of the village were quiet at first, but got louder and more crowded as they made their way farther towards the plaza. Rosa noted that Miguel knew the way by heart, just as she had expected, because his eyes would be out of focus every now and then, only looking at a single point ahead. She presumed he was considering what they would do there, taking into account that almost everything would be new to her.

"¡Miguel, espera, por favor!" Rosa found herself stopping in her tracks, yanking him with her. "I-I can't do this, I don't know if I can do this, primo. Let's just head back home."

Even though they were close to the plaza, the impending uneasiness finally settled. She had sensed it would emerge sooner or later.

Her heart implored her to keep going, but her brain was nothing short of against it. She froze, her legs refusing to take another step towards the place she had been so eager to go to.

Seeing his cousin so panicked, Miguel instantly scooted over and wrapped his arms around her, hoping to ease her troubles. She hugged back just as tightly, feeling better, but not fully tranquil.

"I know this is hard, Rosa. But believe me when I tell you that it's the only way we will be able to be ourselves. Music makes us happy and there's nothing wrong with loving it."

"But what if something goes wrong? What if they find out?" she insisted, tucking her face in his shoulder.

"As long as we are careful, everything will be alright, I promise you." Miguel soothed her. "I promise you that you're not going to regret this. You'll enjoy it entirely."

Rosa put her faith in him after remembering that Miguel had managed not to give away his secret for many years, and knowing that fact uplifted her to keep going forward. She sighed in relief at the thought, but also spoke with a jovial smirk: "But if anyone finds out, it'll be your fault, primo."

"Sí, señorita. I will be more than glad to take that responsibility." the boy grinned whilst wiggling his brows. She humorously pushed his head aside, making his frame shake with mirth. She briefly wondered who he took after with all that charm.

They were in the plaza in no time, and Rosa had to keep herself composed as she and Miguel made their way through the crowd.

In the centre was standing, tremendous and dignified, the statue of Ernesto de la Cruz, which could be easily studied even from afar due to its complexity in detail. The musician's famous saying "Seize your moment!" was shining in the coloured light of the fireworks erupting loudly above them.

Somewhere near, a band was playing a song on a stage, and she realised she knew some of the lyrics, which made her feel good knowing she wasn't completely clueless.

Anywhere she looked, people were dancing away to the beat of the music or singing their hearts out, while some kids were relentlessly pointing at toys and piñatas hanging in shops, thrusting their parents after them. Many of the ones present were also wearing calavera make-up. "¡Perfecto!" she deemed.

The sky was watching over them, its stars brighter than the many strings of lights and colourful papel picados hanging around them. The air was filled with the fragrant smell of freshly baked food and sweets.

The atmosphere here was so much more different than the one Rosa was accustomed to, be it at home or at school. It was more buoyant and euphoric.

It was like that day two years ago, yet with a little extra. And then…

She became motionless when hearing those delightful sounds. Still holding her cousin's hand, she tugged him after her, trusting her ears to lead them correctly.

They were now standing in front of a small instrument group consisting of two violins, a cello and a bass. For Rosa, it was like her ears had been blessed by a heavenly source. And for the first time since she got there, she was truly beaming.

"I have always believed the violin to be the right instrument for you." Miguel's words came as unexpectedly as their whole forethought adventure.

"Really? How did you come to that conclusion?"

He moved his lips in an attempt to describe his anticipation, but found it wasn't so easy. How to tell her?

"Well, I've been noticing the way you always brighten up when there's music around; it's subtle, but it's there. The violin is a very complex and sophisticated instrument, which makes me figure that it fits your personality. And you did go to watch the violin practice at our school that day, right? And I don't believe that was the only time you secretly listened to music, am I right?"

She nodded. He was right about everything. They sat in silence and listened with fascination until the song was over, applauding vigorously along with the small crowd that had formed on every side of the musicians.

While the violins were being played, various memories appeared in Rosa's mind, either joyful or blue. Music had that amazing ability to make one contemplate or remember something, a fact she found truly staggering.

She didn't know for how long she had been in a daze, but when Miguel suddenly clasped her arm, she was startled back to the present. She focused in the direction he was looking in.

"Let's go there, Rosa!" he avidly gestured with his hand towards the middle of the plaza. "I think I know what will be next."

And what exactly do you mean by that? Rosa barely held back the snap, but before she could question him, she was propelled after him with such speed she could hardly keep from tripping over.

With his cousin on his heels, Miguel hurried towards the stage where some mariachis were getting ready to begin their performance, stopping close to it. He turned around to face her. "¡Escucha!"

She closed her eyes and did as he said. It was an energetic tempo, the notes clearly vibrant.

"¡Vámos a bailar, prima!"

Her eyes widened. "Miguel, I know nothing about dancing, and you're very well aware of it."

"So what? It's never too late to learn. Trust me, you'll get the hang of it. Do you think I brought you here just to stay on the sidelines? ¡Vámonos! I'll help you."

With that, he swiftly grabbed her hands and pulled her onto the crowded dance rink. Rosa's anxiety reappeared. What if she made a fool out of herself? She did trust her cousin though.

Miguel's feet were moving slow enough for her to follow. It wasn't so hard, she realised, and soon enough, the beat grew to be even more lively. The boy's moves changed with it, becoming more light-footed and nimble, but he still kept a smooth speed so that she wouldn't totter.

They danced for some time, the older cousin adoring how expressive and wonderful dancing was, just like music, before they ceased in order not to get worn out and bought a few conchas.

They were goofily grinning at each other through hungry bites, with Miguel finishing first, when he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to face a girl his age, who was also wearing skeleton make-up. She was standing with her arm extended towards him, a glint of delight in her brown eyes.

"I saw you on the rink earlier. Will you dance with me?"

"Uhhh…" he looked at Rosa, silently asking for her approval. He didn't want to leave her all by herself, but she nodded encouragingly at him, mouthing "Go on!"

"Okay."

With that, the two tweens strode towards the ring.

The song was upbeat and very rhythmic, a dance style Rosa identified to be zapateado. She had seen older boys trying to impress girls at school with their quick footwork, and sometimes even contests with real prizes took place during breaks in the courtyard or the classrooms.

She watched in wonderment as her cousin moved rhythmically alongside his partner. A wave of sadness washed over her. Miguel knew how to do so many dazzling things, but nobody was there to listen to him.

She shook away the feeling, wanting to enjoy seeing her primo happy. Miguel's moves were flawless as he was twinkling; it was obvious he had practiced them for hours. The girl was waggling her folklórico skirt as he sporadically offered to twirl her.

After the song finished, Rosa clapped fervently. The girl curtsied to Miguel as he bowed to her respectfully. Then, he took her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her fingers, causing her cheeks to flush.

"Maybe we'll dance again sometime, señorita." He winked at her, leaving her to stare after him, flustered and endeared.

Rosa smirked when he was near her. "That girl went tomato-red when you took her hand, primo. Looks like you already have a girlfriend."

Her grin further enlarged. "And that shoe polish can't cover you, you know? I can see you're all flushed too."

"¡Ay, cállate!" Miguel couldn't hide his smile as he waved one last time at the girl, who waved back with a hand over her chest and a huge grin. It was a feeling like no other, something he'd never experienced before danced in his stomach at the mere remembrance of the girl's beaming face as they'd partnered for the number, something so exciting and euphoric.

"Where did you learn to dance like that?" Rosa questioned as he was eating a chamoyada.

He modestly shrugged. "Ehh, at school, looking at professional dancers here in the plaza, watching videos."

She realised that he had learned to play the guitar and dance just from watching other people do it. Music truly was in his blood, and his self-teaching abilities were outstanding.

"But what I don't understand," she pumped, "is how you can dance so freely on the rink and not perform on stage."

Miguel pursed his lips. "When you're on stage, everybody's eyes are on you, whereas on the dance floor, nobody pays attention because there are many other dancers too."

"I paid attention!" she pouted.

"You're family. It doesn't count."

But Rosa was a resolute Rivera woman through and through, so she attempted to persuade him once more. "Miguel, are you sure you don't want to sing?" After she had witnessed his talent, she felt bad that he wasn't able to show his abilities for the world to see.

He eyed her with sorrow as he swallowed and shook his head. "I would love to, prima, but people would recognize me and you know how fast word travels."

Rosa knew that wasn't the only reason he refused to perform. It wasn't that he didn't know the lyrics of the songs, no. It was his dread of playing for an audience, a lack of self-assurance she didn't quite comprehend. He was so brilliant, so bright, so gifted; she had always envisioned him dauntless and optimistic. But there were times when not even his parents or Abuelita could win against his stubbornness.

Even if it pained her to see him insecure when he had no apparent reason to be so, she didn't wish to hurt him by insisting he perform without regard to his feelings either.

She made it a goal to help him overcome his nerves, just like he was helping her on her barely-started musical journey.

Rosa also became aware of her desire to hear him sing, just like when she had first seen him play the guitar. She solemnly promised herself to find someplace where her little primo would allow himself to let out the music within his artistic soul without the fear of being discovered by their relatives or recognized in his disadvantage.

Miguel seemed lost far away. Rosa didn't need to think twice to know he was imagining his first ever number on a stage turn out successful.

"Primo," she clasped his shoulder, determined to encourage him; he focused on her, "I know this might sound ridiculous right now, but I promise that you will be able to play and make music for the world someday. Freely, I mean, without the worry of our family in your heart."

A tiny part of her expected Miguel to burst out laughing at how stupid that came out, given that she didn't have any control over what she had just said. But he didn't. He simply put his hand over hers, the touch of his forming calluses vaguely registering to Rosa. His eyes watered.

Before she could add anything else though, he put on an enlivening smile to hide his desolation and led her to the ring again. This time, they danced to a slower beat.

"Do you really know every one of these songs?" she queried as they swayed.

"Mmm, most of them. Move your left foot to the right here - good!"

From the corner of her eye, Rosa sighted the girl whom Miguel had danced with earlier. She was glowering at them - at her - with a reddened face. Rosa snickered, amused, smirking inwardly.

She whirled out of the boy's reach, pirouetting gracefully on her toes, only to lose her balance mid-spin thanks to a clumsy stumble of her own feet. Fortunately, Miguel caught her before her head would have kissed the floor, right when the song ended.

"See, this is what happens when you don't listen to your teacher. Sometimes you just love to show off, don't you?"

"Oh, shut up!" She elbowed him in the ribs. "Tu novia is burning with jealousy."

Out of nowhere, she realized the girl was (possibly) jealous because she had no idea they were related. Rosa hadn't actually believed that the make-up and the hoods would be enough to cover them, at least not for long. But they were effective, apparently. She sneered mockingly at the girl when Miguel didn't notice. Said girl's nostrils flared.

After some more songs, both salsa and zapateado amongst them, Rosa mentally stated that she was no longer a complete and awful stranger to bailando, as she had retained some basic steps. Like her primo, she was a fast learner. She was grateful and gleeful to learn everything he knew.

Time flew by quicker than they had foreseen, and soon enough, dawn was only an hour away. After a night filled with laughter, exuberance, chatting, eating, dancing and, most importantly, music - especially the violins, which had Rosa totally enthralled - the cousins decided to head back home so that their disappearance wouldn't get noticed.

Only, neither of them wanted to. They didn't feel ready to return to their strict, musicless household. It was easier for Miguel to accept their departure because of his long-held secret, but for Rosa, she felt overwhelmed, almost as if she was ripped away again from one of her dreams just after she had rebegun to taste its joy.

Miguel promised her that they were going to come back as soon as possible. That succeeded in overcoming her gloom. But she still felt a tad guilty about breaking the rules.

On their way to the Rivera residence, Rosa felt what an impact all those hours of swinging and whirling and roaming around the plaza had had on her soft feet. Miguel, being the vigilant boy he was, offered to give her a piggy-back ride. She dismissed it at first, but the pain was getting sharper, so she eventually agreed to let him carry her.

"Dios, prima, how much did you eat tonight?" Miguel joked when his knees slightly buckled under her weight.

"Did you just call me gorda!?" Rosa eyed him with a fierce stare before taking off one of her flats and drawing her arm backwards.

Miguel squeezed his eyes shut on instinct. "Ay, I was just kidding! You girls, always so sensitive about these things!" He rolled his eyes as he upraised her onto his back and continued walking. "Sometimes I believe you're Abuelita's copy. And for good reason!" he huffed.

"And I'm very proud of that!" Rosa smiled smugly, ruffling his bangs.

Miguel muttered, jerking his head away from her touch. "Do that otra vez, and you'll be on the ground."

Despite his warning, Rosa revelled in teasing him one more time and gave him a playful noogie, knowing he wouldn't stay true to his words anyhow.

¡Dios, dame paciencia para no tirar a Rosa! He prayed.

"I hate you, prima!"

Rosa wrapped her arms around his neck in a familial hug, releasing a final giggle. "I love you too, Miguelito."

After they had quietly closed the gates, got inside and washed the shoe polish and paint off their faces, they knew they wouldn't be able to fall asleep.

"I want to show you something."

Wondering what he was up to, Rosa climbed onto the roof with him, where they sat on the tiles. Miguel didn't say anything for a while, so she let her head rest against his.

"Muchas gracias for tonight, primo! I had an amazing time. Probably the most fun time of my life." she confessed with a soft kiss on his cheek. The small gesture took him by surprise and made him blush. He embraced her cordially.

After some more minutes, Rosa straightened her back to look at him, wide-eyed. Miguel was singing. Her cousin was singing. For her…

Her heart melted; he was the first person who sang to her. She smiled fondly at him, somewhat unable to believe her ears. The melody was low and soft, Miguel's gentle voice making it all the more serene.

Oh, he was good! Just the way she had fancied.

Snuggling closer, they stayed like that until something bright protruded their closed eyelids.

When they opened their eyes, they noticed the deep orange and red colours of the horizon, the rays of the sun chasing away the dark night and stroking the hills and the town.

The two cousins got up, putting an arm around each other, their gazes fixed in the distance. Neither cared about their family's rules. Just like the sun, a new life would rise upon them and, hopefully, upon their relatives as well.

Miguel, nor Rosa, made a sound as the blinding light unfolded and touched their faces and bodies. They wanted to relish in the beauty of the dawn and the pure bliss that the mesmerizing view brought as much as they could until they would be forced to come back to actuality.

When Elena went into the courtyard, she found two of her nietos holding each other's hands in a sound sleep on a pair of chairs at the table. They looked way too adorable and exhausted; she didn't have the heart to wake them up.

A/N: Thank you for reading!