Chapter 4 : Questions and answers

If someone had told Miguel that he would be waking up in a magical town in the middle of nowhere pepole would say he would be seeing things or crazy, But no this was not a dream and the pain from his leg told him that it really had happened.

He arose from his sleep in the early morning and winced as he tried to move his leg even after all these years he was still an early riser.

"Well I know this isn't a dream". He mumbled softly to himself

He noticed Juileta was up quite early he didn't think much of it though he just thought she was an early riser much like himself.

"Buenas Dias Señora ". He greeted Juileta

Juileta turned and saw Miguel smiling at her for a moment she forgot he was here, then she simply sighed and smiled.

"Buenas Dias Miguel I hope you got some rest I'm sorry if I woke you". Juileta smiled

"No of course not I'm usually an early bird anyway, Besides my leg doesn't give much room to move in a comfortable position". He replied

"Oh well I am sure it will heal up soon there is not much my food can do I'm afraid Especially with panthers and their claws, you'd have to ask Antonio for that information; I am going to make some tea though would you like some?" She offers

He smiled and nodded and Julieta softly returned one back.

As Juileta went off into the kitchen she wondered how such a nice boy like him ended up getting lost, All the way from Mexico seems quite the long trip even if he didn't mean it unintentionally, she sighed as she boiled the kettle on the stove filled with water and got two cups and teabags.

"That poor boy must be missing his family quite a lot, I mean the Encanto is at risk but this boy must really need help; But the Encanto Juile The Encanto!! Would you stop it, goodness you're starting to sound like Mamá ". She shook her head

"Maybe Mirabel is right Maybe we do need the change and who knows there is a whole world to explore , maybe this is just what we needed after all. Ay Mira is going to be the death of me one day." She took the teabags out and threw them away and began pouring milk into each cup along with sugar as she did so drowned in her thoughts.

Meanwhile while Miguel was waiting he took out the picture from his wallet and traced his finger over his little sister's face.

"I know I promised I am so sorry Chiquita I let you down". He sighed trying not to let tears steam down his face but it was really hard.

"I let the whole family down". Miguel sighed as he traced his finger over the picture gently

Just then Julieta came back with the tea and sighed when Miguel looked up and saw Juileta he quickly put the photo away and sat up straight still minding his leg.

"Miguel are you okay?" Juileta asked

"Si, I'm fine". He quickly wiped his tears away and sat up and carefully grabbed the hot beverage from Julieta's hands

She smiled at him and he smiled a soft reassuring smile of thanks.

"Thanks Señora ". He whispered

"Please, call me Juileta ". She smiled softly

Miguel smiled softly back somehow Julieta reminded him of his own mother and how she had the same effect on pepole.

For a while the two sat in silence and sipped their tea together, Miguel taking in the warmth of the cup in his hands and the scent of the tea leaves as he drank.

"How is your leg?" She asked

"A bit sore and tight is that normal?" He asked

"Si, it just means that the food I've given is still doing its job even when the outside shows no blood and scars the inside still needs help ". Juileta exclaimed

Miguel hummed as he took another sip of his drink, He couldn't believe that the food he had eaten yesterday had healed him so quickly.

"Gracias for everything really". Miguel smiled

"No problem dear, now I don't suppose you would like some breakfast ". She coaxed

He smiled and chuckled.

~~3 hours later ~~

It was very late in the morning and everyone was up and having good conversation around the breakfast table, Most of the conversation involved Miguel and his life outside of their paradise home. A lot of questions were asked about what inventions had been developed and what had happened and some were about his family which of course he was happy to answer.

"What are those rectangular magic box things again?" Camilo asked

"They are called phones they let others communicate with pepole and take photographs ". He chuckled lightly

Miguel was reminded of what his Mamá Imelda would call them 'Devil boxes' tricky little things that's why I don't trust them she'd say and he chuckled even more.

Miguel didn't mind having to answer the questions that came along with Their curiosity, He himself wondered how long they have been stuck here.

"And it fits in your pocket". Bruno added

Miguel nodded smiling.

"That's amazing !!" Isabela called

Miguel smiled and chuckled lightly at their amazement at such a simple thing, They really must not be aware of how time has gone by so fast.

Alma was highly interested in the invention that the young boy was holding in his hand and wondered how much a small thing can do a lot.

Mirabel smiled clearly not as amazed as her family was because she heard and read about the inventions in a book in the library and also from her other Abuelo and Abuela; But still clearly taken aback by seeing the invention for the first time.

"So if you don't mind me asking what is your hometown like?" Dolores asked very curious

"Small, much like this one but we love to celebrate and my family owns a shoe shop in my hometown. It's been there for as long as I can remember my great great grandmother started it; most of us are shoemakers but me.. I mean I do some shoemaking here in there but my passion is music". Miguel explains smiling

"What kind of music?"Antonio asked

"Mostly Mariachi you know Mexican I like to keep to the tradition alive, ever since was little I just loved to play it. It makes me feel free and I love it, but then again not as much as my family ". He sighed

Augustin lit up at the mention of Mariachi his father was a musician and a traveler with his Mamá before they came here.

"Augustin?" Félix called

Augustin shook his head out of his thoughts and smiled.

"Estas bien Papá?" Luisa asked

"Si, it's just… My father was a musician he and my mother used to love singing together, They also grew up in a small town way before they came here and I hadn't heard Mariachi since I was little ". He smiled fondly at the memories

"Abuelo Pablo was a Mariachi?" Luisa coaxed

"Of course he was Lu, He loved it almost as much as he loved Abuela ". Mirabel called

They all turned their heads to the girl including Miguel and she smiled.

"It's the music that Abuelo loved he taught me everything I knew when he and abuela used to look after me". Mirabel sighed

"Mi nube you never told us this ". Pepa looked sincere

"Of course I don't Because Some things I like to keep to myself ". Mirabel replies sighing

Miguel could see that this had struck and cord in Mirabel and he didn't want to push the boundaries by asking what happened, he knew something that her family had said made her upset. All of the family could see how much she was holding back, The tears and the pain he felt like he had done something wrong in saying such a thing.

"I'm sorry as you were saying ". Mirabel Continued and gestured for him to go on

"No , no it's okay ". Miguel smiled

Miguel didn't have it in him to talk anymore and breakfast was soon over anyway, Camilo and Luisa collected dishes while Isabela helped him back with Dante following behind. Mirabel had gone up to her room most likely to deal with whatever happened just then.

"Did I do something wrong, I didn't mean to upset her ". He sighed

"I'm sorry about that, Mirabel gets a little emotional when someone mentions our grandparents, Papá' and his parents I mean… she was very close to them more so then me or Luisa I am so sorry I'm rambling ". Isabela explains

"No, it's okay really, I just didn't expect it Mirabel is strong ". Miguel said

"That she is". Isabela chuckled

"I have to go and do my chores are you sure you'll be okay". She asked

He nodded.

She smiled and walked out of the house along with most of the rest following behind her ready to do their chores.

As soon as they left Miguel tried to stand and Dante was worried so he tried helping walking him up the stairs but his leg started shaking and he dropped to the floor screaming in pain.

"AAAH". He screamed

Meanwhile Mirabel was up in her room sewing to take her mind off of everything when she heard Miguel screaming she quickly put down the sewing rushed out the door and ran down the stairs to check what had happened; She had found Miguel screaming in pain holding his damaged leg and Dante tried his best to help.

"OH MY GOODNESS ARE YOU OKAY?" Mirabel asked

Mirabel slowly helped him up and back to the couch she was surprisingly strong not as strong sisters but strong enough to get him on the couch. Then she hurried to the kitchen grabbed some ice and sighed putting it on his leg.

"We heard a scream is everything Okay?" Pepa came running down the stairs

"Si, i just wanted some water". Miguel sighed

"Alright". Pepa sighed not believing him one bit

"Just be careful okay Miguel ". Pepa asked

He nodded slowly.

Pepa then turned to her Sonbrina and gave her a look ' make sure he doesn't hurt himself Mija '. She nodded as Pepa went back upstairs to continue her book, Bruno smiled and did the same as he followed his sister.

"What were you thinking getting up like that on your own ". Mirabel sighed

"I just thought I might come and check on you and see if you're okay, you didn't seem happy at breakfast and I thought I did something wrong ". He replied

Mirabel smiled at the answer he gave he was so sweet to check on her even if he was the one hurt, she didn't know he was this sweet .

"Aw that's sweet and I promise I'm fine, I mean I'm more worried about you are you sure you're okay". She asked

He nodded feeling a bit better.

"Don't ever do that again you scared me half to death". She sighed

He chuckled softly at what she just said.

"Si Señorita ". He smiled

"Good because god knows how much damage you put on it already ". Mirabel replies

"I didn't mean to upset you, I just wanted to help". Miguel sighed

Mirabel smiled noting how kind he was towards her feelings and how much he cared. It made her very relieved to see that someone outside her family actually cared even if it was an outsider.

"No it's okay I'm fine , I just tend to get very emotional when someone brings up anything related to do with my grandparents; He and I used to sing a lot of mariachi that's why I got a little bit emotional sorry about that I didn't mean to make you upset ". She explains as she rests the ice on his leg

"No, No it's okay I get emotional to sometimes with my family it's normal to feel this way don't be Sorry for it". Miguel rushes

Mirabel felt his smile warm her heart and give her comfort, that wasn't something she usually felt but somehow he managed to bring it out in her What was going on?

"So you play for your family too huh". She sighed

"All the time they love it when I do". He sighed thinking of Socorro and how he'd broken his promise to her

Mirabel felt really bad she didn't know what she would do if she was in his position missing her family like this, grieving them. She knew she would feel the same way if that had happened to her.

"No ones ever listened to me this much before ". Mirabel replies

Miguel felt saddened by that statement that she made how could anyone not listen to her she was incredible and even if they did what could he do to change that?

"So you and your Abuelo had fun huh". He changed the subject

"All the time he would show me the of mariachi music from his hometown and I would dance with him as he played and sometimes my grandmother would join in and we would just dance until our feet hurt". She reminisced

Miguel smiled and sighed.

"Sorry I'm rambling too much aren't I ". Mirabel blushed embarrassed

"No not at all". Miguel shook his head

He was clearly very interested in getting to know Mirabel more and he was happy to get to know her. But then some of her expression changed as she talked more like she had an idea, an idea that would probably change and she would lose track of if he started started talking.

"Mira?" He called her

Then suddenly something clicked in Mirabel's head she had an idea of how to get Miguel home. She couldn't believe it she might have figured a way to get him home.

"Mira you're kind of scaring me". Miguel shook his shoulders and gave her a look that told him he was scared.

"I might have figured out a way to get you home". Mirabel smiled

Miguel couldn't believe what he was hearing and his heart jumped at the thought of finding a way home and he couldn't wait to go back home to his family his heart suddenly he felt hope and relief knowing that there might be a chance to get home…