𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘶 | 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗹

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 4

Encanto, Colombia
1917

"Elena! Come here please!" A voice echoed throughout the house followed by an excited teenager running out of her room towards the kitchen where her mother resided. "Yes mama?" She panted as she fixed her hair which she was still in the middle of tidying up. Her mother smiled and went over to her, giving her a big hug and kisses all around her face while her daughter squirmed. "Mama!" She smiled as her mother relented and backed off. "You're already 16...I cannot believe it...how time goes by..." she sniffed as her husband entered the room, giving his daughter a hug as well. "Happy birthday, mi novia" he said as she thanked him.

Knocks at the door interrupted their little union as Elena's mother went to open it. The triplets and Alma stood there, glowing with joy as they wished her a happy birthday and entered the home. The triplets immediately squeezed her into a tight hug and gave her their presents. Julieta had gotten her beaded earrings, most beautiful things she'd ever seen. Pepa had gotten her a pretty golden bracelet which she adored. Bruno hadn't given her anything but had said on the side he had something much better for her later that day.

They spent most the day fooling around the village and the casita, only occasionally accidentally causing trouble. By mid afternoon, they were all exhausted and decided to just sit under a tree and enjoy the shade. Elena had taken this opportunity to paint whilst the triplets were out of energy and took the right supplies from her back, having to make sure nothing was broken or leaking. She used the triplets as her inspiration and immediately began to sketch them relaxing under the beautiful tree, not noticing Bruno was actually behind her. "Inspired?" His voice spooked her and she jumped slightly before punching his arm as he chuckled to himself. "Hey, since they're out cold, how about I show you your gift from me?" He smiled as he grabbed her hands and began guiding her down their favourite trail to the river, past it and a little further before he stopped them and covered her eyes. She giggled as he began to lead her a little more up the trail.

"Ready?" He asked as she nodded her head, his hands leaving her eyesight and looking off into the beautiful field of various flowers, the sun bouncing off the petals ever so beautifully. Her eyes focused on everything expect him as he leaned down and plucked a single dandelion, putting it in her hair to bring her attention back to him. He smiled, staring into her eyes. "I hope you like it, you have no idea how long it took to find this" she laughed at his stupidity but quickly hugged him. "I love it, thank you Bruno..." he hugged her back and then grabbed her hands "shall we head back then?". She nodded her head and they walked back together, hand in hand, as they joked around with one another. From that whole field of various beautiful flowers, she would forever cherish that dandelion more then any of them.

They had made it back just in time for the girls to wake up from their mini coma and had many more ideas for the rest of the day, practically drowning Elena in them. Regardless, she enjoyed every single one and agreed to do whatever. As long as she was with them.

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It was evening, the casita was full of the towns people celebrating her birthday. It was a wonderful time, although she couldn't help but feel eyes on her as she danced in the large crowds. She looked up to the balcony of the casita and saw a hooded figure before they quickly ducked away. She smiled and managed to sneak away from the crowd before taking the stairs up to the second floor of the house, walking slowly and taking in all the celebration right below her. She stopped in front of Bruno's door and smiled again as she walked towards the door and allowed herself in, catching Bruno just in time before he could walk up the stairs of his room towards his tower. He stood there in silence as she walked towards him, grabbing his arm. "Are you feeling okay?" She asked as he just shrugged, replying he didn't much care for being in big crowds and apologizing. She shook her head and reassured him that he had nothing to apologize for. She understood him, after all.

He turned his head to look at her and simply asked, "did you really like your gift from me?". She stared up into his eyes, memories of them throughout the years all flooding in at once as she admired his face before smiling and nodding her head. "I didn't like it, Bruno. I absolutely loved it". They both smiled at one another and blushed as she grabbed his hand and began to walk to his door to enter the party once more. He beamed happily as she helped him overcome his fear and began to dance in the crowd. Although he wasn't all that good at it, he still enjoyed it and smiled a wide smile of pure joy.

"There's that beautiful smile" she adored.

•
•
•

It was surely way past midnight and the party was only now dying down. Elena had been outside on the front steps of the casita relaxing from all the noise and dance. Her feet were sore and her voice raspy from all the singing and laughing. She chuckled to herself though as she knew she would cherish this night forever. A figure sat beside her and she turned her head to face them. Bruno. She smiled at him and rested her tired head onto his shoulder. "Tired huh? Quite a lot of dancing you did back there" he chucked. "At least I can dance, Madrigal" she snapped at him as he became defensive and she laughed. This was truly a special bonding moment between the two, and surely not just a friendly one either. Something was between them but both being too scared to say anything they would just pretend it was nothing. "Want me to walk you home?" Bruno asked, breaking the tension. "That would be appreciated" she smiled at him as he stood up and helped her up. They began walking down the quiet path towards the village as the house behind them still seemed to blow with noise. It was quiet between the two but still comforting as Bruno draped his ruana over her shoulders. She chuckled "trying to be romantic or something, Madrigal?" Which caused him to blush and cough as he laughed and denied it. She loved making him flustered.

"Kidding, Madrigal" she giggled as her house was coming into view. They stopped and turned to one another. There was something they both wanted to do but something in their bodies just wouldn't let them. They hugged before pulling back and stopping a few inches away from once another's faces. A few more seconds went by before Bruno hesitated and backed off, saying goodbye to Elena and walking off nervously. Elena waved bye to him and watched as he walked back home, standing there by herself. She mentally cursed at herself before entering her home and making her way to her room as she sat on her bed and stared at her window. Although the day was absolutely perfect, there was one thing she wish she could've done. And she had just missed that opportunity.

She laid back onto her bed and stared at the ceiling while smacking her forehead. There were so many emotions in her body for that man, and a lot of them were no longer just friendly. She sighed and cuddled into her sheets.

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