𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘶 | 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗹

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 5

Encanto, Colombia
1917

The next few weeks were the same as always, the triplets and Elena being with one another, helping the locals and occasionally causing trouble, and both Elena and Bruno still flirting but pretending it wasn't actually what it seemed to be. Today was only slightly different from most days. The village was especially busy today so the triplets had many more chores to complete. Because Elena didn't want to be a bother to them, she decided to go to their favourite spot and continue with a painting she had been working on since her birthday. It was something she didn't want anyone seeing except herself as it was a comfort place for her feelings. She smiled to herself as she was finishing the final details of the field Bruno had shown her only a few weeks ago and made sure to add the few dandelions of which she cherished so very much. She only had to paint the trees and her and Bruno in the field hand in hand.

Something snapped behind her and she quickly covered her painting, trying not to smear it as someone walked towards her. She looked into the distance, panic written all over her face, as she realized it was only Bruno. Better or worse, she couldn't decide. She sighed and stared at him with annoyance. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!" She huffed and sat back against the tree once more as Bruno smiled and walked towards her, sitting down right next her. "What are you doing? I thought you guys were busy all day?" She asked as she picked up her spilled supplies in the soft grass while Bruno observed and shrugged. "I'm not needed all that much. And if I am, no one likes what they see anyways."

She looked over to him, frowning slightly before leaning against his shoulder and wrapping her arm around his to grab hold of his hand, using her other hand to gently bring his attention to her.
"That's not your fault, Bruno. Your gift doesn't define who you are, you're perfect just the way you are. You're welcome to stay here with me for as long as you wish, okay?" She smiled at him as he squeezed her hand, nodding his head at her. She kissed his cheek and stood up, bringing him up with her. "How about we play a game, just like when we were kids? They always made us feel better".

He nodded his head as she suggested a game they loved to play as children, hide and seek tag. Bruno was always very good at seeking so he volunteered to be the first seeker. Elena was not a good hider or seeker, but she could run pretty fast and when he started counted, she ran for it somewhere into the bushes. Only a few minutes passed before she could hear Bruno shuffling through the branches a few feet in front of her, and she immediately booked it back to the river before he could catch her. Unfortunately for her, Bruno saw her and immediately went after her, catching up to her in mere seconds and grabbing hold of her while she laughed. He lowered her back onto the ground and cupped her face with his hands. "Think I won" he said as she pushed him away playfully. "I know you did, jerk" she laughed.

...

The rest of her 16th and 17th year were merely the same. Nothing really changed and when she was younger, she would've been ok with that. But now, now she was growing restless. Her artwork had been seen by many and all loved her talent. Although she appreciated and loved her village and the townspeople, she began to dream of a life far away from here.

Today was another day of wanting that dream to come true. She was in her room/study finishing up on one of her biggest paintings yet and she was very excited to finally finish it. She had just recently turned 18 and was fresh and excited for a new adventure. There was a knock at her door. "Come in!" She shouted as her long time friend and love interest, Bruno Madrigal, entered her room with a smile on his face. "Nearly finished that, I see?" He asked as she turned around and smiled back at him.
"Yup, should be done within the next few days, actually" she chirped happily. He sat down on her bed as silence entered the room for a few moments as Bruno asked

"You're really thinking about leaving, huh?"

She stopped and thought for a moment, her own heart shattering a little hearing the pitch of his voice.
"Well, I wasn't planning on leaving for a while still, if that makes you feel better. Maybe another year or so" she smiled at him, trying to lighten the mood but his attention looked towards the floor, probably too upset to look at her. "Come on, Bruno..." she walked towards him and lifted his chin up. "Don't worry...I'll forever still be your friend..." her voice slightly cracked "...and I'll be sure to come visit you, Pepa, and Julieta...I promise..." she smiled down at him as he stood up and caressed her cheek. Then, finally, he did something both of them longed for since that night of her 16th birthday. He kissed her, soft and gentle, still shy and nervous as well. It lasted a few short moments but was the best experience of both their lives. He pulled back gently and they both stared at one another before smiling and blushing, finally understanding their feelings for one another.

And just like that, in Elena's mind, it wasn't just "her" anymore. Whenever she talked about something she wanted to do, like explore and share her artwork with the world, it was her and Bruno. Everything was always going to be with her and Bruno. Nothing could change that.........
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nothing.....
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right.....?
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years
gone
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marriage.....
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a life...
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t
o
g
e
t
h
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r
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" I wish to leave eventually, you know? I want to explore, Bruno. This village is far too small for me"

" you can't just leave me!"

"Who says I'm leaving you? Let's go to together, mi amor"
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"you can't just leave me..."
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"oh my love..."
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"you already left me...."
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Elena opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling of her room within the casita. Her hair was a mess and even though her sleep schedule was perfectly fine, she always felt so tired. She got up and got dressed, brushing her brown and greying hair so that it looked presentable and stared at herself in her mirror. Those memories...those dreams...happened so long ago and yet, they felt as if they were just yesterday. That night...oh god, that night...it was only ten years ago....

She breathed in and fixed herself up, thinking back to those dreams before leaving her room to the lively casita.

Encanto, Colombia
1949

word count: 1165