𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘶 | 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗹

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 8

Encanto, Colombia
1949

The sun was bright and the breeze was perfect as it swayed through the trees and grassy fields of the encanto. People were beginning to wake and go about their daily routines as the family began to prepare for breakfast and Abuela's morning announcement. Elena was still in her room, sat on her bed as she rubbed the temple of her forehead to try and be rid of her wretched headache. She sighed and stood up, another day being counted without her dear husband. Her door was knocked on and she heard the patter of feet run by as she walked over and opened her door to be greeted by the lively casita, closing it and beginning to head towards the stairs.

The family began to prepare the table outside as food was being prepared, animals running around as they did so. It seemed Antonio was surely enjoying his gift. Elena sat down next to Dolores as they all began to eat, Abuela beginning her morning announcement. Usually, it was the same thing as always. Help the townspeople, do your chores, don't speak about "him", all that nonsensical stuff she could frankly care less about. However, today was just a little out of the usual. A man from the village was to propose to Isabela this evening, Mariano was his name.

"Dolores? Do we have a date?" Alma asked the young woman as she lifted her head and replied. "Tonight." Elena looked over to her as her niece glanced over and smirked softly. "He wants five babies." Elena snickered quietly to herself as Isabela sat there shocked and Alma cluelessly went on. Elena high-fived Dolores under the table.

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It was now mid afternoon, the day seemed to be moving slow as Elena continued her chores around the casita. Dolores was there helping her out as well as she hadn't much to do that day. They were both laughing with one another as she scrubbed the kitchen counter, Dolores stopping mid laugh and telling her aunt to shush. She could her something that Elena couldn't. After a moment or so, she shrugged as her aunt stared at her confused. "The rats are talking again" she whispered as Elena smiled and continued to scrub. "What are the saying, amor?" She laughed as Dolores just frowned. "It's him again..." Elena stared at her. "Who?"

"....tio....I miss him..." Dolores admitted as she squeaked, Elena sighing and nodding her head in agreement. "I miss him too, amor. I miss your tio Bruno so very much". She squeaked again at his name being brought up and Elena just shushed her, telling her not to say anything. She sat her down and smiled softly. "You remember when you were younger, when we use to take you everywhere with us? You always loved it when we brought you to our favourite spot. So much so, you would wake me and your tio up at the crack of dawn trying to convince us to take you again." Elena smiled as she remembered a certain memory.

...

"Dolores, slow down, querida! We'll be there right away, I promise!" Elena called out to her 5 year old niece as her husband merely just laughed at the both of them. Dolores stopped and stood there waiting for both of them as she bounced in place impatiently, her tio and tia finally catching up and holding both her hands as the young girl smiled happily and they all continued down the path together. They had finally made it to the opening of the river, the warm summer breeze blowing through the branches of the big tree Elena and Bruno sat under in their younger years. Dolores had let go of both there hands and ran over to it as both adults took hold of each other's hands instead and smiled at one another. "My, is she active! I'm sure Pepa will be glad to know she'll be tuckered out by this evening" Elena chuckled as Bruno nodded in agreement and squeezed her hand lovingly as Dolores called out to them, waving.

Elena was setting up everything under the shade of the tree as, in the distance near the river, Bruno and Dolores were playing in the warm water and splashing one another as the sun shone brightly over them. She admired from afar as her niece jumped into her husbands arms and twirled around whilst the young girl screamed and laughed. "Tia! Come play!" The girl called out as Elena stood up and began heading towards them, Bruno continuing to spin his niece around and around. She was placed back onto the ground and immediately fell onto the soft grass, dizzy and giggling as Elena looked down to her and laughed. "Are you okay, mi amor?" She asked as Dolores smiled and nodded.

Elena picked her up and bounced her about, snuggling her as Dolores wrapped her small arms around her neck and cuddled up to her. "I love you, tia" she said as Elena smiled. "We love you too, amor." She replied as Bruno walked up behind them and hugged his wife from behind. It was a beautiful moment to be remembered forever.

...

Dolores smiled as she remembered, it all seemed to flood in her mind like a tsunami because tears began to prick her eyes. Elena leaned over and wiped it away as Dolores quickly pulled her aunt into a hug. She fixed her nieces bow before returning the hug as the 22 year old sniffled in a sad attempt to hide her tears. Dolores pulled away from the hug and wiped her eyes as she tilted her head slightly, listening closely. "Mama is looking for me, I better go.." she whispered as she hugged her aunt one more time and waved goodbye before leaving Elena alone in the kitchen.

It was quiet now, but she didn't mind. She continued her chores around the casita as the summer sun began to shine brighter and hotter, causing her to have to take a break. She sat in the dining room underneath the family painting. It had a crack in the bottom but no matter, it was still as beautiful as ever.

She sighed and sat back in the chair, stroking her hand through her hair to push it back out of her face and closing her eyes as she relaxed. There was a small pitter patter and she opened her eyes, looking down to the ground and seeing a small rat. She tilted her head as she made eye contact with the small animal. "Hey little fella, did Antonio send you?" She bent down in the chair to get closer to the rat as it tilted its head at her. She tried to get a little closer before it ran off out of the kitchen and seemingly towards the stairs. She sat back properly on the chair and shrugged to herself. She would ask Antonio about it later on.

word count: 1160