Harana: Camilo x Reader

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫: 𝐈𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬

♫

     Lucia hadn't left her side; he was always on the lookout for any signs of relapse. There's always an ick on her throat, begging to be drowned out by the fizzling liquid. Despite all that, her apartment was cleaner than it has been for the past few weeks. Except for one thing— junior's leaves were drooping.

    "The soil has depleted," Y/N commented, pinching the dry soil. Lucia perked up from her loveseat, "We can stop by at the farmer's market if you want." She bit her lip. While the idea wasn't bad at all, she felt guilty that she was taking most of Lucia's time on mundane things. "I can go by myself." Maybe she said it a bit too quickly because he furrowed his brows at her response.

     She went over to the vacant spot beside Lucia and reassuringly gave his arm a squeeze, "I just- I think I can do this by myself." Depending on him too much made her stomach twist, she didn't want to get used to it. Instead, she wanted to take little steps to get herself back on her feet without needing assistance.

     "Are you sure?" His shimmering eyes held nothing but sincerity. Y/N nodded, flashing him a smile, "I'm positive, besides, baby's gotta grow up, right?" Lucia snorted at their little inside joke. He got up and ruffled her hair, "Alright, missy, I'm just one call away from downstairs." He placed a friendly peck on her cheek.

     The farmer's market is quite a journey although the sight of the green fields was enough to make her complaints disappear. The farmers were going about their day, it was almost reminiscent of her old home back in the Philippines.

     It was all smiles and sunshine until gusts of fog covered an entire stall. Y/N peered curiously, clutching onto her satchel as she approached. "Thunders, I'm sorry." Pepa's voice shrilled in the air, she waved the mist to clear the stall. An embarrassed flush tinted her cheeks as she picked up the fruits she had knocked over.

     Pepa fumbled, the fog following her wherever she goes. Y/N inattentively pointed at a random bag of fertilizer, her eyes set on the flustered woman. She quickly paid the vendor before calling, "Tía Pepa?" She didn't really have anything prepared to talk about— it was just instinct.

     "Y/N?" Pepa gasped in surprise. The fog turned dark for a moment, a mild thundering noise could be heard. However, she shooed the churning storm, replacing it with a rather wide smile. Y/N felt bashful all of the sudden; judging from her reaction, Pepa must've been aware of the confession fiasco.

     She tucked a strand behind her ear, averting her eyes to the ground. Pepa sighed, beckoning her over, "Let's go somewhere quiet." She led her uphill, under a tree's shade. It had a clear view of the farm's horizon from there— a moment of sonder as she gaze upon the busy locals.

     There was a pang in her chest, a growing space in her heart. It must have reflected on her face as Pepa's temper diminished. "He doesn't hate you, Y/N." Everything happened so abruptly, escalating at a speed of a whirlwind. And it sure looks like it as she was left with a trashed home. Months worth of her life's work could be taken down in a matter of seconds. 

     "Tía Pepa, I'm..." She exhaled through her nose, "I'm in love with your son." Yet she hurt him. Pepa lowered down on the grass, leaning on the gnarly trunk of the tree. 

     "Then what are you so afraid of, mija?" Y/N stood firmly, staring ahead. "A lot actually," She whispered, "I don't want to get hurt again." There it was, the root that penetrated her every being. Pepa fiddled with the grass, she somehow understood where she was coming from.

     Her emotions had always been turbulent, a ticking bomb waiting to be set off. She only had control when she learned to embrace it, after all, it was a part of herself. "You're living in the present yet you're so occupied with what has happened and what hasn't happened." She learned that her pain and fear shouldn't define her... That there's always beauty in the rain.

     "Mija, you have to let go." Her smile wrinkled the corners of her eyes as she continued,"And then you can move forward."

     Leonora sat on the porch, cradling the mary jane shoes on her lap. Francisco was strumming softly in the background, the music of his ukulele passing through the opened windows. Her lashes fluttered close as the breeze gently blew. She felt the age caught up to her, her bones becoming brittle. Despite the many years she had spent in this world, it was only a fraction of it that she was truly alive.

     If she reached the edge, she rather jump than slip. She doesn't want to react but to act because she was tired of being a spectator to her own life. Nevertheless, she still failed. The shoes on her lap were a reminder of it.

     "Hey." She knew that voice; her eyes shot open. Y/N was in front of her, rubbing her palm on the strap of her satchel. Leonora set the shoes on the wooden plank, unsure whether to stand or to stay seated. Francisco stopped his tunes, subtly eavesdropping from inside.

     Leonora nervously fiddled with her sleeves, "I'm guessing you're here for your father?" Y/N shook her head, sitting on the porch beside her rocking chair. "I'm actually here for you." 

     The wind became still. "Look, we don't have the best history." She muttered, picking up a stick and drawing scribbles on the dirt. "I wish I had a mother growing up." Leonora guiltily frowned.

     "I understand you now." She suffocated while Y/N drowned. Both gasping to breathe. "I don't think I could ever forgive you." Her fists tightly clenched, making her fingers turn pale. Leonora nodded solemnly in acceptance, it was the cut that always bleed.

     Y/N turned to her, earnestly searching her mother's eyes. "But I'd like to try."

     Her tears pitter-pattered on her old weary hand, Leonora sniffled but it wasn't out of remorse. Her breathy laughs lifted her spirits, she opened her arms to which Y/N immediately jumped in. Encapsulated by the warmth, she melted in their embrace. She felt small, like a yearning child. "Come on, pa, I know you're watching." Francisco lightheartedly scoffed, creaking the door open and joining them outside.

     He scooped his girls up in a bear hug, jovially exclaiming, "It's about time, you slowpokes!" His family complete at last. Francisco peppered the both of them with kisses, causing Y/N to playfully block his affectionate attacks. 

     Leonora brought up the pair of shoes and handed it over to Y/N. She slipped off her worn-down loafers, replacing them with the mary janes. It fits perfectly. "I love it." Y/N admired the shining black leather, beaming at her mother.

     Although something was still missing. She faced her father, sheepishly saying, "Pa, I think it's time for my ukulele lessons."