Love Me for Eternity || Bruno Madrigal

Chapter 61: Finding Papá

"Señora!" Casita's doors flew open when a man came tumbling in. He was sweaty and full of mud, his eyes showing an urgency that oddly made your stomach churn in worry. You recognized this man as Señor Dante Velasquez, the new shepherd that helped around the pastures when your father was too tired to take care of the sheep from his patrols. He took off his sombrero and clutched it against his chest, trying his best to stand tall while regaining his breath.

"Can't you see that we're in a meeting?" Alma berated. But the man locked eyes with you and scrunched his brows in worry, maybe a hint of pity? Nevertheless, you didn't like the sinking feeling that settled on your stomach.

"It's your father..." he gasped. Everyone turned to look at each other in absolute horror at his next words.

"Señor Mateo collapsed."

—

Julieta had already known. She had always known.

Padrino Mateo was a stubborn, foolhardy man who would rather do things on his own than to receive help. No matter how many times she would go and offer him batches of food, no matter how many times she had discreetly delivered him baskets of ointments and herbal teas, he would not surrender to any help from his godchildren, nor any people, for that matter. It was always a show of his own pride, perhaps, that was making him say no to the offers of service from his fellow men.

He was a man that services others yet does not service himself.

On the morning of Mirabel's birthday, where the triplets have made it their responsibility to entertain the birthday girl from her nerves, Julieta had used this opportunity to slip out of the house and into the lands of the Alcantara pasture to deliver another batch of freshly cooked arepas to the aging man that was Mateo. Along with it was a cane she had commissioned from the woodsmith in town. She noticed how Mateo was already limping whenever she saw him, and it worried her to know that it still hasn't gone away despite eating her cooked meals.

She would've asked anyone to deliver the basket and the cane for her, especially when there were far too many preparations needed for Mirabel's gift ceremony. But she couldn't tell anyone. Maybe it was her respect for her godfather's wishes, maybe it was for the betterment of her hermana that she doesn't say anything. It was unclear.

For a moment, she wondered if it would've been better to tell you about your father's condition.

"Aren't you supposed to be with Mirabel, hija?" Mateo asked. He shifted his weight to the fence at his side, groaning at the slight movement from his knees. His eyes darted to the cane hung from Julieta's arm and gave no regard to it. Even if he did, Julieta was sure he was ignoring it on purpose. He scrunched his eyes when a few rays of light hit him between the swaying leaves of that sunny morning. Julieta breathed in, the scent of grass, dew, and sheep making her remember all the times she had spent here as a mischievous child. She sighed and furrowed her brows in worry.

"The kids have her occupied for the morning, padrino. Plus, I left Agustín and Felix in the kitchen to set up things for the celebration. If I'd known any better, that's a recipe for pranks, so they'll get a bit busy for a while when I'm not there." Despite Mateo's obvious exhaustion, he still managed to burst out in bountiful chortles.

"Are you really sure you're going to leave Agustín, of all people, in charge of the kitchen?" He asked with a wheeze. Julieta's attempts to be stern were fruitless as soon as she managed to crack a smile.

"Who said I left Agustín in charge?" Another round of boisterous laughter came from the hulking man. Julieta's own amusement ceased as she remembered the weight of the basket on her arm. "Padrino... I brought you some tea and arepas. It would help you with your...ailments."