Dos Oruguitas (Camilo Madrigal)

Chapter 7

[Camiloʼs POV]

When Vero told me the news, I really couldnʼt believe it. I just couldnʼt believe she was getting married.

I'm supposing part of me just didn't want to believe it. I always thought Veronica would... be my friend? It sounds wrong, I know, but it feels different and weird now that sheʼs getting married.

Itʼs been two months since my break-up with Gabriella and I've been single since then.

Apparently, her mother spoke with a family from the village who had a son our age, and they arranged the marriage.

I just cannot understand how Vero agreed to this. Not only because itʼs an arranged marriage and she barely even knows the guy, but, also, he is weird. Even weirder than Bubo, my cousinʼs husband, if that tells anything.

His name is Giuseppe Prellan and he is this short, skinny guy who honestly looks like heʼs ten years old instead of twenty-two. He always wears those huge brown glasses and this weird green bow-tie with red polka-dots. I swear I have even seen him pick his nose in public a few times. I mean, who does that?

I can't understand what Veronica sees in him and why would she ever even consider spending the rest of her life married to him. It's just crazy to me.

And yes, I did talk about all this with my tía Julieta who I trust more than anyone in my family, but she just told me nonesense like that I am jealous or something. Why would I ever be jealous of this guy? I am so much better than him. And Veronica deserves so much better than him!

The day before Veronicaʼs marriage I went to her house. I felt the need to be with her that time, and, for some reason, I feel like she felt that need too.

It wasnʼt very late when I went, it was afternoon, so I didnʼt have to sneak through her window. I just knocked the door and her mom answered.

"Hi Mrs. Montoya," I smiled a little, "felicidades... for... Veronica..."

"Thank you, Camilo. Come in," Mrs. Montoya said to me and stepped aside so I would get inside.

"Where is Veronica?" I asked as I looked around and saw her nowhere.

"She is not here. I am not sure where she is either, but you could wait for her. Iʼm sure she wonʼt take long," she said to me.

"Alright. Iʼll just wait for her in her room, okay?"

"Okay honey," Veroʼs mom replied and I went all the way to her room.

I always sat in Veroʼs room when waiting for her. But this time was different. All of Veroʼs things were packed in bags laying against the wall. She would be moving in with Giuseppe at his house after the marriage, so everything was already packed. I just couldnʼt believe it, it broke my heart.

I sighed a bit as I sat on her empty bed. I looked around. Just like the bed, the room was all empty and, even if she wasnʼt gone yet, the life Vero brought to that room was completely gone.

And right there I saw it. Her wedding dress. It was hanging from her empty closetʼs handle.

[Veronica's POV]

I was walking down the lake with Bruno. That lake where Camilo had told me his abuelo died.

At that point, I was so confused. I had told myself that I had to get over Camilo and marry someone else as a way to do it. So, I asked my mom if she could help me with it, and she did. And there I was. One day before getting married to someone I barely even knew, and he was nothing like Camilo. Maybe that was for the better.

What I truly needed at that point was advice. And who else to get it from than Bruno? My father wasnʼt there to advise me, but thank God Bruno was.

"Look, kid, itʼs your choice what you will do, but if you want old tío Brunoʼs advice, well, you are rushing. It doesn't have to be this way," Bruno told me.

"I know. But... I just cant live one more day by knowing the one I truly love will never want me. I want to do something about it, and I just feel like it's my best choice," I spoke.

"If that's what you want, who am I to stop you? Just remember, you still have time to think about it, and think about it wisely. Okay?"

"Yes. Thank you, Bruno..."

A while later we went back. Talking with him helped me a lot, I have to admit. But I don't think I will change my mind at all. I'm too far in now. Everything is ready for the marriage, my things are packed, I can't back now. And even if I could, I wouldn't. Just like I told Bruno, I can't live one more day knowing the one I truly love will never want me.

So what if Giuseppe is a bit weird? So what if I don't love him? I mean, it's not like I would ever be able to find someone better... Still, this is what's best for me. I have to grow apart from him, I have to let go...

I went back home and got inside. My mom was on the kitchen preparing some last stuff for the wedding.

"Hi mom, Iʼm back," I said with a small smile as I saw her.

"Hi honey. You know, something weird happened," she told me.

"What?"

"Camilo came looking for you. He went to wait in your room but after a while he left and he looked pretty upset," said my mom.

"Really? Why?" I asked.

Now, that was weird. What got to him all of a sudden? I suppose he just came by to see me before the marriage, but why did he just ran off all of a sudden?

"I donʼt know, but, like I told you, he looked very upset..."

What is going on?

********************************
Hi guys! Once again, it took me so long to update, I know, I'm sorry. So, I have news, and the news are that there is only one chapter left to end this story (or maybe two). I know it was very short, and I'm sorry about it, but this is what I wanted to do with it. I am thinking about doing a sequel chapter once the story ends, but I am not sure. If you want, tell me what you think. Thatʼs it for now, thanks for reading! Have a nice day/night!

- BC