☀Light and Darkness - Luz y Sombra ☀ Encanto

Chapter 7

I fell asleep, crying. 

When I woke up in the morning, I still felt like shit. How could a person do something so cruel?

I decided to push away my thoughts for now and got dressed. I had to go check on the crops. 

Everyday, I walk around the fields and if any part of the crops isn't getting enough sun or too much of it, I fix it. Some crops and plants actually thrive in shade so my powers definitely help that. I always made sure no one was around when I manipulated the light.

As I was making my rounds, I noticed that the sun was very strong today. Pepa must be very happy today, huh? That's rare. Just as I thought that, the church bell began to ring fervently. It was too early for the bell to ring this way...

I ran towards the church. The only time the bell rings off schedule means there is an important announcement. Once I arrived, the church was crowded. Thankfully, I was able to push my way to the front (also due to the fact I made the sun get into their eyes) and I saw the familia Madrigal.

I scanned their faces and my eyes landed on Pepa, Felix and their kids. Pepa was smiling so hard, pinching Camilo's cheeks. Dolores seemed...upset. Camilo's eyes locked with mine and he immediately made his way towards me. He grabbed my arm and pulled us to a secluded corner, away from the crowd.

"Camilo, what the hell? That hurt!" I rubbed my arm where he grabbed me, sore from how tight his grip was.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to grab you so hard, but I needed to talk to you." He apologized before becoming serious.

I nodded, worried. "What's wrong? Does it have to do with the announcement?"

Camilo bit his lip, looking around frantically before saying, "We're getting married."

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

"Huh?" I couldn't understand. What did he say?

"Vivianna. We. Are. Getting. Married." Camilo enunciated each word, trying to make sure I understood the situation.

What? We're getting married? Me and Camilo?

I looked over to his family, noticing how Dolores kept glancing over to us, but when our eyes met, she quickly looked down at her feet, covering her ears from the sounds. I glanced at Abuela and she was smirking.

What the hell did she do?

I clenched my jaw, balling my hands into fists as they began to heat up. She definitely did something, but now was not the time to get angry. I took a deep breath, making sure my hands cooled down before looking back at Camilo. I could tell he was worried as he began clasping his hands over and over again. I took his hands into mine and smiled at him.

"It's okay, Camilo. Could you explain how this happened?" I asked him, leading him to sit on the floor as I did.

He sat next to me, holding my hand. I squeezed his hand a bit, trying to reassure him. I stayed quiet, letting him gather his thoughts before he spoke.

"Abuela approached us after the fiesta and she kinda interrogated me about my relationship with you." He began, squeezing my hand a bit. I only rubbed my thumb across the back of his hand, letting him talk.

"As I explained our friendship, she stated how Dolores heard us say I love you to each other." I clenched my teeth at this. I told her not to guilt him. He continued.

"When she said that, mami began to gush about young love and asked me if I did love you. Of course I said I did, but when I tried to say in friend way, Abuela cut me off and proposed we get married since we, in her words, 'are in love' and 'how can we keep apart such a cute couple?'" Camilo sighed at this part, but continued to explain. "Mami agreed pretty quickly, of course, because she likes you, but Papi was on the fence. He still is, but he can't say no to Mami so he agreed. That's why she is making an announcement."

I nodded once he finished, soaking in the information. Of course she'd manipulate them, but I can't say anything. She would just deny what I say since Pepa is onboard wholeheartedly. 

"What about you, Camilo? Do you want to get married with me?" I asked him, making sure to turn and face him.

He looked me in the eyes as he thought about it before sighing again. "Honestly, I don't. I love you, but I don't see you like that. Besides, I'm 15! Also..." he trailed off, not finishing. I knew who he was thinking about.

I shook my head and glared at Abuela as she smiled and continued talking with the priest. I could- 

I remembered my conversation with her last night. Even if I wanted to, I don't know what she would do if I disobeyed her. If she is willing to force marriage, blackmail me, and possibly blackmail her family, I wouldn't put it past her to have the town turn against me. I looked back to Camilo as he kept his head down.

"Camilo, I-" I was cut off as the pastor began to quiet everyone down.

"Everyone! Please quiet down! Señora Alma has a special announcement!" The pastor exclaimed. The entire church settled down as the pastor stepped back and Abuela walked forward.

"Buenos Dias everyone. Thank you for coming. I know it's early, but the familia was excited to share some wonderful news." She extended her hand towards Pepa as she stepped forward, smiling.

"Everybody...mi hijo, Camilo is now engaged!" She yelled excitedly, almost jumping for joy. The whole crowd remained silent for a bit, soaking in the information. 

Then, the entire church bursted out in celebration, everyone congratulating the family for this wonderful news. I cringed as people began to push Camilo and I to the center, wishing us happiness and trying to question us about the relationship.

"Congratulations, you two!"

"I'm so happy for you both!"

"Your children will be adorable!"

"What a cute pair!"

It was exhausting and...just... a lot. I just smiled and nodded, shaking hands and accepting the congratulatory remarks. I couldn't help but try looking for Mirabel during the fiasco. I wanted to know what she thought about this and...maybe try to tell her what's actually going on.

Finally, the crowd began to calm down when Abuela Alma clapped her hands to gather their attention. "Gente, gente por favor. They are only promised for each other. The marriage shall take place once they are both of age." She stated, glancing in my direction and smiling.

I wanted to burn her skin at the moment, but even I knew that would not help the situation. I looked to Camilo, seeing him smile apprehensively. I couldn't stand this attention so I grabbed his hand, went onto the stage and said loudly, "Please leave us alone. We appreciate the congratulations and support, but we feel a bit shy about the news being told so soon." I looked around the crowd to see that people were soaking in my statement, some nodding in agreement and others shaking their heads with smiles, as if this was just some childish thing. I continued, pulling Camilo a bit closer to me as I could feel his hand shake a bit, "If you could understand our feelings, please don't bring it up or make a big deal out of it. We just want to have our relationship progress without any burdens, thank you."

Without waiting for anyone to speak up, I dragged Camilo out of there and headed to my house, Camilo not putting up a fight. Once we arrived, I locked the door and led him to the bed, pushing him to lay down, which he did.

As he laid there, I made some jugo de mansana (apple juice) and brought it back to the bed, placing both cups down on the bedside table. Camilo laid there, arm resting over his face and the other laying beside him. 

I didn't say anything, there was nothing to say. I only took sips of my jugo and processed this morning. I wish I confessed to Mirabel the other day or even went to her afterwards to explain what her Abuela talked to me about. So many things I could've done differently, but what's done is done.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I felt the bed shift underneath me and saw Camilo move to lay on his side, facing me. He looked at me and I saw the tears in his eyes. I immediately put down my cup and laid on my side to face him, reaching a hand out to rest on his cheek, him reaching a hand up to place over it. 

We continued to lay there, soaking in each other's company and coming to a silent understanding that we both were not only manipulated, but forced into this decision that neither of us wanted.

In this moment, we both understood the other's feelings and silently sent our support to the other.