Bruno's Daughter

Chapter 7

 Third Person POV:

 It's been two, whole, horrible weeks. They've been really hard for Kristi. Everyone seemed to just...Forget about Bruno. No one ever talked about him. But Kristi thought about him every day. 

 It was raining outside as Kristi looked out her window. She assumed Pepa was in a bad mood. Kristi's head rested on her arms. The weather outside looked how she felt. Miserable. She looked down at her father's ruana in her hands, tears in her brown eyes.

 "Oh, papa, where are you?...Why did you leave me...? Papa, I love you!" the girl cried bitterly, clinging to her father's ruana. 

 Delores had heard her cousin's cry. She had been there for her whenever she needed her. Kristi was grateful for her cousin's hugs, but what she really wanted, was her papa's hugs. Delores had hurried over to her and took her in her arms, trying to comfort the eight year old.

 *Meanwhile*

 Bruno loved his family and the Encanto too much to really leave it. So, he hid behind the walls of Casita. He watched his daughter often. His heart ached every time he saw her cry. He was glad she had Delores to comfort her. All he had was a bunch of rats. Poor Bruno had no one. And he was hurting a lot. He was lonely, miserable, and missing his daughter. He had no idea if she hated him, or was mad at him, or anything. 

 Bruno was now watching his daughter being held by Delores. He could feel tears streaming down his cheeks. He quickly went back to his little room. He sat down in an old chair, his head in his hands, crying. "Oh, my daughter...I'm so sorry...I love you too...So very much..."

 Kristi's POV:

 I went about my days doing my chores, feeling pretty miserable. I tried to look and act cheerful, but on the inside, I just missed my papa. I was able to make those who had had nightmares happy, so that made abuela happy. Yay. 

 Nighttime was the hardest, though any time of day was hard. I took my walks alone in the evening with no hand to hold. Without my papa to scoop me up and put me on his shoulders. I had no one to push me on the swings at the park. I had no one to laugh with and play games with. I had no one to take me for ice cream. 

 But, nighttime, seemed to be my favorite time with my papa...We'd sing our song, or he'd tell me a story. Sometimes, he would do both! I had no one to tell me a story or tuck me in at night. I had no one to sing our song with now. I had no one to kiss my forehead and tell me he loves me. 

 My papa was gone. I had to accept that....But I couldn't....I just didn't want to accept the fact my papa had left me after he promised he wouldn't.

 Delores' POV:

 It was hard to see my cousin so upset day after day. I had heard my tio that night, and wondered what he was doing. I guess he was leaving....But, it was weird. It didn't sound as if he left the house. I didn't hear the door open or close. And, to add to everything, I hear weird noises. Everyday and sometimes, at night. I wasn't 100% sure, I'd need my cousin, Kristi, to confirm it with her gift, but, I don't think Tio Bruno really ever left. I think he's still here. But, hiding behind the walls. At least, that's what I think. Only because I keep hearing things from behind the walls.

 Sometimes, I wish I had another gift. Only because everything is so loud and at times, gets annoying. My room does have sound-proof walls, so I can't hear anything outside my room when I'm in it. So, that's really good. (When I hear the noises at night, I'm outside my room getting some water or something like that.)

 But, if it is my Tio Bruno, I am grateful for this gift of super hearing, because I know how happy Kristi would be. I mean, I know she still wouldn't be able to see him, but she'd know he's ok and here. And, if he is here, he's probably watching over her. If something were to happen to her, he'd probably come out of hiding ASAP and hold her tightly to him. (Or try to find whoever hurt her if someone did.) I know my tio loved Kristi and I know she loved him. They were so close. I honestly wish I knew why he left. Why would he leave? Why would he leave but not leave...? It's confusing, honestly. But, I hope one day, things will get better. And, maybe, we'll see Tio Bruno again.