Bruno's Daughter

Chapter 33

Kristi's POV:

 I gave a sad smile as I listened to papa tell me about my papi and mama. 

 "I was really nervous, shy, and timid at first. But, over time, I came out of my shell. I found myself enjoying their company, and even laughing, talking, and having fun with them. Your mama and papi had grown up together, like you and Andres. I did have a vision when Juan and I were 16, they would be married in the future. I was not surprised at all. Juan made it as clear as the sky is blue that he liked Carmen. And Carmen, well, I could clearly see she liked him. When Carmen turned 16, Juan asked her to be his girlfriend. Carmen was a year younger than us. Carmen eagerly accepted."

 "Papa, did you ever get...lonely...? Y'know...For love? Like they had?" I asked with a frown.

 He sighed. "Sometimes...But, I was really very grateful for them. I was Juan's best man when they got married. Carmen was 21. Of course there were people who said I'd ruin their marriage and bring them bad luck...For a long time, I wondered if they were right...."

 "Why?" 

 "Because Juan and Carmen wanted a baby. But for a long time, they never got pregnant....But then, finally, when Juan turned 31, Carmen announced she was pregnant. I was still 30 at the time. He was a couple months older." he smiled sadly at the memory of my parents. "Your parents were so excited. And I was just as excited as they were. We planned, thought of names, decorated the nursery, and shopped." papa laughed. "I swear you had more clothes and toys than any other baby in Encanto!" I laughed, enjoying hearing about my mama and papi. Then, papa sobered and frowned. "You know, when Carmen said she was pregnant, they both said, 'I told you their words were nothing but trash! They were just jealous!'" Papa sighed, looking down. 

 "Papa?" I asked quietly. I noticed a tear roll down his cheek.

 "I foolishly thought they were right...I foolishly thought that perhaps their words were just meaningless, hurtful words said out of jealousy....But I should've known better...." Papa's voice was choked up, like he was gonna cry.

 "Papa...?" I frowned, not liking to see him so sad.

 "We'd um...better get back...It's getting late..." he said suddenly, standing up.

 "But-"

 "Maybe another time...I just....I can't go on...." he looked at me with a sad look. I knew he still felt the pain over my parents' death. It hurt to see him like that.

 I just nodded, standing up and walking over to him. I gave him a small smile before hugging him tight. "It's ok, papa.....Whenever you're ready..." I whispered to him.

 "Thank you...." 

 I kept my arm around papa as we walked back to Casita, hoping to comfort him, at least a little bit. All throughout the evening, I kept thinking about his words. Even after he came to my room to say goodnight. I could see the pain of the past in his eyes. But what was it about my parents that hurt him so much...? He seemed like he really loved them...I don't understand...

 Then, just as I was about to fall asleep, my mind flashed back to the questions I'd had about him. I sat up immediately. If papa was doubting himself still, could this have something to do with it? What happened?? Was their first baby not me and a miscarriage?? Or was I a twin and my twin died?? Neither one of those answers sounded right to me. Though they both are pretty tragic. But, if neither of those answers were right, then....what did happen all those years ago?

 Third Person POV:

 Bruno went to bed that night, terrible memories plaguing his mind. No matter how hard he tried to forget them over the years, he still managed to remember. No matter how hard he tried to dismiss them and push them away, they stayed in his mind.

 "Why can't these memories just leave me alone!? I want to sleep.." he mumbled under his breath as he lay down on his pillow. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes. It took some time, but finally, the man fell fast asleep.

 I wish I could tell you that Bruno slept peacefully that night. But, that'd be a lie. See, Kristi is right. There is something more bothering Bruno. Something he isn't saying. He's never wanted to bother or worry anyone with his problems and fears, so he got used to suffering in silence, so to speak.

 Bruno had a bad nightmare that night. A nightmare about the past....

 Kristi's POV:

 I wish I could say I was surprised to wake up to my dream corner blinking green. But, with the way papa was earlier, I can't. I quickly got up and hurried over to my dream corner. I opened the curtain and went in, closing it. I closed my eyes and allowed the stars around me to surround and fly all about me. 

 When I opened my eyes, I found myself at a funeral. There were two coffins. I recognized my family and papa. I saw a little girl, who looked really familiar, holding a woman's hand. I also saw people behind papa. He was in front of the coffins, tears flowing freely down his cheeks. My tias tried to get papa to leave with them, but he refused, saying he'd catch up. I watched sadly as Tia Julietta and Tia Pepa looked at each other sadly before walking away. They only went a small distance before stopping and waiting for papa.

 Papa cried, asking why they had left him...Saying he was so very sorry...He watched sadly and helplessly as the woman took the little girl away. Then, I heard it. The people behind him were snickering and whispering amongst each other. I couldn't quite hear what they said, but apparently papa did. I wish he hadn't. He exclaimed that he said he was sorry. But they just shook their heads, pointing to the coffins. "Is sorry going to bring back Juan and Carmen?" Papa stood there, frozen and speechless. He shook his head before running off, going right past my aunts, who were calling after him.

 I ended the dream, not wanting to see anymore. I panted, my eyes wide. What...What was that...? I saw my cousins there as kids. Luisa was about two years old. Isabella and Delores looked about three, almost four. The little girl I saw....She looked about a year old....

I frowned, thinking hard. She had brown eyes and chestnut brown hair....Like me.....Papa told me that my parents had died when I was a year old...Like that little girl.....I suddenly gasped, picturing the little girl a few years older, five years old. Then, eight. And then, eighteen. That was me!