Side stories of the Chronicles of the Navarro Family

A Memorable Past

Rosa was in the living room taking a sip of tea and while relaxing in the chair, currently she was taking a break. Her children Sebastian, Elena and Manuel were covering her shift as well as helping and gaining experience in working. Noelia was sitting on a couch in the living room reading a book but then soon he got bored. He looked around and saw a picture of his late father. He went and grabbed the photo, he looked at it and was confused about who the man was with his mother as well as his elder siblings when they were young in the photo since he never got to see his father. "Ma, who is this man with you and my elder siblings?" Noelia asked while showing his mother the picture. Rosa grabbed the photo and it certainly took her back, it reminded her of times when he was alive. "This man here was your late father, mijo." Rosa answered. "I wonder what his name is, can you please tell me?" Noelia asked again in curiosity. "Your late father's name was Juan Navarro Martinez." Rosa answered, "He used to work as a farmer then became a soldier and in the end became an army officer." Rosa continued. Noelia was surprised and amazed that his late father ever used to work in the military. Noelia imagined his late father being incredibly brave and strong. Rosa agreed with Noelia's opinion on her late husband but hearing that made her reminisce about the times even more. "How come I didn't get to see him?" Noelia asked, Rosa took a deep sigh and with a deep tone, she said "Well he died months before you were born, I'm sorry to make you hear that.". "Uhm well, do you miss him?" Noelia asked again which Rosa replied "I do...I do actually, I missed him a lot or maybe too much.". "So how did you and pa meet and manage to get married?" Noelia asked for the third time, "Do you really want to listen? It's a long story." said Rosa, "I don't mind, I'm kind of interested to know how." Noelia claimed. Rosa chuckled and told Noelia to sit down and listened carefully for she was about to tell him the story of how she and Juan met and how they became a married couple as well as starting a family

When Rosa was 15 years old, she lived in a rural village near Spain. Her parents lived a simple life and one day, Rosa was searching and picking up some firewood. She almost had her last firewood but the wood fell down and Rosa couldn't grab it. "Seriously?! Why does it have to be something I can't reach?" Rosa said to herself. "Need a hand?" said someone behind her. Rosa looked back and saw a young boy who was as old as her and since she was in need of that firewood, Rosa accepted the young boy's help so the young boy managed to grab the firewood for her. Rosa thanked the young boy and hurried back to her home. While on her way back, she began having thoughts about the young boy but she brushed it off thinking it was probably not in the right mind for that because she and him just met. But then she thought again, "Maybe it was love at first sight?" Rosa thought to herself. She then arrived at her home with the firewood. "Sorry for being late, I just had a bit of difficulty finding some wood." Rosa apologized to her parents. "It's alright mija, so did anything interesting happen?" said her mother. "Well, I did meet someone...hehe." said Rosa. "Who is this someone, hm?" her father asked. "You don't need to worry, father. He isn't like those delinquents." Rosa assured his father. "Anyway, could you help me with getting some food at the market tomorrow?" her mother asked while cooking. "Sure thing, mother!" said Rosa. The next day in the morning, Rosa was with her mother at the market. Her mother was busy buying her groceries, Rosa became bored for a while and looked around to see something interesting. She then saw the young boy who helped yesterday. Rosa told her mother that she would be back saying she got to get something but in reality, Rosa would want to approach the young boy. Rosa finally approached the young boy and then she said "Hey, it's you again. I would like to thank you again for yesterday, you really did help me.". "No problem, glad I was helpful to you." the young boy replied. Rosa remembered to ask the young boy's name so she said "Hey I didn't get your name, may I ask what it is?". "Oh sure, my name's Juan. What's yours?" Juan replied. "My name's Rosa, pleased to meet you!" Rosa replied back. Rosa's mother called her from a distance so Rosa had to go and she told Juan that they can talk some other time. Rosa's mother saw her daughter talking to a young boy, perhaps it may be the specific person Rosa met back that Rosa talked about yesterday. As Rosa went back to her mother, she was asked by her mother "Who is that young boy? Was it that one who you met before?". "Yes he is, mother." Rosa replied. "I see, come now. We have to go back, your father must be starving." said Rosa's mother. Rosa looked back at Juan and thought about wanting to meet him again. Rosa and her mother arrived back at home and Rosa's father greeted them. "Esperanza! I'm so glad you are home!" said Rosa's father, "Haha I'm glad you missed me, Valencio and I know you're starving, aren't you?" said Esperanza. Valencio laughed and said "You read my mind!". Valencio turned to his daughter and noticed her delightful expression. "You seem very joyful, Rosa. What happened?" Valencio asked curiously with a smile. "I met the young lad again." said Rosa joyfully while holding her cheeks. "Him again? Do you really like him that much?" Valencio asked. "I know father, I know. We just met but I want to meet him again so badly." said Rosa.