Shine your light upon me

Chapter IX: Truce

A few days later, a letter arrived at the family estate from Aunt Isabel, inviting them to visit her home in Panama City. It didn't take long for Gregoria and little Antonia to squeal with excitement. Nieves could see the sparkle in her mother's smile and, inside herself, she was also a little excited to see what lay beyond the sea.

The house was full of movement and excitement as they prepared for the journey. Gregoria meticulously went through the suitcases, making sure not to forget anything important. Antonia was running around, excited at the prospect of visiting the city. Horace, on the other hand, seemed less enthusiastic, but was busy organizing the necessary documents for the trip.

Nieves, sitting in her room, contemplated the idea of leaving her usual surroundings with mixed emotions. On the one hand, the novelty of seeing the city excited her, but on the other, she felt an inexplicable nervousness. The tension in her relationship with Horace also made her wonder what those days away from the estate would be like.

As the day's journey progressed, the suitcases filled with carefully folded clothes and essentials. Gregoria, with her usual efficiency, made sure everything was in its place, and no one forgot anything. The sun was beginning to set when they were finally ready to leave for the station.

They drove the family carriage to the railway station, where the hustle and bustle was incessant. Nieves watched through the carriage window as they approached the station.

Arriving at the station, the family got their tickets and boarded the train. Horace was quick to notice his parents, Mrs. Rutilia and the children taking their seats. He, on the other hand, noticed that his ticket directed him elsewhere, he spotted Nieves then, sitting at the side of the window with her eyes lost to the outside, so he reluctantly sat down across from her.

"Hey, potato sack," he called.

Nieves gave him a murderous look. Horace smiled.

"What do you want?"

"I imagine it'll be your first time in town," he said, trying to start a conversation.

She looked at him quizzically. Why was he suddenly curious about her? In any case, she had already received several slaps on the wrist from her mother for her 'disrespectful' attitude towards her husband, so passing up the opportunity to start a more stable relationship with Horace might not be such a bad thing, but she still held within her the offence Horace had put her through.

"Yes, it's my first time," she replied without looking at him.

"The first time I came to the city, I think I was about seven years old" Horace began, as he looked out of the train window "I remember getting lost in a very crowded area near the market. There were a lot of pigeons fluttering around, and I remember playing with them while I waited for my father to find me. It was strange, but at the same time, it stuck in my memory."

Nieves nodded, showing a hint of interest. Although her relationship with Horace remained strained, hearing about his experience in the city seemed to bring them a little closer. Horace, for the first time in a long time, shared something personal with Nieves.

"I must admit I don't have many clear memories of that time" Horace continued "But I know the city has a lot to offer. I'd like it to be different this time. Perhaps we can explore together and see new things."

Nieves was surprised by the proposal. Since their marriage, they had barely spoken to each other, and now Horace seemed to be extending a branch of peace and cooperation between them.

"Together?" she asked in disbelief.

He looked at her and nodded.

"Look, Nieves. I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I really don't intend to go on like this, it just makes me sick."

After that unexpected conversation, Nieves was puzzled by Horace's willingness to improve their relationship. Although their beginnings had been tumultuous, the possibility of changing that dynamic filled her with a certain optimism.

"I didn't expect... this," Nieves murmured, visibly surprised.

Horace sighed, noting the disbelief in Nieves' eyes. His words seemed to be driven by a genuine desire to put the conflict behind him.

"Look, I know it hasn't been easy for either of us. I don't intend for us to be friends or to behave like husband and wife now, I just want to get out of this atmosphere of hell. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but it might be less awkward for both of us."

Nieves, though still reluctant, found a spark of hope in Horace's words. The idea of spending time together, exploring the city and changing the course of their relationship was something she had never imagined.

"I don't know what to say," she confessed, feeling bewildered at the sudden turn of events.

The train was moving through the landscape, taking them towards the city. The murmur of passengers, the rattle of the train, and the unexpected conversation created a strange but quiet atmosphere in which Horace and Nieves seemed to find common ground.

"We can try, can't we?" added Nieves cautiously, but with a faint smile.

Horace nodded, relieved by her answer. They both stood in silence, gazing at the landscape before them, hoping that this trip might mark a positive change in their relationship.

Of course Horace would say nothing, but ever since the conversation with Aunt Isabel, that phrase he had said to her had stuck in his mind... to be in love, it seemed so stupid to even think about it. For as long as he could remember he had called his now wife a sack of potatoes and to him she was nothing more than that, but his sudden need to make sure she and her family didn't have a bad life left him with a bad taste in his mouth. He had always considered himself quite a cad with Nieves, it amused him, but now, he didn't know why he had come to the conclusion not only to call a truce, but also to offer to spend some time together.

What on earth was he doing? It just didn't make sense.