Mirabel Had To Go

6. Realizations

Mirabel couldn't believe her ears. The lady's warm smile and kind words felt like a soft blanket on a chilly night. She had spent years feeling invisible, sewing her emotions into something at least useful.

Now, here was someone who saw her talent. Her heart raced with excitement and a hint of fear. What if she let this woman down? Like she did with the Madrigal family? The whole encanto?

But the lady didn't seem to notice Mirabel's hesitation. She was already discussing fabrics and patterns, her enthusiasm infectious.

"We can start you off part-time," she said, "and see how you fit in." Mirabel felt a rush of hope.

For the first time in years, Mirabel feet seen.

This job was more than just a paycheck; it was a chance to belong. She nodded eagerly, despite the lingering fear in the back of her mind, she wanted to use this chance to prove to herself-- to her family, even if they didn't know, that she can do something useful.

"Yes! Thank you so much!"

...

Antonio gloomily sat at his room, the splendid trees and scenery seems so dull now without his favorite cousin, his Mirabel.

He just realized how lonely it is without Mira, and it's only been a day and a half!

"Why couldn't she take me with her?" He glumly stroke the fur of his animal friend.

Even with his child mind he understood why Mirabel ran away.... because she felt like she was burden.

But Antonio knows she was not, she played with him when he's lonely or stayed with him when he was scared, taught him many things! she has been there all his life, he just couldn't understand why she felt that way when she does a lot of things for the family.

Knock Knock

The door opened, revealing his mother Pepa and father Felix, they had small smiles on their faces.

"Hey... How you doing little guy?" Felix started as the jungle like room magically extended a tree root to them, bringing them to the boy.

Antonio sighed heavily. His parents entered the room, trying to lift his spirits. Pepa knelt beside him, brushing her hand over his hair. "We're here for you, mijo," she said softly. Felix settled next to her, the warmth of his presence a small comfort. They both exchanged worried glances, knowing this was more than just a moment of sadness.

"Why did she leave?" Antonio asked, his voice barely a whisper. "I thought we were a team." His heart sank. The bond he shared with Mirabel felt stretched thin, like a frayed rope. He couldn't grasp why she felt like a burden. She was his anchor, the one who made the shadows less daunting.

Pepa took a deep breath. "Sometimes, people carry heavy feelings, Antonio. Even when we don't see them." She paused, searching for the right words. "Mirabel loves you. She always will. But she needs to find her own way too." Those words hit Antonio hard. He had always seen Mirabel as strong. Now, he saw her struggling.

"Can't we help her?" he blurted out. The thought nagged at him, a restless itch.

Felix seemed to think before leaning closer. "Mmm...Helping isn't always about being there physically. Sometimes, it's about giving them the space to grow." The idea puzzled Antonio. How could they help if they weren't together? But deep down, he felt a flicker of understanding. Maybe Mirabel was searching for herself, just as he was searching for her.

Silence filled the room. The trees outside swayed gently, but the beauty felt distant. Antonio realized he had to do something.

"I want to find her," he declared suddenly. Pepa and Felix exchanged looks, then nodded.

"Then we will," Pepa said. "Together." This time, the weight in Antonio's heart felt lighter.

Camillo appeared from the door with a shy smile, "Let me join in too, I miss my twin." He grinned trying to lift the mood better.

He still felt guilty for being distant to his dear cousin, still felt guilty for changing all because Mirabel didn't get a gift, he felt even guiltier for only realizing now she is gone, away from home, where he couldn't reach her and hug her tight.

Antonio's determination pulsed through the air. He needed to find Mirabel. The space between them felt vast, but the thought of her alone in the world made his heart ache. "What if she's lost?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Pepa shook her head. "Lost? Maybe. But she's also finding herself. That's just as important."

Camillo shifted his weight, his smile fading. "I didn't realize how much I missed her until now." There was a weight in his words. He felt the guilt of not being there for Mirabel. "I thought I could be the funny one, the one who made everyone laugh. But I forgot to check in on her." His sincerity hung in the room. They all shared that burden.

"This time.... We'll make it right." Felix said hopefully, and they shared that hope too.

...

Mirabel arrived back at the inn with a smile and a skip in her step, She got a job!!! She'll be starting tommorow too!

As she entered the inn, she smelled the delicious smell of fried fish and felt hungry, after she bought her meal and ate happily, she returned to her room and wiped herself, now she lay on her bed, still with a smile.

"Ah! I should thank that kind lady who gave me the pamphlet!" she sat up and went through her things and pulled out her sewing kit, "I should thank her with a gift! if it weren't for her I wouldn't have found a job so quickly!"

She had some spare cloth and decided to embroider a flower-- lilies, which meant thank you in flower language.

Mirabel embroided a simplistic one in less than 2 hours and looked satisfied with the result. Mirabel slept nicely that night.

As morning came, Mirabel came down her room with a pep in her step and saw the nice lady who works in the inn. She approached the lady with a smile.

"Hello." she tapped her shoulder but then got a kick in the knee, "Ah-"

"Ah! S-sorry, i thought you were my sister!" Maria become flustered and looked very apologetic.
Maria is an introvert, who can only talk if she practiced her lines in front of a mirror, her sister Catalina liked to prank her so now it's her conditioned reflex... But then it led her to hurt a customer.

Mirabel rubbed her knee, still processing Maria's unexpected kick. It was hard to stay upset when she saw the panic in Maria's eyes. "No harm done," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "I just wanted to thank you for your help."

Maria's fluster faded, replaced by a shy smile. "You're welcome," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. This was new for Maria. She usually avoided small talk. But something about Mirabel's warm eyes and attitude made her want to engage. "What's that you have there?" she asked, pointing to the embroidered cloth that Mirabel clutched.

"This?" Mirabel held it up proudly. "I made it for you. Lilies symbolize gratitude in flower language." She handed it over, and Maria's eyes widened. The simplicity of the design reflected Mirabel's sincerity. Maria felt a rush of warmth inside. No one had ever given her a gift like this before.

"Wow, I... It's cute." Maria's cheeks turned pink. "Thanks..." She held the cloth carefully, unsure how to express her joy. It was a small token, yet it felt something else.

Just then, Catalina, Maria's sister, walked in. She was quick-witted and always ready for a laugh. "What's this?" she teased, spotting the embroidered cloth. "Maria got a love letter?" Maria shot her a glare. But Mirabel laughed, catching the light-hearted spirit. "Just a thank-you gift!" she said, enjoying the banter.

Catalina raised an eyebrow. "Well, you're going to need more than that to win her over!" she joked, winking at Maria. The room filled with laughter, and in that moment, Mirabel dared to say she felt a bond form between them like she does with children but this time, she didn't have to fumble why she's giftless.

It felt nice.

.....

A/n: Yo, im back haha, okay ill feed you these two first then remind me for the rest. Byess(●'з')♡