Where The Dreams Come True

Chapter 2

The next day (20th February 2000)

The next morning, Eva woke up with the sound of birds chirping. Opening her eyes, the first thing she saw was the light blue sky from her wide open window. She got up from bed and headed to it, smiling at the view. She loved the view of their garden from her room. She could see every corner of it, specially when she was out in her balcony. When she reached the window, she saw the little birds singing to her from the branches of the nearest to her balcony tree.

"Good morning to you too!" she said with a smile.

She stayed there for a little while, and then, after saying goodbye to the birds, she left her room and went to find her mother.

"Morning mum!" she said as she reached the end of the staircases.

"Good morning Eva! Did you sleep well?" her mother replied

"Yes mum.." she smiled reluctantly and sighed on the inside.

She remembered last night's breakdown, and she was happy her mother didn't see her expression, as in the exact moment she was preparing the girl's breakfast. She didn't want to worry her. After all, she already had too many things to deal with...
After finishing her breakfast, she decided on taking a walk in their garden. After doing some circles, she saw the mailman approaching her.

"Good morning miss de la Rosa", he said, "I have a letter for you. The truth is that we received it yesterday, but knowing it was your birthday, I decided it would be better give it to you today."

"Oh, really? And you preferred coming two times in a row? But, why did you not bring both letters today?" she questioned.

"What do you mean by saying both letters?" he asked confused.

"Well, you know, this letter you are bringing me today and the one of Hogwarts that you brought me yesterday." she replied the obvious.

"But yesterday I didn't bring you any letter..." the mailman stated.

"But how could that be? I have it in my room..." it was the girl's time to be confused.

"I really do not know who gave this letter to you, but it couldn't possibly be me, as yesterday I didn't feel well and took the day off." the mailman answered.

"Okay, maybe I didn't pay much attention and I thought it was you..." she said skeptically.

"Pretty sure!" he answered with a little chuckle "I don't blame you thought, it was your birthday, why paying attention to such stuff, right?"

"Right..." she smiled still not convinced.

"Well, so here is your letter, miss de la Rosa." he said handing her the letter.

"Thank you, have a nice day!" she replied.

"You too little girl!" he answered as he walked away.

Eva decided it would be better to read the letter inside the house. She entered the living room, where her mother was seated and she joined her.

"Hey mom! Look, the mailman got me another letter today. But he doesn't recall being here yesterday..." she said.

"Well, he has lots of work, it is logical he doesn't remember everything sweetheart. And from whom is the letter this time?" her mother replied.

"Oh, it's from..." Eva said as she searched the envelope "it's from... from dad..." she said sadly.

"Do you want me to go and let you read it on your own?" her mother asked with concern in her eyes.

"No! No, of course not! I need you here mummy!" Eva insisted, and she started reading:

Dear Eva,
I hope this letter arrives on time. Unfortunately I won't be able to come to your birthday party as I've promised. Some really important business has occurred and I'll be heading to Spain, where I will settle for at least six months. I hope you understand. All my best wishes for your birthday.

Yours, papá.

Eva finished her reading with tears in her eyes. She crumbled the paper and fell in her mother's embrace sobbing really hard.

"Now I understand why he didn't give it to me yesterday" she said in between sobs.

"Come on my love, everything will be fine... You just have to believe it. From the time you believe it it's gonna be your new reality." her mother tried to comfort her "I know it's difficult but it's gonna be alright." she stated kissing the little girl's forehead.

"Thanks mom, I love you very much." Eva said sniffing.

"I love you too my treasure." her mother replied tenderly.

Eva has already calmed a bit, and thought it would be good to go to the side of the garden from where she could see the sea. Every time she felt blue, she found a shelter in the sea. Just like it could understand her, without even talking, just by staring at it. It's waves took every concern away from her heart.

Having settled and stopped crying, she just kept looking at the sea. She felt someone's eyes on her, and she turned around to discover Helena approaching her. Helena was her best friend and neighbour. Well, not that Eva had many friends... To be exact, Helena was Eva's only friend. Eva valued friendship very much, and she was nice with everyone, hanging out with children her age occasionally. But she just didn't seem to click with the others so well. And as weird as it may sound, from the first time she saw Helena she knew they would become true friends. And she was proven right. Eva smiled at her best friend.

"Hello Helena! How are you?" she greeted as cheerfully as she could manage.

"Hi! Fine, thanks. How about you?" she replied immediately understanding something's wrong with her best friend.

"Fine, thanks..." Eva answered, smiling sadly.

"If this is your fine, then I am a red dragon ready to fly and discover the world!" Helena tried to enlighten the atmosphere.

"Well, have a nice journey then." Eva made an attempt to smile, failing once again.

"Eva, I'm being serious! What's happened?!" Helena tried once more.

"Are you sure you wanna know?" Eva asked.

"Of course I do!!! You're my best friend, why are you even asking that?! I would do whatever to help you!" Helena fired

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I'm just in a bad mood..." Eva apologized.

"I already see that, no need to apologise. I just wanna help you, even if it means just listen to you. I'm sorry for shouting..." Helena replied.

"It's okay, don't worry. So, come on, let's take a walk together and I'll explain you everything." Eva offered.

"Okay, let's explore that garden together! Hahaha!" Helena said and both girls laughed a bit, knowing that every time they were to talk about something, they would start by taking a walk and end up in the room of either, depending on the mood, so to talk freely.