Falling - Benny and Nina - An Adapted In The Heights Roleplay (COMPLETE)

38 - Falling One Last Time

Benny walked over to Abuela's to talk to her. He knocked on the door and waited for her to answer.

Abuela got out of the kitchen to the door, cautiously opening it. "Hola?"

"Abuela, Hola, ¿como estás?" Benny said happily giving her a big hug and proud to show off his new Spanish knowledge.

"Oh! You have been learning! I am so proud of you! Y estoy bien." Abuela smiled.

"Sí, Nina's been teaching me a few basics. We're going to try to have proper sit-down lessons at least once a week for an hour but where possible we are going to try to speak Spanish to each other to help me improve. We are mainly doing greetings and introductions to begin with though."

Abuela clapped her hands. "Ooh! How exciting! ¡ Serás perfecto!"

"Is that 'You will be perfect'?" Benny questioned.

Abuela nodded. "Sí­. Now, come in! You must be hungry! If you're not, make room in your el estómago, porque I need to get rid of food due to the blackout."

"Stomach? If so I'll have a bit, Nina made an amazing breakfast this morning, but I could do with a snack. I didn't get much food at the hospital, so I need to fill up from then."

Abuela nodded. "Please have some."

Benny followed Abuela into the kitchen. He sat down on one of the chairs and thought back to the last time he was there. It seemed so long ago, yet in reality, it was only 6 days.

She hummed while making snacks. "How are you and Nina?"

"We're good, we had a bit of a rough patch right after my surgery. But it's better now, and we spent last night together. It felt magical to be able to hold her properly rather than off a hospital bed. We had our first lesson on the fire escape this morning as the sun was rising. It was the time of my life. Spending time with her is always so magical, and special." Benny said in a dreamy voice, eyes sparkling just thinking of her.

Abuela smiled, covering her crossed hands over her heart. "Al amanecer! At sunrise, how romantic. Será mejor que le pongas un anillo en el dedo antes de que alguien más lo haga." She smiled and shook her finger at him.

"Translation por favor! I've only had one short lesson."

Abuela laughed to herself. "You better put a ring on her finger before anyone else does."

"Really Abuela!" He laughed "It's not even been a week! Kevin and Camila don't even know about our relationship yet. And I think I'm pretty safe from anyone else taking her. She knows show much I love her and how much she means to me and I know it's the same way around for her. But, who knows, maybe one day I will. We have to do long distance successfully first! And I'm dreading it."

Abuela rolled her eyes shearing a thought. "Don't worry about Cami. She loves you. She's watched you two grow up together and how you interact. She expects you both to get together. Trust me. I know."

"It's Kevin that's the problem. He's always hated me, since I first came here. I was the first black kid on the block of Latinx's and I didn't fit it. He still hates me now. Nina is just as scared about telling him as I am."

Abuela leaned against the counter and began to fan herself with her hand. "I'm sorry, Benny. "

"I've learnt to deal with it, I just hope he doesn't get as angry as Nina is expecting him to. I think the hardest part will be physically telling them. The aftermath would be okay as we can back each other up. We've both struggled to say things we don't want to recently, so that's going to be the hard part."

Abuela nodded. "I understand what you're saying. But... as I always say..."

"Paciencia Y fe." Benny joined in, knowing what she was going to say. They both laughed for a moment. "Can I ask you for some advice on something to do with Nina?"

"SÃí, of course. What is it?" Abuela asked sitting down besides him.

Benny took a deep breath. "I wanted to ask you about her depression. I've never noticed it, until she came home this week. But I know she's had it since she was 10. She was really angry that I found out initially and I kept telling her it's for the best that I know. We struggled to talk about it today, everything I said she neglected, turned away or found an opposite that she used to knock herself even lower. I want to help her more than anything through these harder times but everything I do, I screw up. I just don't know what to do anymore."

Abuela sighed. "It's a tough topic, Benny, for anyone to talk about. Give her time to open up. The only people who really know are me, and Cami. She used to keep herself busy to not get herself depressed." She questioned her wording but didn't know how else to say it.

"Usnavi knows as well, that's how I found out. So take her places and do things together and just don't really bring it up. Then only talk about it if she brings it up and she wants to talk about it."

Abuela nodded. "That's it, love." She put a hand on his arm. "It'll work out. I promise you."

"Gracias." He said while placing his other hand on top of hers.

"She's lucky to have a gentleman like you, Benny." Abuela smiled more before crossing the kitchen for water.

"I'd hardly say I'm a gentleman Abuela, I'm the kid who rocked up from nowhere. But I've found mi hogar, mis amigos, mi familia y el amor de mi vida right here, in Washington Heights."

Abuela coughed for a bit. "Benny, you don't see the you that everyone else sees."

"Which is? What me is there that I don't see?"

"You're kind, you put her needs before yours. You are thoughtful, determined, loving, caring, the list goes on forever." Abuela rambled.

Benny stayed quiet, he never pictured what nice things others thought of him, he never cared if someone was against him as long as he was helping his friends. He pulled up his phone and texted Nina, 'Hey baby, could you come down to Abuela's. I know it's bad, but I miss you already! Love you B xoxo'