The view of the village from the hills seemed to reveal a dreamlike place, pleasant and peaceful, very different from the busy city Miriam Suarez had come from.
She was fleeing from a great pain that had affected her life so much that she believed that by putting a great distance between herself and it, she would stop feeling like the worthless woman who had left her family and her job behind.
No one knew her here, and she could start over.
The guest house was in the center of town, on a corner across from the square and the church.
The door was open, as if inviting her to enter. A brick-colored tile hallway and an interior garden with a leafy tree from which hung bright green ferns and bromeliads with red and yellow flowers seemed to say, “You are welcome here.”
Miriam stood still and put her suitcase on the floor, waiting for someone to come out and greet her. There was a great silence. After a few minutes of impatience, she approached the small desk that was on one side in front of the window and saw a bell there. She rang it.
Immediately she heard a woman's voice
"One moment"
And in a few minutes, a tall, thin woman with very black hair tied back in a bun and dressed in a wide, flowery skirt and a white shirt came out of a room and walked softly down the hallway to meet her, saying,
"Welcome, Miriam! we are so glad you have arrived. We were waiting for you. "
When she got closer, she realized that the woman was blind.
“Nice to meet you! my name is Adela,” she said, extending her elegant hand with a gold ring on one of her long fingers.
“Nice to meet you! Mrs. Adela.” How did she know it was me? she thought, but she didn't dare say anything.
“Call me Adela, I'm not that old. Did you bring your luggage? Come, I'll show you your room. Then you can check in when my husband arrives.”
Miriam followed her through the corridors of the house. Her lack of vision was no limitation to her sense of direction, and they arrived at the west wing, where there was a courtyard with a small fountain surrounded by three rooms.
Adela opened the door to the middle room. I hope you feel comfortable here. Handing her the key, she left her alone, after saying.
"Dinner is served at six. The house rules are on the table".
Miriam sat down on the bed. It was comfortable, and the room was simple but decorated with beautiful details. The window, with a yellow curtain, overlooked a large courtyard with fruit trees. It smelled of mango and guava.
Dinner was still two hours away, but she was hungry. I have no choice but to wait. I've paid for six months' stay at this guesthouse while I find a job, and I have to save the money I was able to bring with me.
Sad memories came back to her mind.
Carlos' parents accused her of convincing him to have the surgery. His last words were, “I trusted you.” She was in the operating room watching the surgery because she knew he shouldn't have the surgery. And she witnessed the moment when everything started to go wrong until her husband's heart stopped beating and he went into cardiac arrest. He died on the operating table, and she couldn't do anything to help him. Then came the trial, where they were accused of medical negligence. It all happened so fast. Although they were acquitted, she couldn't forgive herself.
She snapped out of her memories when she heard a bell ring and assumed it was the call for dinner. She left the room and ran into a man on crutches. He was missing a leg. He looked about forty years old and greeted her with a smile.
"Good afternoon! Miriam. Welcome."
She felt a little strange. How did he know her name?
"Good afternoon! Thank you for your kindness. What is your name?"
"You can call me Luis."
She followed him down the hall and when they reached the dining room, the table was set. Adela and four other people were sitting there, in addition to her and Luis, who had just sat down. They all greeted her cheerfully.
"I am very grateful", she said, a little embarrassed by the welcome.
She had imagined she was going to arrive at a place where people were indifferent. Everyone in their own world. But this was a special place.
She sat down and ate everything with great appetite. The food was delicious. And when she finished eating, they brought coffee and a passion fruit cheese cake.
There she met Carmela, a young woman with one arm; Esteban, Adela's husband, who suffered from amnesia and couldn't remember his past; Carlos, a man who couldn't walk and used a wheelchair; and Liseth, a beautiful woman who had lost all her hair due to a strange illness.
They have all lost something, Miriam thought, and yet they seemed so cheerful and kind.
"Tell us, Miriam, why are you here?" Carmen looked at her with her big green eyes, which made her feel uncomfortable.
"I came here to find peace".
"And why don't you have peace?" Lisbeth asked her.
"Where and when did you lose it?" Carlos, who was next to her, turned to her.
She remained silent because she didn't know how to answer. Everyone was looking at her.
"In this place, you can find what you need. We are here to help you. But you have to trust us".
"But you don't know me, Adela!. I came here by chance."
"Do you think it's a coincidence that all of us here have lost a part of our body?"
"Yes, I think that's strange."
Luis, who was beside her, looked at her tenderly, as if he understood her confusion.
"Miriam, you wanted a quiet place where you could be at peace. And because of that desire, you came to this town and this house. Can you remember what made you choose this place?"
Miriam tried to remember.
I was walking down a street, feeling very empty, as if nothing mattered. I saw a bus coming close to the sidewalk. I saw a bus coming close to the sidewalk. The traffic light was red, I wanted to keep going, but a man grabbed my arm and I stopped and looked at him, he smiled at me. "That man looked like you"
And what else happened?
The light changed and the bus stopped. The door opened. The driver said to me:
Get on, miss, this bus will take you wherever you want to go.
Miriam stared at Esteban. "You were the driver?"
Esteban smiled at her.
"Yes, it was me."
"It can't be. I don't understand anything."
"Keep remembering, Miriam, and you'll understand."
*I got on the bus and there were four people sitting there. A young woman like you, Carmela, a man who looked like you, Carlos, and a woman with long, beautiful hair and a beautiful face like yours, Liseth. And next to me was you, Adela, and you looked at me.
"Your eyes were healthy."
"That bus you remember getting on brought you here".
"And how could that happen?"
Adela paused before continuing.
"Here we have shown you that loss cannot take away your joy of living. You have to learn to listen to yourself, to value yourself. The past cannot be changed, but you must be grateful for it even if it causes you pain because it also gave you joy. You loved and were loved. Honor that love with a beautiful life. You still have so much to give."
Miriam felt tears running down her cheeks as her soul regained its joy and peace.
"You are angels? I don't know how to thank you."
"You just need to know that we are here to help you."
At that moment, everyone came closer, surrounded her, and gave her a hug.
Miriam opened her eyes. She was standing on the sidewalk. The pedestrian traffic light was red, and the approaching bus continued on its way down the avenue. When the light turned green, she continued on her way, smiling.
La vista del pueblo desde las colinas parecía descubrir un lugar de ensueño, placentero y tranquilo muy diferente a la ajetreada ciudad desde donde había llegado Miriam Suarez.
Venía huyendo de un dolor muy grande que había afectado tanto su vida, que creía al poner una gran distancia de por medio dejaría de sentirse la mujer sin valor que dejó su familia y su trabajo atrás.
Aquí nadie la conocía y podía empezar de nuevo.
La casa de huéspedes estaba en el centro del pueblo, en una esquina frente a la plaza y la iglesia.
La puerta estaba abierta como invitando a entrar. Un pasillo de lozas color ladrillo y un jardín interior con un árbol frondoso del cual colgaban helechos muy verdes y bromelias con sus flores rojas y amarillas parecía decirle Acá eres bienvenida.
Miriam se quedó parada y puso la maleta en el piso esperando que alguien saliera a recibirla. Había un gran silencio. Después de unos minutos de impaciencia se acercó al pequeño escritorio que estaba a un lado frente a la ventana y allí vio un timbre. Lo tocó.
De inmediato escucho la voz de una mujer
—¡Un momento!
Y en pocos minutos una mujer alta y delgada con el cabello muy negro recogido en un moño y vestida con una falda amplia y floreada y una camisa blanca salió de una habitación y caminó suavemente por el pasillo a su encuentro mientras le decía.
—¡Bienvenida Miriam!, que gusto que haya llegado. La estábamos esperando.
Cuando la tuvo cerca, se dio cuenta que la mujer era ciega.
—Mucho gusto, me llamo Adela —y le extendió su mano elegante con un anillo dorado en uno de sus largos dedos.
—Mucho gusto Sra. Adela. Como supo que era yo pensó, pero no se atrevió a decirle.
—Llámame Adela, no soy tan vieja. Trajiste tu equipaje? Ven te muestro tu habitación. Luego te registras cuando llegue mi esposo.
Miriam la siguió por los pasillos de la casa, su falta de visión no era una limitación para orientarse y llegaron al ala oeste donde había un patio con una pequeña fuente y a su alrededor tres habitaciones.
Adela abrió la puerta de la habitación del medio. Espero te sientas cómoda. Y entregándole la llave la dejó sola, después de decirle
—La cena se sirve a las seis. Sobre la mesa están las normas de nuestra casa.
Miriam se sentó en la cama, era cómoda y el cuarto era sencillo pero decorado con hermosos detalles. La ventana con una cortina amarilla, daba a un patio muy grande con arboles frutales. Olía a mango y a guayaba.
Todavía faltaban dos horas para la cena pero tenía hambre. No me queda otra que esperar. He pagado seis meses de estadía en esta pensión mientras consigo un trabajo y tengo que ahorrar el dinero que pude traer.
Los recuerdos tristes volvieron de nuevo a su mente.
Los padres de Carlos acusándola de haberlo convencido de que se operara. Sus ultimas palabras fueron Confió en ti . Ella estuvo en el quirófano viendo la operación porque sabía que, no debía operar. Y fue testigo del momento en que todo comenzó a ir mal hasta que el corazón de su esposo, dejó de latir y entró en paro. Murió en la mesa de operaciones y ella no pudo hacer nada para ayudarlo. Y después vino el juicio donde fueron acusados de negligencia médica. Todo pasó tan rápido. Aunque fueron absueltos, ella no se perdonó.
Salió de sus recuerdos al escuchar una campana y supuso que era la llamada para la cena. Salió de la habitación y se encontró con un hombre en muletas. Le faltaba una pierna. Aparentaba como cuarenta años y la saludo con una sonrisa.
—¡Buenas tardes Miriam!. ¡Bienvenida!
Se sintió un poco extraña. ¿Cómo sabia su nombre?
—¡Buenas tardes! Gracias por su amabilidad. ¿Cual es su nombre?
—Me puedes llamar Luis.
Lo siguió por el pasillo y al llegar al comedor, la mesa estaba puesta. Allí estaba Adela y cuatro personas sentadas, además de ella y Luis que acababan se sentarse. Todas la saludaron con alegría.
—Les agradezco mucho —fue lo que les dijo un poco apenada por el recibimiento.
Se imaginó que iba a llegar a un lugar donde las persona eran indiferente. Cada quién en su mundo. Pero aquel era un lugar especial.
Se sentó y se comió todo con mucho apetito. La comida estaba deliciosa. Y al terminar de comer trajeron café y un quesillo de parchita de postre.
Allí conoció a Carmela una joven sin un brazo, a Esteban el esposo de Adela que sufría de amnesia y no recordaba su pasado, a Carlos un hombre que no caminaba y andaba en una silla de ruedas y a Liseth una hermosa mujer que había perdido toda su cabellera por una extraña enfermedad.
Todos han perdido algo pensó Miriam y sin embargo se ven tan alegres y amables.
Y cuéntanos Miriam porque estas aquí. —Carmen la miraba con sus grandes ojos verdes, que la hicieron sentirse incómoda.
—Vine a este lugar a buscar paz.
—¿Y por qué no tienes paz? le preguntó Lisbeth.
—¿Donde y cuando la perdiste? Carlos que estaba a su lado se volteo hacia ella.
Se quedó en silencio porque no sabia que responder. Todos estaban mirándola.
—En este lugar puedes encontrar lo que necesites, nosotros estamos acá para ayudarte. Pero tienes que confiar.
—Pero ustedes no me conocen Adela, llegue aquí por casualidad.
—¿Te parece que es una casualidad que todos los que estamos en este lugar hemos perdido una parte de nuestro cuerpo?
—Si, la verdad eso me parece extraño.
Luis que estaba a su lado la miro con ternura como si comprendiera su desorientación.
—Miriam tu querías un lugar tranquilo, donde pudieras estar en paz. Y por ese deseo llegaste a este pueblo y a esta casa. ¿Puedes recordar que te hizo escoger este lugar?
Miriam trato de recordar.
Yo venia caminando por una calle, me sentía muy vacía, como si nada tuviera importancia. Vi un autobús que venia pegado a la acera. El semáforo estaba en rojo, quería seguir pero un hombre me sujetó por el brazo y me detuve y lo miré, el me sonrió. —Ese hombre se parecía a ti .
—Y que mas ocurrió.
El semáforo cambio y el autobús se detuvo. Se abrió la puerta. El chófer me dijo. Suba señorita que este autobús la llevara a donde usted quiera. Miriam se quedó mirando a Esteban. —¡Era usted el chofer!
Esteban le sonrió
—Si era yo.
—No puede ser. No entiendo nada.
—Sigue recordando Miriam y lo entenderás.
Subí al autobús y allí estaban sentadas cuatro personas. Una joven como tú Carmela, un señor parecido a usted Carlos y una mujer con una larga y hermosa cabellera con un hermoso rostro como el tuyo Liseth. Y a mi lado estabas tu Adela y me miraste. Tus ojos estaban sanos
—Ese autobús en el cual recuerdas haberte montado te trajo hasta acá.
Adele hizo una pausa para continuar.
—Aquí te hemos mostrado que las pérdidas no pueden quitarte la alegría de vivir. Tienes que aprender a escucharte, a darte valor a ti misma. Que el pasado no puede cambiarse pero debes agradecerlo aunque te cause dolor, porque también te dio alegrías. Amaste y fuiste amada, honra ese amor con una vida hermosa. Tienes mucho que dar todavía.
Miriam sentía como las lágrimas corrían por sus mejillas, mientras su alma recobraba su alegría y su paz.
—¿Ustedes son unos ángeles? No sé como agradecerles.
—Solo necesitas saber que estamos aquí para ayudarte.
En ese momento todos se acercaron, la rodearon y le dieron un abrazo de luz.
Miriam abrió los ojos. Estaba parada en la acera. El semáforo de peatones estaba en rojo y el autobús que venía siguió su rumbo por la avenida. Cuando la luz cambio a verde ella continuo su camino sonriendo.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Thank you so much @theinkwell 😘✨️
An interesting piece illustrating an intuitive journey to the enlightenment of realization. Joy and peace are never left or to be attained from somewhere, but the character's decision to carry the pain instead of privilege stands as significant. And at the end, she saw joy and peace were from within. Irregardless of the location. An insightful writing so to speak. Greetings and blessings.
Thank you very much @oyebolu for your comment. I loved reading it because you interpreted the message of my story so beautifully.
Hugs and have a great start to the week. ✨️
The pleasure is mine. Have a great week as it go thus. Greetings and blessings.
I really enjoyed the narrative style you used to illustrate the story; it definitely draws us into Miriam's experience. Excellent work.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Excellent Monday.
I'm glad you enjoyed the story. And thank you very much @rinconpoetico7 for your comment .
Best regards and blessings.
Have a nice afternoon. ✨️
Peace is very, very important to human being. I pray that where there is no peace now, God should intervene and restore peace there now. Keep it up. The sky is the beginning of your success @popurri
Thank you so much @raymondpeter for your beautiful comment. So be it. Amen.
Best regards ✨️🤗