Chapter 117 - Situations at Baptism (Part 2) - Feddos
Diana
I felt really good telling him, this was me. Like the priest said when I went to confession eight days ago, he said I surely had a determined end. Maybe I should know that part of life, which is a mess, to face destiny. That priest spoke so beautifully, he asked me to wait a little to know the end predestined by the Lord for my life.
I wanted to believe that, it was easier for me, and I have managed my short life on that. I decide what I want, I had that ease to put aside the bad and keep the good, although at night my subconscious betrays me and I have started to suffer from horrible nightmares that I haven't talked to anyone about. But I needed to make an appointment with the doctor to be able to get rid of what tormented me some nights, instead of diminishing, it increased.
We arrived at the church, the priest was waiting for us with several people I didn't know, but the kids and young people greeted them, we also arrived with another group, mostly men, Gladis was already waiting for us in the church with Enrique. We settled to listen to the baptism ceremony, as parents, we sat together. I couldn't help but get goosebumps having him so close.
At times I looked at him, his well-cut black hair, his brown eyes fixed on the altar, the baby still asleep in his godmother's arms and Simón sitting next to her, Inés sat next to me. The priest called the godparents and parents to the front, my heart pounded so hard and it increased even more when Miguel unconsciously took my hand to walk to the altar.
I had no idea if he felt the spark when he touched me, I didn't dare to look at him, but I know I blushed. We made the vows, the godparents took the baby to the holy water font, Isaac's cry echoed through the whole church when they poured the water on him.
"Little one, don't worry, even I would scream like that if they woke me up with water."
Several of us laughed at the priest's comment. The ceremony ended, we invited the priest, but he couldn't attend, his duties prevented him, Sundays were the busiest days for him. Several trucks left for Villavicencio, I didn't feel the trip, I was holding my little one after breastfeeding him, looking at him, he was so beautiful, with light brown hair, I caressed his soft cheek, I couldn't help but kiss his little face all over.
When we arrived, I was surprised by the majestic estate we reached. The workers were already waiting for their boss, I saw her greet everyone, Gladis came to our side, she had come in the car with Gustavo and Arnold. Honestly, I wasn't a fan of calling them by that ugly nickname either, although some asked to be called that way because they didn't understand their names.
However, Mrs. Veronica called them by their names. The lady's sister-in-law also came to my side, the three of us were amazed by the beautiful house. I found out about the profession of the lady's late husband and his great taste in constructions. Mrs. Clarisa also arrived and her children ran around the place.
"Let's get comfortable and change, these clothes are not suitable for a farm."
Inés commented, who took Isaac from me, she began to introduce him to all the staff, proud to say he was her third grandson.
"It's very hot, I've never been to this estate before," Clarisa commented.
"It's beautiful," said Luz Marina.
"It's gorgeous," commented Gladis.
"Simón."
The lady called her right-hand man, he and Miguel seemed like brothers, I had noticed that they looked for each other, and it seemed necessary for them to see her all the time, they didn't do it with bad intentions, believe me, with so many men I've met in over a year, I know when men look at you like a piece of meat, it wasn't that. They seemed to have a bond of brotherhood, necessity, and loyalty. What Inés mentioned was that Mr. Roland's death had united them a lot and the suicide attempts increased the need to keep her watched over.
"The main house has few rooms."
"Yes, apparently, but on the other side, there are seven rooms, plus the five in the main house, where you will stay."
"But..."
"We're connected, the kitchen is the only one, there's a big door that makes it a single house, it can be closed and opened. The time you were here, the gentleman closed it."
"Roland and his designs," she said with a smile, her gaze distant. "It must have been a lovely romance. Let's go change, the women will stay upstairs." She looked at her sister-in-law. "The single ones. You'll sleep with my brother, that caveman won't let you sleep alone." Several of us laughed at her comment.
"See you in a bit."
I followed the lady. Several workers had taken our suitcases and left them in the living room. Each of us grabbed ours. Before I could take mine, Miguel grabbed it along with my son's without me saying a word. He went up the stairs and left them upstairs. I looked at the lady, she was trying to hide her urge to laugh. When our eyes met, I felt a bit embarrassed; I knew what he made me feel.
When he returned and saw the lady picking up her suitcase, the gentleman took it from her and did the same, leaving it in the master bedroom. We went upstairs, and the lady showed us which room belonged to each of us. They handed me the baby, and I entered the room. It was huge; I couldn't imagine what the master bedroom would be like. I took off my clothes and heels, then changed my little one first. He was so calm, only fussing for food and diaper changes.
I put on jeans, a blouse, and flats, returning to my true height. When we were ready, I went downstairs. They had gathered in a spectacular gazebo. I noticed several workers from the estate couldn't stop looking at me, and in no time, Miguel was by my side, introducing us in a way that made it clear we were a couple.
"Guys, this is Diana, the mother of my child."
Maybe it was my imagination or my infatuation, but he was making it clear to the men that I was his woman. I couldn't help but blush. We sat on one of the benches, and the smell of grilled meat whetted our appetites.
"Are you baptized?"
What was that question about? He spoke very quietly. I nodded. We had sat together, and he was holding the baby.
"Yes, I did my First Communion and Confirmation. The priest from the cathedral in Calarcá liked me; I was an altar boy for a few years. Thanks to him and the teachers at the school where I studied..."
"Why are you making that face?" I looked at him.
"What face?"
"Like you're not sure you studied."
"Miguel," our eyes met. Those eyes... blessed, beautiful eyes. "That's part of my private life."
"Don't you trust me?"
"It's not a lack of trust. I can swear that having you close to us makes me feel like nothing bad will happen. It might be silly, but that's how I feel since you carried me that night. When I had given up hope. My body hurt so much from the beatings I received the day before, I thought there was no hope, and then you came out of nowhere, you carried me..."
Looking at him again, his eyes had a different sparkle. He looked even more handsome, if that was possible, and he was clenching his jaw.
"And?" he demanded.
"I felt safe in your arms." He had a hard time swallowing. I needed to change the subject. "About my studies, let me tell you; my childhood was unstable, I couldn't study at the right age. The teachers who took pity on me and saw my desire to learn taught me to read and write."
"When they gathered money among themselves and the priest, I came to Bogotá. I managed to get my high school diploma. I had plans to enroll in any institution to study at night since I worked during the day. But it wasn't possible."
"Because you were kidnapped?" I nodded. "Do you want to talk about it?" I had only told the lady.
"I left late from my shift at the restaurant without money; we didn't get paid that day. I didn't have money for the bus, much less a taxi. I walked thirty blocks, and three blocks from the room where I slept, some men appeared out of nowhere and threw me into a van. They assumed I was a prostitute because it was one in the morning."
Miguel's attitude was one of anger. He held Isaac in one arm, and his other hand was a tight fist.
"What would you like to study?"