If the invitation to the reunion of my old friends had arrived an hour after 3 p.m., I would have taken the train out of town. But fate and the curiosity I felt when I read the message sent to my email made me postpone the decision I had made that morning.
We will meet at Mariangel's house on Monday, August 22nd at 2:00 p.m.All those who are willing and able to attend are invited. We are going to have fun.
And Monday, the 22nd, was just two days away. I asked myself a lot of questions as my mind debated between going on with my plans or going back to the past, to the town where I was born. So I decided to find out what was behind that invitation.
The train arrived at Tiznado station at 10 o'clock in the morning. A cold wind was blowing, and I got off in a hurry to get into the warmth of the waiting room. There were few people there, almost all sitting on the wooden benches with their suitcases and bags, waiting to leave on the next train. It seemed that time had stopped in that place.
I called Mariangel to let her know I had arrived.
"Hello Luisa, I'm so glad you're here. My uncle Julian will pick you up in a few minutes".
The sharp voice and authoritative tone were just as I remembered them, even though it had been 20 years since the last time I heard them.
"Okay, I'll just sit here and wait". I took out a mirror to fix myself up a bit. At 45 years old, a few gray hairs covered my black hair, and a few wrinkles were visible around my eyes. But I liked the way I looked and smiled to myself, encouraging myself.
You look beautiful, Luisa. They will be surprised when they see you. Surely they are ladies with children and husbands. That is why I have not married and will not.
They arrived at Mariangel's family home. She crossed the garden planted with green grass and cayenne bushes and arrived at the entrance, where they were waiting for her.
But Luisa was in for a surprise. Her friends Mariangel, Carla, and Mercedes were a pleasant, jovial women who looked as young as she did.
Mariangel went forward to greet her.
"How well you look, Luisa!", and hugged her warmly. Her blonde hair was loose, and her slender body stood out in an apple green dress.
Carla and Mercedes also approached to greet her. Carla, short and with reddish-brown hair, was dressed in a light blue shirt and pants, and Mercedes, tall and elegant, was dressed in a brown skirt and jacket, with a silk scarf holding her black hair.
"Let's go into the house, it's getting quite cold". Mariangel led them into a living room with very comfortable, soft furniture and cushions that invited them to rest.
On the table decorated with flowers, there were cakes and coffee.
Mariangel took the floor
"Luisa, this meeting is for you. It took us many years to decide to call you to apologize. You left 20 years ago, running away from your town, your friends, and your family. We made a big mistake, and we are very sorry".
Luisa was astonished and looked at each of her friends without being able to say a word.
"Yes, Luisa, we are very sorry that we did not believe in your innocence. Now we know. You were not responsible for Carmen's death. She was ill, suffering from depression, and left a letter that her mother recently found among the pages of a book. You were not responsible for Esteban ending his relationship with her and driving her to take her own life".
Luisa decided that it was time to express what she felt
"I was responsible, Carla". For the first time in so many years, Luisa assumed her responsibility and felt at ease doing so. "I fell in love with Esteban, and that love was selfish, I only wanted him to be with me, and I asked him to leave her. That guilt has not left me in all these years".
"In the letter, Carmen explains that she asked Esteban to leave because she didn't love him anymore. She had fallen in love with another man, but he left town and left her".Mercedes had taken the floor with her hoarse voice.
"Do you remember the young man who was visiting the Gonzalez family, Judith's cousin? He was that person".
Luisa felt for the first time in many years that destiny was giving her a new opportunity. What her friends were telling her changed everything, and most importantly, the decision she had made before accepting the invitation.
"I am very grateful for what you have told me. It is amazing how, after so many years, I am here with you apologizing to me when I thought you wanted nothing to do with me. You can't imagine how much good your words have done me".
Mariangel, who was sitting next to him, took his hand. She was trembling.
"I must confess that Esteban, during all these years, has remained faithful to his feelings for me, but guilt did not allow me to accept him, and I have rejected him many times, even when my heart desired to be with him".
Her friends looked at her with heavy hearts and tears in their eyes.
"Before receiving the invitation to this meeting, I was going to leave the city. I wanted to escape to a place where I would not find myself, but this has changed, and I feel grateful to be here and that I can share with Esteban what is left of my life. And all this is thanks to you".
Her friends came over and hugged each other. And this was not the last time they would meet. The past was behind them, and their friendship grew stronger and stronger. Luisa was able to return to her village with Esteban without the memory of Carmen haunting her.
