The Casa Del Castaneda

The Little Angel

Granada, southern Spain.

A woman wearing a blue floral midi dress ran inside a hospital corridor. Fortunately, he only uses thin sandals, so that his footsteps do not cause a disturbing sound for other visitors at the hospital. The brunette had just stopped when she arrived in front of the ICU. A pale face without makeup polish that was still showing hope, suddenly became grim. His pair of hazel-colored irises, instantly glazed over when he saw a middle-aged woman who was already teary-eyed. “Aibi ...” The voice of the slender woman was raucous, almost inaudible.

However, the middle-aged woman who was crying earlier could hear that raucous voice in between her stuffing. The woman called ‘bibi’ immediately turned her head. “Paloma.” He mentioned the name of the young lady who walked slowly towards him. “They have taken off all medical devices,” said the middle-aged woman again while continuing to shed tears. “Nilo ... I will not babysit the child again ...,” lament the woman with a heart-red knitting cardigan. He covered his face using both palms.

Meanwhile, Paloma instantly froze for a while. His gaze was fixed on the room where there were several nurses coming out from there. Paloma forced his foot to step up, until he arrived in front of the open door. There, lay a tiny body that had been covered entirely by a white cloth.

Tears are shed without being asked. Pain and pain that will never be treated with a million happy laughs at any time. Yeah, the kid's gone. Giving up on the disease that made him have to die.

“Nilo! My son!” paloma's tears broke. Hugging a body that has been stretched stiff in a hospital bed. A place that would bring bad memories to the twenty-five-year-old woman. “Wake up, Son! I've earned a little money to keep you alive. How could I possibly use this money for your funeral. No!” Paloma shouted out loud, making the two nurses who were still there immediately approach.

One of them grabbed Paloma's body to release Nilo's body.

“Stop, Mistress. We can understand your feelings. However, this is God's destiny,” said one of the nurses who held Paloma's arms from the side.

“Your son has been battling his pain all this time. He's a great kid, because he never cried even though there were a lot of syringes piercing his skin. She's so amazing,” the chimpanzee of another nurse.

As a woman, the two medics were definitely able to feel the destruction of Paloma's heart. Of course, no one can describe how much sadness is.

......................

It was a sunny afternoon, but it felt so grim for Paloma. The hazel-eyed woman sat sideways on the floor while leaning against the wall. He saw the face of his beloved son, Diego Nilo Sanchez or familiarly called Nilo. Not bored, Paloma kissed the five-year-old's face through a piece of photo. After that, Paloma held the photo. Stick tightly to the chest.

“Paloma,” greet the middle-aged woman who was in the hospital yesterday. He went into the room and walked over to the woman who did not return his greeting, not even turning her head. Paloma is still leaning against the wall, with a sitting position that has not changed since.

“Eat first, son,” said the woman who is none other than Teresa Calderon, a kind neighbor and already considered family by Paloma.

“I'm not hungry, Aunty,” Paloma replied lethargic. There was no spirit at all in him. Unlike the characteristics that have been attached to the twenty-five-year-old female character.

“You didn't eat since two days ago,” Teresa said. He was feeling sorry for Paloma.

“Nilo-ku has not eaten either. He must be starving,” raved Paloma. Tears rolled back her cheeks.

Teresa cried, after hearing the name of the boy who had been foster throughout the day called. Therefore, the slightly fat woman was unable to withstand her deep pain. “I love your son too. Just like you,” said the half-century-old woman. “Nilo I never thought of as anyone else. She is my grandson.” Teresa sobbed slowly.

Shown back in his memory, when Paloma was about to give birth alone. Teresa was the closest neighbor in the apartment. Her home was adjacent to Paloma's residence, although Nilo's mother's status was only tenant there.

At the beginning of his departure, Rafael still often sends part of the wages he gets to Paloma. But after a few months, everything changed. Let alone money, there was no news at all that Paloma heard about the state of the husband. The man disappeared like the earth.

Until Paloma gave birth, Rafael never returned. Paloma had to fight on his own. Supported him and his only son, Nilo. Nilo left Paloma for good. That poor woman is really a kara.

“What will you do after this, son?” teresa asked after a few days had passed.

Paloma has begun to rise from its slump. He went back to his normal days, although there was still one side of his heart that felt empty. “Come, Aunty. I can't think clearly yet.” The brunette sat down to face the food Teresa was serving.

“Is Uncle Alonso not angry, because Auntie often accompanies me here?” Paloma looked at the middle-aged woman who had no children from her marriage. However, Teresa and Alonso accepted each other's flaws.

“You know that she loves you too,” Teresa replied with a gentle, loving smile. He began to eat the food in the dish in front of him. “Almost I forgot,” said the gray-white haired woman.

“What's up, Aunty?” tanya Paloma paused for a moment of her lunch. “Yesterday, Mrs Soledad said that there would be a troupe to Porcuna. Castaneda Olive Plantation is in need of many workers.” Teresa sipped her drink before continuing to tell her story.

“Then?” paloma asked with a suddenly strange look.

“Perhaps, you want to write a letter or ..”

“For what, Aunty?” paloma sela. He put down the spoon he was holding.

“After all, Rafael must know your current condition ...”

“If Rafael still cares, then he will never dump me. Rafael is back. Moreover, I was pregnant when she left. However, the proof until the year changed ...” The paloma wipes away the tears that come back to wet the cheeks. “Rafael never came back. I was not expecting it anymore,” said Paloma.

Teresa was so filled with everything that befell the young lady before her. If he were a person, Teresa would give all her property to Paloma. However, the condition of Teresa and Alonso was not much different from the woman who had just lost her beloved son.

Teresa touched the back of Paloma's hand gently. He was only able to provide moral support to the poor woman. However, Teresa would always try to help as best she could. “That's not what I mean, son,” said the middle-aged woman moments later. “How vile is your husband's heart? Does he really have no feelings?”

“What according to Aunt Rafael is still in Porcuna? On the estate of Castaneda.” Paloma sounded doubtful. She shook her head. “I'm not sure,” he said again.

“Good. I won't force. This is just my thought,” Teresa replied. “Come. Continue eating you.”

A few days later, Paloma continued to ponder what Teresa had said. It was true that she still had a husband, even though Paloma was used to doing everything alone.

The next day, Paloma returned to meet Teresa. Incidentally, there is also still Alonso who has not gone to sell. “I'm going to go Porcuna,” break up Paloma.