The Forbidden Promise

by Helena Rose

  Lucas returned to Tampico two days before the wedding date. Santos and Yolanda were tremendously happy to see him. Santos had already announced to the owner of the shipyard that he would be leaving the job and would be moving to Zacatecas. Yolanda was torn between feelings of anger and sadness about the wedding, and the excitement of seeing a new town and starting a new life. When the sadness became unbearable, she went to her Aunt Penelope. Penelope’s shop seemed to Yolanda a magical, mysterious cave, full of extravagant and frightening things.

  Santos did not approve of his sister becoming closer to their strange aunt and every time Yolanda visited Penelope, he told Yolanda not to be enticed by Penelope’s witchcraft.

  Penelope in truth, had not offered Yolanda her witchcraft services, she had merely let Yolanda talk and had asked her several questions. Yolanda had not been suspicious of the strange interest that her aunt had for Lucas and Aurora’s wedding. She simply confided in her for hours, feeling relieved for the understanding that Penelope showed her.

  Lucas’ first thought on his return was for Aurora whom he immediately went to see.

  Carmen, the maid invited him in. In the living room he found Doña Viviana, intent on talking to the cook about the final arrangements for refreshments.

  "Good afternoon Doña Viviana." greeted Lucas, respectfully.

  "Good afternoon," replied Viviana coldly. "Aurora is unfortunately not here. Apparently there has been an emergency at the convent’s infirmary." The grimace on her face was far more eloquent than a thousand words.

  "Can I wait for her?" Lucas asked.

  "Certainly, have a seat," invited Viviana.

  The two sat down, and an embarrassed silence fell in the room. Finally Viviana, after she had stared at him for a moment, ventured to ask him who he would be inviting to the wedding.

  " Very few," he replied, "some friends and that's it."

  Doña Viviana coughed.

  " And your relatives?" She queried.

  "None," Lucas smiled "I have no relatives, or at least, no close relatives that I want to have at my wedding."

  " Haven’t you invited your brother ... and your stepmother?" inquired Viviana in a strained voice.

  " No," Replied Lucas.

  Viviana could not help sighing with relief. Lucas saw it and frowned curiously. "You know her, don’t you?" He asked.

  "Of course not!" Replied Doña Viviana too quickly. She forced herself to calm down. "I mean, we’re more or less the same age, therefore when we were young we met at some dances, nothing more.”

  Viviana had become very nervous and Lucas could clearly see it. My dear stepmother has played some trick on her, I’m convinced. Another reason why she probably hates me. He smiled to himself. Immediately he thought of the fact that if Federico had been in his place, as Aurora had initially imagined, things would have been even worse.

  At that moment Aurora returned home breathless.

  " Excuse me, mother! I did everything as soon as I could! It’s that Dr. Peron ... "Aurora broke off as she saw Lucas in the living room.

  "You're back!" She exclaimed happily. Lucas was struck by the expression of true joy he saw on her face.

  Lucas immediately stood up and went over to her. His first instinct was to hug her, but due to the presence of Doña Viviana he managed to stop himself in time. What a fool! It seems like I'm really getting married!

  Aurora was embarrassed too, smiling she held out her hand. Lucas took it and bowed in order to brush the back of her hand with his lips.

  " How did it go in Zacatecas?" Asked Aurora.

  " All right."

  The two turned to look at Viviana who was sitting impassively on the sofa and gave no signs of wanting to leave them alone.

  " And your preparations? Have you prepared everything?" Lucas asked, staring at her intently.

  The pact. He’s referring to pact Aurora thought.

  "Yes, everything is ready." Aurora answered giving him another intense look.

  The two returned to the sofa and sat down. For a while, they discussed the preparations for the wedding. Lucas had no special requests, the only thing he asked Doña Viviana was permission to use the silver wedding rosary that had belonged to his mother, Doña Lucrecia.

  "It’s the only thing I have that will remind me of her on my wedding day, I hope you understand. As I told you I’ve no other relatives that I remember with particular affection."

  Aurora felt suddenly very sad. Poor Lucas, he has no one and with my pact I’m also precluding him from the possibility of getting married to a woman who he really loves ...

  Doña Viviana, albeit hesitantly accepted the request, sorry that her daughter would not marry using the same lazo that she had used.

  After a few more pleasantries, Lucas stood up to take his leave.

  " Wait," said Aurora “I wrote you a letter, which I’ve not had time to post. I want to give it to you anyway." It was obviously about the pact. Aurora quickly went to her room to get the document that two nights before she had put all her efforts into. She had already signed it, penning her name in elegant calligraphy.

  She returned to the living room and gave the letter to Lucas.

  "You do me a great honor. Tomorrow I’ll present you my answer." Said Lucas.

  Aurora nodded, and accompanied Lucas to the gate.

  " I tried to be as clear as possible," said Aurora. " If you still want to change it in any way, or modify or rewrite it, it’s not a problem to me."

  "It's fine as it is, I'm sure." Replied Lucas.

  "Good." Embarrassed the two said goodbye to each other.

  Lucas returned to his home.

  He opened the pact, and read what Aurora had written. We declare, jointly that we are on the point of getting married with mental reservations, in accordance with an agreement entered into between us. We will never, in our daily life, be husband and wife ...

  These words had a strange effect on him, making him more uncomfortable, but he decided not to think about it. He signed the document and put it in the envelope along with a note that he quickly wrote.

  The next day all Tampico seemed in turmoil. The usual hive of activity, the market, the people struggling with their daily trials and tribulations all appeared in Aurora eyes even more agitated and frenetic, mirroring the emotions that she was feeling. She had left the house early that morning to go to the station with Carmen to meet her cousin Dolores from Mexico City who would be her maid of honor.

  She had had to overcome many objections from her parents in choosing Dolores. Her parents, for convenience, would have preferred Marisol. But, despite the reconciliation between them, Aurora did not want to have by her side during the wedding Lucas’ former lover, despite the fact that the marriage rite would only serve to permanently seal the pact signed between herself and Lucas.

  Dolores embraced her cousin enthusiastically, and congratulated her on her upcoming wedding.

  "When I received your letter with the news, I nearly fell off my chair! So quick! And with Federico’s brother ... “Dolores was simply bursting to know everything.

  "Ssshhh! My mother knows nothing of Federico and the fact that I knew him when I was in Mexico City ... and also Federico is now courting my cousin Marisol." Aurora said quietly.

  "My God! It seems that this small coastal town is much more exciting than Mexico City! You absolutely have to tell me everything! "

  When they reached home, the two were involved in a whirlwind of final preparations for the wedding. Doña Viviana was in full swing, overseeing the cook who on this occasion was accompanied by two assistants, the workers who were setting up the garden gazebo and tables for the guests and the florist who was decorating the house.

  " Oh, my God, I'm frightened that it’s going to rain tonight, it’s so hot today." Said Viviana that although very worried, outwardly did not show anything other than her usual calmness and distinction.

  The dressmaker had already arrived with the dress and was ready to do last minute
changes, if needed. The next day she would return to help Aurora to get dressed before going to church.

  The day passed so quickly that Aurora did not realize the passage of time.

  In the late afternoon Lucas’ friend Santos arrived at the Vargas de Coronado house.

  " Good evening, I need to speak with Miss Aurora." He said to Carmen.

  Aurora, that was trying to rest for a few minutes, to escape from the perfect organizational machine of her mother, was forced to go down to the living room.

  "Good evening, Santos, has something happened?" She asked worriedly.

  "No, Miss, everything’s fine. Lucas sent me to deliver this." He handed her an envelope.

  Aurora took it. This is our pact, signed by Lucas, the forbidden promise that binds us.

  " Thank you, Santos. Couldn’t Lucas come himself? Is he ill? "

  Santos smiled under his mustache.

  "No, he's fine, he said that according to tradition it brings bad luck to see the bride on the day before the wedding."

  Aurora was surprised by the reply. Lucas has just revealed then that he also feels the same inexplicable emotion that I feel. Aurora said good-bye to Santos and thanked him.

  Making sure that she was alone in the living room, Aurora immediately opened the envelope. Inside were two sheets. One was the secret pact, also signed by Lucas, without any modifications. The other was a short letter written by Lucas. Dearest Aurora, she read, I return the signed pact to you. Keep it as a guarantee of my good will. This document could be your lifeline in case our agreement proves to be too difficult to maintain. I just wanted to write to you, since I cannot adequately express it in words that I am honored to have been chosen by you as a "partner" in this particular deal. I swear to you that, although we will never really be husband and wife, I will do everything to make you happy and help you to achieve your dreams. You will not be my wife, but you will still be my best friend. With affection and admiration, Lucas.

  Aurora folded the letter and pressed it to her chest, feeling confused and lost. She could feel the excitement grow inside her. I'm your best friend ... and he, what is he to me?

  She banished these dangerous thoughts quickly from her mind, they would do nothing but complicate things even more. She heard her cousin call her, and at the same moment, Dolores entered the room.

  "I wondered where you were dear. But has something happened to you?" She asked, seeing Aurora’s agitation.

  "Indeed I'm a little tired," said Aurora. " Would you mind keeping me company in my bedroom while I rest?"

  "Certainly, I'd be delighted," She replied.

  The two girls went upstairs and as soon as the door was closed Dolores asked, "Now dear cousin, I want an explanation as to why the letter has upset you so much?"

  Aurora pondered for a moment if it would be better to tell her cousin or to keep quiet. She could not however reveal the existence of the pact, but she could nevertheless rely on Dolores and ask her help to safeguard it. She did not doubt the affection and the confidence she felt for Dolores even for a moment.

  "I’d like to ask you a big favor Dolores." She finally said in a serious tone.

  "I'll do anything you ask me my dear," replied Dolores.

  "I wish you to safeguard this letter, it is very important to me." Said Aurora.

  " Can I know what it’s about?" Dolores asked worriedly.

  "I'm sorry but it's a secret. Dolores, I want you to understand the importance of what I am confiding in you." She stopped, breathing deeply. "Because of how much I trust you I am entrusting the letter to you. You mustn’t tell anyone about it and let’s hope that soon we’ll be able to forget its existence."

  "You’re making me worried, cousin."

  "Don’t worry, nothing bad will happen, I swear." Reassured Aurora, smiling sadly, "but guard it carefully." She added.

  "Trust me, you won’t regret," Dolores said caressing Aurora’s face.

  " And now tell me about your future husband, He’s very handsome, isn’t he?" She added, laughing.

  Their laughter was disturbed by the rumble of distant thunder.

  Shortly after dark, the storm clouds thickened over Tampico. Lucas had also had a hard day and was looking forward to resting. Among other things, he had had to supervise the renovations of the room that had been Amparo’s, the hacienda’ old cook that had cared for him in the early years after he had been disinherited. He had freshened up the room, changed the furniture,bought a wardrobe ... everything on credit. It was to be a surprise for Aurora. They would thus have a habitable house for their eventual visits to Tampico.

  Outside, there was thunder. The sky, lit by occasional flashes of lightning, was dark with rain. He heard a sudden knock on the door. Intrigued he went to open it.

  He found himself in front of Marisol, her face half-covered by the hood of a heavy cloak. The rain had begun to fall.

  "Marisol, what are you doing here?" He asked curiously.

  "I need to talk to you." She said in a quavering voice.

  Lucas let her in and Marisol took off her rain cloak. Her blond hair fell loose over her shoulders.

  "We couldn’t leave each other that way ... not after that silly quarrel." Said Marisol, who seemed to be in a quandary.

  "Don’t worry, I don’t bare you any grudges." Lucas replied. "I'm truly sorry for how I insulted you that night."

  Marisol smiled, though her face continued to show sadness and regret.

  "Our relationship was never very peaceful, rather I would say it was pretty confrontational."

  "That’s true." Agreed Lucas.

  Marisol ran to embrace him, crying. Then, clinging to him, on impulse she offered him her rosy lips, convinced that she would be able to entice a passionate kiss from him. But Lucas, gently drew back and pulled away from her.

  " Oh, Lucas, please! Don’t do it, don’t marry Aurora," said Marisol sobbing.

  "Marisol, please, don’t act this way. You knew that our relationship had no future. You yourself always said that you’d never be able to marry me.”

  "Yes, I told you this, and you don’t know how many times I've regretted it!"

  " You say that now because you're jealous. You know that it’s not true."

  Marisol continued to cry softly.

  " Anybody, but not her, not Aurora."

  " What does it change for you?" Lucas asked, "her or someone else it’s the same!"

  " No, it's not the same. She’s my cousin, we’ve always been in competition, she was the most intelligent, I, the most beautiful. I can’t accept that a man chooses to marry her after he was mine! "

  "Marisol, I’ve never been yours as you've never been mine. We were only two people who had fun together. Our relationship has never gone beyond that. We were never in love, you know it."

  "Are you in love with her then?" asked Marisol.

  Lucas looked down and ran a hand through his shiny hair. " Your cousin is not only very charming, sweet and kind, but also brave and determined. "

  " You haven’t answered me, do you love her?" Asked Marisol again

  Frustrated Lucas sighed, "And what do you care? Between you and me it's all over."

  Marisol broke away from him.

  "Then there's nothing left to say. Goodbye, Lucas."

  " Goodbye, Marisol, from now on when we meet, we’ll be two friendly cousins. "

  "I’ll miss you Lucas, remember, she’ll never be like me.”

  Lucas did not answer. Marisol put on her cloak and left the house, disappearing into the night, in the pouring rain.

  The storm of the previous evening had passed, and during the night the sky had cleared and dawn brought a hot sun, to brighten Aurora and Lucas’ wedding day.

  From early morning there had been a coming and going of people at the Vargas de Coronado’s home. The workers were soon removing the covers with which they had protected the garden furniture and the gazebo from the rain. The florist brought the flowers to add to the decorations and the cook had
started to cook the last dishes before the sun had risen. A little later, the dressmaker and stylist arrived. The night before Aurora had fallen asleep very late, gripped by worry and agitation. After a light sleep, she was awakened by a noise at the door. Someone was knocking.

  " Miss, your mother told me to wake you up and help you take a bath." It was Carmen’s voice.

  Yawning, Aurora got up and opened the bedroom door. So started her wedding day, the day that would play a key role in her life.

  After a bath, it was the turn of the hairdresser who dried Aurora’s hair with hair straighteners that had been heated up on the kitchen stove. She then combed Aurora's hair before gently tying it back at the base of her neck. Then with a long curling iron the hairdresser curled the delicate chestnut bronze colored hair in to soft ringlets.

  It was then the turn of the dressmaker who opened the cover that had protected the wedding dress and helped Aurora to put it on. Very carefully, she arranged the large silk skirt around Aurora, laced the bodice embroidered with a delicate pale pink floral design and puffy sleeves then did up the mother of pearl buttons.

  The stylist then delicately made up Aurora’s face and finally pinned on the veil that was beautifully edged with the same lace that was decorating the bodice.

  " You’re beautiful, Miss Aurora ," cried Carmen, enthusiastically. Aurora looked in the mirror and almost did not recognizing herself, so dressed up. Her face took on an expression of surprise, while her warm hazel eyes tried to identify herself in the suave image they saw reflected in the mirror.

  Viviana came into the room. She was wearing a wonderful light blue dress, decorated with pale gold lace that enriched the bodice and skirt.