The Forbidden Promise

by Helena Rose

  Lucas seemed possessed by a supernatural force, he worked like a madman personally digging in the mine to try and secure the underground mill that had been devastated by the explosion. He rushed wherever he was needed and materialized in the right place at the right time. His presence was the only thing that lifted the spirits on that sad day.

  Shortly after dusk, as he was leaving the mine due to the lack of light to go to the tents where the wounded were being treated, he saw Pablo running towards him.

  "Master Lucas, the volunteers have arrived from Tampico with Dr. Peron and Father Julian..." gasped Pablo, out of breath from running. "Aurora is also with them!"

  Lucas dropped the shovel he was carrying and ran to the wagons that were approaching. Father Julian got out from the carriage at the head of the convoy.

  Lucas went to meet him, while his eyes sought Aurora.

  "What a tragedy, my son," said Father Julian shaking Lucas’ hand.

  "Thank you for coming, Father," welcomed Lucas as he pointed behind him. "We’ve set up a tent and we're taking all the wounded there and anybody that we manage to pull out from the rubble."

  At that moment Dr. Peron arrived.

  "Show me where the tent is and I’ll get right to work straight away."

  "I'll come too, Dr. Peron," said Aurora who had followed him at a short distance.

  She did not give Lucas even a glance but kept her eyes on the doctor's face waiting for a response, while Lucas could not stop looking at her.

  "No Aurora, it is better that you go to rest,” intervened Father Julian.

  " But only one doctor isn’t enough for all these people!" She protested.

  "There is also the doctor from Zacatecas who right now is administering care," said Lucas.

  "So, Doña Aurora, I'll do the night shift, while you rest and tomorrow morning you’ll take over from me, so we can provide continuous support," suggested Dr. Peron.

  Aurora finally sighed, recognizing the practicality of such a proposal.

  "All right," she said, nodding, "I’ll come and take over from you at dawn."

  Father Julian and the doctor walked towards the makeshift hospital while Aurora stood staring at the ground.

  "I'll accompany you to the house," Lucas said, touching her arm.

  Aurora pulled away abruptly.

  "Don’t trouble yourself, I know the way!"

  " It's night and it's dangerous, I said I'll take you! In addition, the volunteers are still unloading the tents and food from the wagons so there is no transport available to take you to the house," he said staring into her eyes. Then he turned to untie his horse and lead it over to Aurora.

  He mounted with a leap and held out his hand to Aurora who grabbed it without protest.

  Lucas effortlessly hoisted her up and made her sit on the saddle in front of him. Aurora stiffened. Do not be stupid ... she forced herself to think, it’s not the time to be overwhelmed by emotions like a girl! But the thought of being so close to Lucas’ hot and manly body made her heart beat wildly.

  Meanwhile, Lucas grasped the reins firmly and spurred his horse into a gallop.

  Aurora felt his strong arms around her and his unmistakable fragrance that penetrated her nostrils. She sighed quietly, hoping that Lucas would not notice anything. How she wanted to surrender to the desire to turn and kiss him just one last time!

  I thought I had more pride, I’ve only been here for a few minutes and I am already thinking of falling into his arms. I mustn’t forget how much he’s made me suffer. Maybe he wasn’t lying when he said he loved me but I’ve learned to know him, he isn’t a man that is satisfied with only one woman. And I don’t want to share him with anyone else. All these thoughts buzzed through her head as the horse galloped quickly towards the house.

  Arriving at the villa, Lucas dismounted and helped Aurora down.

  Aurora, in her haste to get out of the embarrassing situation, accidentally let her grip on the saddle go too suddenly and ended up straight in his arms.

  Her lips were just inches from Lucas’, the desire to kiss him was such that only the sudden intervention of Yolanda sobered her up.

  " Lucas you're back!" Yolanda said happily coming out of the front door.

  Aurora immediately moved away from Lucas. Yolanda approaching them recognized her and her expression changed. Her tone became grumpy as she spoke to Aurora.

  " Good evening, ma'am, you’re here too!" she exclaimed resentful.

  " Yes Yolanda, I’ve come to help the wounded," Aurora justified herself.

  Yolanda grimaced counting on the fact that no one could see her in the darkness.

  "How is Santos?" Lucas asked.

  "His fever hasn’t fallen yet and he’s lost a lot of blood, I’ve settled him in my room," Yolanda's voice betrayed an obvious concern.

  " Santos is hurt?" Aurora asked, turning to Lucas.

  " Yes, he was one of the first to rush to the miners’ rescue and an unsafe beam fell on him."

  " Let me see him," exclaimed Aurora.

  "Yes, please, the doctor from Zacatecas hasn’t seen him yet as he’s had other more serious cases. He told us just to bandage Santos’ leg tightly and check that his temperature doesn’t go up." Lucas replied.

  Yolanda went into the house and Aurora followed her. Santos was lying on the bed, his face beaded with sweat, his leg wrapped in bandages already stained with blood.

  Yolanda stood before Aurora, her face impertinent, she looked Aurora up and down with her hands on her hips.

  “Are you back to stay? Do you intend to have a reconciliation with Lucas?" Demanded Yolanda looking at her with hostility.

  " No," replied Aurora dryly.

  "Actually, ma'am, to tell you the truth, I always thought that you and Lucas were too different to be together, he’s accustomed to another type of women..."

  "Women like you, I imagine!" Aurora exclaimed with a bitter smile.

  " Yes, like me ... Since I’ve known him, he’s never been long without a woman and because you’ve forsaken him he was entitled to console himself."

  She smiled settling the neckline of her dress that showed off her generous bosom.

  "Yes. We’ve already talked about this once before Yolanda and for you it didn’t end well, as I recall. I don’t know how Lucas would take it if I told him how you describe him." Aurora’s tone became angry. "Now, please, stop these silly schemes with me and let me see your brother!"

  Aurora pointed to the empty jug.

  " To begin with, bring me some fresh water.” She ordered dryly.

  Yolanda grabbed the jug, but this time she did not dare reply.

  " If you’ll excuse me," She said, going out still staring at Aurora with open hostility.

  Aurora bent over to check Santos.

  Santos awoke for a moment and stared at her with feverish eyes.

  "Doña Aurora, you here!" He said, his voice full of pain.

  Aurora smiled, brushed the hair from his sweaty forehead and, worried, she began to examine Santos’ leg. With a stifled curse she saw the fractured bone protruding from the torn flesh.

  Yolanda returned with the jug and poured fresh water into a bowl.

  Aurora soaked a cloth and laid it on Santos’ forehead. Santos closed his eyes and lost consciousness again.

  Yolanda addressed Aurora indignantly, in her usual surly tone, "Listen to me, I won’t let you get between me and my Lucas again!"

  Aurora turned to face her furious.

  "I'm here just to treat the injured, like your brother Santos, but apparently you're more worried about my return than for his life. His condition is very serious and he may lose his leg. The doctor should have visited him and at least taken care of the fracture."

  Yolanda reacted as if she had been slapped by Aurora’s harsh words that continued,

  "Call someone to help me to operate on him, we can’t wait any longer!"

  "Is it that bad?" Yolanda asked her eyes wide with fear.

  "Get a move
on!” Shouted Aurora indicating the door with an abrupt gesture.

  Lucas arrived attracted by Aurora’s shouting. "What’s happening?" He asked worriedly.

  "You were irresponsible! And the doctor incompetent! Waiting so long to give Santos the necessary treatment! Thank God that the wound doesn’t involve the femoral artery or by now you’d be making preparations for a funeral!"

  Lucas paled visibly and dared not utter a word. He approached Santos and stared at him desperately.

  "Help me, I need to put the two parts of the femur back in position." Explained Aurora taking a deep breath to dissipate her anger and regain the cold lucidity that was necessary to operate on Santos.

  Lucas turned to look at Yolanda.

  "Get out of here, it won’t be a pretty sight,” he said impatiently.

  But Yolanda refused.

  " No, I want to stay!"

  Lucas grew impatient and ordered her to leave brusquely. Yolanda sighed and finally left the room.

  Aurora got a bottle of ether and poured a small amount on a pad and took it to Santos’ face.

  "There is no need to move him as we risk making the situation worse. You’ll help me and do exactly what I tell you."

  First, she put the leg in traction bringing the two parts of the fractured bone into the right position again.

  Then Aurora disinfected the wound as best she could, removing the particles of dirt and dried blood. Then she sewed up the wound, disinfected it again and finally bandaged the leg with clean bandages. Finally she put the leg in a splint to immobilize it.

  Only then did she look up and encountered Lucas’ gaze, that seemed tired by the experience.

  "Thank you," he said, then took Aurora hands in his and added, "if he is saved, it’ll be due to you, I didn’t realize the severity of his injuries. If he dies I will never forgive myself."

  He bowed his head in despair.

  Aurora replied tenderly, "It’s not your fault, you tried to make yourself useful in every way to save as many people as possible. Even now, without your help I wouldn’t have been able to do it." She then looked away, returning cold and detached.

  "As soon as he’s conscious you should give him this preparation, the fever mustn’t go up. Tomorrow I’ll check that there are no signs of infection."

  Lucas looked at her tenderly.

  "You must be very tired ..." he said softly.

  Aurora nodded without answering.

  "I asked for your room to be prepared... I mean, what was your room when we were sleeping apart," said Lucas.

  She smiled, "Thank you."

  Lucas opened the door letting Yolanda in. She ran to Santos’ bedside and stroked his face with tears in her eyes. Aurora ordered her to check that Santos’ temperature did not go up and that if there was any change she should wake her up.

  Aurora left the room while Lucas followed her with his eyes. Then he turned to Yolanda, "Father Julian may also arrive, make him comfortable in the guest room. I'm going to rest for a few hours."

  He stopped to drink a glass of tequila in the study pondering what to do. The explosion had caused many casualties and unfortunately some deaths. He was sure that the accident had been intentional, he had to find out who was behind all this even though he harbored suspicions.

  Before he went to his room, he knocked on Aurora’s door, she opened it a few minutes later. Her hair was loose over her shoulders and her bodice was slightly unbuttoned.

  "Has something happened?" She asked worried.

  "No," he said, staring at her with longing. "I just wanted to know if you need anything."

  She looked at his broad chest through his unbuttoned shirt, a hot flush heated her cheeks.

  "Thank you, everything is fine, I don’t need anything," she said in a faint voice, closing the door.

  She rested her head against the door ... He was standing on the other side, it was enough to make her want to open the door and let her passion guide her for once and not all her elaborate thoughts. She wanted to abandon herself in those arms, to still be his, once again...

  She struggled with her whole being not to turn the handle. She went back to bed thinking that she could not become vulnerable again, at best if what Yolanda had hinted at was true he had already found somebody to console himself with in her absence, if not with Marisol, with someone else and perhaps Yolanda herself. She had difficulty getting back to sleep, but eventually exhaustion prevailed and she succumbed to a restful sleep without dreams.

  When she awoke at dawn, Aurora rushed to Yolanda’s room, where she found her asleep on the bed while Pablo sat next to her stroking her thick hair.

  Pablo jumped up when Aurora entered.

  Aurora said to him with a smile, “She looks like an angel ... when she’s asleep. "

  "Yes," said Pablo red in the face.

  "How is Santos?"

  "The same." Replied Pablo.

  " And Lucas? "

  " He's gone to the mine with Father Julian, he told me to accompany you as soon as you are ready. There is some hot coffee and sweet bread if you want to eat something before you go."

  " I'll be ready in a few minutes," said Aurora leaving in a hurry.

  She prepared for the long day and ate something. Then she called Pablo who accompanied her to the collapsed mine.

  They arrived as the sun was peeking over the horizon and the first rays of dawn tinged the mountains a deep red.

  The scene that Aurora found in front of her was bleak, the mine had been completely destroyed and from the tent agonizing screams of pain echoed in her ears.

  She quickly put on her apron, gathered back her hair and went directly to Dr. Peron.

  "Doctor, go and rest, I’ll take over now."

  "Good, Doña Aurora," the doctor said in a tired voice. "I would recommend frugality with the morphine because there is not a lot left."

  The doctor wiped his forehead and said goodbye to Aurora before going to bed.

  Aurora rolled up her sleeves and began to check the first wounded. There was still so much to do! Wounds to medicate and suture, broken bones to splint and unfortunately she was forced to amputate a poor miner’s leg that had been crushed by rubble. She worked continuously until sunset, and only when Father Julian handed her a cup of steaming coffee, did she agreed to take a short break.

  She sat down to exchange a few words with him outside in order to breathe a bit of fresh air and to rest her eyes, that had seen endless pain on the faces of the injured.

  "What a terrible accident, Father Julian," She exclaimed dejectedly.

  Father Julian coughed, embarrassed.

  " Yes, but it seems that it wasn’t exactly an accident. Lucas suspects that someone intentionally blew up the mine."

  Aurora's eyes widened, staring at Father Julian’s face.

  "Who?" Aurora asked distressed.

  " We don’t know yet, Lucas was here a little while ago, they’ve finished excavating and found traces of sticks of dynamite.

  Aurora shook her head, upset.

  "Are there other survivors?" She asked worried, but Father Julian shook his head.

  "It seems that there is no one else under the rubble."

  Aurora took a sip of her coffee thoughtfully.

  "I'm going back to the hacienda daughter, get ready, we'll go together."

  " But Father, I’m still needed here," she protested.

  " You've done enough for today, Dr. Peron has already arrived and you're too tired to continue."

  Aurora nodded. She took another sip of coffee and silently admired the last rays of sun as they disappeared behind the green mountains.

  Then, accompanied by Father Julian, she returned towards the house.

  When they reached the house, they found Yolanda waiting for them at the door." Help me Santos is very ill," she said frightened.

  Aurora and Father Julian followed her quickly without taking the time to ask questions.

  Santos in a pool of sweat was delusional, his temperature
was very high.

  In an instant Aurora felt her weariness and discouragement disappear, while the cold determination of a doctor engulfed her.

  "I’ll make one last attempt, if it fails I'll have to amputate his leg!" She whispered sadly.

  Yolanda screamed and put her hands to her face and began to sob. At the same moment Lucas arrived with Pablo who gave Yolanda, who was crying in despair, a hug.

  Aurora unbandaged the leg and cleaned it again, the wound was festering, the disinfectant had not been enough. She shook her head exhausted and dejected. I must do something, I can’t amputate his leg, he's so young. I have to try some other remedy. Then she turned to Pablo: "Try to cool him down by sponging him with water and alcohol. If we can lower the fever maybe I can save his leg."

  Pablo nodded and ran to take a seat at Santos’ bedside.

  Aurora thought of the old remedies that the American Indians had used for infections. Her father had never approved of them and at the faculty of medicine they were considered witchcraft. Yet they could be the only hope for Santos. Driven by desperation she asked Yolanda to go into the kitchen to look for some moldy bread and honey.

  Yolanda looked at her as if she were crazy.

  " Trust me, I know what I’m doing." I hope so ... "Also go to the herb garden and get some thyme, the best and most fragrant that you can find, then please make a very strong tea with it."

  Aurora looked at the faces of those present where she read consternation and doubt. She smiled sadly and said, “Sometimes traditional medicine is powerless, I know some ancient remedies, it’s my only hope."

  She made a thick paste with some water and bread and smeared it on the infected wound. Then she spread the honey over everything and bandaged the leg again.

  Aurora wiped her hands and as she was leaving she turned to Yolanda." Once cool, make him drink the tea, even a few sips at a time. I’ve done my best, now we can only pray. I'm going to look in the garbage for fly larvae ... for the gangrene ... I hope we don’t need them ..." She said with a shudder.