Pic: Florida Retiro
* Music during reading (to feel better the atmosphere of this chapter I recommend this song in the background)
From the monotony of a reality in which she felt reliving the same day over and over again, Ava was involved in one of those stories that only seem to exist on the pages of books or television screens. Stories that do not belong to the real-life, but to a parallel world where always happen, the fruit of a very creative mind.
On the one hand, she wanted to forget the last 48 hours and return to the tranquillity of her carefree life, but on the other, something inside her was holding her back. That something that many times we don’t hear, or maybe we don’t want to listen, something called the intuition. Intuition was telling her that her role in this story was not over. Perhaps she was lying to herself, and she just needed some adrenaline and endorphins; Whatever it was, all of this that somehow was killing her made her feel more alive than ever.
‘‘Whatever it was, all this that somehow was killing her made her feel more alive than ever.’’
The dark sky of Madrid was gradually tinted in the warm colours of the sunrise, while the young woman with golden hair was observing this phenomenon from her bed. She took the day off from work to clear the thoughts in her head, and although her eyes and the schedule were inviting her to go back to sleep, her mind was too active to let this happen.
* * *
‘‘He will be remembering things little by little,’’ said the nurse to the brunette woman sitting next to her brother’s bed, ‘‘the hit was quite strong, there was a good chance that this could happen, but don’t worry he is in very good hands,’’ the girl smiled at her, finishing checking the dropper and left the room.
Eva, the older sister of the young patient who had regained consciousness a few hours ago, watched his sleeping face with relief and some concern. Just thinking that she could have lost him forever made her love even stronger. Hundreds of memories came to her mind; Retrospectives of the childhood, when this guy reached her waist and ran through the corridors to watch his favourite cartoons, she remembered him as a rebellious teenager who after a fight came with bruises that she used to make up so that their parents would not notice it, a handsome young man finishing the college, and a person whose speech brought tears to her eyes on her wedding day. Eva thanked the Universe for saving him.
The sun, a not very frequent visitor to the English capital, interrupted into the room. Michael opened his eyes and smiled when he saw his sister. We all have that person whose mere presence is enough to bring us happiness. They did not need words, they understood each other without them.
‘‘We all have that person whose mere presence is enough to bring us happiness.’’
* * *
She loved that quiet, uncrowded Retiro. It was her corner of peace in the middle of the chaos of a metropolis where everything went in fast motion, a place to rest from the rush and noise of the streets and her own ideas. Although the popularity of the park made it one of the busiest spots in Madrid, on a day like this it was the perfect place to get rid of everyday problems and find peace of mind. Crossing the “Puerta de España”, one of its gates, Ava felt how lucky she was to live just a couple of minutes from a place like this. Walking along the boulevard that ended at the famous pond, she once again looked curiously at the statues of illustrious historical figures which were watching her morning hike.
She was here and now. Jaunting among that vegetation that seemed to speak to her with the movement of the leaves, she listened to the dialogue that the birds were having between them, she felt the fresh smell of all the flora that surrounded her and the heat of the sun rays that seemed to tell her, illuminating her way, ‘‘don’t worry’’’.
Passing by the Crystal Palace, which dazzled like a diamond, she watched how around the waterfall of the small lake in front of her, the little ducklings followed their mother. In moments like this, you realize that you live surrounded by wonderful and unique things. You just need to stop, observe and feel grateful for all of this apparently so insignificant, but in fact – so great. She continued her route to the Cecilio Rodriquez Gardens, her favourite part of this multifaceted park, passing through abundant foliage that reminded her of an authentic jungle and the Rosaleda, a small oasis where thousands of roses bloom every spring.
‘‘In moments like this, you realize that you live surrounded by wonderful and unique things. You just need to stop, observe and feel grateful for all of this apparently so insignificant, but in fact, so great.’’
Among those fountains surrounded by coffers and flowers, a dozen majestic peacocks strolled in all their splendour. Ava felt like she was in paradise. Sitting on one of the benches, she looked up at the sky and the sun caressed her face, while small drops from the sprinklers that watered all that picturesque landscape jumped on her skin, reminding her that all this was real.
On the way home by a longer route, she saw how Florida Retiro* was preparing to open its doors at noon: The iconic Madrid place to be, which had been renovated a few years ago, inaugurating six spaces surrounded by the charm of this emblematic park. Several terraces with a casual style of modern and rustic airs, to which were added an elegant restaurant, cocktail bar and a nightclub with a live show to end the long nights of the Spanish capital. It was a place that in a certain way misplaced you, and make you forget that you are in Madrid; A metropolis of buildings and traffic seems, for a moment, a calm seaside town, perhaps even one of those on the Florida coast.
* * *
‘‘The memory will return to him little by little, each case is unique and depends on the person. It may take days, months, we don’t think it will go much further. Nor can I assure you that Michael will remember one hundred per cent of what has happened in recent years and how that recovery will take place…,’’ the calmness of the doctor transmitted certain security to the father of the patient, whose heart was going through a confusing moment: Although he worried about the health of his descendant, he felt enormous happiness for having regained the affection of his son thanks to the consequences of that accident.
Michael did not remember the betrayal of his father, who was married to his girlfriend three years ago, or the death of his mother, nor, of course, Ava’s gaze. His head had forgotten certain moments of his life, but his heart had a good memory. It just needed time.
‘‘His head had forgotten certain moments of his life, but his heart had a good memory.’’
* Due to the measures taken in relation to COVID-19, the schedule and access to some spaces may change.
TOPICS: ONLINE NOVEL – ONLINE ROMANCE – LOVE STORY – FREE NOVEL – RETIRO PARK MADRID – TRENDY RESTAURANTS IN MADRID – RESTAURANT IN RETIRO – FLORIDA RETIRO – RETIRO PARK
TINA KEVICH 