A magical word
A magical word – a story in which Isabela makes some apologies and is apologized to.
WARNING: Spoilers for Encanto.
After Casita’s destruction, the whole town came together to help the Madrigals. Still, it was apparent the house won’t be rebuilt overnight. A temporary accommodation was needed. Pepa and her kids were snatched by Felix’s family (I headcanon his family resides in Encanto, but that’s a topic for another post). Julieta’s side of the family, surprisingly, receives an invitation from Mariano.
Isabela is taken aback. “After all the pain I’ve caused you, you still want to have my family over?”
It is one thing to assist in rebuilding a house – since it’s such a huge, group project that does not require the two of them to interact directly – but living together? After everything that happened? To her, it was unfathomable.
Mariano shrugs. “It wasn’t your fault.”
It then dawns on Isabela that punching somebody with a flower may not qualify as a proper break up. Mariano might be operating under the assumption their relationship is salvageable. She bits her lip, not wanting to lead him on, but fearing that throwing his kindness in his face might have very unpleasant consequences for her family.
She feels a hand on her shoulder. It’s Mirabel. She is smiling encouragingly. ‘You can do this.’
Isabela sighs heavily and says what needs to be said. “Mariano, I don’t want any false pretense between us. You are a good man. You deserve somebody who will love you as honestly and completely as you do them. I am not that person. I don’t love you. I don’t want to marry you. I’m sorry.”
There is a long moment of silence after this declaration. Mariano has no idea what to make of this. Isabela is deeply ashamed. She allowed things to become overly complicated. She might have thought she was doing the right thing, but she still caused so much pain to so many people. The guilt was catching up with her. And it was nasty.
(For once, the older generation stayed out of the adolescents’ business. This was something Isabela and Mariano needed to solve between themselves, without interruptions.)
Finally, Mariano responds. “When people need help, you help them. This much I know. My house is open for any one of you. But if you prefer to stay with someone else, that’s okay.”
He is still in deep shock, but his intentions are genuine.
Isabela wipes the tears from her eyes and looks over at her family. After a quick exchange of glances, it is proposed that the Guzmans take in Alma (who could use a chance to repair her friendship with Mariano’s mother) and Bruno (who had nothing to do with his niece’s failed engagement). There are no objections. Isabela, along with her parents and sisters, finds accommodation with a different family.
(The eldest daughter of said family was known for collecting Isabela’s flowers and using them as art supplies. Isabela is positively surprised to discover said girl still wants to hang out with her, even though free flowers are no longer part of the deal.)
After the matter is settled, Isabela is confronted by her mother.
“I am proud of you,” Julieta says. “And I’m sorry. For not seeing how much you were struggling. I had vowed none of my children would ever have to suffer in silence, or feel that their problems are theirs alone. I didn’t want any of you to go through what I did… and yet here we are.”
Not a single bit of this message was something Isabela expected to hear. Especially not in combination with that pained, troubled look her mother was giving her. This was the way she sometimes looked at Mirabel, exclusively at Mirabel. Isabela was admired, Luisa relied on and Mirabel pitied – this was the usual distribution of roles in their family. But that distribution no longer applied, she realized. Things were different now. Nobody quite knew how to navigate this new dynamic yet, but they were willing to try.
Anxious and unsure of her daughter’s reaction, Julieta speaks on. “I really thought Mariano would make you happy. It just shows how little I know you. Even though I see so much of myself in you…” she reaches out for Isabela’s face, but stops mid-way. As if uncertain if she has the right to initiate physical contact. “I’m sorry.” she repeats.
Agustín– in his swollen, downtrodden form – takes a stand beside Julieta.
“I’m sorry, too. I knew all about your mother’s struggles, and yet I failed to notice when the same injustice fell on you. A father should defend his daughters, but I stopped trying when you two got your gifts. I don’t know why. Maybe because I felt incompetent, or I afraid of getting in your way. That was so stupid. You are my babies. You will always be my babies. Isabela, Luisa, I am so very sorry.”
Isabela and Luisa look at each other. Then at their parents. Then at Mirabel, who has this sad, yet hopeful expression.
Isabela pulls both her parents into a hug. Luisa joins in and embraces them all. Mirabel joins in from another side. They all have tears in their eyes, but they are happy. In their hearts, a resolve is formed. They will rebuild their house. And their relationships.
And, just for clarity’s sake: I do NOT ship Mariano with Bruno in any shape or form.
