Maria's POV
I woke up belly down on a hard surface which made my chest hurt. I was used to laying down on the cold floor so many nights. Of course I did not expect the Rodriguez would be merciful enough to tend to my wounds. Then I jerked up scared. "Where am i?" I asked myself as the fear of being recaptured engulfed me.
I surveyed the entire surrounding area, but it looked different. It was nothing like the mansion.
I examined myself and realised I was wrapped up with a bandaged around my waist. I peeped outside through the opened bamboo door.
And saw a number of domestic fowl walking about crowing. While smoke went up the sky from another direction. "It's a miracle you're alive" said unexpectedly by a young girl who was not more than eighteen. She walked in holding in her hands a wooden bowl.
I looked at her strangely as she passed the wooden bowl to me, "Herbal tea, help heal faster" she said naively to me. It was obvious by how she spoke that she had no formal education. I hesitated to take it then she said, "If we not harm you before why harm you now" She said getting up on her feet. Life took a turn on me the past eight months that I forgot how to relate with people.
She went out to help an aged looking woman into the room. "This is my Mother, she took bullet out of you" she said as she led her to seat on the ground. I kept on staring at them not knowing what to say. The aged woman made hand signals to girl whilst she spoke. I couldn't see the eyes of the old lady, her dark shades wouldn't let me.
"My Mother asks, how you are?" she said with a smile. I nodded in response without saying a word. The girl introduced her self as Vida waiting I'd reciprocate the gesture. But I only kept quiet, staring at them. Until she said, "You don't speak too like my…..Mother?". Then I realized the aged woman was dumb. I hesitated before I said, "No....I do". It happened to be the first thing I said to them. But u didn't say my name.
"We're locals, don't be fear, we saw you laying in bushes and helped you" she said to me with a smile. "My mother here. Although blind helped take out the bullet" she added and I was absolutely astonished.
It was then I came back to my reality, the Rodriguez still sorted out for my life. I stood up and said "I have to go", "No…..you not heal, stay till better"she said but I refused listening. The force I exerted to stand opened up my wounds. I felt drowsy but Vida helped me. She led me back to the bamboo bed and urged me to rest.
I woke up in the evening but this time I carefully stood up and walked outside to where Vida and her mother sat at fire side. She was excited to see me. I realized I hadn't said thank you so I walked out and joined them. "Oh, you up?" she said leading me to sit next to her. Vida took out a plate and dished out food for me. I said thank you to them and the old lady signalled Vida that I was welcomed.
But as I ate, I observed they were the only ones around.
"You both live alone?" I had to get the curiosity out my chest, so I asked. Vida nodded with a smile and continued staring at the fire. "Relatives, siblings perhaps?" I added. But the one time smiling face of the old lady's now beamed with undefined expressions. She signalled Vida what to say and she picked up her walking stick and began moving on her own to the wooden cottage. "Mother said. You free to stay as long as you want. You should get in soon.....the cold" she asks walking her palms on her arm, demonstrating her statement.
I told myself until the time I get better then I'd leave. I went into the house to get some rest but I couldn't sleep. I kept on tossing and turning until curiosity got the best of me.
The wooden box at the extreme end of the room caught my attention and I went on to check it out. At first it was a pile of clothes underneath them were drawings done by a child. "What are these?" I asked intrigued of the cute drawings I saw. I believe it was Vida's, and kept on admiring them. Underneath these drawings was a photograph, written behind was 'December 2nd 1990'
I flipped the front of the photograph and saw the old lady seating in an old model Benz with a child in her arms. She looked sophisticated and beautiful. But immediately I was startled at my eyes gazed at the background of the photograph, the mansion I fled from.
I gasped and threw the picture in shock. The mansion was heavily guarded, not even it's surrounding could be explored by just anybody. "Why you going through mother's things?"
I turned around frightened to see Vida standing. In her hands was what seemed like an ointment.
Strangely, the old lady found her way to the room. Through sign language, she inquired what was happening and Vida whispered the reply into her ears and she heaved deeply.
Immediately she went on a search in the air, looking frantically for what I assumed was the photograph. Till he tripped and fell, Vida relieved Her of the search, picked up the photograph and handed it to her. She immediately placed the photo on her chest, making everything seem awkward.
"Do you know that place Vida? The background, the house in that picture?" I asked but Vida didn't say anything but gripped the hem of her gown. The old lady made signals to Vida who interpreted saying, "My mother asks why you are interested know the place?". I stayed mute for a while before I said, "Because I'm from that terrible mansion. I was held hostage there for months. They were the ones who shot me"
It was like I made a big mistake speaking. The old lady became more agitated like I had said something wrong. She tried mumbling out something to say at the same time trying to locate me with her stick. When she finally did, she kept striking me hard with it. Whilst leading me outside. Despite Vida's intervention the old lady didn't relent.
Finally she made sign language to Vida who as well gasped in shock. Immediately Vida said, "Lady. My Mother said you should leave. You'd bring us trouble, just leave". They kept retracing their steps but the old lady's frightened look didn't disappear.
All hope to defend myself proved abortive. They shut their wooden cottage door against me. And I heard three blots on the door shut as well.
I began imagining how much Rodriguez had eaten deep into the fabric of the locals. The fear in their faces was unmatched. I could understand their plight. Their lives were greatly at stake with me being around, since Jordan would stop at nothing to get me back so he'll get the information he desires.
I got exhausted walking hours on the lonely road under the scorching sun, praying someone would drive past. "Water, water….." I kept on saying while fainting in dehydration. My prayers finally were answered when a truck stopped by. The man was kind enough to give me a lift behind the truck and dropped me off in the city where I felt alive.
"Where do I go from here?" I thought, absolutely stranded. My. home wasn't an option as Jordan could look for me there. The Rodriguez's owned the force so going to the cops was a waste of time. I'd only be handed back to them. "Fernandez!" I said excitedly as he came to mind.
I made my way to Fernandez's house, he was the only person I could run to and trust. While I stood before Fernandez's door
I recalled our last conversation. I felt so guilty and hesitant to ring the bell. After a while I mustered up some courage and did. "Coming!" It was his wife Selena's voice. She opened up and was startled. "And who are you?" She asked, staring at the crazy looking lady before her. "Is Fernandez home?" I politely asked and Selena suddenly became pissed.
She was a hot-tempered lady who nags for just about everything. "Bitch get off my porch, you asking about my husband.....you his mistress huh" she snapped. Jumping into the wrong conclusion pushing me out. I tried defending my innocence but Selena continued creating a raucous until Fernandez finally came out.
"Maria?" Fernandez called out my name. With a surprised look he walked past Selena and embraced me. Fernandez held tightly to me, forgetting his wife stood by. "She's 'THE MARIA'?" Selena asked Fernandez who didn't respond to her. I tried keeping a distance from Fernandez seeing the look Selena gave me. "So you are Maria. Fernandez screams with YOUR NAME while making love to ME?" she said annoyed.
"Selena, I and Fernandez have been friends since five, we've got nothing going on, he's married to you....." I tried explaining when she rudely interrupted me. "I want you out of my house!" she ordered. "Maria goes nowhere Selena. Go take care of the kid" Fernandez instructed angrily hearing his son cry.
Selena walked back into the house vexed. Gazing at me like she wanted to rip my head off my neck. Fernandez ushered me in the moment she left. Offered me coffee and tended to my wounds while I explained the unimaginable ordeal of the past months. Fernandez asked if she gave us some time to speak which she did. But her exit's killer stare was grave. "I can't stay Fernandez" I said to him after he proposed the gesture.
"Maria, you're welcome to stay as long as you want," Fernandez insisted but I was adamant. "So where would you go?" he asked, concerned. "I saw a motel just around the corner" I replied with a pitiful smile. Fernandez just kept staring at me with the look of helplessness in his eyes.
"I just need your help". I said and immediately Selena walked back into the sitting room and made her way into the kitchen then the dining table. She kept on gazing at me until Fernandez saw my uneasiness and traced it to her. "Babe, can you help get my phone on top of the bedroom shelf?" he said to her but she hesitated before leaving.
When I was sure I was gone I made my request "I need your help to get out of Mexico". Fernandez gave a deep thought to what I said before replying. "The Rodriguez are very powerful people. They've got eyes every, leaving Mexico would be....." he paused like he had an idea. "If you leave legally you'd be caught. But if you leave illegal...", "Jackpot!" I exclaimed happily.
With smiles we gave each other a high five. But suddenly Fernandez's smiles vanished and his face grew sad. "Maria illegal immigration is dangerous and worse…...I'd really miss you" he said. I gently rubbed his laps and said, "I've gone through hell and back" I said, staring at him. "Plus.....I'm immune to danger!" I said in a comic tone and we both busted out laughing.
"Until when I return. The Rodriguez would never hear from me!" I concluded fiercely. I had made up my mind. I was going to leave Mexico.