After a lively breakfast, I went back to my room and started noticing the beautiful architecture of the house. Every detail, every little piece of it, had been made with love. It was cozy and seemed to embrace you—a true home.
My grandfather was an architect, my father was too, and I’m studying architecture. It’s kind of a family tradition. In every detail of that house, I could see my grandfather’s love for my grandmother, their dream made real.
I started up the stairs to my room and passed a wall of family photos. Two of them caught my attention.
The first was old. My grandparents were standing together on their wedding day, very young and happy. They looked as if they had all the happiness in the world and nothing could ever shake their love.
Farther down was another one, much more recent. They no longer had the youth they once did; their faces were marked by time and life, but one thing hadn’t changed: the way they looked at each other. Their eyes were full of love, maybe even more intense than in the first photograph.
“Yeah... I guess you two and my parents used up the family’s entire supply of luck on love, and there was none left for me!”
My grandparents had loved each other so much that they died in their sleep, holding hands. Their faces were serene, as if they had lived through everything there was to live through in that love.
Ah... I was jealous! Not of dying, obviously.
My parents had always told stories about this place, and their love stories were beautiful.
So I headed to my room and got ready, determined to start the day with a walk around the farm. I wouldn’t go far, just take a lap around the house to get to know the place better.
I took a shower and put on a lighter dress. The day was beautiful, sunny, and warm. I figured I might as well catch up on my reading.
I’d always loved reading, but lately I hadn’t had any time, what with work, college, and the house.
I grabbed my book and went downstairs. I looked into the living room, but no one was there. On top of the fireplace, alongside the other animal figurines, was the million-dollar family. Her little farm was complete, and the miniature vase of flowers was there too.
I glanced toward the kitchen and called out:
“Mom!”
“Hi, honey.”
“I’m going to take a walk around the house, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Do you want someone to go with you?”
“No need. I’ll try to find somewhere to read my book.”
“Okay, but don’t go too far!”
“It’ll be lunchtime soon, and I’ll call you.”
“Okay, Mom. Do you need help with lunch?”
“No need. Lourdes and Vanessa are already here. Go get some rest.”
She knows I’m a terrible cook!
So I went out through the door, which was entirely carved wood and featured the image of a pair of swans.
Swans have only one partner for their entire lives, and when one dies, the other never remarries.
Grandpa thought of everything!
I walked across the beautiful porch and started making my way around the house. I found flowers of every color in the garden, a rosebush covered in beautiful red roses, and a leafy tree beside the house.
There was also a small trail leading toward a patch of woods. Tiny flowers grew along it, as if they were showing the way.
I decided to follow the trail.
Before I even reached the woods, I heard running water. I kept walking among the trees and came upon a small stream with a waterfall. The water flowed down into a lake of crystal-clear water.
In the middle of the lake was a large rock that nearly split the water’s surface in two, blocking the view of the opposite bank.
Tall trees and a few bushes surrounded the place, forming a small grove that seemed to protect the lake from any intruders.
It was a wonderful place.
Beneath a tree was a little bench made with great care, covered in carvings of tiny hearts and surrounded by a garden of colorful flowers.
It was a private garden, probably my grandmother’s. She loved to read, and this place was simply perfect for it.
I took off my sandals, set my book on the bench, and dipped my feet into the cold, crystal-clear water.
Then I came back, still barefoot, sat on the little bench, and started reading.
The only sounds there were the wind swaying the trees and the birds singing.
I stayed there for quite a while, wrapped in a peace that healed the soul and soothed the heart.
Then, out of nowhere, the silence was broken.
Something dove into the water on the other side of the rock, making a huge splash.
Right afterward, I heard the sound of swimming.
Someone was swimming on the other side.
I tried to get a better look, but the rock blocked my view.
Could it be a jaguar?
I thought.
Now? If I leave and it hears me, it’ll chase me!
I ran to hide behind the tree where the bench stood.
I hoped it wouldn’t see me!
Then, all of a sudden...
A completely naked man appeared on the rock in the middle of the lake.
He lay down calmly to sunbathe, exactly the way he’d come into the world.
I froze completely.
I had no idea what to do.
If I left, he would definitely see me.
I didn’t want to look...
But my eyes betrayed me and kept returning to the scene, one almost worthy of a famous painter or sculptor, even though the distance kept me from seeing everything clearly.
Suddenly, I remembered that I’d left my book and sandals on the bench.
I tried to reach them, but I stepped on a branch.
Crack!
The sound was small, but it was enough.
The man immediately dove into the lake.
I was even more frightened.
What if this guy was a pervert...? Who knew! After all, he was naked.
I waited a little longer, hiding behind the tree.
When I didn’t hear any more sounds, I slowly stood up.
I was just about to grab my book...
when I heard a deep voice speak to me.