"Alabanza
Alabanza a doña Claudia, señor
Alabanza, alabanza"
___________________________
Silence was the only thing between Katherine, her aunts and her family. It was the only thing left after the ambulance took Claudia away. They all knew what was coming but didn't want to believe it, especially Katherine. She called her two girls earlier to tell them the news and both ran to the hospital to give their friend a hug.
Toni and Silva knew very well how much Claudia meant to Kat ever since day one of her life in Washington Heights. She welcomed her with open arms, ready to talk about her mother, father and everything the young girl wanted to know. Claudia even had a special nickname for her. Mariposa. Mariposa meant butterfly which was also Regina's favorite animals. The thought of losing Abuela Claudia made Katherine to shudder. It was the last thing she wanted.
Silva and Toni went over to hug their friend showing her that she wasn't alone in this situation. Because they knew how it felt to loose somebody important. All three did. Silvia lost her little brother due to cancer when she was 8 years old. Antonia lost her father and grandmother due to a plane crash when they were flying back from Puerto Rico. And Katherine? She lost her mother due to a car crash when she was 5 years old. Everyone of them lost somebody close and this was one thing their friendship was based on. Support.
[Music starts]
(ANTONIA)
You can have a friend get their heart broke
And you can be there when they need it most, but
You won't be the one falling off the deep end
(SILVIA)
You can have a friend lose somebody close
And you can be there when they need it most, but
You won't be the one having trouble sleeping
(SILVIA AND ANTONIA)
Somebody loses their somebody every day
The three girls held their hands together and made their way towards Claudia's apartment.
(SILVIA)
But you'll never really know what it's like
'Til you wake up to some real bad news
(KATHERINE)
You'll never really know how it feels
'Til it happens to you
(ANTONIA)
No, you'll never really know what it's like
Even if you think you do
(SILVIA, ANTONIA AND KATHERINE)
You'll never really know how it feels
'Til it happens to you
The salon ladies were behind the three girls, listening closely to their words. They felt bad for them knowing the feeling of loosing someone so close to you.
(ANTONIA)
You can say sorry a million times
But even if you try, try to sympathize
(SILVIA)
You won't be the one picking up the pieces
You can do your best, call 'em every night
(KATHERINE)
Listen to 'em say, say they're alright
But you know there's a chance they don't really mean it
(THE SALON LADIES, KATHERINE, SILVIA AND ANTONIA)
Somebody loses their somebody every day
Tears began to roll down Katherine's cheeks while thinking of her loved ones.
(KATHERINE)
But you'll never really know what it's like
'Til you wake up to some real bad news
(ANTONIA)
You'll never really know how it feels
'Til it happens to you
(SILVIA)
No, you'll never really know what it's like
Even if you think you do
(SILVIA, ANTONIA AND KATHERINE)
You'll never really know how it feels
'Til it happens to you
Katherine then let go of her friends, stopping in the middle of the street taking everything in. It felt so unrealistic that Claudia was gone. Like it didn't even happen.
(KATHERINE)
You
'Til it happens to you
Just like 10 years ago with her mother's death. As if it wasn't meant to happen yet it did and it left her crushed. Cuca, Daniela and Carla hurried over to their niece embracing her into a tight hug. They began to tell her that everything was going to be okay but were they right?
(KATHERINE)
You'll never really know what it's like
'Til you wake up to some real bad news
You'll never really know how it feels
'Til it happens to you
The girl pushed her aunts away, running down the street away from everyone and everything. She looked at the dark blue sky with the stars swimming in it like it was a sea. That's what her mother told her at least. Hot tears were streaming down, leaving stains on her rosy cheeks.
(KATHERINE)
No, you'll never really know what it's like
Even if you think you do
She became slower and slower until she walked again. Her breathing became heavy and her cheeks felt hot.
(KATHERINE)
You'll never really know how it feels
'Til it happens to you
'Til it happens to you
Katherine stopped by the familiar building taking in every memory she got. Walking up the stairs to the apartment felt like an eternity and she wished for it to stop.
(KATHERINE)
You
Somebody loses their somebody
[Music ends]
She stopped at the front door, running her fingers through the familiar door frame. So many memories flew into her head that it made her want to cry again. And so she did. She had every right to. "Katherine?", asked a familiar voice from the living room. "Usnavi.", basically whispered Katherine because her voice gave out. She hurried over to the older boy and hugged him tightly, silently crying into his chest. "It's okay. Let it all out.", he said while stroking her hair lovingly. Usnavi then made Katherine to look at him and smiled. "Why are you smiling?", she asked, her voice cracking a little. "Because you need to smile. Your smile gives us hope and peace. That's what Abuela always said.", said Usnavi while tears rolled down his cheeks. Katherine tried to wipe them away but they were too much.
"Stop Usnavi. I'm gonna cry again!", whined Katherine and laughed lightly making the older man to do the same. "It doesn't feel real.", said Katherine and replaced her smile with a serious face. "What?", asked Usnavi confused. "That Abuela is gone now." "Do you remember what she always said?", he asked nodding his head. "She'd say: "Alabanza.", answered the younger girl remembering her words. "Alabanza means to raise this thing to God's face
And to sing, quite literally: "Praise to this." "When she was here, the path was clear
And she was just here.", said Usnavi and began to cry again together with Katherine in his arms. "She was just here..."
[Music starts]
(NINA)
Alabanza
Alabanza a doña Claudia, señor
Alabanza, alabanza
Usnavi began to light up a candle while Nina Rosario walked inside. Katherine went straight up and hugged her tightly.
(NINA)
Alabanza
Alabanza a doña Claudia, señor
Alabanza, alabanza
Kevin Rosario was the next one to walk in.
(NINA AND KEVIN)
Alabanza
Alabanza a doña Claudia, señor
(KATHERINE)
Alabanza, alabanza
Katherine walked over to the window only to see the community walking around with candles in their hands. She couldn't help but to smile. Claudia would've liked that.
(COMMUNITY)
Alabanza
Alabanza a doña Claudia, señor
(EVERYONE)
Alabanza, alabanza
In this moment walked Sonny inside, his gaze going over to Katherine. A crying Katherine. Her eyes were puffy and on her cheeks were stains from tears to be seen. He felt bad for her and opened his arms. She rushed to him embracing the hug while burying her face into his chest.
(KATHERINE)
Alabanza (Alabanza)
Alabanza a doña Claudia, señor
Alabanza (Alabanza)
(EVERYONE)
Alabanza
Paciencia y fe
Katherine and Sonny hugged Usnavi together, all crying silently about the human they just lost.
(COMMUNITY)
Alabanza
Paciencia y fe
Alabanza a doña Claudia (Alabanza a doña Claudia)
(EVERYONE)
Alabanza
Paciencia y fe Doña Claudia
Alabanza
Alabanza
Katherine distanced herself and texted Emanuel about the event that happened that night. She then opened the door of the apartment, going outside embracing the chilly weather. She went down to her aunts, sitting down besides Cuca. The woman hugged her niece tightly rocking her back and forth for comfort.
(COMMUNITY)
Alabanza
Alabanza
Alabanza
(KATHERINE)
Alabanza
[Music ends]
A few minutes later found Katherine herself at home with her pajamas on sitting in the living room. Cuca stayed over just in case. "Are you alright?", she asked her niece. Kat just stared at a blank point. She shook her head. "I want to say yes. But I'm not fine." "Oh Dios.", said Cuca and hugged her niece once again. Katherine silently cried again just like hours ago. It was still a shock to her that Claudia had died. "Kitty Kat...it's okay now.", tried Cuca to comfort her little niece. "No it's not!", shouted the girl. "Nothing is okay." "What's going on?", asked Daniela as she entered the dark living room with Carla behind. "She's gone and I didn't had the chance to say goodbye. Just like 10 years ago.", whispered Katherine to herself and let her head down. All three women looked at each knowing exactly what she was talking about.
"Both are now in a safe place princesa. Don't beat yourself up because of something you can't change.", said Daniela and kissed Katherine's forehead. "I just wished I could've told her about what she meant to me Dani." "Tell us.", said Carla suggesting. But Katherine just stayed silent. Daniela sighed. "Whenever you're ready to talk, we're listening.", she said and gestured for the two other women to follow her outside the room. She wanted to give Kat time. But she didn't need that anymore.
"Abuela meant the world to me.", began Katherine, making her aunts to stop and to turn around. "It was always a pleasure to stay at her place almost every weekend and to cook together. It was a pleasure to talk about my parents, friends and school with her. It was a pleasure because she listened.", smiled Katherine as she remembered. "I loved how loving and heartwarming she was. And accepting.", the three women listened closely and sat down on the couch in awe. "She was a remarkable woman indeed. A role model for all abuelas in the world and a role model for me. She tried to see good in everyone and everything just like I do and I really appreciated it.", said Katherine and laughed lightly while wiping tears away. "I miss her a lot and I will never forget her. She taught me so many things and I'm glad about that. I'm thankful for knowing her as my Abuela.", finished Katherine earning a round of applause. "¡Eso fue increíble!", cheered Daniela making Kat to blush. "You're so talented. No wonder you wanted to enter the writing program.", realized Carla and hugged her niece. "Eres increible cariño.", mentioned Cuca and joined the hug. "Thank you for listening. It means a lot.", said Katherine grateful and smiled brightly. This time her smile was really real.
The rest of the evening was spent with talking about memories with Abuela Claudia and laughing about them. Those memories will keep her alive so she won't be forgotten. Abuela Claudia will always remain a part of Katherine's life and she was glad about that.
______________________________
First off let me start with dedicating this chapter to my own great grandmother who passed away this year. She was my favorite human and Abuela Claudia reminds me a lot of her. Second, the song that the girls trio sang was "Until It Happens To You" by Sasha Sloan. And finally please let me know how you liked this chapter in the comments 💜
KATHERINE'S OUTFIT WAS THE SAME
KATHERINE'S PAJAMAS
DEDICATIONS
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