Dear readers, here is this long, long... long chapter, my longest untill now, with over 2200 words so have a good time. Ahaha ;)
I walked through the park, finally breathing pure air. I was not sure if that was really that pure, but at least it's not so polluted. The kids were playing with each other, while their mums smiled, looking tenderly at them. I sighted a bench and sat on it, sighing, but I immediately regretted it. There was an ice cream van. I quickly walked to it when I heard my name. Who would know my name in this unknown place? I look towards the voice and I cannot believe it. It was León. I paralyze but then I ran as fast as I can to him. He had that huge smile of him and his arms were wide open to shelter me. He ran to me too. When he was about to hug me, he fell to the ground, unconscious.
- León! - I shouted, breathless.
I look around me and I notice that I am in my room. Ugh! It was just a dream, and one with a very bad ending. I lay down, looking at the dark ceiling and thinking about that day. After lunch, León called me, he kept me up with everything the guys were going to do. Seems like Pablo is preparing a really cool activity. It was very good to talk to him, as well as to the girls. They called me in the afternoon and between laughs and tears we talked for one hour! I miss them all so much. Of course, there had to be an argument with my father. He took everything from me and still thinks that's the best for me! Now, this dream. Being away from León is killing me. Tomorrow is going to be the worst birthday ever...
******
I woke up with my buzzing phone. An alarm? I didn't remember to set an alarm. I turned it off and I walked downstairs to have breakfast alone. Once I did, I came back to my bedroom, and there I found a note in a yellow post-it on my bed.
Dress smart but comfortable. Catch the 203 bus.
What the hell? I found that strange but, without thinking, I put on some smart but comfortable clothes, as well as nice sneakers, just like the note said. I brushed my teeth, combed my hair and grabbed my purse, ready to leave home. I went to the nearest bus station, which was 20 meters away from the house. I had to wait a bit, the 203 was arriving in 7 minutes. During that time, I thought about the author of that mysterious note. I really doubted it was my father, because the night before we had an ugly argument, Olga or Ramallo, possibly. They love me and perhaps they wanted to make me a surprise for my birthday. I saw the bus coming. I bought the ticket and when I was looking for a seat, I saw one with a yellow note on top. I took the seat as I read the note.
Leave in the next stop. Enter the Plaza Mayor. Go to the horse statue.
I kept the note in my bag and soon left the bus. I head up to Plaza Mayor. It was a huge square, with lots of restaurants, souvenirs shops and many tourists around. There were a few street artists. I went to the horse statue and, again, there was a yellow note.
Take a picture with the statue. Go and buy a souvenir. Leave by the northern entrance.
I took my phone out and took a picture with the statue. Then, I went to a souvenir shop and bought a nice keychain. Finally, I gave a last glance to that magnificent square and left by the northern entrance. I walked up that little street. It was rustic and people who were selling were very kind. They used to smile and say "Hola", I greeted them back and it made me think about Buenos Aires, because people there were very nice too. I was finishing walking the street when this little girl with long brown hair and big hazel eyes came running to me.
- Are you Violetta? - She asked me, with a big smile.
- Yes, I am, sweetie. - I kneeled down to her.
She just gave me another yellow note and ran away. I smiled and read it.
Turn left. Catch a taxi and ask for the Zoo Route.
I turned left on that street and called a taxi. I gently asked for the Zoo Route and the driver smiled and started the car. We went through some important places, the Museo del Prado, the Vertical Garden, which is a huge wall all covered with lots of types of plants and really beautiful, I have to say, the Puerta de Alcalá, which stands in the middle of a big roundabout and the Gran Vía. That is the most famous street, or I can say avenue, of Madrid because of its cinemas and important theatres. The taxi driver told me that it is even more gorgeous at night and I believe him. After one hour of touring around, the man parked at the entrance of the zoo. For my surprise he gave another yellow note.
- Thank you. - I smiled, in an accomplice way, and left the taxi, reading the note.
Buy a three-hours ticket. Inside, go have lunch on the bar there and have yourself a picture with your favourite animal. Leave to Sandy's.
I smiled at that one. As I bought the ticket, I started walking around. I saw giant pandas, elephants, giraffes, the usual, you know. But there were those cute flamingos, so elegant, like they were not just standing with one thick leg. I chose this one very close to me to take a selfie with. I saw the European Bison, which is the largest mammal in Europe, the sweet koalas, the ring-tailed lemur, the one from Madagascar and appears on that animated movie, the jackass penguin. Poor animal with such a name! I loved the rainbow lorikeet... gosh, they were so so many. I really enjoyed myself, however, I was just sad I had to miss the dolphins show. I went to the bar inside the zoo and picked something light to eat.
As I arrived Sandy's, the girl attending the bar came to me and gave a yellow note, saying:
- You're lucky. - And she left. I was very confused with that but read the note.
Rent a bike on the nearest bike point. Head to Parque del Retiro.
I asked a nice woman where I could rent a bike and she told me to walk 50 meters in a certain direction. I thanked her and left. I'll tell you, driving a bicycle in Madrid is not the easiest thing, but it helps a lot when you find a path only for you so you don't need to be a part of the slow traffic. I followed all the directions and finally arrived to Parque del Retiro. There was a drop point near the entrance, so I wouldn't have to walk around with the bike.
Parque del Retiro is not beautiful, it is gorgeous. I loved every single detail in there, the landscape was just perfect. In fact, it was in some ways alike the one in Buenos Aires. Next to some statues of kings and queens, there was this girl playing the guitar so well. It was my song, En Mi Mundo, so I sang along. She thought that was strange but, then, she recognised me and we made a great team. The people around us clapped and left a lot of money to that girl.
- Oh my god! Thank you so much, Violetta! - She said with tears in her eyes.
- Your welcome but, why are you crying? - I asked, hugging her.
- First, because I am meeting you, and second, because I really needed this money. - She said, trying to wipe her tears.
I just smiled tenderly at the girl and embraced her again, thankful for that moment. In the middle of the problems I was having, I could still have the chance to help someone who is very likely to be worse than me and I could still give her some hope, I think.
- Well, I have to go. - The girl said, glancing at her watch and starting to case her guitar. - But it was wonderful to meet you.
- I can say the same. - I smiled. - You are?
- Sofía.
- It was very nice to meet you too, Sofía.
She nodded, smiled and waved as she was walking away. I watched her leave but still had to explore that beautiful park. Walking through, I sighted a blue building. As I got near, I read on the description it was the Crystal Palace. And I came across some extraordinary places in that park: the Puerta de Alcalá, which is in front of the Crystal Palace, the relaxing lake in between them, another lake, instead bigger and with the possibility of renting a boat and have a nice time.
Sat on a bench, staring at the calm environment around me, I started thinking about the next note. Although, I decided not to worry too much about it, if the author of the previous notes found me and a way of delivering them to me, whoever it was would give it to me somehow. It was funny but, in that exact moment, a dog came to me with a yellow post-it on his brown collar. I played with Popcorn, at least that was his name, as I read the note.
Say to the dog "Go home, Popcorn." Buy an ice-cream in the Bar del Retiro.
Curious, I stop playing and say:
- Go home, Popcorn.
And he happily ran away, like it was nothing with him. I watched him running until I lost sight of him. I walked slowly, looking carefully for that bar while I glanced at my watch. I was so impressed when I verified it was 4 pm! Time had actually flyed! I sat down on a table very close to the lake and I watched a few kids playing with each other. They are beings so pure and innocent that I would love to go back to that age. I also thought that if I hadn't grown up I would never met my actual friends. I missed them so damn much.
- Excuse me, what would you like? - The waitress asked me, gently.
- Stracciatella ice-cream in a cup, please. - I smiled, whilst she nodded.
I didn't have to wait that long, she came back very quickly. I ate it calmly, as a soft breeze began to rise. When I paid for it, the waitress gave me a yellow note with the receipt.
Time to go home. Go for a last walk. Be at the nearest bus station at 5 pm. Get out on the third station.
I did so and the third station was some meters away from my house. When I got home, there was nobody, just Olga, but she was singing so damn loud, I think that she didn't hear me arriving at all. I go to my room where I found another note.
Have a soothing bath. Dress on your pajamas and relax. Take a picture of the sunset.
I glanced at the sunset and it was actually gorgeous. I went to the bathroom, taking my pajamas with me and had a shower, a really long and warm shower. I was needing it. I dryed my hair and laid on my bed, with my arms wide open. What a great day! I reached my phone and took a picture of the sunset. Red and orange like in the day I had arrived. Speaking of which, nobody had called me that day to even say «Happy birthday!», although, I diverge my attention to my dear diary.
Dear mom
Even if I have an ocean separating me from what I love, this was a great day. As you know, this was my birthday and I had a really cool surprise. I don't know who but someone planned me the perfect birthday present, making me go through Madrid and guiding me with post-it notes. It is kind of funny to have your day all planned and following someone's directions. I want to find out who did this because this day was absolutely lovely, damn! I was distracted with something else, more than being here cloistered, I had the chance to visit lots of beautiful places and find them alike Buenos Aires. I am just a bit sad because nobody said me «Happy birthday», but I guess this day is not over yet. There will be more notes, and I want to know who did this... Hopefully today.
I went to have dinner, later then, and coming back to my room I found a note in front of my bedroom door.
Movie time. Go through you TV video club. Do popcorn.
I chose a romantic comedy. It was very funny and the love story was cute, in some ways alike ours. I text León saying «Hi!», but I get no response. No birthday greetings, I guess. Not even Olga. She had already went to her bedroom and didn't want to bother her. I take the popcorn bowl to the kitchen sink and go back to my room.
Last note. Hope you had a wonderful day. Goodnight, Vilu.
This note I found on my bed. I slip into it and close my eyes. Yes, dear unknown, I did had a wonderful day.
So... someone guided Violetta through Madrid... Guesses? Obvious guesses, perhaps? I just want to know if you liked it and had a good time, because I earn nothing with this, I simply earn your fangirling stuff and wow's. So, if any of these was your case, please fangirl, shout or give me your wow's. This was not a Leonetta chap, but... who knows the next one?