Here’s a true story I’ve seen unfold over the past two years since I moved into my neighbourhood. Among the first to move into the neighbourhood was a handsome youth with wavy blond hair (a rarity in Mexico) whom everybody loves (we’ll call him “Fernando” to protect his true identity.)
Within a couple of weeks another youth (“Ramon”) moved in two doors down, and the two became friends. Somewhat later, the parents of Ramon became concerned that he was still single, and they decided to find a wife for him – yes, an arranged marriage! The lovely young lady (“Lola”) moved in with Ramon; however, although they liked each other on a certain level, they’ve never really connected, and to this day their marriage remains somewhat distant.
As Ramon and Fernando continued to spend their evenings together, Fernando and Lola came to a difficult realization; they were in love.
As the days, weeks and months go by, their love grows, as does their sorrow. While they find joy in the moments they could see each other, they were careful since they don’t want to hurt Ramon. Either he is so innocent that he doesn’t notice, or he notices and chooses not to react (perhaps out of sadness, perhaps out of indifference to his marriage) – I really can’t tell.
Lola and Fernando also fear Ramon’s parents who are determined not to let Lola disgrace their family. Fernando’s parents (he lives in their house, still) are suspicious and are both disapproving and vigilant.
Just this week, a possibly dangerous development took place. Lola’s godmother caught her and Fernando hiding in a home under construction – they were alone, with tears in their eyes and embracing. She angrily sent Fernando home and scolded Fernando telling him he ought to be ashamed of himself. While I don’t think that her godmother told Ramon’s parents, she did tell Fernando’s. They're furious, and have forbidden him from leaving the house when she is out – she’s very traditional, and usually only goes out with Ramon, with leave of his parents. (You could imagine the shock of the godmother!)
Yesterday I saw Fernando sitting his window, watching out of his window, trembling with desire and bitterness; she saw him, walked over to the window, touched the roses growing below the window, and leaned over to smell one of them; as she did this her eyes met Fernando’s for a moment, and then she walked away and went on her way with Ramon.
The sad part about this story is that it’s true. The happy part about the story is that it’s about dogs, not humans! “Fernando” is my dog, Simba. Ramon and Lola are the real names of the neighbours’ 2 Chihuahuas. The only parts I changed were a few details to “humanize” the story – e.g. the “godmother” is the owner’s mother often who takes care of Ramon and Lola. She didn’t really see tears in the dogs’ eyes, but the rest is true; I really did see Simba trembling with desire, Lola really did reach her head out to sniff the roses growing under our window, and their eyes really did mean. Of course, I didn’t point out that Lola was sniffing the roses because Simba had “marked” them; that just wouldn’t have sounded romantic.
