And it was also the quadruplets’ birthday, completely forgotten by everyone, even by Javier, lost in guilt, work and the misguided illusion of buying solutions.
Lidia woke up before dawn, gathered humble ingredients, and mixed ground corn, butter, and sugar with a wooden spoon that silently accompanied that old notebook.
The aroma grew softly; warm butter, melted sugar, a rediscovered home; a scent that seemed to call to dormant memories and small hands that began to timidly approach.
Cristian appeared first, observing the bowl with fascination; then Esteban, disheveled; Camilo arrived nervously; Federico, the last, remained in the frame undecided.
“Can I help?” murmured Cristian; “Of course,” replied Lidia with a genuine smile; they dropped flour, got messy, gently pushed each other, and a burst of laughter unexpectedly arose.
Camilo laughed, harsh and brief, like an engine starting up again; Cristian whispered: “Mom used to sing while she mixed,” and the memory floated vulnerable in the air.
Lidia didn’t change the subject; she looked at the four children and said softly, « Then let’s sing too, » beginning an awkward song that filled the kitchen with life.
When the cake, crooked but beautiful, came out of the oven, four fragile smiles lit up the room, bringing light back where only sadness once dwelled.
Suddenly, the door burst open: Dolores appeared indignant, observing disorder, flour, joy, and Lidia leading a moment she never managed to create.
“I am responsible,” Dolores shouted; Lidia stepped forward, small but firm: “It wasn’t you; you took away photos of their mother and forbade them from remembering their own love.”
Dolores tried to intimidate, but Esteban stepped forward and said, « You took down Mom’s pictures, that hurt us, » in a small voice that echoed through the room.
Dolores, furious, called Javier with lies; he left his most important meeting, overcome by guilt, believing he would find absolute chaos at home.
But when she opened the door, she found light, a sweet aroma, voices singing « happy birthday », and her children gathered around a simple but meaningful cake.
They ran towards him laughing, hugging his legs; Javier fell to his knees crying from shame, relief and deep understanding upon seeing what he had forgotten.
Federico touched his wet cheek: “It’s okay, Dad; Lidia remembered,” and Javier’s heart completely broke at that unexpected tenderness.
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