Faustino Bermudez is a lion tamer at the Bermudez Brothers Circus. He does not like his job but does not dare to tell his family about it. He is passionate about literature, he is good at telling and writing stories, but the promise to his dead father that he would never leave the circus keeps him unhappily tied to his destiny. He is tired of wandering from town to town. His mood swings manifest themselves more and more often. Sometimes he is depressed, sometimes he is polite and kind but lost to reality. Sometimes he notices his behavior, at which point he picks up pencil and paper and begins to write. He jealously guards his stories in a huge Christmas-themed cookie tin.
His mother, Dorotea, discovers him and tries to console him:
-Faustino maybe you'll get yourself a nice woman who likes the circus and will marry you. You promised your father that you would take care of the circus. Remember that his life was the circus. He didn't know how to do anything else. We always did well.
-Yes, Mom, but it's different now. People are not as interested in the circus as they used to be. There is much less money coming in and we have to keep the animals. Sometimes the lions are hungry. ....
-Son, the lions have time with us, we will get more food to satisfy their hunger.
At that moment the announcer Jaime Sequera arrives, interrupts the conversation and tells them:
-The propaganda is already on the radio and many people are interested in buying tickets in advance.
-You see son, good news.
The three people coordinate advance ticket sales. They would start the presentation on a Friday afternoon by popular demand. The moment awaited by all arrives. The circus opens its doors. People began to enter and take their places. In the first row there was a lady who always liked this kind of shows. When she saw Faustino she was shocked; she immediately caught his courage and bravery. The emotion did not stop. After the show was over, she decided to approach him to talk. Faustino treated her very kindly and invited her to the next show. She was delighted and attended all of them. At the end of the last show she introduced herself:
-I am Miriam Sambrano and I would love to be part of the circus. I see you don't have any aerial acrobatics shows. I can do that job.
Dorotea was nearby and listened...sensing that her son would deny her the job she said:
-It would be wonderful. But, unfortunately, we will be leaving in two days.
-Perfect. I'll be here to go with you. Miriam replied enthusiastically.
Miriam packed everything and went to live at the circus. Faustino continued with his mood swings but the mischievous Cupid would soon bring him a surprise: he would shoot his arrows of love..... Miriam, always cheerful, bold and demure, but at the same time curious, began to observe Faustino. And one day she decided to have a conversation with him.....
-Why are you still depressed? That attitude is dangerous. Remember that you work with wild animals.
At that moment Faustino's bravado is cut short; tears stream down his cheeks, his trembling hands betray his discomfort, but he takes a deep breath... daring to reveal his frustration:
-I don't like the circus. I made a promise to stay in it and I'm keeping it. But I'd rather write my books.
-I understand you but I suggest you make a decision. It is for your well-being, otherwise you will continue to make your life and that of others bitter.
From this dialogue Faustino noticed Miriam's contagious joy. So he was motivated to continue talking with her; the conversations became more assiduous. Without thinking about it, they fell in love and, after three months, they got married.
From that moment on, Faustino gradually became infected by his wife's joy.
In a family meeting, Dorotea commented: "Thanks to Miriam Faustino managed to get his life back on track:
-Thanks to Miriam Faustino managed to get his life back on track. He seems like a different person. Now he is jovial, enthusiastic about life, he no longer remembers his writings.
Hearing this, Miriam comments in his ear:
-Thank you mother-in-law, we also owe it to the fact that his future grandson is on his way.
Faustino listens and ...simply hugs and kisses his wife saying to her:
-Thank you, the baby will be our blessing.
Months passed and their daughter, Jazmín, was born. The joy lasted until the child was one year old... Faustino did not sleep well and was angry. One day he commented to his wife:
-I want Jasmine to have a future outside the circus.
She, always optimistic, told him:
-Don't worry. Children adapt to everything. But, if you prefer, we can plan another life outside the circus.
Faustino's lips quirk up in a smile, a nervous laugh suddenly appears from ....abraza to his wife. She immediately accepts, saying:
-We will be here only 5 more years. I want the girl to go to school.
During those 5 years the tamer was torn between frustration, anger, depression and insomnia. The latter was taking its toll on his health. One day, during the rehearsal with the lions, Faustino unloads his rage on them without realizing that this would be the end of his life. ....
As a result of this event, Miriam decides to leave the circus and go to live with her mother, Matilda. She would work while Matilda took care of Jazmin. Jazmín began to show artistic gifts, which were encouraged by Matilda.
Miriam could not recover from her husband's death. He was always on her mind. Joy had vanished from her life. One day, when she saw the girl's drawings, her countenance changed. Her face turns red. Her sadness turns to rage... and she screams:
-Jasmine, I have told you that I don't want you to draw your father or the lions....
Without thinking, he tears up Jasmine's drawings; he punishes her by hiding the paper and crayons. The girl runs to her room. Matilda observes and says:
-She is your daughter. Treat her with love.
Miriam reacts .... she has a crying fit. She runs away. She takes refuge reading her husband's stories. That's her only painkiller. She forgets about the child. This behavior is repeated for years.... until Jazmín, now 20 years old, decides to publish her father's stories.
That day Miriam was celebrating her 50th birthday. Matilda and Jazmin decide to invite Matilda to the theater.
Miriam's countenance changed. Joy was immediately drawn with a smile on her lips. She remembered that her grandmother always celebrated her birthday with her at the theater. She replied enthusiastically:
-Thank you. I'll wear my ball gown.
The surprise was even greater when Faustino's book was baptized: My stories hidden by time.
At that moment a light opened her conscience.... exclaims in an uproar:
-Thank you mother, thank you Jasmin. It is the best gift I have ever had. I beg your pardon for being blind for so long.
The three ladies embrace in a union blessed from heaven....
My stories hidden in the time by María del Carmen Sánchez Copyright © 2022
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)