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Gabi tried to see inside the house.

Conchita inched the door further closed. “She’s not here,” Conchita said.

“Please, where is she? I’m leaving and want to say goodbye.”

“San Juan De Dios hospital,” she said and closed the door.

Gabi’s heart thundered, and her stomach churned. She ran, knowing it would be almost another thirty minutes before a bus was headed into the city.

Her lungs felt like they were going to explode. She slowed to a fast walk and stuck out her thumb to three vehicles that passed. The bus sailed past her heading up the hill, but it would still be a while for it to come down. Hopefully it would stop, though she couldn’t see a stop sign anywhere.

She looked towards the beeping horn and saw a blue van heading towards her. Matías. What a sight for sore eyes.

He pulled the car over and leaned out of the window. “What are you doing still here?”

Gabi ran around to the passenger side and got in the car. “Aisha’s been taken to hospital,” she said. “San Juan.” Before she’d finished the sentence, he’d turned the van around and was heading down the hill.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know. I was waiting, and she didn’t show up.

He put his foot down, only slowing for the tightest bends and once they hit the city traffic. “Do you want me to wait for you?” he asked, pulling up outside the hospital.

“No, it’s okay. I don’t know how long this will take.”

Gabi headed towards the hospital main entrance and stopped at the sound of her name being called. “Aisha.” She ran to a bench seat in a small recreation area outside the hospital. Tears streaked Aisha’s face, and her eyes looked puffy and sore. Gabi sat next to her and put her arm around her shoulders. “Thank God. I was so worried it was you.”

“She had a heart attack. It’s all my fault.” Aisha sobbed.

Gabi stroked her hair and kissed her head. Aisha pulled away and looked around. “It’s not your fault,” Gabi said and clasped her hands in her lap.

Aisha shook her head. “I told her I was in love with you, and she collapsed.”

Gabi took a deep breath and released it slowly. Her hands trembled. “What have the doctors said?”

“She’s sedated, and they’re doing tests. She keeps drifting in and out of sleep.” Aisha started crying and shaking her head. “Papa’s with her. They told me to go. They want nothing to do with me.”

Gabi screamed silently, clenched her fists, and gritted her teeth. The cruelty was beyond her understanding. She put her arm around Aisha and drew her close. “I’m so sorry.”

“All I asked for was their blessing, and they couldn’t give it to me.” Aisha tensed in Gabi’s arms but didn’t pull back. “Is that too much to ask for from your parents?”

Her raised voice caused people passing to look at them. Gabi knew Aisha needed to let the anger out, to let go, to be able to move on. She held her tightly as she shouted and sobbed.

“Why, Gabi? Why? I don’t understand. What did I do that was so wrong?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re just unlucky to be born into a family whose faith and laws have devastating consequences. For them, for you, for everyone. No one wins.”

“That’s not love, is it?”

“No. It’s abuse. Not that they would see it that way. Love comes from the heart, not rules.”

Aisha stared at Gabi. “What we have is love, isn’t it?”

Gabi held Aisha and kissed her head. “Yes. I will love you forever.”

Aisha leaned into Gabi’s shoulder.

Gabi glanced around. “I went to your house. Conchita told me you were here.”