Gabriela was riding her bike quickly, delivering food that had left her a bit tired. When a car crossed in front of her at the corner of Marlborough Road with The Mall, she managed to avoid it. "I remember it like it was yesterday," she thought. A woman dressed in a dark suit with her hair in a ponytail and aviator glasses got out of the car.
"Are you okay?" the woman asked.
"You almost killed me, and now you're asking me if I'm okay?" Gabriela replied.
After a brief conversation, Gabriela saw the woman go back to the car and speak to someone inside. Then she approached Gabriela and said, "Give me your phone number and address. They will contact you."
"How do I know they will?" Gabriela asked. "At least tell me your name and cellphone number."
"I'm sorry, I can't," the woman replied.
"You can't? What kind of person are you? You almost ran me over and now you're being evasive? There are a lot of people like you," Gabriela said angrily.
The woman nodded with a smile, which made Gabriela even more furious. She grudgingly handed over a card with her contact information and closed the door of the posh and elegant car. "I don't know how to recognize car brands," Gabriela thought.
Gabriela stood there on the corner, trying to calm down after the scare, not knowing that that woman and that car would change her life forever.
THE ENCOUNTER
After arriving at Mrs. Page's house, where she rented a room, Gabriela told her everything that had happened. Mrs. Page, a woman of class and aristocratic bearing, spoke to her in perfect upper-class English, saying, "Many inexplicable events will happen to you, and possibly your dreams will come true." Gabriela replied that she, as a Latin immigrant, did not believe that she would have so many opportunities. "Don't be silly, this country has you working, and now you're going to have a salary to pay for your studies. And they give you that in the UK regardless of the color of your skin or your race. I see the change happening right before my eyes. And it's the 'old' ladies who have to evolve and move forward with the world."
As Gabriela and Mrs. Page talked, they heard the sound of a text message. Gabriela picked up her phone and saw that it was an unknown number. "I won't open it," she thought, but then she thought of her mother, who lived alone. Upon opening the message, she read, "Gabriela, I'm Ana. You gave me your contact information yesterday at the corner of The Mall and Marlborough Road. A driver will pick you up tomorrow, Friday, at 3:30 pm. Regards, Ana."
They had just finished breakfast with Mrs. Page when Gabriela told her about her appointment for today, Friday. Mrs. Page said, "I love surprises, they make life more exciting, don't they?" "I don't think so," Gabriela said. "I'm a little scared to go to an unknown place with a woman who almost killed me."
Mrs. Page just shook her gray hair, which was pulled back in a bun, and laughed...
Gabriela got ready. At exactly 3:30 pm, the intercom beeped. "Gabriela...I'm here to pick you up...from Ana." My stomach hurt as I opened the door of the house...
It was a black taxi, and on the way, I saw all the flags waving. They were already preparing for the coronation of King Charles III. All of London with flowers and spring with its colors for a historic date.
I feel confused, and at the same time, my stomach tells me that something beautiful may happen, and I block my apprehensions.
When I see the taxi going down The Mall, I remember the almost-hit-and-run the other day. But this time, the journey is approaching the Queen Victoria Memorial, and the entrance to Buckingham Palace is open. "Sir, sir," and before I finish asking, the driver tells me to calm down, we're going to the right place.
Once inside, I spot Ana standing in her uniform, now I see that it's her uniform. She approaches with a faint smile and says, "Welcome Gabriela."
I stood there as if a sea monster had swallowed me and I had found an enchanted world.
Once inside the Palace, I remembered Paddington Brown the bear having tea with the Queen and I felt sad to remember her.
We entered a very elegant office with furniture in vanilla and golden colors, with a desk in a style (I don't know much about antique furniture...). I sat down, and when I had my teacup in my hand, the handle of the cup began to vibrate, shake, and I almost stained the carpet. -I couldn't believe it-. But what I see is not an illusion, it's not an illusion, I told myself to calm down.
And in front of me, shaking hands and trying to make a stumbling bow, the future King of England gave me a smile.
"Gabriela, nice to meet you under different circumstances. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the incident."
I couldn't articulate a word.
"I see that you are an active and determined young woman. I want to offer you a job at the Prince's Trust, our venture for young people. Ana will tell you what to do. I know you study at night at the university and have a scholarship."
"My words were swallowed up by silence, but then I thanked him and shook his hand. He walked to the door. He turned around and his gaze turned towards me: Gabriela, I'll be expecting you on the day of my coronation. You'll receive the invitation."
And now sitting, drinking a gin and tonic with Mrs. Page, I feel fortunate, and my eyes have the London rain.
And today, May 6th, in the face of the history that was lived in Westminster Abbey, I can proudly say that I was there, and it's something I won't forget. My elegant dark pink suit and hat were a gift from Mrs. Page.
Yes, I left the bike parked for another young person like me who wants to start their adventure and maybe be run over by a dream.
@carolinapaton 2023
