Chapter 3 Maria's Big Move

Maria and Selena shared a deep bond, one that had been forged through years of friendship and shared dreams. Their aspirations had always been similar - a longing for better opportunities, a desire to chase their dreams in the land of endless possibilities: the United States.

For Maria, the pursuit of this dream was relentless. She had tirelessly applied for jobs, honed her skills, and saved up every penny she could spare. Her determination was unwavering, her eyes firmly set on the horizon of a new life. She knew that with hard work and a bit of luck, her dreams could soon become her reality.

Selena, too, had the same fervor burning within her heart. She yearned for the opportunities that the United States offered, a chance to explore new horizons and challenge herself in ways she had never thought possible. But her journey was marked by a bittersweet pause, an obstacle she couldn't simply ignore.

Romano, the man Selena loved deeply, had different plans. His heart was set on Mexico, on building a life and a family there. His dreams were anchored in his homeland, and despite Selena's efforts, he remained steadfast in his decision. Selena's heart was caught in a dilemma, torn between the love she had for Romano and the dreams she shared with Maria.

The conflict was palpable. Selena often found herself caught in quiet moments of introspection, torn between the passion that burned within her and the love she felt for Romano. Her mother's words echoed in her mind, a reminder that family and love were paramount, even if it meant relinquishing one's own dreams. It was in one of these moments of contemplation that she received a call from Maria, Maria called to break the news. The words tumbled from her lips with a mix of excitement and disbelief. She had done it - secured a job in the United States, a customer support position that aligned perfectly with her skills and experience. The news was a testament to her dedication and hard work, and it sent a surge of joy through both women.

Selena's heart swelled with happiness for her friend, her genuine excitement shining through her voice as they spoke over the phone. "Maria, this is incredible news! I'm so proud of you. We have to celebrate! I'll come over after work, and we can make plans." As the call ended, Selena couldn't contain her emotions. She let out a joyous scream that resonated through her office, a burst of unadulterated happiness. But beneath the surface, a mixture of emotions swirled within her. She couldn't help but wonder, "What about my dreams?"

Selena drove over to Maria's place after work, her excitement still bubbling over. When she arrived at the door, she could hear Maria's voice from inside the house. The air was charged with excitement, an atmosphere that mirrored the elation within Selena's heart. As the door swung open, Maria enveloped Selena in a tight hug, their laughter filling the room.

You got the job! I'm so happy for you!" said Selena, bursting through the door.

"I can't believe it, Selena! This is like a dream come true!" Maria exclaimed.

Selena grinned, sharing in her friend's happiness. "You deserve every bit of it, Maria. Your hard work paid off."

Maria turned around with a huge smile on her face. "Thanks, Selena! I'm over the moon too! I can't wait to move to the US and start a new life!"

They settled down on the couch, their conversation flowing seamlessly as they discussed the details of Maria's new job and the plans they had for celebrating. But amidst the laughter and camaraderie, a sense of wistfulness lingered within Selena. It was her dream too, a dream that was slipping through her fingers as she watched Maria's aspirations materialize.

"Selena, are you okay?" Maria asked, her eyes filled with concern.

Selena hesitated for a moment before speaking her truth. "Maria, I'm genuinely thrilled for you. But sometimes, I can't help but wonder about my dreams and what might have been."

Maria nodded, understanding the conflict that churned within Selena. "Selena, you know I've always wanted this for both of us. And even though our paths are diverging for now, that doesn't mean your dreams are less important. It's just a different chapter, not the end of your story."

"You know," Maria continued "But you'll have your time. Romano just needs a little bit more convincing, that's all."

Selena sighed. "It's not just Romano. My mom said that I should prioritize starting a family over chasing after money."

Maria frowned. "That's not fair. You should be able to follow your dreams."

"I know," said Selena. "But it's easier said than done. I don't want to lose Romano, but I also don't want to give up on what I want for my life."

Maria put a comforting hand on Selena's shoulder. "You'll figure it out, Selena. You're strong and brave, and you know what you want. You just need to find a way to make it work."

Selena smiled at her friend's encouragement. "Thanks, Maria. You're the best."

"Of course," replied Maria. "Always here for you. Now enough of the sad stuff! We need to celebrate! I just baked some fresh cookies. Want some?"

Selena's mouth watered at the mention of cookies. "Yes please!" she said, following Maria into the kitchen.

As they sat at the kitchen table, munching on cookies and sipping tea, Maria told Selena more about her new job. "It's going to be hard, moving to a new country and starting over, but I'm excited for the challenge. And the pay is pretty good too, I would be leaving in two weeks"

Selena couldn't help but feel envious. She wished she could have the same opportunity as her best friend.

"On second thoughts, why don't you come with me, Selena?" asked Maria suddenly. "I'm sure I can find you a job too. We can be roommates and start a new life together until you secure a job. What do you say?"

Selena's heart leaped at the suggestion. "I-I don't know, Maria. Romano-"

"Romano will understand," interrupted Maria. "He loves you, Selena. He'll want you to be happy."

Selena shook her head. "I don't know, Maria. It's a big decision. I need to think about it."

Maria nodded, understanding. "Of course. Take your time. But promise me you'll at least consider it. You deserve to chase your dreams, Selena. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Selena smiled at her friend, feeling grateful for her unwavering support. "I will, Maria. Thank you for everything."

Selena smiled softly, a mix of gratitude and sadness in her eyes. "Thank you, Maria. I needed to hear that."

As the evening wore on, the two friends continued to share stories, dreams, and laughter. They toasted to Maria's success and the journey ahead, but deep down, Selena couldn't shake off the feeling that a piece of her heart would always remain intertwined with the dream of a life in the United States.

As Selena drove home that night, she couldn't stop thinking about Maria's offer. Could she really do it? Could she leave everything behind and start over in a new country? The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating.

When she arrived home, Romano was already there, waiting for her. He looked up eagerly as she walked through the door. He welcomed her with a kiss, "Hey, mi amor! How was work?"

Selena greeted him with a smile, but her mind was elsewhere. "It was good, Romano. I saw Maria today."

Romano's face lit up. "How is she?

Selena nodded. "She is fine. She got a job in the US and she's moving to the US in two weeks."

Romano's smile faded a little. "That's great for her. I'm happy for her."

Selena took a deep breath. This was it. She needed to tell him about Maria's offer and see how he would react.

"Romano," she said slowly, "Maria offered to help me get a job in the US too. She said we could be roommates until I get a job and we could start a new life there together."

Romano's face fell. "What? Selena, you know I can't move to the US. I have plans here in Mexico. And my family...I can't just abandon them."

"I know," said Selena. "But what about my dreams, Romano? Don't they matter too?"

Romano looked torn. "Of course they matter, Selena. But I can't just uproot myself and come with you. I want to start a family with you here, all my businesses are here"

Selena felt a knot form in her stomach. This was the moment of truth. She needed to decide whether her love for Romano was stronger than her desire to chase her dreams.

"I don't know, Romano," she said softly. "I love you, but I also want to see the world and experience new things. Can't we find a way to make it work?"

Romano looked pained. "I don't know, Selena. It's a big decision. We need to think about it."

Selena felt a sense of disappointment wash over her. She had hoped for a clearer answer, but she knew that she needed to be patient. Maybe with time, Romano would see things from her perspective.

Selena's mind raced with a hundred different scenarios. Should she go to the US with Maria and start a new life? Should she stay in Mexico and start a family with Romano? Was there a way to have both?

She didn't have the answers yet, but she knew one thing for sure. She wasn't going to give up on her dreams without a fight. She had worked too hard and sacrificed too much to get to this point. Whether it was in the US or Mexico, she was determined to make the most of her life.

Romano's heart raced as he looked at her, his beloved Selena, her eyes brimming with emotion. The issue at hand had thrown her feelings into turmoil, and he couldn't bear to see her like this. Without a second thought, he drew her into his embrace, his strong arms wrapping around her fragile frame.

Gently, he began to stroke her hair, each tender touch an unspoken promise of his unwavering support. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, a wordless reassurance of their connection. Pulling away ever so slightly, he gazed into her eyes, his voice a soothing whisper as he spoke words of comfort.

"I want you here with me, my love," he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of his emotions. "I know things are tough right now, but I'm working really hard. One day, we'll be able to afford the life we need, and moving to the US won't matter to you anymore. I promise."

Selena's breath caught in her throat as she absorbed his words, feeling the sincerity in every syllable he spoke. Romano had always been her rock, her anchor in times of trouble, and his words now were like a lifeline, pulling her out of the sea of uncertainty that had engulfed her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she held onto him, her fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt as if trying to imprint his presence onto her very being. "Romano," she choked out, her voice a mixture of gratitude and longing. "I believe in us, in you."

He smiled, a soft and tender curve of his lips that spoke volumes of his affection for her. "That's all I need to hear," he replied, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "As long as we have each other, we can weather any storm." At that moment, the world outside their embrace seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them and the promise of a better future. Romano held her tightly as if he could shield her from all the uncertainties that lay ahead. Selena felt his heartbeat against her chest, a steady rhythm that echoed the rhythm of their love.

His smile was radiant, a reflection of his love for her and the hope they shared. As they held each other in that moment, they knew that their journey was far from over. The road ahead might be uncertain, but as long as they faced it together, their love would be their constant guide.