Meeting Santiago-
When I first met Santiago, there was something about him. I could not explain it then, and I doubt I ever will be able to. His eyes entrapped me, and he looked so gentle and sincere I could not help but smile! The way he looked at me was unlike anything else, it was almost as if he looked into my soul. We understood what the other was thinking without speaking any words. It was what the strange old man, the Alchemist was always talking about, the language of the world.
Santiago Professing His Love- When he told me, I was shocked. So shocked I dropped the water vessel I was carrying. Stupidly, I thought how angry mother would be when she found out I got dirt on our water vase. Even though I knew I loved him from the first day we met, how could he be brave enough to say it aloud? This strange boy who believed in alchemy and Urim and Thummim, and who told me he loved me out of the blue, was everything I had been waiting for. I knew he had to find his treasure, and so I told him I would wait for him, with hope and love.
The Day He Left- The day Santiago left, was possibly the saddest day of my life. While I had told him I would look with hope, and that was true, I also looked with longing and desire. I missed him terribly, and it tortured me not knowing whether he missed me too. I put on a brave face for him, but inside I was reeling from the realization he may not come back. It was awful, and so I did not even bid him farewell on the day of his departure. I was worried I would drop the mask of bravery and independence and beg him to stay, and even worse he probably would.
The Day He Returned- The day Santiago returned is one of the happiest days of my life. I looked to the desert as per usual, but I did not really expect him to be there. A few caravans had passed through before, but each one more disappointing than the last, because none of them came with Santiago. I was beginning to lose hope, and doubting if he would even