La Diosa Del Carnival

by Susan J.

After scamming his latest victim, Morales decided that he needed a little vacation. He had enough money put aside, so he boarded a plane and headed to Rio De Janeiro. The plane landed after more than 12 hours in the air. He claimed his bags and left the airport terminal. He saw a taxi and got in.

"Where to sir?" said the cab driver.

"To a hotel," said Morales.

"Which one sir?"

"This is my first time here, what hotel do you recommend?"

"There is one called the Rio Hilton."

"Is it a good hotel?"

"The best."

"You better be right. Let's go."

The tax driver took him to the hotel. To Morales' surprise, the taxi driver was right; it was a very nice hotel. Morales got out of the taxi and grabbed his suitcase. He handed the driver the fare.

"Keep the change," Morales said.

"Thank you sir."

The taxi driver drove off. Morales went inside and walked over to the registration desk.

"Yes sir, can I help you?" said the clerk.

"Of course you can, lovely lady. I need a room."

"Single?"

"Yes." Morales noticed that there were a lot of people roaming about. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Excuse me, sir?"

"All the people."

"Oh, it's the beginning of Carnival, sir."

"I forgot about Carnival. What time does everything start?"

"As soon as the sun sets the streets are blocked off and the festivities begin. All right sir, here is your key. Do you need help with your suitcase?"

"No thank you."

"Have a nice day."

"You too." He winked at her and walked over to the elevator.

Later that night Morales heard the crowd in the streets below. They seemed to be having a great time. He walked out onto the balcony and looked down at the crowd. They were dancing and singing. He saw that some of the women were wearing hardly anything. One girl caught his eye. She was dressed in a white toga like outfit and was walking among the crowd. The people would make path for her to walk through the crowd. Some of the men kissed her hand as she passed. She smiled and seemed to be loved by everyone. Morales got dressed and went out among the crowd. Some of the women danced by him as he walked down the street and some of the women even kissed him, but all he did was laugh. As he got closer to one of the floats coming down the street, he saw the girl he had seen from the balcony. From the float the girl was tossing beaded necklaces to the crowd and the crowd tossed flower pedals at her feet.

"Dance! Everyone must dance!" I said.

Morales could hear the crowd chanting something. As he got closer he could finally make out what they were saying.

"Diosa?" asked Morales.

A man near him turned and looked at him. Morales looked at the man. "Excuse me, are they calling her Diosa?"

"Yes. She is known as La Diosa Del Carnival," the man said.

"Oh, so she won some contest."

"No, she is more like someone we all look up and respect. We ask for her blessing."

"So she is some kind of Goddess to you."

"Yes, that is the meaning of the word Diosa."

"What is her real name?"

"No one knows. We only see her during carnival and then she disappears. Carnival is the only time when she is amongst us and we ask for her blessing for our friends, families, and businesses. She brings us good luck."

"You really think that?"

"Yes, we all do. Look, amigo, if you don't want to make any enemies then don't say anything bad about Diosa, because if you do you will regret it."

"Don't worry, I have the utmost respect for a person who holds such a high honor among the people of this country."

"She is very special to us, and we will do anything to protect her."

"I understand. Well have fun, my friend."

"You too amigo."

Morales followed the float. When it came to a stop he saw that I got off the float, people helping me as I descended. Morales got close enough to hear me speak to a young couple.

"Diosa, we'd like to thank you for the advice you gave us about our daughter," the man said.

"How is she?" I asked.

"She is doing much better, her grades are getting much better, she has changed so much," said the lady.

"I'm happy for you both. Now you must remember to let her have her private moments, but always keep an eye on her; and if that boy comes back tell him to go away and remember that someone better will come along."

"We will, thank you," said the man.

The woman's husband kissed my hand. I continued walking and dancing through the crowd with Morales close behind. Another couple approached me.

"Diosa, thank you," said the girl.

"For what?"

"You said that if we were patient, we would have a baby this year and you were right."

"Oh, I am very happy for you both!"

I hugged the couple.

"We'd like to name it Diosa if it's a girl."

"That is very sweet, but a more beautiful name will come to you. Now I want you to take it easy."

"She will, I promise," said her husband.

As I walked away, I turned to the couple once more.

"I expect to see the three of you here next year."

"We'll be here," said the husband.

I continued walking through the crowd. I went over to one of the open-air cafes and sat at a table. The owner came over to me.

"Diosa! Welcome welcome!" He kissed my hand.

"Alberto mi amigo! How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine also."

"Can I get you something to eat or drink?"

"Something to drink, please."

"I will be right back."

Alberto left, and Morales walked over to me. "My name is Morales."

"So, the man who has been following me has a name."

"Who says I was following you?"

"You have a unique presence about you."

"Oh, really."

Alberto came back with a drink. He set it before me. "Thank you, Alberto." I reached into my belt and handed money to Alberto. "Here."

"Oh, no, Diosa I couldn't take your money."

"Please, Alberto."

"No, no. Seeing you is my pleasure."

I put the money in his hand. "Take it and give it to the church or do what you want with it, but please take it."

"All right. I will give it to the church." He smiled and kissed my hand then he left.

"Would you like to sit down Morales?"

"Yes thank you." Morales sat down. He looked at me.

"You have a question for me?" I asked.

"Yes. Why do they call you Diosa?"

"It has been rumored that I look like a Goddess from the ancient days of carnival. As far back as I can remember they have always called me Diosa."

"What is your real name?"

"A person must have some secrets, Morales, and that is one of mine. I must go now."

"Why? We have just begun to get to know each other."

"I have things to attend to, Morales."

I stood up and started walking away; Morales followed.

"Will I see you again?" he asked.

"It is possible."

"When?"

"When the time is right."

Before he knew it, I disappeared into the crowd. Morales looked everywhere but he was unsuccessful in finding me. The night was coming to an end and Morales went back to his hotel room. He tried to sleep but was unable to get Diosa out of his mind. He thought of her eyes, they were dark brown and they were connected to a powerful soul. He thought about the people who respected and adored her. He felt bewitched by her, and all he knew was that he had to have her. The next day while Morales was walking down the street, he stopped by the café where he and Diosa sat the night before. Alberto, the owner, came over to him.

"Yes sir what can I do for you?" asked Alberto.

"Your name is Alberto, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"My name is Morales. I'd like to talk to you if you have time."

"About what?"

"Diosa."

"What about her?"

"Please sit down." Alberto sat down at the table.

"What do you want to know?" Alberto asked.

"Does she live around here?"

"No one knows. We only see her at Carnival."

"Tell me about her. Why do you all treat her with such love and respect."

"She helps people. If someone needs help for one reason or another, we seek her guidance, and when we do everything turns out well."

"What is she, some kind of witch?"

"No one knows for sure, but there are white witches and black witches. The white does good and the black does bad."

"If she is a witch, which one is she?"

"Definitely a white witch. She has never done anything bad to anyone. Why do you want to know about her?"

"She interests me. Do you think she'll be out tonight?"

"Here in town? No, but there is a festival at the beach, and I know she will be there."

"Well, amigo, thank you for the information."

"You're welcome."

They got up and shook hands. Alberto went back to work and Morales went on his way. Later that night, the festival at the beach started. There were bonfires, which lit the beach, the people dancing, and singing, others talking and enjoying each other's company. Morales walked among the people and then stopped and tapped a girl on the shoulder. She turned around.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Have you seen the woman they call Diosa?" Morales asked.

"No I haven't, but she should be here soon."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, she arrives around midnight. You will know when she has arrived."

"How will I know?"

"Everyone will start calling her name." She looked at him.

"What?" he asked.

"I can see in your eyes that you like Diosa."

"Like, what's there not to like?"

"This is true, however your eyes say something else."

"What do they say?"

"That you are infatuated with her."

"Infatuated? You're wrong about that."

"We'll see. Listen…she is here."

"Where?"

"Listen and follow the people's voices."

I walked through the crowd tossing beaded necklaces to the people. There was an open platform with a chair that awaited me. I walked onto the platform and looked at the crowd.

"Your attention, please."

Everyone quieted down.

"I know that some of you are here to speak with me and I promise to talk to as many as I can so let's begin."

Morales watched as the people filed past me asking questions. He was amazed at how I listened and cared about each person. I looked at Morales, who smiled at me. I waved for him to come to me. Morales walked over to me. After about 3 hours I was exhausted.

"That is all, my people. May all your wishes and dreams come true. Be happy."

I started to stand up when Morales extended his hand towards me. I took it and he escorted me off the platform.

"Where to?" Morales asked.

"Come with me to a place where it is peaceful." I said.

We arrived a short time later at a small house on the beach. Morales looked around the room, which was filled with candles and roses, with wonder.

"Do you live here?" he asked.

"Only during the few days of Carnival."

"Where else do you live?"

"Morales, you know better than to ask something like that."

We smiled. He noticed a gold chain that I was wearing, but he didn't ask about it.

"So when do you go back to the States?" I asked.

"How do you know that is where I'm from?"

"Your accent." We laughed. He walked over and took me in his arms.

"You do have amazing eyes, Diosa." he said.

"What is so amazing about them, Morales?"

"I really can't put it into words b,ut they are bewitching."

"Well Morales, so are you."

He pulled me closer to his body. I could feel his heavy breathing. He touched my face.

"What do you want from me, Morales? I am not rich and I have no material possessions for you to take."

He looked at me. "I want only you." he said.

He kissed passionately. I felt his tongue invade my mouth, and his hands caressed my body. I felt myself responding to his every touch. I led him to the bedroom where we undressed each other. His caresses were like none I had ever felt before. He lowered me onto the bed and kissed my neck. His kisses were hot and intense. As he positioned himself on top of me he looked into my eyes.

"What's wrong?" I said.

"I don't know? I want to make love to you so badly and yet I see you as a spiritual guide to the people." I started laughing.

"So you think of me as some kind of saint right?"

"Well…"

I stroked his hair. "Oh Morales, you must remember that even if I do council people, that I am a woman first and I have my needs - and right now my need is you."

He smiled. I pulled him closer and kissed him. He slowly kissed his way down my neck all the while I was starting to react to his touch. His right hand pushed my leg to the left and he began entering me slowly at first. He knew by doing this slowly it would drive me crazy and he was right. Morales knew that he was in total control of this situation, so with knowing this he completely thrust into me with such intensity that we knew that what we were doing was right. Morales kissed me hard on the lips as he thrust harder into me.

"Oh Morales, what are you doing to me?"

"Loving you, the way you should be loved."

"And what way is that?"

"Like a woman."

We kissed. A while later I turned to see Morales sleeping contently. I got up and got dressed. I wrote him a note and put it on the pillow with one of the roses. I took off the gold chain that I wore and draped it across the rose, and left. The next morning Morales woke up. He turned to see that I was gone. He sat up and read the note.

"My Dear Morales:

I have nothing to give you but this chain and rose. Thank you for last night and making me feel like a woman again. Perhaps we will meet again during our lifetime. Take care of yourself, Morales.

Forever, D"

Morales reached over, took the chain and put it on; he then handled the rose with such tenderness as he looked at it.

"Usually it is I who take things from the women that I meet, but you have taken something from me that no woman has ever dared to take before." He touched his chest.

Later that day Morales packed his suitcase and boarded a plane for home. As the plane took off, he looked out the window and took one last look at the land below. He touched the chain that he wore around his neck.

"You can count on seeing me again one day, and we will relive many times over our time together. Until then take care of my heart, my Diosa Del Carnival."