The story revolves around the complicated relationships between two friends, Jorge and Pedro, and their love interests, Rosario and Maria. The narrative begins with Jorge's return to his hometown after a long trip, only to discover that his former girlfriend, Rosario, has married his best friend Pedro. This revelation sparks a series of events that lead to a deep-seated rivalry between the two friends.
As the story unfolds, Jorge becomes engaged to Genoveva, but their relationship is put to the test when Pedro and Rosario arrive at a party, rekindling old feelings. However, just as it seems like the friends are making amends, a doctor reveals that Jorge is not sick, as Pedro had previously claimed, causing chaos at the party.
The mystery surrounding Rosario's past is eventually revealed: she was abused at a party, became pregnant, and Pedro helped her by giving the baby his last name. The two eventually fell in love and got married.
In the end, the friends reconcile, and the story concludes with a sense of resolution and new beginnings. The narrator also shares what happens to the characters after the events of the story, including Pedro's future career as a boxer and police officer, and Jorge's marriage to Maria Félix.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Mexico's independence is celebrated on September 16.
2. The story is about two best friends, Jorge and Pedro, who are both womanizers.
3. Jorge and Pedro fall in love with sisters, Rosario and Maria.
4. Jorge and Rosario start dating, but Pedro marries Rosario after Jorge's behavior at a party.
5. Jorge buys a piece of land with a spring that distributes water to other lands, including Pedro's business.
6. Jorge charges Pedro an expensive quota for water, humiliating him.
7. Jorge decides to forget his old love and gets engaged to a woman named Genoveva.
8. Pedro's wife, Rosario, gets serenaded by Jorge, causing a scandal in the town.
9. Pedro and Jorge have a confrontation, but they spare each other's lives.
10. Pedro tells a lie to Genoveva's father, saying Jorge has a terrible illness and can't marry Genoveva.
11. The general believes the lie and thanks Pedro for not putting his daughter in danger.
12. A doctor arrives at a party and reveals that Jorge is not really sick.
13. The truth about Rosario's past is revealed: she was abused at a party, got pregnant, and Pedro helped her and gave his last name to the baby.
14. Pedro and Rosario formally married and lived together until they fell in love.
15. The story ends with Pedro and Rosario dancing together, and Jorge marrying María Félix.