Two hours had passed, and Ruwi had prepared dinner with so much love and dedication, eager to share it with everyone. The warmth of the home filled the air, blending with the spicy aroma of the freshly made dishes. However, noticing Camila's absence, a subtle unease settled in his chest. He decided to go to her room.
The hallway was dimly lit, only illuminated by the soft light filtering from the living room. Ruwi gently pushed the door and found Camila asleep on the bed. Her face reflected an almost ethereal serenity, as if she were immersed in a peaceful dream.
With tenderness, he approached and gently moved her.
—Cami, love, wake up, it's time for dinner —he whispered.
Silence was his only reply. A chill ran down his spine.
—Honey, don't scare me. Wake up, please —he insisted, his voice trembling.
He leaned over and, as he placed his fingers on her wrist, he felt an icy emptiness. There was no pulse. His breath caught, and panic engulfed him like a wild wave.
—Guys, guys! Call an ambulance! —Ruwi screamed, his voice breaking with desperation.
The echo of his shouts reverberated through the house, shattering the tranquility of the night. Pablo Lorenzo was the first to arrive, his expression shifting from confusion to horror in seconds.
—What's going on? —he asked, scrutinizing the scene with a furrowed brow.
Valeria and Rosenda burst into the room, anxiety reflected in their eyes. Without wasting time, Daniel took out his phone and called the hospital.
Time seemed to move with cruel slowness. Thirty minutes later, the wail of the ambulance cut through the stillness of the night. The paramedics entered swiftly, transferring Camila to emergency care. In Pablo's car, the group traveled in a deathly silence, each one trapped in their thoughts, with fear pounding in their chests.
The hospital greeted them with cold lights and a tense atmosphere. They sat in the waiting room, listening to the murmur of the doctors and the distant beeping of monitors. Two endless hours passed until the doctor emerged with a somber expression.
—Family of Camila —he called, his voice deep and slow.
Ruwi jumped up suddenly, his heart pounding in his ears.
—How is she? Please, tell me she's okay! —Ruwi said desperately.
The doctor lowered his gaze before responding sadly.
—You must be strong. Unfortunately, your friend Camila has passed away. Cause of death: cardiac arrest. —The doctor informed, leaving the group in stunned silence.
The silence that followed was deafening. It felt as though the whole world had stopped spinning.
—No, this can't be happening. It's a joke, right? —Ruwi murmured, denial clouding his mind.
Daniel tried to hold him up when his legs gave way. Pablo Lorenzo fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Valeria embraced Rosenda, but the shock was too much for Rosenda, and she fainted in Valeria's arms.
With his vision blurred by tears, Ruwi ran to where Camila's body lay. The emergency room smelled of disinfectant, but to him, everything was reduced to the lifeless body on the stretcher.
—I love you, I will always love you. There will be no other woman, because you are the only one —he murmured, his voice broken by pain. He leaned in and kissed her lips one last time, feeling his world crumble.
From the shadowed corner of the hospital, Jesus watched the scene with sadness. A tear rolled down his cheek as he gazed upon the profound suffering of those he loved.