Daniel and Rosenda entered Ruwi's room, a room shrouded in melancholic dimness. The curtains barely allowed the evening light to filter through, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of his cologne mixed with the subtle scent of paper and ink from the scattered sketches on the desk. On the bed, Ruwi lay hugging himself, his gaze lost on an indefinite point on the floor. Sadness enveloped him like an invisible blanket, an overwhelming weight that kept him anchored to the mattress.
—Ruwito! —Rosenda exclaimed, her voice full of tenderness and concern. She quickly approached him and, without hesitation, wrapped him in a warm hug, wanting to transfer some of her own energy to him.
Daniel, standing beside the bed, gave a firm pat on his back, a silent but sincere gesture of support.
—Hey, buddy. We know this is tough, but we're here for you —he said in a calm voice, trying to convey strength.
Rosenda, in an attempt to dispel the heavy fog of sadness, gave a faint smile and asked softly:
—Do you remember the day we met?
The words made Ruwi slowly lift his gaze, and for a moment, a spark of nostalgia gleamed in his dimmed eyes. His lips curved into a small smile, as if a ray of light had filtered into his wounded heart.
—How could I forget? —he whispered, allowing his mind to travel back in time.
Flashback: 2015 at Sagrada Familia Elementary School
The sun shone brightly over the vast yard of Sagrada Familia Elementary School. The screams and laughter of the children echoed in the air, while groups of students played soccer, jumped rope, or simply chatted in animated circles. But little Ruwi, at 9 years old, walked alone, his shadow stretching long and thin on the hot ground. His small figure, with hunched shoulders and lowered gaze, seemed almost invisible in the bustling environment.
He had always been an outcast. The other kids thought he was strange, too quiet, too different. He didn't have parents waiting for him at the end of the school day, and that solitude made him a target for cruel teasing. Seeking refuge, he would walk away from the noise and sit under the shade of a tree to draw. His pencils sketched worlds in which he was not a stranger but the protagonist of his own stories.
That day, however, the peace of his corner was interrupted. A group of boys approached with malicious looks. One of them grabbed his notebook and threw it to the ground, scattering his drawings. Another stomped on it, crumpling the paper with disdain. Ruwi felt a lump form in his throat. He didn't try to defend himself. He knew it was pointless.
Suddenly, a sharp punch rang out in the air. Daniel, a new kid at the school, had thrown a punch directly at the bully, making him stumble.
—Leave Ruwi alone! —he exclaimed firmly, standing in front of the bullies.
The bully squinted at him defiantly.
—What are you gonna do, huh? —he sneered.
Daniel didn't respond. He just stared at him, with an unwavering confidence that, little by little, made the bullies feel unsure of themselves. One by one, they started retreating, muttering insults under their breath. When the last one disappeared, Daniel turned and extended his hand to Ruwi.
—Are you okay? —he asked kindly.
Ruwi, surprised, took his hand and stood up.
—Yeah... thanks... for defending me —he murmured, not daring to look him in the eye.
Rosenda, who had been watching the scene, ran toward them with a radiant smile and hugged Daniel.
—Dani, you were amazing! —she exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration.
—What's your name? —Daniel asked, smiling.
—Ruwi —he answered softly.
—What a beautiful name! I'm Rosenda, and this is Daniel —Rosenda said, extending her hand with enthusiasm.
—Today is your lucky day, Ruwito, because we've decided to be your friends. I love making new friends! —she exclaimed, taking both of his hands.
Ruwi, touched, felt something warm in his chest. With a trembling smile, he hugged them both. The three of them fell to the ground laughing, as the sun shone with a new glow in the sky.
End of Flashback
Back in the present, Daniel sighed with nostalgia.
—Nine years have passed, and here we are. You've never let us down. Even though we've had our differences, it's only made us stronger —Daniel commented.
—You're like a brother to us. You've always been there, even when I felt alone —Rosenda added, gently stroking his back.
Ruwi smiled warmly, remembering the moments they had shared. From the door, Valeria watched the scene with a tender smile. Rosenda, feeling the joy of the moment, pulled her toward them and included her in a group hug. Laughter and jokes filled the room, dispelling the sadness and leaving behind a renewed sense of hope and friendship.