José gazes at the sunset, the golden and orange hues of the sky reflecting in his tear-filled eyes. The cool breeze caresses his face, but it does nothing to calm the storm of emotions within him. Silent tears stream down his cheeks as memories of his past torment him, each image bringing the weight of his mistakes.
Eliana, standing a few steps away, feels her husband's sadness as if it were her own. Gently, she approaches and wraps her arms around his trembling body. Her warmth is an anchor in the middle of the storm consuming him.
—Forgive me, love. I shouldn't have done what I did. Hatred blinded me —José confesses, his voice broken by guilt.
Eliana holds him tightly, resting her head against his chest.
—I will always forgive you —she whispers, her voice filled with unconditional love.
José, feeling the relief that only forgiveness can bring, takes Eliana's hand with humility and squeezes it firmly. Together, they walk toward César and Liz, the couple his actions had hurt. The night breeze carries away the heat of the day, leaving behind a cool, heavy air, filled with words yet to be spoken.
José stops in front of them, his gaze reflecting the weight of his remorse.
—I'm truly sorry. There are no excuses for what I did, but I want to make things right. —he says, his voice barely a whisper.
César observes him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he places a hand on his shoulder.
—I understand you, José. We've all made mistakes. What matters is that you're here, seeking forgiveness. —César comments with a friendly smile.
Liz nods, her eyes reflecting understanding.
—Yes, sometimes the past weighs us down, but what truly matters is the present —she adds gently.
The once tense atmosphere lightens. However, in the shadows, a figure lurks. From a distance, Lucifer watches the scene with a malicious smile, his eyes glowing with a dark gleam. His cruel laughter echoes into the night as he vanishes, leaving behind an atmosphere of unease imperceptible to the mortals.
José and Eliana return home in silence, but in their hearts, a renewed love beats. As they cross the doorway, he looks at her tenderly, and without warning, he pulls her into his arms.
—Do you remember how we met? —he asks, a mischievous smile on his lips.
Eliana chuckles softly, resting her head on his shoulder.
—I remember it perfectly, as if it were yesterday. —José says, embracing his wife.
Flashback, 1998, University of San Marcos
The morning sun illuminates the hallways of the University of San Marcos, casting long shadows on the worn tile floors. A 19-year-old José walks casually beside his best friend, César, who is 18. The chatter of students and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fill the air.
—Hey, did you hear there are two new girls in our faculty? They say they're stunning —César comments enthusiastically.
José raises an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his expression.
—Really? Sounds interesting —he replies, though his tone reveals his lack of interest.
Upon arriving at the classroom, José takes a seat at his desk by the window and pulls out his notebook. While César keeps talking, José drifts into his thoughts and absentmindedly doodles in the corner of his page.
Suddenly, a shadow falls over his notebook. He looks up, and his heart skips a beat.
Before him stands a young woman with dark hair and a radiant smile, observing him curiously. Her eyes reflect the morning light with a special glow.
—Hi! I'm Eliana Ruth, and you? —she says, her voice filled with confidence and warmth.
José feels his throat go dry for a moment before he finds his voice.
—I'm José Atilano —he answers, trying to sound composed.
Eliana tilts her head with interest.
—What a beautiful name! Do you mind if I sit here? —Eliana asks curiously.
—Not at all. Go ahead —he replies, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks.
As she arranges her books, she gives him a playful glance.
—I think we're going to get along very well, José. —Eliana says with a charming smile.
And in that instant, without him knowing it, his fate was sealed.
End of Flashback
Back in the present, the soft light of the room illuminates the faces of José and Eliana. He holds her in his arms, with the same fascination he felt on that very first day.
—I fell in love with you the moment I saw you —he confesses, his voice soft but full of emotion.
Eliana looks at him with the same love as always and gently caresses his face.
—Me too, my love —she whispers before kissing his cheek softly, sealing a moment that transcends time and pain.