Chapter 226: _ Shared Grief
I stepped into the modest home, the scent of lavender and simmering soup enveloping me, grounding me for the conversation ahead.
The walls were adorned with family photos. With one glance, anyone who looked well enough could see just how each told a story of love, laughter, and shared memories.
The floor creaked negligibly beneath my feet. One could tell that this was an aged home and the lives lived within it.
"Luis Miguel?" I called out, my voice tentative yet hopeful.
I didn’t get a response at my first trial, so I tried again, louder this time.
"Luis Miguel, it’s María José."
Suddenly, a door creaked open, and Luis Miguel appeared. His eyes were red-rimmed and swollen. Without a word, he rushed towards me, enveloping me in a tight embrace.
His body trembled against mine, and I could feel the depth of his sorrow. I was caught off-guard about the hug at first but I also melted into it, remembering how we shared the same grief, how we were both the only friends those boys had, I hugged him back.
"I can’t believe they’re gone," Luis Miguel whispered and his voice was choked with emotion. "Ruben, Gonzalo, Pedro... they were more than friends; they were my brothers."
I held him tighter, meanwhile, my own tears were about to spill. "I know, Luis. I miss them too. They were incredible people."
He pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes. "Remember when we all got caught trying to hide a rat in your bag back in High school?"