A woman was walking down the street with a bag of food.
Dark hair.
Brown skin.
And a quiet smile.
When he looked up and saw Alejandro…
He stopped.
The two of them remained motionless.
As if time had stopped.
Mariana was the first to speak.
“Alejandro?”
He felt something inside his chest break.
“Yes.
She slowly approached.
He looked at him in disbelief.
“It can’t be…
Alejandro took the small frame out of his pocket.
The red ribbon.
Mariana’s eyes filled with tears.
“You kept that…”
“All these years.
There was a silence full of emotions.
Finally Mariana smiled.
“I thought you had forgotten.
Alejandro shook his head.
“Never.
They talked for hours.
Mariana told him that her family had gone through very difficult times.
That he had worked from a very young age.
That she was now a teacher at a nearby elementary school.
“I like to help hungry children,” she said with a soft smile.
Alejandro felt his chest tighten.
“How you helped me.
Mariana looked at him.
“I never thought you’d come back.
Alexander took a deep breath.
“I searched for you for years.
Mariana’s eyes filled with surprise.
“Really?”
“Five years.
Three private detectives.
Millions of pesos.
Mariana laughed softly, incredulous.
“All that for a girl who gave you a sandwich.”
Alejandro stared at her.
“No.
For the person who changed my life.
There was another silence.
A different one.
Warmer.
Closer.
Alejandro took something out of his pocket.
It wasn’t an expensive ring.
Just a little new red bow.
“I made a promise many years ago.
Mariana raised an amused eyebrow.
“Children say a lot of things.
Alejandro smiled.
“But I never forgot.”
He extended the noose.
“I don’t know if you still want to marry me.
Mariana looked at him for a long moment.
Then he took the red ribbon.
His eyes were shining.
“It took you twenty-two years.
Alejandro laughed nervously.
“I know.
Mariana took a step closer.
“But I suppose I can forgive you.
Then he whispered:
“Yes.
Alejandro’s smile was the first true smile he had had in many years.
The woman who once shared her meal…
Now he shared his life.
And for the first time since I was a child…
Alejandro Torres stopped feeling alone.
Because sometimes…
The smallest act of kindness
You can change two destinations
forever.
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