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The sun was making itself felt on the skin, a sensation intensified by the reflection emanating from the river’s water. Even though it was winter, that Sunday noon felt like spring. People crowded the riverbanks, along a branch of the Paraná in Tigre. There was activity not only on land but also a lot of movement on the water. Yachts and sailboats glided back and forth. Rows of kayaks were training, and despite the cold, even some people were riding jet skis.Ramiro had decided to spend a day in nature with his high school friends.
He felt like he had to make the most of every opportunity to hang out with them; next year, he had already planned to go to university to study architecture, and outings with his friends wouldn't be as frequent or regular anymore—or at least that’s what he feared.
Studying at a school focused on economics, most of his peers had chosen related fields, but Ramiro had always been interested in architecture. He could spend hours watching shows about construction and home design; that’s why he had decided to give architecture a shot at university. He didn’t have any pressure from his parents to pursue a specific career, or even to keep studying at all. He felt he had their full support when it came to decisions about his life.
His mother, Isabel, was the principal of a school in San Isidro, and his father, Carlos, was a safety and hygiene technician. They had met in the ‘80s at a bar while celebrating a mutual friend’s birthday. From that night on, they’d never been apart.
Whenever Ramiro spent time with his friends Romina and Juan, he felt complete. They were the only people he felt he truly got to know after transferring to high school following that abrupt change his parents made when they decided to move. Romina and Juan had reached out to him when he first started, and thanks to them, his integration into the group and the school had gone smoothly.
"I can’t believe that next year we’ll all be starting university, each going our own way," Ramiro said with a tinge of sadness.
"It still feels like yesterday when we met you and saw you all alone at the beginning of the year," Romina said, and as soon as she finished, Juan chimed in with a few words, as usual. "I was the one who pushed us to meet him," he said. The three of them laughed, remembering how that day Juan had handed Ramiro a pen even though Ramiro had a full pencil case, just to strike up a conversation.
"I just know I want you both to always be part of my life. I can’t imagine any of the life events ahead without you there," Ramiro said, unintentionally bringing tears to everyone’s eyes.
That year, they had been so wrapped up in planning their graduation trip that, while enjoying it, they’d forgotten it was their last year of high school and that time would never take them back to that moment.
"Romi, don’t cry!" Juan joked to ease the tension and sadness that was hanging in the air. The three of them started laughing and quickly shifted the conversation to how the people doing water activities must be freezing their limbs off.
That afternoon, they took the chance to talk freely about their crushes, their relationships with their parents, what was weighing on them, and even what they envisioned for their futures. Romina was a cheerful girl with straight, brown hair. Juan was a bit more introverted and reserved, but with them, he could express himself freely. He was the tallest of the three; Romina and Ramiro were around five foot seven, while Juan was pushing six foot one.
That afternoon, without realizing it, each of them had sent their hopes for the future into the universe. Ramiro told them that he wanted to be an architect, work for a few years at a firm to gain experience, and then go solo. He wanted to start a family, have kids, and even four dogs. Romina and Juan laughed when they heard him. They thought having four dogs was way too much, but he didn’t care; he loved dogs and would have as many as he wanted.
By now, it was almost dusk. After a long group hug, Ramiro headed for the train station to go back home. It was much colder than before, the sun no longer there to shield him from the chill.
Once on the train, he sat by the window and put his headphones in. His gaze was fixed outside, watching the landscape as the train sped by, yet at the same time, seeing nothing; he was in a near-meditative state.
After about 15 minutes, he got off at San Isidro station and walked a few blocks home. Ramiro loved walking at night, especially in the cold. He found it comforting, like it gave him a sense of life. That night, he walked even slower than usual, wanting to savor the experience.
When he got home, his mother appeared abruptly from the kitchen.
"Ramiro, why didn’t you tell me you’d be so late? I was worried, and you didn’t call to let me know. You said you’d be home around 5," she said, her tone a mix of anger, worry, and relief at seeing him.
Looking at the clock on the wall, Ramiro realized his estimate had been off by a few hours; he had lost track of time.
"Relax, Mom, I’m fine. We made the most of the afternoon with Juan and Romi; the day called for it. Sorry for not calling to let you know."
"Let it be the last time. Now get ready because dinner’s in a few minutes."
Ramiro went up to his room and took a shower. When he came down for dinner, the atmosphere was much more relaxed, just like his mom.
His father wasn’t home, as he had traveled to Córdoba to do some testing at a production plant for his company. Every now and then, he had to make short trips, never longer than three days.
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