For a moment, Lucas Amery’s world seemed to stop. The man cleaning the classroom reminded him so vividly of Sergio Edevane, yet the name tag read “Jairo Estévez”. Surely, it was just an odd coincidence, Lucas thought. Besides, the custodian didn’t seem to be left-handed. His mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing.

Jairo was tall and broad-shouldered —though not quite as much as Lucas. His intense gaze, weathered features, and the faint weariness in his posture spoke of a life filled with challenges. There was something about his freckles and build that echoed the boy Lucas once called his friend.  

A few minutes passed before Jairo noticed the professor standing in the doorway. His eyes widened slightly, betraying surprise. For a moment, it seemed as if he wanted to say something, but he hesitated. Instead, he remained silent, appearing uneasy as he finished cleaning the board. Gathering his supplies, he made for the door. Lucas, still rooted in place, watched him leave.  

“Excuse me…?” The professor inquired, dismayed.  

The custodian paused, turning just enough for Lucas to glimpse his face. An unkempt beard and disheveled hair partially obscured his features, but not enough to hide the dark circles under his eyes or the exhaustion etched into his expression. There it was again —something about his face brought Sergio to mind, stirring memories Lucas had long buried.  

“Good morning. Do you need anything?” Jairo murmured, his voice low, his tone hesitant. He bowed his head slightly, almost imperceptibly, before stepping toward the door.  

Lucas didn’t respond immediately, and Jairo left quietly. The professor stood frozen, unsettled by the strange pull this man had on him. His rational side urged him to let it go, not to pry, but a persistent voice within demanded answers. He chided himself for being foolish, yet before Jairo could disappear entirely, he called out.  

“Wait…!”  

Jairo stopped, glancing back over his shoulder but not fully turning around.  

Lucas stepped forward. “This might sound strange, but… have we met before? You remind me of someone.”  

Jairo turned slowly, his gaze meeting Lucas’s. Though his palms began to sweat, Lucas maintained his composure. The custodian’s expression shifted abruptly, and he broke into laughter.  

“Hahahaha! You must be mistaken,” he said, his voice carrying a note of forced levity. “I think you’re confusing me with someone else.”  

There was something in his eyes —a flicker of recognition or perhaps a guarded message Lucas couldn’t quite decipher.  

Studying him closely, the professor replied, “It’s just… for some reason, you remind me of someone I knew when I was younger.”  

Jairo scratched the back of his neck, as if uncertain how to respond, then gave a slight nod. “I don’t think so, sir. Excuse me, I really must be going.”  

Lucas noted his discomfort and chose not to press further. “Of course. My apologies,” he said softly.  

The custodian left quickly. Lucas lingered in the empty classroom, staring at the door long after it had closed. He felt unsettled, as though the encounter had stirred something deep within him.  

For a few minutes, he stood by the desk, unable to focus on his notes or the class he was about to teach. He tried to dismiss the feeling. It was probably just a silly coincidence. Sergio was likely fine, living his life somewhere far from here, and Jairo was merely a stranger who happened to remind him of the past. Yet the thought gnawed at him, making it difficult to focus.  

The sound of students filing into the room snapped him out of his dream. Clearing his throat, Lucas turned to the blackboard and wrote his name. Pushing his thoughts aside, he faced his class and began the lecture.