Lucas had just finished teaching his last morning class. It was lunchtime. Since his mother's death, he had been juggling both day and night shifts, including several hours on Saturdays. Though it was a full-time job, it barely paid enough to get by.  

Between classes, Lucas only had a few minutes to rest. After a minor disagreement with some students over an extra assignment, he decided to clear his mind in a secluded area near the parking lot and sat down on a bench. As he watched a car pull into the lot, memories of his childhood overwhelmed him. He remembered being a violent child, someone who didn’t fit in, who hurt others to mask the pain of the violence he had endured.  

Unbeknownst to Lucas, Sergio had approached, just a few meters away, carrying his cleaning bag. Lost in his own thoughts, the custodian was coincidentally thinking about him. Torn between longing to see him and dreading his reaction if he discovered the truth, Sergio felt foolish. When he finally noticed Lucas sitting nearby, he froze, his face turning pale, but he pretended everything was normal.  

“Hi, we meet again... Jairo, right? I saw your badge,” the professor said, his face looking tired but showing interest in him.

Sergio immediately sensed something was off, though he tried to ignore it. Lowering his gaze, he replied cautiously, “Excuse me? Are you talking to me, sir?” His tone was serious, guarded.  

Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. “Uh, yes. I don’t know if you remember me, but we spoke a few days ago in a classroom. I mentioned you seemed familiar. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. By the way, I’m Lucas Amery. I teach law here.”  

Sergio glanced at him briefly but looked away instantly. “Oh, yes... I remember. Uh, yes. I’m Jairo Estévez. I work in maintenance. Nice to meet you,” he said, his voice tense, a demeanor that unsettled Lucas.  

The professor nodded, though he could sense the unease. “Likewise, Jairo. How long have you been working here? I hadn’t seen you before. Hmm,... well,... if I’m being honest, I usually focus on my classes and don’t pay much attention to my colleagues,” he admitted.  

“Less than a month, I think,” Sergio replied curtly, avoiding eye contact. He desperately wanted the conversation to end but didn’t want to seem rude.  

Lucas picked up on his discomfort. The custodian clearly wanted to leave, so Lucas quickly stepped back. “I see... Please, carry on with your work. See you around.”  

Sergio didn’t want him to think he was annoyed by his presence. On the contrary, seeing him filled him with joy, and he was genuinely happy that Lucas’s life seemed better than his own. Yet, his awkwardness had made the exchange uncomfortable. Finally, he looked Lucas in the eye again and said, “Well, if you’ll excuse me.”  

The professor sighed as he watched Sergio walk away. The man’s behavior left him feeling as though he’d overstepped, even though that was never his intention. He was naturally direct and curious, often speaking his mind without worrying about how others might react. Yet, he couldn’t shake the sense that it simply wasn’t his day.  

Moments later, he took out his lunch container from his bag. It was a light, unbalanced meal, but he ate it quietly, his thoughts heavy. Unbeknownst to him, Sergio had hidden behind a corner, stealing a glance. Something about Lucas’s demeanor felt off, and it gnawed at Sergio.  

The professor, meanwhile, sat lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the ground. That day marked two months since his mother’s death, and the weight of it hung over him. He recalled their life together: her shouting, her controlling ways, and the complicated love between them. A lump formed in his throat, one he couldn’t swallow down.  

Crying wasn’t in Lucas’s nature. He avoided showing vulnerability, always maintaining a stoic demeanor. Yet now, for reasons he couldn’t explain, he felt raw and exposed. He had never considered abandoning his mother, not even during her most difficult moments. The guilt and grief were a storm he couldn’t escape, and for the first time in years, he felt utterly powerless.  

Suddenly, he heard footsteps nearby and looked up. The custodian stood there, glancing at him hesitantly. He wasn’t sure if staying by Lucas’s side was the right thing to do. He could pretend his work was his sole focus, but seeing his somber expression, he hesitated no longer. Quietly, he approached and sat on the same bench, leaving a small distance between them.