𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 [english]

11.

An improvement appeared in Sofia once again. This whole process was something very difficult to bear, more for Matthew than for Sofía herself.

She had always known that her life wouldn't be very long. There were days when she didn't think about it, or simply chose to resign herself rather than feel sad. It was like something that had always haunted her, and eventually she had to learn to live hearing those footsteps behind her.

But for Matthew, what was happening to the girl was something horrible that he hadn't finished processing. He couldn't stop thinking that he would never see Sofia again. The thought of not being with her at that moment frightened him. Her improvements were beginning to disturb him, because he knew how hard the fall would be afterward.

That afternoon before going to work, Matthew had a snack with Sofia. Despite trying to feign calm, he couldn't stop her from noticing how distraught he was.

"Matthew. I really want you to stop being sad…” she said and he just sighed.

"I don't want you to feel bad. You've done a lot for me, you know? You are the first company I have, my first friend. I always believed that I was better alone, that keeping everything to myself was the right thing to do. And you taught me the opposite. Now I understand that no matter how hard I try, I must not always be well". Matthew stared at her for a few seconds.

"What did always make me a little anguished was thinking about everything I wanted to do, and that I wouldn't get to fulfill it. But you helped me with that too" she admitted.

"How?" He asked a bit puzzled.

"Your tattoos. All the things you told me. Your experiences, your tastes, and also your dreams. Every time you talked about something like that, it caused in me the sensation of living more experiences, even if they were foreign". She gave him a nice smile, which looked a little dull due to the tiredness she felt.

“You're making this whole process better. I have your company. I imagined leaving alone, but now I know that you will be there when I leave".

"Of course I'll be here. This has all been very fleeting, and although we may not know each other very well, you have become one of the most important persons I have ever met. You say that I have taught you things... You have also taught me a lot, Sofia... You appreciate your life so much, despite everything. I have already told you that you are beautiful and strong, but I am going to repeat it". Once Matthew finished, he extended his hand to take Sofía's. They gave each other a short hug, and then Matthew had to get ready to go to work.

"You haven't chosen a tattoo in a long time. We could have a story night tonight, we haven't done that in a long time. When I come back I'll tell you about another one" he promised before leaving and of course Sofia happily waited for him to return.