Time was never on their side, not with all the missed opportunities and wasted chances, but it was merciful enough to allow Alicia and Gabriel their moments. 

Like when the girl with the bruised and bloodied knees charged headfirst into the brooding boy in the middle of the plaza; how Gabriel recognized her and in her panic ran away, disappearing into the crowd. Alicia wasn’t supposed to be wandering on her own.

Their adventures in the plaza, the fields, and forests, and the time they jumped from the edge of a cliff and into the sea; Gabriel had been so scared then, the plunge made him lose his breath but he would never let Alicia go alone. He would always go after her.

They always ran away from the parties, to drink and lie down in the open field under the glow of the moon, and how one night, Gabriel felt his heart quicken after a long time-- he convinced himself it was the champagne but his head couldn’t be any clearer --and it only happened whenever she looked at him, and he at her. But Alicia kissed him, and he’d been so relieved that she did. He didn’t know if he would ever found the strength to do it first.

How she always cried whenever he left with his uncle until she was too old to do so, and instead refused to see him leave until that too became unbearable, so she demanded a letter every time and he always wrote. She could never stay angry for long because he knew Gabriel would return, he always did, for her.

And when Alicia finally told him that she had fallen in love, Gabriel embraced her, and despite his heartbreak, told her that he was happy for her. 

He thought that the fates were done playing their games, how it ended with her supposed death, but years later Alicia returned to him-- what’s couple more moments? A few nights, a few days, to dance under the crystal chandeliers and bask in the glamour and romance of Paris just as they talked about many years ago. And as they stood on the train platform with tear-stained cheeks, Gabriel hugged her one last time; Alicia kissed him a final time too, and it felt the same, even after many years. 

“Te amo, Gabi. Te amo tanto.”

“Te amo, Alicia.”