I went back to the living room with my heart still racing. Every step seemed to echo too loudly in the silent hallway. I couldn't tell the landlord that I had sat on the edge of Rafael's bed, that I had let myself stay there with my face pressed to his back, while his firm hand refused to let go of my arm. I needed to look natural.
I forced a smile when the landlord raised his tired eyes to me.— So? — he asked, his voice low but full of expectation. — How did you find Rafael? Is he calmer?
— He is… resting will do him good — I replied, trying to sound steady.
The landlord let out a long sigh, leaning back against the sofa.— He never shows it when he's sad. Thinks that way he's protecting me, but it only worries me more.
My chest tightened. For a second, I wanted to say I had felt his pain up close. But I held back. I just smiled softly and said in a low voice:— Don't worry. Rafael is not alone.
The words came out more loaded with emotion than I intended. The landlord gave me a silent look of gratitude, and that gave me courage to ask what burned inside me:— Will he have to go back to the police station?
The man hesitated, as if weighing each word before letting it out.— The street cameras caught Rafael passing near the grocery store at eleven-thirty that night. — He ran a hand across his forehead, weary. — And the worst part is, the thief inside was wearing a black jacket, identical to his. The height, the build… everything too similar. Only the face didn't show because of the hood.
My heart froze.— And… the time of the robbery? — I forced the question, barely managing my voice.
— Eleven o'clock sharp. That's when the man broke into the register.
The words pounded inside me like stones. Eleven. I knew. Rafael had still been with me at that time. He left me at the gate right after, and only then could he have walked down the grocery store's street. The robbery had already happened.
A mix of relief and despair rushed through me. Relief because I knew I could prove he wasn't guilty. Despair because no one else could. The restaurant receipt didn't help, the lookout point had been practically empty, there were no witnesses. All that remained was my word.
I swallowed hard and forced serenity into my eyes.— It will clear up… — I murmured softly. — What matters is that we know Rafael isn't that kind of person.
The landlord studied me carefully, as if my words carried a weight he hadn't expected. And finally, with a sigh, he said:— You being who your parents are… I couldn't expect anything different from you.
I didn't know how to respond. I only nodded and said goodbye, promising to help however I could. I hurried up the stairs, as if running away from myself.
As soon as I shut my door, I leaned against it, feeling the cold wood at my back. My mind was a storm. Rafael had been with me at the time of the robbery. He was innocent. I could prove it.
But the question that consumed me was another: why hadn't he said anything? Why choose to carry the weight of a guilt that wasn't his?
Overcome by an urgency burning in my chest, I went back down to Rafael's house. I pushed the door open without knocking, without even noticing if the landlord was there. I walked the narrow hallway with firm steps.
I reached his room. The door was ajar, but I didn't hesitate: I pushed it wide.
Rafael was still in the same position, lying on his side, motionless, as if the world outside had nothing to do with him. For a moment, I thought he was asleep. But I was determined to understand why he hadn't mentioned we were together the night before.
Anguish wouldn't let me approach slowly. I grabbed his shoulders firmly.— Rafael, you have to speak! — my voice came out shaky, almost pleading. — We were together at eleven. I can say so too.
It took him a few seconds to move. When he finally turned, his eyes met mine.
His voice came out low, hoarse, almost a breath:— I didn't want to drag you into this.
The words cut through me like a blade.— But… why? — I insisted, my throat tightening.
He looked away, fixing on some point on the wall, as if pushing me away without moving.— Because everything I touch ends up wrong. — He spoke more firmly now, but full of bitterness. — I've already caused enough trouble for those close to me. I won't let that happen to you.
I couldn't move. Tears came, but I held them back, because if I broke down, maybe he would close off even more.
Rafael took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was cutting:— I don't need your help. I'll handle this on my own.
— What do you mean, on your own? You can't… — I tried to insist, but he cut me off, the coldness dripping from every word.— Maybe it's a good thing this happened. I was starting to forget how unlucky I am. — He gave a dry laugh, humorless. — At least now it reminded me. Better to step back before you end up paying the price too.
The air vanished from my chest.— Rafael, I'll go to the police. I can say you were with me at that time. They need to know…
He turned fully, his eyes hard, like the first day I'd seen him in the university courtyard — like the Rafael from the rumors.— No. — His voice left no room for doubt. — I won't confirm anything. And I don't want you involved.
It was as if the floor had split open beneath me. That wasn't the Rafael who, the night before, had given me my first kiss. Not the same one who had stopped me from burning myself with hot coffee, nor the one who had draped his jacket over me in the cold, letting slip a tenderness he always tried to hide. The Rafael before me now was someone else: hard, distant, with walls built so high they almost made me doubt everything we had lived.
I couldn't answer. The fear of hearing something even harsher silenced me. I stood slowly, and before he could say another word, I rushed out the door. I crossed the hallway blindly, went straight past the stairs, and only realized when I was back inside my apartment, the door closed behind me.
That's when the tears, once held back, came with full force. I didn't try to stop them. I sat on the floor and let them run until I couldn't tell if they hurt or healed.