The Fateful Night

Lucas's POV

Madrid is a restless city, especially around Puerta del Sol. This historical semicircular plaza, once a peddlers' square, is now a hub for cultural events, celebrations, and gatherings. At any time, be it 6 PM or midnight, the plaza is alive. Worldwide music performers entertain while the smell of roasted beans fills the air. The city government designed it this way, with benches and grey granite tiles, inviting people to enjoy the historical buildings surrounding it.

The "Kilometer Zero" point, from which all radial roads in Spain are measured, is where Madridians celebrate New Year's Eve and where many stories begin. It's also where Lucas met his ex-husband, Jacob, and sought solace after storming out of what he thought would be his forever home, now broken.

At the metro station entrance in Puerta del Sol, a little coffee stall served good coffee, donuts, chicken empanadas, and chocolate bread. He whipped the remains of the tears he had shed until then and focused on looking for the comfort of these simple pleasures. A young girl attended the booth, smiling. Her sole presence made Lucas feel calmer. Somehow, her eyes reminded him of someone who understood him when he needed a moment of respite.

Sitting on a bench outside the metro station, Lucas sipped his coffee. "Delicious," he thought, savoring the aroma like the forest ground after rain. The sweetness of the espresso and the chocolate bread created a perfect balance, bringing back memories of his grandmother, Isabela. Her kitchen was a sanctuary where she taught him all her recipes despite his father's interference. "The secret to good food is balance," she would say.

Isabela's wisdom echoed in his mind: "Our taste buds enjoy a mix of different tastes and textures. Think of it as having something crunchy, soft, or salty with something sweet. When a meal is balanced, every taste can shine." The bittersweet nostalgia and warmth of his drink provided solace amidst the chaos.

But that night, there was no balance, only chaos. Despite the secrets he kept from everyone, he clung desperately to the desire to find a home and a person to love. He lost everything as a result. 

Lucas was gay but never felt he could reveal his nature to his father or brothers, who tended to make fun of him for small things like his cooking hobby. He was encouraged to study medicine, and as soon as he could, he left his hometown for the big city, determined to forge his path, find acceptance and love, and become a doctor.

"Could I have ever come out to them?" he wondered, munching on chocolate bread. "Would they have accepted me or mocked me more? Leaving was my only choice. Medicine was my escape."

After graduating as a doctor, Lucas used his first paycheck to go on holiday in Spain. In Plaza del Sol, frustrated by failed attempts to connect to Wi-Fi, he met Jacob. A man on a bench helped him connect, guided him through the metro, and accompanied him to a bar. To Lucas's surprise, Jacob was from Ambato, their hometown, though seven years apart—Lucas was 26, Jacob 33. Jacob had moved to France to study economics and stayed there, keeping his sexuality a secret from his family.

Despite their similarities, Jacob's life had been different. He had many male lovers, none lasting long, while Lucas had only three. Dancing to an old salsa song, their movements grew feverish, and their first kiss sparked an electric connection. It was love at first sight.

After a passionate night, they parted, but not before Jacob gave Lucas a water bottle. They exchanged numbers and promised to stay in touch. During his trip, while drinking from the bottle in a park, Lucas had a revelation: He would marry Jacob one day.

Sometimes, Lucas had moments like those, when something that occurred at that moment had happened before—moments where the hairs of his neck shivered or his heart somersaulted. It was as if the future brushed against his senses, leaving traces in his mind. When Lucas asked about it, his grandma told him he shouldn't worry since it only meant something important would change his life. Grandma always knew when something would happen, even before he did; she considered it a gift that would allow her to prepare in advance.

Jacob and Lucas married, moved to Segovia, got an apartment in an old house, and commuted to Madrid for their master's degrees. But within two years, their relationship soured. It was a gradual fallout until it reached its breaking point that day. 

He couldn't shake the image of Jacob tangled with another man in the dim light of their living room, where they had built their dreams together. Lucas clenched his fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Lucas clenched his fists and took another bite, whispering. "Jacob, you idiot, why did you have to obliterate my trust in you like this?"

The memory of their last confrontation surged back, raw and unrelenting.

"You think you are a big man, huh? The great lover? You know some tricks, enough to entertain an illusion, but there's nothing to keep it grounded." Lucas lashed out, his voice trembling with fury.

"Ah, yeah? Do you think you're so deep, then? You moody brat. You haven't experienced the world or love, for that matter, you fool. Do you think you're perfect? You're not!" Jacob countered, his voice dripping with condescension.

Lucas had stood there, heart racing, words caught in his throat. "But at least I tried! I tried so hard I'm left with nothing!"

It wasn't violence that drove him away; it was the crushing weight of betrayal. How could he sit on the couch where a musky lingering aroma indicated what had transpired with another man? The thought made him feel sick.

Lucas took another bite of chocolate bread, whispering, "I wish I had the energy to return and love you no matter what, but it is too much. How could I sit there, knowing what I saw?"

The laughter of passersby made Lucas gaze around the area. A couple, holding hands, walked next to him. Lucas's chest constricted. "It all started as a modern fairy tale: a chance encounter that became a passionate night and a whirlwind romance. Now, you are just a lesson learned."

Two hours after the dramatic end of his marriage, Lucas sat on the same bench in Madrid where he had met Jacob, eating the last piece of chocolate bread he had just bought. He would sign the divorce papers afterward—a mere formality of something irreparably broken.

The city's vibrancy was a stark contrast to his inner turmoil. As he observed the lively crowd, he realized that life in Madrid mirrored the balance his grandmother spoke of—a mix of different experiences and emotions. He pondered his journey from a boy in his grandmother's kitchen to a man navigating the complexities of love and identity in a foreign city. The bustling activity of the plaza and the delicious food he now had enjoyed restored his energy little by little as it reminded him of the historical areas of his home country.

His mind wandered back to the days of medical school, the challenges he faced, and the friendships he made. He remembered late-night study sessions, the thrill of learning, and the accomplishment when he graduated. During those years, he honed not only his medical skills but also his understanding of himself.

Lucas's relationship with Jacob had been intense from the start. They shared dreams, fears, and a deep connection that seemed unbreakable. Yet, the very intensity that brought them together also tore them apart. The realization that Jacob had betrayed him with another man was a blow to his heart and ego. Trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild.

He thought about their life in Segovia, the small joys of domesticity, their plans for the future, and the gradual unraveling of their bond. Jacob's infidelity was a symptom of deeper issues – unspoken fears, unmet needs, and the pressure of living up to each other's expectations.

Lucas finished his coffee and stood up, feeling slightly better. He had come to Madrid seeking a fresh start, and while his journey had taken unexpected turns, it had also taught him valuable lessons about love, balance, and resilience. He felt renewed purpose as he walked away from the bench. Life, like cooking, was about finding the right balance, and Lucas was determined to find his. However, before he could fully embark on this new chapter, he faced a pressing need: finding a place to sleep. Surveying his options, Lucas considered asking a friend for a place to stay, getting a hotel room, or starting the search for an apartment.

Reflecting on his six months in the master's program for endocrinology, Lucas thought about the few friends he had made. Manuel, who lived with his parents, might have a free room, and Victor, a Colombian student living with his beautiful but jealous girlfriend, Tatiana, was another possibility. After some hesitation, Lucas decided to call Manuel.

Lucas dialed Manuel's number, his heart pounding slightly as he awaited a response. When the phone rang, a familiar baritone voice answered, "Hey, Lucas, what's up?"

"Hey, Manuel," Lucas began, trying to sound casual. "Would you mind if I crashed at your place briefly? I need to clear my head."

There was a pause, and Lucas could hear muffled cries in the background. 

"Ah, Lucas," Manuel finally replied, sounding regretful. I wish I could help, but my sister just had a baby, and things are crazy at home."

"Oh, no worries, I understand," Lucas replied.

"Yeah, sorry about that: family drama and all," Manuel said, sounding embarrassed.

"It's cool, man. Thanks anyway," Lucas tried to sound nonchalant but failed.

He thought about calling Victor, but he already knew the answer: his girlfriend would make a drama because the gay guy would stay with her beloved.

Lucas pondered how much he would need to stay in a hotel; it was almost high season, so he looked at the prices on the internet: 200 euros per night. Lucas grimaced. The rent for the place in Segovia was about 900 euros. He discarded the hotel option immediately. Airbnb options were available, but most were managed like hotels without regulations and responsibilities. Lucas had stayed in one once and hated it with all his heart and soul.

"Never again," he thought with a shudder. "I'd rather sleep in the metro station than endure another night in those soulless places."

Left with no other choice, Lucas chose the third option. He bought a newspaper and began marking down the rooms for rent. With his phone running low on battery, he headed to the metro station, which fortunately had plenty of charging points and a visible police presence, providing a semblance of security.

Despite his best efforts, Lucas faced rejection after rejection. The more respectable ads dismissed him outright, from old ladies with cats to couples with university children. Even the more dubious options turned him away. Understandably, he was a less appealing candidate as an immigrant student without substantial money, connections, or financial support.

"What do they see when they look at me?" Lucas wondered. "An outsider, a risk? I need a chance, a safe corner to call my own."

Night had fallen when Lucas finally dozed off in the metro station. Thoughts of his family and the longing for a cozy, happy room swirled in his mind. Accepting his situation, Lucas realized that sharing an apartment was his most viable option. However, it was impossible to be sure if his new roommate would be a decent person or a crazy one. As a student, Lucas had shared space with some questionable characters; the one that scared him the most was the kid who joined a gang and had all his dealer's friends smoking pot in the living room. Lucas shivered thinking of that day; the smell of wet grass had never been the same for him.

"I can't go through that again," Lucas sighed. "I need a stable place, someone trustworthy. But how can I know who to trust?"

The fact that he was gay also weighed on him. He wasn't a fan of coming out to everyone since life taught him to be reserved. He felt even more vulnerable as an immigrant because, despite the advances in queer rights, not everyone would accept him, and some might even try to hurt him if they knew the truth. Sharing a home with someone homophobic would be dangerous, but sleeping on the street would also be risky. If he had a choice, he might like a companion who understood what being part of the LGBTQ community meant or was also queer. But he knew that might be too much to ask in his position.

"Why does it have to be this hard?" Lucas lamented. "I just want a place where I can be myself and don't have to hide or be afraid. Is that too much to ask?"

As the evening wore on, the bustling Puerta del Sol station, known for its decent lighting and small art exhibitions, began quieting. The crowd thinned, leaving only a few lingering passengers. The harsh fluorescent lighting cast stark shadows, and the echoing sound of footsteps weakened as the hours progressed. Lucas shivered as the chill of the air seeped into his bones. 

Despite being a tall Latino, he was still scared of the muscular Moroccan trio nearby. He had always felt caught between worlds—somewhere on the edge of reality only he sensed, and those guys made him feel uneasy. Despite his alertness, he was exhausted due to all the heightened emotions.

Lucas started to doze off but shuddered when a handsome stranger with golden eyes and black hair nudged him.

"Are you going to sleep like that? You are going to get robbed that way!" the man burst into laughter. He was wearing a black jacket with red sleeves. As if from nowhere, Lucas felt an energy thrumming in the air.

The stranger possessed a well-defined jaw and sculpted cheekbones. He seemed young, but the shimmer in his eyes spoke of an old soul who had enjoyed life's good and evil. Lucas felt shivers in the back of his neck as if a jolt of electricity had shaken him to the core and woke him up immediately. Something about the stranger's presence stirred a response he couldn't place, an undercurrent of recognition. Coming back to reality, Lucas stuttered, "I-I am just questioning my life decisions here."

The stranger laughed and signaled the entrance. "Better question your life decisions in a bar or a hotel; you might get into trouble if you stay. Metro stations are always problematic at night, no matter which country you are in."

Gathering his things, Lucas thanked the stranger and left the station. Glancing back, he saw the man joining another person near the ticket control. 

Word count: 3141 words