Miguel had watched this beautiful stranger many times when he came to the market for groceries. She always smiled when she saw Miguel and went about her shopping. She was always accompanied by two men. They kept a watchful eye on her.
Miguel found himself unable to take his eyes off her graceful figure and lovely face.
Every time, he watched her until she left the market, having filled the men’s baskets with provisions. And the woman always smiled at Miguel as she said goodbye.
Miguel would return home and couldn’t stop thinking about the beautiful stranger.
But what could he offer her?
A humble dwelling at the foot of Mount Sonson and the meager wages he earned as a guide and porter for wealthy citizens who had decided to cross Sonson?
But then, one day, a riot broke out in the city.
The homes of wealthy citizens went up in flames, and the surrounding area echoed with death cries.
Miguel armed himself with his favorite staff with an iron tip and stepped out of his hut.
Suddenly, he saw the familiar, fragile figure of a woman running straight toward him.
Two enraged peasants with machetes were chasing her.
The girl fell at Miguel’s feet and whispered:
“Save me…”
Miguel took a few steps forward and stood his ground before the pursuers.
“Get out of the way!” roared one of the men. “She must die!”
The second pursuer nodded.
“Did she steal something from you?” Miguel asked calmly.
“She’s from a rich family, and we’re going to kill her! If you try to protect her, you’ll die too!”
The pursuers moved toward Miguel. One of them swung his machete.
With a barely perceptible movement, Miguel jabbed the first attacker in the Adam’s apple and shattered the second’s knee with the iron tip.
Both men collapsed to the ground.
Miguel approached the woman and noticed she was covered in blood.
“Help me get across Sonson,” she whispered, “they’ll protect us there…”
Miguel gently lifted the woman into his arms, settled her onto a stretcher, and set off along the familiar path…
… When they crossed Sonson and approached the woman’s relatives’ house, she kissed Miguel and whispered in his ear:
“Now we’ll always be together!”