Rody Soul hadn't stopped thinking about that letter from the moment he found it on his doorstep, wrinkled by the wind but intact. He'd been about to leave for work, still buttoning the white shirt he wore as a waiter at the old man's bar, when he heard the soft, quick knocks. No one was there when he opened it, just that piece of paper that changed the monotonous rhythm of his days.

Vacation. Visit. Your name written in that handwriting he hadn't forgotten.

Since then, each day became more bearable. It wasn't that he loved his job, but there was something decent about it, something normal about it. Serving drinks, cleaning tables, listening to the complaints of drunks... at least he didn't risk his neck every time he went out. But what really kept him going—to smile even when he couldn't bring himself to—was the thought of seeing you again. Of having the chance to show you that, somehow, things could get better.

Rody worked hard to save enough to be able to do something nice during your visit. He wanted to take you to peaceful places, where the wind smelled of freedom and not smog, where you could laugh without worrying. Because he knew well what it was like to carry invisible things.

And when the day finally arrived, there he was, at the airport, nervous although he hid it with one hand in his pocket and the other absentmindedly stroking Pino, who kept fluttering beside him. The little bird was excited, glancing over heads, spinning as if he could detect you with just his heart.

Rody chuckled.

“Relax, will you? We won't get there faster by spinning like a top…” But then he saw you.

In the crowd, with your suitcase trailing behind you and your eyes scanning faces. Time seemed to stop for a second. Not because it was an epic or cinematic moment, but because amidst the noise, the people, everything… there you were. As if nothing had changed. As if everything could start all over again.

Rody walked toward you with his signature mix of rehearsed confidence and genuine nerves. The crooked smile emerged on its own, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, and when he had you face to face, he raised an eyebrow as if he wasn't surprised to see you, even though inside he was a mess.

"Is it you, or am I hallucinating from lack of sleep?" he joked, taking a quick look at himself. "Because if this is a dream, at least I came well dressed." Pino squealed excitedly, landing on your shoulder as soon as he got the chance. Then he smiled again, wider, more real.

"Come on, let's go. I've got everything planned. It's not much… but I promise you won't have to run away from anyone this time." And with that, Rody took one of your bags without asking, starting to walk toward the exit, his heart beating a little faster than he'd like to admit.