A few weeks after the fight between Diego and Santiago. Lupita and I texted and planned to make one of the boys relent and apologize or at the very least make up. A peace treaty. Our agreement was to go out to the same place, but not together. The logic was for us to bump into each other by "chance".
So we look forward to Saturday. At school whenever we saw each other from afar we smiled at each other, chatting with our eyes. Diego even questioned me when he noticed, but I quickly, without thinking too much, just said no.
I also took the opportunity to try to talk more with Diego about the fight and with Santiago. And even though I was chewing his patience with the subject, he still accepted, after so insistent that he talk to Santiago. The only thing Diego didn't know was that he would have to do this sooner than usual. You might even ask me why I want Diego and Santiago to apologize, and, well, Lupita has been trying to get closer and spend more time with me and Diego. And in part it's for Lupita, as Diego is a time bomb and might want to pester her about Santiago for no reason. And on the other hand, it was because Diego was in fact wrong and I wanted him to at least admit his mistake in front of Santiago.
On Saturday afternoon, after lunch, Diego and I went downtown. We were in an area full of stores, walking slowly, both of us unwilling to buy anything there.
— We can go for ice cream if it gets hotter — suggested Diego. His hands were deep in his pockets and his face was slightly red from the heat.
— We should have already done it — I said. — Take your hands out of your pockets, they must be sweaty by now.
— Take care of your hands — he went ahead, taking his hands out of his pockets.
— Lets have an ice cream — I said stopping at a small ice cream shop.
When Diego obeyed me in this way, I felt great respect. In fact, in general, I felt great respect for both of us, but much more respect from Diego for me.
— Cristian, I want chocolate with mint — Diego said, looking at the ice cream on the counter.
— Who likes mint chocolate? — I asked making a disgusted face.
I had a certain prejudice against people who mixed nice things into one thing. Chocolate was nice and mint too, but they didn't work together.
We walked around the corners of the city center, going into some stores and looking at things. For a moment I forgot that Lupita would be there in a few minutes. Diego and I sat in a square, under a tree. The heat seemed to increase more and more.
When Lupita arrived, she clung to me and dragged me around. Behind us came Diego and Santiago unwillingly. Both seemed not to want to breathe so they wouldn't have to share air. They walked, each with their faces turned to either side, avoiding any kind of contact. Meanwhile, Lupita was taking me from corner to corner, relentlessly talking about things I didn't understand at all.
— San, come here! — Lupita pulled her brother into a store that sold school stuff.
As soon as I was alone with Diego, I talked to him. Diego was angry, that was clear. He wondered why I didn't let me know the twins were coming too.
— Do you want me to be honest? — I asked.
— Are you going to hurt me in any way?
— Maybe.
Diego thought for a moment.
— I want to know — he shrugged, looking behind me for a moment.
— I want you to talk to Santiago, man — I told.
Diego raised his eyebrows.
— Would talking to Santiago be apologizing?
— Yeah.
— Why?
I rolled my eyes.
— You know why — I answered.
We were quiet.
When Santiago and his sister left the store with a bag in hand. Diego looked at me one last time, turning in another direction.
— Can you try this? — I asked before he left. — Please you know I have trouble with people fighting.
He rubbed a hand over his face, taking a deep breath. He nodded, heading towards Santiago, who looked a little scared, clenching a fist. Diego held out his hand for Santiago to take it, and as soon as he did, he squeezed hard. It shook three times and thought for a moment before speaking.
— I, Diego García apologize for the fight I caused with you — he said, ready to let go of Santiago's hand and finally walk away. — I promise not to do anything else that will harm both of us.
— I also have to apologize — Santiago surprised him by speaking. — I can't go beating people like that, even for a plausible reason.
Santiago shook Diego's hand three more times, then they let go. They looked at each other for a while and then Diego stared at me. Keeping his back to the brothers.
— Satisfied?
— Yes and you? Lighter and calmer?
— Yes.
I looked at the brothers, seeing out of the corner of my eye Diego walk away. I quickly said goodbye to both of them and ran after Diego. I was glad he apologized. And he was apparently happy too, despite his inflated pride.
— Let's celebrate your progress — I said, putting his arm around him neck.