Dear Diary,
Today, I decided to spend as much time as I could with Lito. With only a week before he leaves for the capital, I want to make the most of every moment we have left together. I woke up early, my heart filled with anticipation, and met him by the old mango tree where we used to play as children.
"Ready for an adventure?" he asked, flashing me a grin that instantly lifted my spirits.
"Always," I replied, trying to match his enthusiasm.
We decided to explore the forest that surrounds our village, a place we both knew well but never seemed to tire of. The forest is alive with sounds and colors, a magical place where we spent countless hours playing and dreaming as kids. The path we took was shaded by tall, ancient trees, their leaves forming a green canopy above us. The air was cool and filled with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves.
As we walked, we talked about everything and nothing—our favorite memories, our dreams for the future, and the things we'd miss about home. It felt good to share these moments, to let our worries fade away for a while. The deeper we ventured into the forest, the more I realized how much I would miss Lito's presence, his laughter, and his unwavering spirit.
After a while, we heard a distressed sound coming from a nearby clearing. We rushed towards it and found a water buffalo stuck in the mud. The poor creature was struggling, its eyes wide with fear. Without a second thought, Lito and I sprang into action. We grabbed some sturdy branches and used them to create a makeshift lever, hoping to free the buffalo.
"It's okay, girl," Lito whispered to the buffalo, his voice soothing. "We're going to get you out of there."
It took all our strength and a lot of patience, but eventually, we managed to free the buffalo from the mud. Exhausted but elated, we watched as the buffalo stood up shakily, giving us a grateful look. Lito patted its side, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight. There was something incredibly satisfying about helping the creature, knowing we'd made a difference.
"Want to ride her?" Lito asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.
I laughed, shaking my head. "Are you serious?"
"Why not? We've already come this far," he said, climbing onto the buffalo's back and extending a hand to me.
With a mix of excitement and trepidation, I took his hand and climbed up behind him. The buffalo, surprisingly calm, began to move slowly through the forest, and we held on tight, laughing as we went. It felt like a scene from one of the adventure stories we loved so much, a moment of pure joy and freedom.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the forest on the back of our new friend, discovering hidden nooks and crannies we'd never seen before. We even found a small, sparkling stream where we let the buffalo drink and rest for a while. Lito and I sat on the bank, our feet dangling in the cool water, and talked about the future again.
"I'm going to miss days like this," Lito said softly, staring at the water.
"Me too," I admitted. "But I know you're doing what you believe in. And that makes me proud."
He turned to me, his eyes serious. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself, Lia. And keep an eye on everyone here."
"I promise," I said, my voice steady. "And you promise to come back safe, okay?"
"I promise," he replied, his hand covering mine.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow through the trees, we made our way back to the village. The buffalo seemed content to follow us, and we led it to a nearby field where it could graze and rest. Lito and I stood together for a moment, watching the buffalo and the fading light, savoring the peace of the moment.
Tonight, as I write this entry, I feel a mix of happiness and sadness. Today was a perfect day, a reminder of all the good times we've had and all the reasons I'll miss Lito so much. But it's also a reminder that change is coming, and that we have to face it with courage and hope.
Until tomorrow, Diary.
Lia