Acceptance

He was an experienced doctor, appearing to be well past his sixties. As he looked at the results, his eyebrow lifted slightly, showing a hint of astonishment.

"It really is serious… In fact, it's a miracle he's still alive. From the images, the tumor is quite large and has already spread."

At that moment, the couple embraced, and holding back tears, the wife asked,

"Seriously, doctor? But is there anything we can do? Any treatment? Something, anything?"

"We can try chemotherapy, but the chances are minimal… Have you been feeling any discomfort?"

"No… I haven't felt anything. It was supposed to be just a routine check-up, and… I end up… discovering this…"

"I'll be honest with you. I believe the most we can do is palliative care, to ensure you feel as little pain as possible in your final days."

"I understand. There's really no way around it. In that case, I'll be going now. I have little time left, and I won't waste it in a hospital."

The professor left the hospital in silence, his steps slow, his head lowered. His wife followed closely behind, unsure of what to say.

They walked to a large park near the hospital. He sat on a wooden bench under the shade of a tree, clasped his hands in his lap, and began to observe his surroundings.

His eyes focused on the small details—the leaves swaying gently in the wind, the sun's rays filtering through the branches, a tiny insect landing on his hand.

"I don't know if I've ever told you this, but… life is so beautiful."

She sat beside him, gripping his hand tightly.

"We'll figure something out. No matter what the doctor said, we'll get a second opinion. We won't give up just like that!"

He gave a small smile, gazing at the horizon.

"My love, it's not about giving up. There's just nothing to be done."

"There's always something to be done! Always!"

Her voice came out choked, almost as a cry.

He turned his face to look at her.

"I only have three months. You saw the tests. The disease has already taken over me."

"Then we find another doctor, another treatment! We try until the end!"

"And in the end, it will be the same. Only in a hospital, hooked to machines, without dignity."

She opened her mouth to respond but fell silent. Tears began to fall down her face.

He extended his hand and gently wiped her tears away.

"I just want to make the most of the time I have. With you."

They remained silent for a few minutes. She rested her head on his shoulder while he continued admiring the simple things around them.

Later, when they arrived home, she finally brought up the subject she had been wrestling with.

"That date... January 22nd. How do you know the exact day?"

He hesitated, walked to the kitchen, and grabbed a glass of water, trying to change the subject.

"We're not talking about this now."

"No. I want to know. What's going on?"

He placed the glass in the sink and took a deep breath.

"In the hospital… a man appeared. He said he came from the future."

"What?"

"He left this here."

He pointed to the envelope on the table.

"He said I'm important for the future of humanity."

She approached slowly, eyeing the envelope with suspicion.

"And you believed him?"

"I don't know. But he knew things. He knew about the disease, he knew about me. And he wrote down this date… the date of my death. And he asked me to call him. He could buy me time."

She took the envelope, not opening it. Her eyes filled with doubt and fear.

"And what does he want from you?"

"I don't know. He said I have a mission. But, honestly, I don't know if I believe it or if I'm just going crazy."

She pressed the envelope against her chest, as if trying to protect it from something.

"It doesn't matter what that man said. You're still here with me. And I won't let you give up."

He smiled, tired, and brushed his hand over her face.

"I know."

The night was quiet. They barely spoke after dinner, each lost in their own thoughts.

He woke up early the next day, still carrying the weight of the words exchanged the day before. When he turned, he found his wife already awake, staring at him intently.

"Call him."

He blinked, confused, as if he hadn't heard her correctly.

"What?"

"Call him. The man who left the envelope. I want to know what he has to say."

"Don't you think it's crazy? What if he's just some lunatic? I'm not sure I want to get involved in this any further."

She crossed her arms, her expression determined.

"It could be. But I want to hear what he has to say. And put it on speaker."

He sighed, picked up the envelope from the table, and stared at the number. His hands trembled slightly as he typed it into his phone.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

"Professor! You've finally decided to call. I'm glad you changed your mind."

"Don't take this as an agreement. I want to understand what you want from me."

"I understand. It's a… delicate matter. I need to speak with you in person. What I have to say can't be discussed over the phone."

He looked at his wife, who immediately shook her head, signaling a firm no.

"I'm not sure I'm willing to come to you."

"Professor, trust me. This is bigger than you think. You need to hear what I have to say. In person."

She pressed her lips together, frustrated, and gestured again, but he knew the stranger wouldn't back down.

"Alright. Where and when?"

"Perfect! I'll send the location now. It will be safe and discreet. Don't worry."

He hung up the phone and looked at his wife, who crossed her arms, visibly irritated.

"I didn't like that."

"Neither did I. But he was insistent, and I need to understand what's going on."

"You're not going alone."

"He didn't say it would be dangerous."

"I don't care. I'm going with you."

"Love, I don't know if…"

"I said I'm going, and that's it."

She stood up and left the room, ending the discussion. He sighed, feeling the weight of the decision.

Hours later, when the stranger sent the location, the atmosphere in the house was thick with tension. It was a café in the city center. The sun was starting to set when they left the house, the silence filling the car.

As they drove, he glanced at his wife, concerned.

"Are you sure you want to come with me?"

"More than ever. I won't let you face this alone."

He nodded, but the tension grew with every kilometer. The air seemed thicker, and every turn they took felt like it was leading to something unexpected.

When they arrived at the café, he turned off the engine, took a deep breath, and looked at her.

"Last chance to back out."

"Don't even think about it. Let's go."

She held his hand tightly, and together they entered the café.

The stranger was already there, sitting in a discreet corner, fiddling with something on the table. When he saw them, he stood up with a confident smile.