An Incredible Story Based on Real Events.

What you’re about to read is based on true events, even if it seems unbelievable.

— I studied at Cardenal Cisneros Institute. What about you?
— Me too, — Antonio replied, raising his eyebrows as he looked at the girl. What a coincidence — but life is full of surprises.

Interestingly, their names were nearly identical: Antonio and Antonia. As if there were no other names in the world. But that little detail wasn’t going to stop love from blooming between them.

They met not long ago in a store. The story might sound silly, but it seems destiny chose that exact moment for their paths to cross. Antonio was debating which brand of olives to buy, and Antonia, walking by, casually recommended one. That led to small talk, laughter, and an exchange of phone numbers. You never know where a chance meeting can lead, so when Antonio asked her out, she said yes.

Antonio had been married before. He knew all about routine… and betrayal. Antonia, on the other hand, hadn’t gone through any of that. She wasn’t in a rush. She believed firmly that happiness would come in its own time. They were now on their fifth date. Antonio looked every bit his 35 years: a bit of a belly forming, his hair starting to thin — a family trait, as the men on his father’s side began balding in their 30s. He was dark-haired, 6 feet tall, and according to his ex-wife, quite attractive. Though not enough, it seemed, as she had an affair. Still, Antonio had a great sense of humor and impeccable manners — traits that made him a solid choice.

Antonia was ten years younger. A beautiful woman, with shoulder-length chestnut hair, slim, and with expressive brown eyes. She always said her smile was her greatest asset — and Antonio agreed. Her warmth could charm anyone. He admired her innocence, though he knew she wasn’t naive. Another strength was how she spoke — her voice had a rhythm that drew him in and made him want to listen forever.

— Do you remember Doña Remedios? — Antonio asked, wanting to stir up some old school memories.
— Of course! — Antonia laughed — She always wore a wig — she said, mimicking the hairstyle, and they both burst out laughing.

— Antonio López?
— The writer? — Antonia asked, confused.
— No, the technology teacher.
— Oh right, the one who only taught the boys, — she nodded.

They were walking hand in hand through the park, talking about their dreams and the future. Antonio loved listening to Antonia talk about life, her passions, and her love for literature. He soon learned that Antonia not only loved reading — she also wrote — and her books were doing quite well online.

Antonia was radiant, graceful, and confident. Antonio began to believe that maybe not all women were the same after all. Maybe his fear of a second marriage was starting to fade.

One day, while at Antonia’s house, they decided to look through some old photo albums.
— You were so adorable back then, — Antonio said with affection.
— And now? — she teased, fishing for another compliment.
— Now… now you’re stunning.

Antonia lowered her gaze, flattered and comfortable around him. With Antonio, she didn’t have to pretend to be anyone else — she could just be herself.

— No way! — Antonio exclaimed, stunned. In front of him was a photo from when he was 17, standing next to a little girl who looked vaguely familiar. The image, slightly faded, took him back to the past. He remembered how his homeroom teacher once gave him the honor of escorting a first grader on her very first day of school. Of all the students, he had been chosen — the best one. Ramón, his lifelong rival, had also been in the running, but Antonio was the one selected.

It was a sunny day. Antonio looked polished — white shirt, black pants, shiny shoes. The little girl he was assigned to — small, timid, looking up at him — he barely remembered. He had been distracted by another girl, Eva, the one he’d had a crush on. That was the day he’d worked up the courage to confess his feelings, though Eva paid him no mind. Still, he remembered every second of it.

And now, here was that photo again. A girl in black and white, resting her hand on his left shoulder.
— Who is she? — Antonio asked, eyes glued to the picture, unable to understand how it got there.
— That’s me, — Antonia answered, equally puzzled by his reaction.

Antonio looked closely at the girl’s face… then at the woman sitting beside him.
— That’s me, — he said, pointing to the boy in the photo, and smiled.
— How is this possible? — Antonia stared at him, completely shocked. — Then…

— Destiny, — Antonio replied, still not quite believing it himself.

It was as if that September day — so important in his memory — had been written in the stars. Eva may have ignored him, but fate had introduced him to his future wife that very same day. Antonia, back then, had rung the school bell with joy.

They got married. It was a simple ceremony, but full of love. The bride cried with emotion while her husband held her tightly, convinced that destiny had brought them together. Antonio carried her in his arms — for the second time. But this time, he knew exactly who she was.

Today, Antonia and Antonio have two children: one is 14, the other 13. She continues to write, telling romantic stories — because what she lived… could easily have been a novel.