Egemed woke up very early that morning. By 4:07 a.m., sleep had completely slipped away. He sat up in bed, running his hands through his hair and gripping the bedsheet tightly, lost in thought. For an hour, he pondered what he should do about the feelings swirling inside him. At last, he resolved to take action instead of worrying. He would work hard and make something of himself.
Rising from his room, Egemed headed outside, only to see his father standing near the window with a cup of tea, watching the sunrise.
"Good morning, Father!" Egemed greeted, a smile breaking through his thoughts.
His father turned, a gentle smile appearing as he noticed his son. "You woke up early today, my son. Is something troubling you?"
Egemed felt his heart lighten at his father's calm voice. Unable to hold back, he blurted out, "Father… will you support me?"
Surprised, his father stepped closer. "Of course I will. But why ask all of a sudden?"
"Thank you, Father," Egemed said softly, relief washing over him. He stepped outside, hands on his hips, face turned to the rising sun, taking in a deep, steadying breath as he considered the days ahead.
Later, as his father prepared to leave for work, Egemed waited in his room, fidgeting with his hands. His father noticed something unusual about him. Egemed had always greeted him cheerfully and waited for him eagerly, but today he seemed… shy.
"Egemed, you're acting strange today. Did you do something wrong?" his father asked with a teasing laugh.
Egemed lowered his head slightly, smiling in embarrassment. "Father… may I ask you something?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"Are you short of money these days?" Egemed asked gently.
His father chuckled softly. "No, my son. We have our own business, and I'm the head. Money is not a concern. But why ask?"
Egemed hesitated briefly, then said with a soft smile, "Father, I want to visit the city for a few days… Could you lend me some money?"
His father's eyebrows rose in mild surprise. "Of course. But why go suddenly? And will you go alone?"
"I want to see how city people live and visit the top libraries. I'll go alone. I know my way back, thanks to all the times you've brought me there," Egemed explained.
"I see… Why didn't you tell me earlier so we could go together? Now I'll be late for work," his father said with a small frown.
"I'll come to your office when I can. And I'll ask Mother or Heryl to wait for you, just like I always do," Egemed reassured him.
"How much do you need?" his father asked.
"Ten thousand will be enough," Egemed replied with a small laugh.
His father handed him a bag, counting out fifteen thousand instead. "Here, take care of yourself, my son." He kissed Egemed on the forehead."
"Thank you, Father." Egemed said, his heart full of happiness he mumbled "an interesting journey ahead".
The morning passed quickly as Egemed packed his belongings. Before leaving, he spoke with his younger brother, Heryl.
"Heryl, please take care of Mother and wait for Father outside around 7 p.m., okay?"
"Why would I?" Heryl asked with a playful frown.
"Just do it. I won't be home for several days. Be a good boy, alright?" Egemed ruffled his brother's hair, smiling. "What do you want me to bring you?"
"I want a new backpack, black in color," Heryl said excitedly.
Egemed chuckled. "I'll find the perfect one. It's a promise." Heryl hugged him tightly.
"I love you, brother. Take care and come back safely. Big brother Rada never buys me anything, even though he works with Father," Heryl said.
"Big brother may be busy, but he loves you too. Love him as I do," Egemed replied gently.
He then turned to his mother. "Mother, don't worry about the chores. I'll take care of them when I return."
She smiled warmly. "Take care, Egemed. Be good ."
"I will!" he said, hugging her tightly.
"Bye, Heryl. Take care."
Egemed left home and traveled to Lumeris City, arriving around 8 p.m. He searched for a place to stay for the night. Exhausted, he thought, I hope my family is doing well. I'll sleep now and begin work tomorrow.
Lumeris City, much larger than his hometown of Nephelion, was alive with bustling streets and glowing lights. It took only two to three hours to reach from his village, where his father's company, REME-M, thrived. The company, specializing in clothing and fashion, was one of the city's finest, where his father designed and sold clothes and shoes.
***
It was a sunny morning. From his room, Egemed could hear the sounds of the city waking up—the honking cars, the wail of police sirens and ambulances, people shouting, laughing, running, and the clatter of roller shutters as shopkeepers opened for the day. He quickly rushed to his balcony, leaning his hands on the railing, messy hair framing his face. A beautiful smile spread across his face as he watched the bustling city life from the third-floor hotel. Though chaotic compared to his calm hometown, he felt no irritation or disdain. Instead, he observed with kindness, seeing beauty in the rhythm of life, accepting that everything happens as it must.
Egemed thought to himself, So this is how people in the city start their day. Cars rushing, people hurrying to classes or work… my hometown is so much more peaceful. Perhaps it's because it's less crowded. But still… I like everything that already exists in the world.
After some time observing, he returned inside to have breakfast, tidy his bed, dress in a dark blue coat, style his hair, and put on his shoes. Then he left the hotel to visit his father at his company.
---
"Sir, your son Egemed is here to see you," the secretary said.
"Yes, yes! Let him in. Anyone from my family doesn't need permission," his father replied, excited.
Egemed entered, smiling. "Good morning, Father. I brought something for you."
"Did you sleep well, my son? Which hotel are you staying at? There are rooms here too, though it might be farther from the library."
"I slept well. Lumiere Hotel, Father. I'm fine staying there for now, and if I don't feel comfortable, I'll come here." Egemed replied (handling the lunchbox to his Father)
"And what's in this lunchbox?" with a smile his father raise his brows.
"Your favorites. I just wanted to see you. I'll be going soon," he said with a small smirk.
"So you came here first?"
"Yes, Father. Seeing your smile makes my day better."
His father's face softened, a warm happiness in his eyes. "Take care, my son."
Egemed waved and left.
---
Egemed spent the day not in the library, but roaming the city, observing life. Whenever tired, he would sit wherever he could without blocking anyone, watching the world with a smile. Some called him a creep; others were stunned by his handsomeness. But Egemed paid no mind. His purpose wasn't just to visit the library—it was to observe, learn, and understand the realities of life.
He watched the world bustle around him, smiling softly, finding beauty in every hurried step, every shout and laugh. Even in the chaos of the busy streets, he admired how life moved, how every moment seemed alive and purposeful.
Lost in observation, he barely noticed the soft footsteps approaching until a young woman stopped in front of him, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"You're handsome," she said with a playful smile. "Would you like a drink with me?"
He looked at her calmly, his own gentle smile never fading. "I'm sorry, Miss, but I don't drink."
"Are you alone here?"
"Yes."
"Can we exchange numbers?"
"I'm sorry. I don't have time." He lowered his gaze shyly to the ground.
"Are you new here, or a resident?"
"This is my first time at the bazaar. I've visited the city before, but never the bazaar"
"Then come with me. There's a place that's beautiful at night."
At first, he hesitated. He did not like to embarrass anyone, and she persisted. Reluctantly, he agreed.
As they walked, she talked, flirted, and occasionally tried to touch him. He kept a polite distance, smiling gently.
"I'm sorry, Miss, but men and women should keep their distance. We just met today. I don't know you, and you don't know me."
"What is your name?" she asked.
"Egemed. And yours?"
"I never tell anyone. Just call me Miss."
"Okay, Miss."
---
When they reached the entrance, Egemed stopped. Something felt… off. The young woman had led him here with talk of a lively, beautiful place—but this was not a place to enjoy or spend one's free time.
His eyes swept over the narrow, dimly lit alley, the flickering lights, and the women lingering near the doorways. A quiet heaviness settled in his chest as realization dawned.
"Come inside. It's fine. Nothing bad here."
"I cannot enter, Miss. I'll go back."
Other women stepped out, overhearing them.
"Hah! Such a handsome man! How much will he pay you? Must be expensive!"
Egemed looked at their tattered clothes and exhausted faces. Realization hit him. Lowering his gaze. Egemed did not step inside. The moment he understood what kind of place it was, he simply lowered his gaze. Not a single harsh word left his mouth. His expression did not twist in disgust, nor did he recoil in anger. Instead, his eyes softened—filled with a pain that was not his own.
His heart tightened as if someone had driven a knife through it.
He did not see their "dirty work."
He saw their wounds.
Though he had never lived their lives, his mind moved as though he had walked in their shoes. In an instant, their stories came to him—not in detail, but in the weight they carried. Forced choices. Lost hope. Families abandoned or broken. Debts that chained them. The silent nights where they cried without sound.
All of it surged into his heart at once, striking him with the same sharpness as witnessing someone being cut in front of him. It hurt him—deeply, intensely—because he felt the truth behind their smiles and painted faces.
He looked at the young woman, not with judgment, but with sorrow and compassion.
It was as if her suffering had passed through her eyes and ended up in his chest, heavy and burning.
To him, she was not a sinner.
She was someone the world had failed.
Even though he had been led to a place he never wished to see, Egemed's voice remained gentle, calm, and kind. He looked at her with soft, understanding eyes and said,
"Thank you, Miss, for showing me around. I'll be leaving now."
As Egemed took his first step away, she suddenly grabbed his hand—and then let go, startled, afraid he might react harshly, perhaps even strike her.
But he turned calmly toward her, though his heart ached at the sight of her pain. His eyes softened, full of warmth, as he spoke with the gentle tenderness of a mother caressing her newborn.
"Miss… is there anything I can do to help you?" he asked, his voice steady but overflowing with care.
There was no judgment in his words, only understanding—a quiet offer of compassion in a world that had been cruel to her.
Her voice failed her. Memories of brokenness replayed in her mind.
Seeing her speechless, Egemed felt he could not leave her empty-handed, even though he carried nothing of real value. His heart, full of kindness and compassion, guided his actions. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and placed a sum of money into her hands.
A soft smile sparked on his face. "Take it… and use it as you need," he said gently.
The woman remained frozen, words failing her. Her heart trembled as if touched by a loving God who had seen everything she had ever suffered. For the first time in a long while, she felt understood, acknowledged, and not condemned.
She was speechless. No one had ever spoken to her like that—calmly, without anger, without lust.
Seeing how Egemed treated her—with patience, kindness, and understanding—regret seeped into her heart. She realized she had dragged a beautiful soul into her world of darkness, and now she could no longer tempt him or do anything to ensnare him.
Tears began to stream down her face as her voice trembled, barely audible. "I… I… I'm sorry…"
Every word carried the weight of shame, sorrow, and a sudden, piercing awareness of how far she had strayed from her own humanity.
Egemed watched as the woman's tears fell, and his heart ached even more. He imagined the pain she had endured—the choices she had been forced to make, the nights filled with fear, the world that had left her no escape.
Even though he had never walked in her shoes, he understood her suffering with a clarity that made his chest tighten. Just looking at her, he could feel the weight of her trauma, the loneliness and despair that came with a life forced into prostitution.
He could not bear the weight of her pain any longer. His chest tightened, heart heavy with sorrow, and in a quiet urgency, he turned to leave.
"I'm sorry… for everything that has happened to you," he whispered, his voice almost lost in the noise around them.
He walked away without looking back, unable to bear the sight any longer. Each glance at her had carved her trauma into his soul, and he knew he could not stop seeing it. Some pain was too deep, too raw, to carry in his gaze, and he had to leave before it consumed him entirely.
"It's all right, i wish i could help you one day" he waved and left in pain.
Egemed left the place, his heart scarred by what he had seen. Each step back to his hotel felt heavy, as if he were carrying the weight of all the suffering around him.
His heart cried silently, aching with a longing to help, to heal, to take away the pain—but he could not. The world had its limits, and even his compassion could not erase the scars that life had carved into others.
He thought to himself, My days won't be normal anymore. "I need to do something—before I leave this world."