Some troubles are bound to change someone's life.
One morning, Egemed woke with a headache. He tried taking medicine at home, hoping to avoid going to the hospital—he did not want to see people. But the pain only worsened, gnawing at his temples. Despite his reluctance, he knew he had to see a doctor himself.
When his mother offered to call the doctor to come home, he refused. He did not want to trouble her. For months, he had tried to avoid sorrow in people's faces, to keep his mind unbothered by the world's weight. But today, he could no longer shield himself. He forced himself out of the house and walked to the hospital.
After finishing his appointment, Egemed noticed a small park beside the hospital. Children ran freely, their kites soaring in the sky, their laughter ringing bright and clear. Flowers dotted the park, vibrant and inviting. He felt a pull to wander, to breathe in something other than antiseptic air and muted hospital walls.
Inside the park, a few patients sat quietly on benches, enjoying the sunlight and the sounds of life. Egemed, hat in hand, stood near a gentle stream flowing through the center of the park. A soft breeze brushed his hair, ruffling it gently. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the air fill him, trying to forget the weight he had carried so long.
Then he heard a voice call his name—not loud, but near enough to make him turn.
A man in hospital clothes sat on a white bench, his hair black and straight, his eyes wide and attentive. Beside him hung a plastic IV bottle on a stand. The way he smiled at Egemed was warm, familiar—yet Egemed could not immediately place him. A strange feeling tugged at his memory, but he could not remember where he had seen this man before.
"You're Egemed, right?" the man asked.
Egemed blinked and returned a small smile. "Yes… have we met somewhere before?"
The man chuckled lightly. "Yes. Almost three years ago. I still can't forget how handsome you are."
Egemed felt a blush rise to his cheeks. After all, they were both men.
"You're… beautiful too," he replied softly. "Have I ever asked your name? I don't even remember where we met. I'm sorry."
"I know," the man said. "You didn't get to ask my name that time—I was in a hurry."
Egemed's mind raced. Did he meet him in the city? Hometown? He could not place the face. Socializing had become a rare effort, a careful act of reserve. He often avoided strangers, preferring solitude.
The man noticed Egemed's pause and chuckled. "It seems you're trying hard to remember me."
"Huh… yes, I am," Egemed admitted, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"My name is Jerelr Myers. We met three years ago in the market. Your mother told me your name, and I never got to tell you mine. Come, have a seat." he smiled
Egemed nodded and sat beside him, placing his hat on his thighs. A warm smile spread across his face.
"Oh… nice to meet you, Jerelr. I remember now," he said, recalling the day in the market when he had been slapped and thought he would never see this man again.
Jerelr's voice was calm and deep, almost soothing. "So… how have you been? I've been waiting to meet you again so I could finally tell you my name."
Egemed hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Did you see what happened that day in the market?"
"I did," Jerelr said, smiling faintly. "But don't worry—I'm not here to make you uncomfortable."
Egemed studied him, intrigued. Jerelr was unlike anyone he had ever met. His face carried a quiet, cold composure, but when he smiled, it warmed the world around him. His deep, calm voice carried a weight that made Egemed want to know more about him.
"Yes… I'm well," Egemed said quietly. "Life is… good."
"But you look unhappy inside, even when you smile," Jerelr observed. "Today, you're more troubled than the first time we met."
Egemed's eyes widened in astonishment. For the first time, his usual calm composure—his unbothered, indifferent mask—felt shaken.
"What happened to you? Are you here alone?" he asked.
"I hurt my leg badly," Jerelr explained. "I've been here four days. Hopefully, I'll be discharged tomorrow. And yes, I'm alone—my mom will bring food later."
"I'm sorry… may you get well soon," Egemed said, glancing at Jerelr's leg. "How bad is it? May I know what happened?"
Jerelr chuckled. "It was evening. The sky was dim. I didn't see the pole in front of me. I was playing with my ball, threw it up, and tried one last kick… but I hit the pole instead. I almost… peed my pants. My dad found me before midnight."
"What! Until midnight? Where were your friends?" Egemed asked.
"I usually play alone," Jerelr said. "No one was there to help, so I had to wait for my parents to notice I was missing."
Egemed nodded thoughtfully. "I understand… sometimes being alone isn't good. Will you be able to walk again?"
"Yes, maybe in a month," Jerelr replied. Then, hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Do you have any friends, Egemed?"
Egemed hesitated. "Well… I have friends, but none close. In university, I had one—Benson—but we lost touch after a few days. I stopped going out and stayed home mostly… that's it."
Jerelr smiled gently. "Oh… what do you do every day now?"
"Stay home… jobless," Egemed admitted.
"You don't want to do something? I can see that you want to, but you stopped halfway," Jerelr said, studying him.
Egemed blinked, astonished. "Huh?"
"Do you mind if we become friends?" Jerelr asked softly.
"I don't mind," Egemed said, smiling. "I'd love to."
"Give me your phone," Jerelr said, reaching out.
Without hesitation, Egemed handed it over. Jerelr quickly saved his number.
"Here. We can chat or call anytime," he said. Egemed felt a small lightness in his chest, a relief he hadn't expected.
"…So you're from Nephelion too?" Egemed asked.
"Yes," Jerelr replied. "We only met once before. I guess fate didn't want us to meet earlier."
Egemed smiled. "Maybe… wait here, I'll be back in a moment."
After sometime—
He returned with two juices and some biscuits.
"Here, take it," he said.
"You don't have to. Just talking with you is enough," Jerelr replied.
"No, it's fine," Egemed said. "No need to be polite with me."
They shared the food and continued talking until the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in gold and amber.
"When will you go home?" Jerelr asked.
"After you return to the hospital," Egemed replied. "By the way, who brought you to the park?"
"I walked with this stick. It took me an hour to cover what normally takes five minutes," Jerelr said.
"Be careful, What if you fall and make it worse?"
"It's okay. I've stayed in bed for three days," Jerelr said with a smile.
"Do you want to go back now?" Egemed asked.
"I think so… it's getting dark," Jerelr replied.
"I'll help you. Cover your face—I have a cold," Egemed offered.
"Oh… it's fine. My immunity is strong," Jerelr said with a chuckle.
Egemed helped Jerelr back to his hospital room. The walk was slow, and when supporting him became too difficult, he carried Jerelr on his back the last stretch.
"Thank you so much, Egemed," Jerelr said, smiling.
"My pleasure. Take care until your mom comes," Egemed replied.
"Can I message you if I feel alone?" Jerelr asked.
With a smile he nodded, "Of course. I'm leaving now… I'm happy we met today. Bye-bye! Jerelr"
Returning home, Heryl called out, "Hai hai… I thought you were held hostage by Dr. Cold?"
Mother looked up. "Where did you go all day, Egemed?"
"I met a long-lost person. Remember the one who spoke with you in the market? The one who said I was handsome?" Egemed smirked.
"Oh! Did you get to know his name?" Mother asked.
"Yes. Jerelr Myers. He lives nearby, but we never crossed paths again until today."
Heryl teased, "I thought it was a woman! You look so happy, Brother."
Mother smiled warmly. "I'm glad you're happy, Egemed. You never leave the house, and now you've made a friend."
---
While Egemed waited patiently for his father to return, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a notification from Jerelr.
A small smile curved his lips as he unlocked the screen. The message read:
"Hey Egemed, are you home safe? Just wanted to make sure."
Egemed's fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment. Normally, he wouldn't rush to reply, but for some reason, he felt a warmth spreading in his chest. Typing carefully, he replied:
"Yes, just arrived. Waiting for my father to come back."
Almost immediately, his phone buzzed again.
"Good. I was thinking… it was nice talking with you today. I hope we can do it again soon."
Egemed felt his heart lighten. He looked out the window, watching the evening light soften the streets outside. The city seemed calmer now, as if it too recognized the small but meaningful connection that had just formed.
He typed back:
"I hope so too. Today… it was nice. Really nice."
There was a pause, a quiet moment in the buzzing world of notifications, before Jerelr's reply appeared:
"Then it's a promise. We'll meet again. And… I'm glad you smiled today."
Egemed's chest felt warm. He glanced down at the phone, then back toward the door, imagining his father's return. For the first time in a long while, he felt a small, steady hope settling inside him—a hope that maybe, just maybe, the world could be brighter than he had allowed himself to believe.
And as he tucked his phone back into his pocket, Egemed realized that some meetings, some connections, could quietly change everything.
---
Meeting Jerelr changed Egemed's life. Unlike Benson, Jerelr seemed to understand him. From the day he defended his mother in the market, Jerelr had sensed Egemed's hidden pain and quietly hoped for another meeting.
Three years later, fate brought them together—and from that day forward, they became best friends