. . . Continue
"Show me your hand, Brother Ege. Maybe I can help you."
Egemed stiffened.
"No… no, I can't. I can't let anyone see it."
Jerelr laughed softly. "Don't worry. It's not like I'll click a picture or paint it on a wall to show others."
Before Egemed could pull away, Jerelr took his hand and slowly removed the glove.
The moment the glove came off, Jerelr gasped and instinctively turned his head aside.
And Egemed—panicked—clutched his own hand and covered it with his right one.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
For a long moment, Jerelr said nothing.
But then, gathering all his courage, he reached out again.
"No… it's fine. Let me see."
He held Egemed's hand properly this time.
It was worse than he imagined.
The skin was filled with puncture marks from needles and compass points. The entire dorsum looked like lacerated flesh, torn and reopened again and again.
A long line ran from the wrist to the index finger — as if someone had once cut open the flesh to take out a bone, and the wound had never closed, like two rivers that would never meet.
His stomach twisted violently. His head spun. Yet he held Egemed's hand, refusing to look away.
And tears slipped down his cheeks silently.
He took a breath, reached for his sister's cosmetic box, and dabbed foundation gently onto Egemed's hand, trying to see if it would cover the wounds.
But the holes were too deep.
The cuts too raw.
It barely hid anything.
Egemed chuckled softly, trying to mask his own discomfort. "So… you put on makeup like a girl?"
Jerelr sniffed. "No. It's my sister's. I thought… maybe I could help you cover it. So you won't need to wear gloves when spring comes. Your mother might get suspicious."
Jerelr stared at Egemed's hands, his chest tightening. He could have scolded him, but instead, he felt only pity and a deep understanding of the suffering Egemed had endured. The thought of Egemed having to hide his hands, unable to go out without gloves, made his heart ache even more.
Egemed smiled faintly and wiped Jerelr's tears with his thumb. "I'm sorry"
"Don't worry, Brother Ege," Jerelr said quietly. "I'll find another way. I promise."
Egemed nodded and slipped his gloves back on.
Glancing at the clock, Egemed said calmly, "I should go home now, Jerelr."
"Ah—yes. It's almost 10:30. Come, before you leave… let me show you my balcony. The view is beautiful."
They stepped out together.
The night sky stretched over them, calm and silent.
They talked softly until it reached 11 PM.
Before Egemed left, Jerelr handed him a small box of dessert and hugged him.
"Merry Christmas. I picked this just for you."
Egemed smiled brightly. "Thank you."
He walked home humming, Jerelr's gift pressed to his chest.
At Home—
CLACK.
As he opened the door, he saw Heryl entering the living room.
"HAAH! Heryl, look what I got!" Egemed grinned.
Heryl turned his head, surprised. "That's the first time I've seen you boasting about anything."
"I did? I'm just telling you what I got."
"That is boasting."
"So what? Can I not boast once?" Egemed laughed.
Heryl chuckled. "What's in the box, Brother?"
"It's a secret," he whispered. "Something important."
Heryl's eyes widened with curiosity.
"Come to my room," Egemed said. "I have something for you."
Excited, Heryl followed him.
Egemed pulled out a big present from his wardrobe and handed it to him.
"Merry Christmas, Heryl."
Heryl hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Brother!"
"Don't thank me too much. It's Father's money," Egemed smirked.
"But still… it makes me happy. What's inside?"
"Open it."
Heryl unwrapped it to find a football jersey, a pair of gloves, socks, shoes, and a bundle of sweets.
He froze in joy, then ran out to show their parents.
He came rushing back. "How did you know I like football?"
Egemed, who always watched and understood his family from the shadows, had long observed their likes and dislikes. He knew exactly what would make them happy, even without them saying a word.
He smiled softly. "Because you're my little brother."
He then surprised his parents too — new shoes for Father from his favorite brand, and a necklace with earrings for Mother.
Heryl frowned. "But we didn't get anything for Brother Ege…"
Egemed laughed. "It's fine. I already got a gift from Jerelr."
CLACK.
"Big Brother!?" Heryl shouted.
They all turned toward the door.
Radaiom stepped inside with two big bags and a smile.
"Merry Christmas, everyone! I didn't get gifts… but only these sweets, desserts, fruits, and cakes."
Mother rushed to him. "Seeing you home is enough, Rada."
She hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry, Mother," he said. "I told Egemed I'd visit… but it's been two years."
Egemed stepped forward and took the bag from his brother's hands. "It's alright," he said softly, forcing a gentle smile.
He didn't want his brother to feel unwelcome after being away so long.
"We always ask Father about you… every day."
He hugged him gently. "Merry Christmas, Brother."
They celebrated together until 3 AM, full of stories and warmth.
---
It had been a long, exhausting night, yet Egemed couldn't sleep. His mind spun with questions he had long avoided—what to do with his life, how to face the burdens he carried, and whether he could ever accept the Sight of Sorrow that shadowed him.
In his hands, he held Jerelr's gift, and he caressed it gently, as if it contained a soul instead of gold. Not the cold, lifeless value of wealth, but something alive—warmth, thought, care, and a presence that reminded him he was seen, understood, and not alone.
For a moment, the weight of his fears lightened, replaced by a fragile hope that maybe, just maybe, he could start again.
He wondered if he should start writing again.
He had failed three times, spent countless nights trying… and giving up.
But as he kept rereading Jerelr's letter.
For the first time, he felt courage returning.
Maybeit's better to try again than to give up without doing anything.
Besides… he had Jerelr now.
So he decided to start rewriting his life — and to accept the Sight of Sorrow he had always tried to erase.
While contemplating all this, Egemed suddenly remembered he hadn't texted Jerelr since getting home. He quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and typed a message. Almost immediately, Jerelr replied—he had been waiting for Egemed, even as the night stretched toward the time when the rooster would crow.
CHAT — 4:23 AM
Egemed:
Merry Christmas, Jerelr. I forgot to wish my best friend. I'm sorry. (4:23 AM)
Jerelr:
Gee… no need to apologize. I was waiting for your text. Thought you were busy since you left late. Merry Christmas, Ege! (4:25 AM)
Egemed:
I was. My elder brother came home today. We talked until 3 AM. (4:25 AM)
Jerelr:
Same here. We ate, talked, spent time as a family. (4:26 AM)
Egemed:
I thought about what you said. For an hour. (4:26 AM)
Jerelr:
So… what do you think? (4:26 AM)
Egemed:
I'll try. We'll start working after New Year. (4:27 AM)
Jerelr:
That's a great decision. I'm proud of you, Brother. (4:27 AM)
Egemed:
Hmm. (4:27 AM)
Jerelr:
Goodnight, Brother Ege. Rest now. (4:28 AM)
Egemed:
Goodnight too… Jege hehe. (4:28 AM)
Jerelr:
Haha—Jege? (4:28 AM)
Egemed:
Goodnight JEGE : ) (4:29 AM)
Jerelr: "..."