Six days had passed, and Jerelr's birthday was tomorrow.
"Mother, tomorrow I'll be going to Quisia Island," Egemed said.
"Why? With whom?" she asked.
"Tomorrow is Jerelr's birthday, so we planned to visit Quisia. I'll probably be back in two or three days."
"Oh, okay. You're grown now, but take care, and don't get sick."
"I will, Mother. I promise."
---
The clock had just struck midnight when Egemed's phone buzzed. A small smile tugged at his lips as he saw Jerelr's name on the screen.
He typed quickly, fingers flying over the keys.
"Happy birthday, Jerelr!"
Almost immediately, a reply appeared.
"Thank you!"
Egemed leaned back on his pillow, frowning playfully at the slight delay.
"What took you so long?"
"I almost fell asleep," Jerelr admitted, the words blinking back on the screen.
Egemed grinned, shaking his head. "Tomorrow we have to leave early for Quisia."
"Okay, I'll be there by 8, Goodnight Brother Ege," came the soft reply.
"Goodnight, Jege," Egemed typed back, feeling the familiar warmth of their bond as he set the phone aside.
The room was quiet now, but the anticipation of tomorrow's adventure made the darkness feel alive.
---
Morning came, and Egemed and Jerelr left their home, heading to Quisia Island. They sailed on a small boat, accompanied by Edison, their boat helper.
"Brother Ege?" Jerelr asked. "What do you plan to do in the future?"
"I have a plan, but I'm waiting for the right time to start it."
"What kind of plan? May I know?"
"I want to build a huge building, enough to serve two thousand people."
"You mean a hotel or something like your dad's company?"
"No—it will be different. It will be a building to GIVE, not RECEIVE."
"Huh! I've never heard of something like that."
"You'll see," Egemed said, smiling.
After half an hour, Edison sailed quietly, and Egemed and Jerelr started chatting with him.
"May I know your name, sir?" Jerelr asked.
"You can call me Edison," the man replied.
"I'm Jerelr, and this is my friend Egemed," Jerelr said, gesturing to him.
"Oh, are you two brothers?"
"No, we're friends… but you could say we're brothers too," Egemed answered.
"You both look very young. What do you do every day?" Edison asked.
"We're authors. We spend most of our time writing," Jerelr said.
"That must be hard. I don't even know how to read or write," Edison admitted.
"It doesn't matter, sir. Are you married?" Egemed asked.
"Yes. My wife is at home with our three-month-old son."
"That's beautiful," Egemed said.
Jerelr pulled a piece of bread from his bag and offered it to Edison, but Edison initially refused.
Egemed smiled warmly. "Take it, sir. It's not poison. It's been three hours since you ate; you must be hungry."
Edison took the bread, bowing slightly. "Thank you, mister. You two are very kind."
Jerelr waved. "No need to bow—we're younger than you."
Egemed helped Edison rest, taking the boat pole from him. "You just sit and advise us while we try sailing," he said.
At first, the boat didn't move as they tried to steer it. The sun beat down, sweat streaming down their faces, as they removed their coat, leaving only tank tops. Edison sat quietly, laughing at their antics.
"Stop it, Brother Ege! It's going to sink!" Jerelr shouted.
"No, it won't! I'm doing it right," Egemed insisted.
"No, I'm doing it right! Look—it stopped again because you told me to stop," Jerelr said.
After many attempts, they finally synced their movements and managed to sail the boat properly.
"When we come back, we'll sail it ourselves," Egemed said proudly.
"Yes! And we'll let Edison rest quietly. This is so fun!" Jerelr laughed.
Egemed raised the pole dramatically. "I AM CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW!"
Jerelr joined in, laughing loudly. "I AM JOSHAMEE GIBBS!"
Egemed laughed so hard he nearly dropped the pole. "THAT'S TOO OLD! Gibbs should be Sir Edison's role."
Jerelr paused. "Hmm? But Gibbs is the closest to Jack Sparrow."
"Ah… yes, you're right. Let's try again, but you have to choose Will Turner."
"OH yes! Let's ask Edison to take a video." Jerelr pulled out his phone and handed it to Edison.
"Wait—hold on!" Egemed chuckled, grabbing his shirt. "Let's put these on first. You take the role of Will Turner, and I'll tie this necktie around my forehead."
Dressed and ready, they struck their poses.
"Ready, sir?" Edison asked.
"Yes!"
"One, two, three!"
Egemed swung one leg onto the hilt of the boat, planting himself firmly like a captain taking command. He raised the pole high, eyes sparkling with mischief, and pointed it toward Jerelr.
"I AM CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW!" Egemed shouted.
"And I AM WILL TURNER, your frenemy, Jack!" Jerelr continued.
"DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT WITH ME, WILL?" Egemed shouted.
Jerelr raised his pole to Egemed's chin.
"How dare you do exactly what I would do if I were you!" Egemed mimicked Jack Sparrow, and they both burst into laughter.
The two of them circled each other, pretending to duel, their laughter mingling with the gentle lapping of the waves. Egemed feigned a dramatic stumble, clutching his stomach as he doubled over in mock pain.
For a long moment, neither knew whether to attack or laugh—but then the laughter won, rolling between them like waves, freeing and unstoppable. Even the boat seemed to shake with their joy, the setting sun painting everything in gold as they forgot the world outside their tiny adventure.
And they returned to their morning coats, continuing to sail. Half an hour before reaching the island, Edison took the pole again while Egemed and Jerelr rested.
---
At the island, they found a small inn. Edison initially refused to stay, embarrassed, but they arranged a separate room and paid for all his meals. Egemed and Jerelr unpacked and quickly changed clothes, eager to see the glowing beach.
"Brother Ege! It really glows! It's so beautiful!" Jerelr exclaimed.
Egemed smiled quietly, happiness swelling in his chest. Seeing Jerelr's joy was enough.
Jerelr ran toward the water. "Come fast, Egemed! Don't miss it—it's amazing!"
Together, they stood at the water's edge, silently admiring the glowing sand.
"Happy Birthday, Jerelr," Egemed said softly. Jerelr simply smiled back, a radiant, happy grin.
Later, they sat on the beach, reviewing the video they had taken. Laughter bubbled up as they watched themselves in their silly pirate poses.
"You're 25 now," Egemed said.
"And you're 26," Jerelr replied, chuckling.
Egemed confessed, "I only show my childish side with you because I feel comfortable around you."
"I feel the same. I thought you never had a childish side, but I was wrong," Jerelr said.
____
Their conversation turned serious as Egemed spoke of his dream to build a huge building.
Jerelr let out a long sigh.
"Brother… I want to know what you're planning after this. You have your own job now."
Egemed rested his hands on his lap.
"I plan to build a building, just like I said before. But first I need to buy a piece of land… then start constructing."
Jerelr tilted his head.
"But for what purpose?"
Egemed smiled faintly.
"It's a secret for now. But you'll know once it's finished."
Jerelr nodded slowly.
"A huge building will need a lot of money. Can we build it together then? I'll support you."
"I have money too—I don't even know where to spend it. I hope your purpose is something important."
Egemed stared at Jerelr
"Do you really mean that, Jerelr?"
"Yes, why not? Do you remember when I said I'd bring you an umbrella if you didn't have one?"
"I remember."
"Then don't you trust me?.. Brother...Ege?"
Egemed's voice softened.
"I trust you more than you ever know."
Jerelr smiled gently.
"Then let me help you. We'll both contribute. When do you plan to start building, Brother?"
"Next year," Egemed answered. "Only two months left before 2015 ends. We need to find a place to buy."
"Where? In the city or in our hometown?"
"Our hometown," Egemed said. "So we can visit our parents every day after work."
Jerelr raised a brow.
"And if you get married?"
Egemed shrugged lightly.
"We can still work there, if you want. And if your wife doesn't want you to work with me… I don't mind. I'll still love you the same."
Jerelr stared at him sharply.
"What do you mean? You think I'd give up our friendship just because my wife doesn't like it?"
Egemed turned his head and looked at him with a soft smile.
Inside, he thought: What if Jerelr finds a woman he loves deeply… and if she doesn't like me, then he will have no choice but to leave. But that's okay. If it is meant to happen, it will. I'll accept it.
Jerelr spoke again.
"If you're worried, then I'll find someone who won't break our friendship."
"And if you don't?"
Jerelr laughed.
"Then maybe I'll stay single forever."
"Don't say that," Egemed said softly. "If you find someone you love, marry her. I'll still be your friend. You can visit me whenever you want. Ask me anything you need, and I'll give it to you if I have it. I'll never look away from you, Jerelr."
Jerelr's expression changed—he looked wounded.
"Brother Ege… does it hurt you so much to think I might leave? Did you see something?"
Egemed lowered his gaze.
"I'm sorry, Jerelr. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just want you to be happy. If you're happy… then I'm happy too."
Jerelr breathed out slowly.
"I understand now. Alright then—I'll help you, Ege. Until we find the ones we're meant to marry, we'll work together. We're only twenty-five, twenty-six. We can marry at thirty-five."
He smiled.
"And listen… you never want to use other people's property because you respect their work, right? But between us, think of me as you. My work will be yours too. If I ever blame you… then I'll just kill myself."
"No, don't say things like that, Jerelr."
"Then accept me," Jerelr insisted softly. "Let me work with you. We'll build the building you want—together. I'm here. You can count on me… please. Will you?"
A cold fear crept into Egemed's heart.
Something felt wrong—like a shadow waiting in the distance. He never wanted anything bad to happen to Jerelr. The thought of him getting hurt was unbearable. But Jerelr trusted him completely, without even knowing the purpose of the building, yet he still wanted to help.
Egemed stepped forward and hugged him tightly, his heart tightened at Jerelr's blind trust.
"Okay… we'll do it together."
Tears gathered in his eyes.
"I just hope nothing bad ever happens to you. I don't want to see you unhappy."
Jerelr hugged him back and gently patted his back.
"Don't cry, Brother Ege. I know… you always choose to make others happy, even when you're unhappy yourself."
Night settled over the town, quiet and deep.
After their long conversation, they returned to their inn to rest.
The next morning—
Egemed sat on his bed, waiting for Jerelr to wake. Jerelr was sleeping on the opposite side of the room, curled under the blankets like a child lost in dreams.
"GOOD MORNING!" Egemed called out.
"Wake up! Let's have breakfast and roam the island the whole day. We'll take Sir Edison too."
Jerelr blinked his sleepy eyes, still heavy with dizziness.
"Where… am I?"
Egemed chuckled.
"Still dreaming, I see. I'll go order breakfast."
When Egemed returned with plates in his hands, he found the room transformed—Jerelr had already folded Egemed's bed neatly, dressed himself, and was sitting politely at the small wooden table.
"Oi, oi—so fast," Egemed laughed. "Thank you for folding my nap. I forgot."
They ate together and left the inn. They went to ask Sailor Edison to join them, but he refused, saying he had work and needed to sail for other passengers. So the two brothers-in-heart wandered the island alone—without a guide, without a plan, simply following the wind.
They spent the whole day trying new foods, visiting the museum where rare creatures found only on Quisia Island were displayed behind glass, walking through tiny pearl-selling markets, eating freshly grilled seafood, and tasting different fruit juices famous in the island.
Before returning to their inn, they asked strangers to take photos of them. They had it printed immediately.
"Look, Brother Ege!" Jerelr said, showing him the printed photo. "I'll keep this one carefully. I'll remember this forever."
He pulled a pen from his coat and wrote on the back:
"Brother Egemed and Me, on my 25th Birthday."
"But your birthday was yesterday," Egemed pointed out.
"It's fine. Yesterday we arrived at dawn. This picture reminds me we came here because of my birthday."
"You're right," Egemed smiled.
"Here, take these two," Jerelr said. "I printed double copies."
"Thank you. I'll treasure them forever."
The next morning, Egemed and Jerelr returned home with Sailor Edison. But they didn't let Edison sail; instead, the two of them sailed the boat themselves until they reached their hometown