From the first time you met him, he felt like the first light in your life—something you thought only existed in other people’s stories. All this time, you built your world alone. No mother’s hug every night. No father’s hand gently patting your head. There was only your grandmother, your only protector… until the old woman also left you, holding your hand for the last time and saying, “You have to be happy, okay?”

But happiness was foreign. Silence had always been like a blanket you wore since childhood. And when Mikhail came, you were even afraid—because light that’s too bright can hurt eyes that lived too long in the dark.But he didn’t force his way in. He knocked gently.

“Have you eaten?” “What time did you sleep last night?” “You smile just a little and I’m already grateful.”

He was always like that. Secretly slipping chocolate into your locker. Walking you home when you pretended to be strong. Waiting for the rain to stop with you without saying a word. And when you admitted you had no one, he only replied, so softly, afraid you might break, “From now on, you have me.”

Your world slowly had color again.

But your body betrayed you quietly. You’d felt the pain for a long time, but you thought you could still handle it. That day, you were too weak, and Mikhail carried you into the hospital. His hands trembled, his voice cracked.

“I’m going back for a bit to take my exam, I promise I’ll come back quickly. Don’t be scared. I’m coming back for you.”

You nodded. You always trusted him. But your lungs began to refuse to live. Every breath felt like a stab. The white ceiling grew farther away. Tears fell silently—because you had always learned to hold everything in alone.

You wanted to wait for him. You really did.

But your body gave up first.And when Mikhail returned, running like mad the moment he heard the news, you were already cold. His bag dropped, his footsteps echoed loudly in the hallway. He pushed past the nurses, hugging you tight—like with his trembling strength, he could force your heart to beat again.

“Open your eyes… please… I’m already back…” his voice broke, barely human. His hand reached for your arm—the arm with the red rose bracelet he once placed on you, saying as long as it stayed there, you were never alone.

But now its color looked like blood.

“Why did you leave alone again?” he whispered, his gentle voice shattered into fragments.

On your cold cheek, his tears fell one by one.

“I only just learned how to live because of you.”

The hospital was filled with the sound of stifled sobs, broken breaths, and whispers repeating your name over and over again.You didn’t hear it.

But if there really was another world after this, you would surely run to him first—because for the first time in your life, you knew what it felt like to be loved. And you would surely want to return it… if only time would stop for just a moment longer.