It happened on a normal day.
Or at least… it was supposed to be.
The sky was grey, matching the heaviness in my chest. Classes ended, students laughed, life moved on like nothing had changed.
But inside me?
Everything was collapsing.
I don't know when my steps led me there…
But suddenly, I was standing in front of my house.
That same door.
That same silence.
My hand froze before touching the handle.
Because I knew what waited inside.
Nothing.
The moment I stepped in, the air felt suffocating.
"Mom?"
The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Stupid.
She wasn't there.
She would never be there again.
My chest tightened.
My vision blurred.
And then—
I broke.
Tears poured out uncontrollably as I sank to the floor.
"I can't do this anymore…" I whispered, my voice shaking.
"I miss you… please come back… please…"
My hands clutched the empty air like I could hold onto her.
But there was nothing.
Only memories… and pain.
"I'm so tired…" I cried, my voice cracking.
"I don't want to be strong anymore…"
For weeks, I had held everything inside.
Pretended I was okay.
Pretended I could survive this.
But I couldn't.
Not alone.
"I'm here."
The voice was soft… but real.
I froze.
Slowly, I looked up—
And there he was.
Standing at the door.
"How…?" My voice was barely there.
"You left your bag," he said quietly, holding it up slightly.
"I came to return it."
I stared at him, my tears still falling.
Of all the moments…
Why now?
Why when I was at my weakest?
"I didn't mean for you to see this…" I whispered, trying to wipe my tears quickly.
But my hands wouldn't stop shaking.
He didn't say anything.
He just walked closer… slowly… like he didn't want to scare me.
And then—
He sat beside me.
No questions.
No judgment.
Just silence.
"I miss her so much…" I finally said, my voice breaking again.
"It hurts… all the time…"
For a second, I thought he wouldn't respond.
But then, softly—
"I know."
I looked at him, confused.
"You… know?"
His eyes held something deep. Something heavy.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
"I know what it feels like… to lose someone you can't replace."
My heart paused.
For the first time…
I wasn't the only one hurting.
And before I could stop myself—
I leaned forward… and cried.
Not quietly.
Not holding back.
I cried like everything inside me was finally spilling out.
And he didn't move away.
He didn't tell me to stop.
He just… stayed.
Letting me fall apart—
Without making me feel weak for it.
For the first time since my mom died…
I wasn't alone in my pain.