From another Angle (2)

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❄️ Memoy:

(A snowy February day, years ago)

I still remember.

A memory I never truly understood—

Not back then.

Maybe I was too young.

Or maybe… time really does change people.

It was one of those February days when the cold seeps into your bones.

Snow was falling like rain from the sky, covering everything without mercy.

The room was cold, but the bed was warm. I opened my eyes, tired. I hadn't slept well. My eyelids felt too heavy to lift, so I sat up instead.

Right in front of me—

That small mirror on my makeup table, the kind with little drawers full of lip glosses and old earrings.

The first thing I noticed was the puffiness beneath my eyes.

Last night's crying had left its mark.

And not because of Dad.

Not because of Souh.

But because of Kai.

Still, I told myself not to think about it.

I stretched, let my feet touch the cold wooden floor, and walked to the bathroom.

The only thing that could make me feel better that morning…

was a long blue skirt and a pale blue sweater.

My comfort colors.

After a hot shower, I stood in front of the mirror again.

Water dripped from my hair, soaking the fabric of my clothes.

My face didn't look as terrible anymore.

But unlike most mornings—

I couldn't even fake a smile.

I dried my hair, tied it up, and left the room.

I had a place in mind.

A place I hoped he would be.

The usual park.

That quiet one under the trees.

My heart hurt, but I kept walking.

Kai's smile was enough reason to keep going.

Just as I touched the doorknob—

Souh appeared.

His face.

His eyes… they weren't as cold anymore.

He looked different, softer somehow.

But distant.

Like something invisible had pushed me far away from both him and Kai.

Still, I pretended nothing was wrong.

"Souh? Is something wrong?" I asked quietly.

He gave me a smile. A real one—he'd been smiling more lately.

"I can't go with you to the park today," he said. "Can you tell Kai not to wait for me, Sia?"

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked.

"That's a secret," he said. The smile faded as he walked past me.

Lately, his secrets were growing like shadows.

And Tai's car had been stopping by our house more and more.

It was starting to scare me.

I went downstairs.

Mom was in the kitchen, cooking.

She'd been doing better lately.

Calmer. Kinder.

I could talk to her now, but Souh still barely said a word to her.

"Sia! Good, you're here," Mom called. "Do you know what day it is?"

"Sunday?" I guessed.

"It's your brother's birthday," she smiled. "I'm baking him a cake. Can you buy a few things from the store?"

She handed me a list—party supplies.

I left the house, the cold air kissing my cheeks.

My footsteps echoed. The street was empty.

Above me, birds cried out like winter ghosts.

I reached the park.

Opened the rusty iron gate.

And there he was.

Kai.

Sitting on the swing, wearing a thick coat, eyes staring at the frozen ground.

Nine years old, small, quiet.

I walked up behind him and covered his eyes.

"Souh?" he asked.

And my heart shattered.

I smiled—barely.

I took my hands away and whispered, "Nope. It's just me, silly. Souh's not coming today."

"Oh, Sia! You came. Wanna play?" he asked, eyes finally lighting up.

I sat on the swing next to him.

For a moment, I hesitated.

Should I tell him about Souh's birthday?

"What's that list in your hand?" Kai asked.

No turning back.

"It's Souh's birthday," I said quietly.

His smile was wide. "Really?"

"Yeah… Wanna come help me buy the stuff?" I offered.

He jumped up instantly.

We left the park together.

And then—

He held my hand.

Just to help me cross the road.

I knew it didn't mean anything more.

He was just being kind.

But still, my cheeks turned red. My heart raced.

A few blocks later, we reached the store.

We bought everything on the list.

We ate ice cream.

Then we went to his place and played with dolls—Kai loved dolls more than most boys his age.

Maybe that's why I felt safe around him.

He was different. Special.

Evening came.

Kai had already gotten permission to stay over at our house that night.

We walked home together.

Through the quiet forest path.

Souh wasn't back yet.

Mom took the supplies from us, and we started decorating.

An hour later—

Souh walked in.

We shouted.

Confetti exploded in the air.

Everything sparkled.

In that moment,

there was no anger, no distance, no sadness.

Just laughter.

Just light.

He closed his eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles.

We ate cake together.

I didn't know…

that I'd never see Souh smile like that again.

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Multilingual poem (no Persian):

I opened my eyes —

but nothing came to mind.

No words, no rhythm, just silence...

J'ai ouvert les yeux —

mais rien ne m'est venu à l'esprit.

Aucun mot, aucun rythme, juste le silence...

我睁开了眼睛 ——

脑海中一片空白.

没有词语,没有节奏,只有沉默...

나는 눈을 떴어 —

하지만 아무 생각도 나지 않았어.

말도, 리듬도, 오직 침묵만이 있었지...