I was just a secondary character in a very ordinary life.
An ordinary person… not outstanding in anything, not particularly skilled in anything.
My days repeated themselves; from work to home, and from home to work, a cycle with no notable achievements or ambitions chasing me.
And yet…
I loved my life. I loved it sincerely.
I had parents still alive, siblings who shared laughter with me, and a home I returned to every evening.
But the best part of my simple life… was her.
My beloved.
A wonderful girl, it wasn't only her beauty that drew me in, but her kindness, her smile, and the way she spoke…
She was the most beautiful girl at our workplace, and everyone knew it… yet, she was mine.
I loved her with a sincere love.
In the morning, I was on my way to work.
I walked with light steps and a smile that never left my face, greeting everyone I passed, as if the whole world were old friends.
And when I finally arrived, I stood in front of the massive building of our company.
A large company producing apple juice, one of the biggest in the field.
From the outside, it looked successful and thriving, but inside… a different story.
Work without stop, long days stretching into weeks with no real holidays.
Employees were treated like machines or slaves, but high salaries silenced any objection.
And no one dared speak.
And I? I was one of them.
I worked, smiled, and convinced myself that this was life… an ordinary life for an ordinary person, content with what he had.
I entered the interior, a place made of metal sheets, high ceilings, and cold walls reflecting the light of white lamps.
Every time I visited, its vastness and noise amazed me; the sounds of machines, and the smell of fermented apples that never left the place.
I took a few steps and stopped in front of the reception desk.
There was Rokia, busy reviewing some papers, a beautiful girl with a calm, comfortable-to-look-at beauty.
I said in my usual voice: "Good morning, Rokia… how are you today?"
She slowly lifted her head, met my eyes with hers, and smiled lightly:
"Zac… good morning. Honestly? I'm tired. Last night's shift was bad."
I chuckled lightly: "When was it ever good? It seems fatigue has become part of the work contract."
She nodded in agreement, then handed me the card after passing it through the device:
"Today is worse than usual… management is tense, and there's a surprise inspection."
I exhaled quietly, took the card, and said: "Looks like it's going to be a long day."
She smiled faintly: "You're absolutely right?"
I nodded, then added in a friendly tone: "Try not to overwork yourself, Rokia."
She smiled more sincerely: "You too, Zac… take care of yourself."
I headed toward the production hall, greeting some employees, before facing the small, stocky manager shouting across the hall:
"You're very late! What were you doing until now?"
I answered in a soft voice: "Sorry… I couldn't find a cab quickly."
He glared at me with sharp eyes, then sighed: "One minute late? Every minute costs the company money, every minute makes your colleagues bear your workload!"
I nodded, trying to appear confident, despite my inner tension.
"Alright… just make sure it doesn't happen again. Understood?"
"Yes." I nodded, and returned to my place.
Sitting next to me was a young man in his mid-twenties, Aaron.
"Hi, Aaron… how have you been lately? Has your health improved?"
He smiled: "Thank God, I've improved a lot recently."
We exchanged words about my relationship with Aris. I felt shy, but I said honestly: "Our relationship has gotten better… we hold hands, and it makes me happier than I ever imagined."
We started working at a steady pace, sorting boxes, checking quality until time passed without us noticing…
We heard Khazan announce a thirty-minute break. Aaron looked at me: "Shall we go grab something together?"
"Sorry… I have a meeting with someone." I said, trying to evade.
I went to the cafeteria, and there she was, Aris, alone, under the daylight.
Her red hair gleamed, and her green eyes were full of curiosity as she looked around…
She smiled, and my heart fluttered; I felt warmth and nervousness.
I sat in front of her: "Hi, Aris… how was your day?"
"Let's just say it was bad," she answered honestly, feeling tired, so I quickly changed the topic…
I suggested spending some time together later, but she shook her head: "Sorry, I have important work."
She smiled, promising we would meet soon.
Returning to work was difficult; Aaron asked about Aris, but I ignored him and tried to focus on my work.
Finally, the workday ended, and I said to myself:
"It's over… I can finally go home."
Aaron had finished his shift early; still sick, so the manager allowed him to leave.
I stepped into the cold air, winter breeze stinging my face as I walked down the street.
Suddenly, I saw her… Aris, walking on the opposite side.
I wanted to rush to her, but something completely shocked my heart.
A young man in his twenties, a familiar face… it was Aaron.
I saw them laughing, happy, lost in their own world.
I felt a real shock… something inside me broke.
I tried to control myself, but curiosity drove me to follow them silently.
They entered a small nearby restaurant, sat at a table, laughing and exchanging intimate conversation.
Despite the freezing cold outside, the atmosphere around them seemed warm and comfortable.
I sat away from them, watching in silence, my heart heavy with sadness and jealousy, a sense of injustice devouring me.
After an hour, they came out, holding hands, walking slowly as if savoring the calm moment before reaching Aris' home.
Their laughter filled the cold air, mingling with the evening breeze.
They stopped at the door, exchanged sincere glances, then a short but genuine kiss, reflecting the depth of their relationship and love.
Aris entered the house, and Aaron lingered at the door for a moment, smiling before stepping away.
I stood there, frozen, the cold biting my face, all my focus on them alone, as if the world around me had disappeared.
My thoughts raced endlessly:
Why am I here alone? What am I missing? Why couldn't I do anything? Will I always just watch the lives of others? Isn't happiness meant for me?
These thoughts overwhelmed me so much that I lost my awareness of my surroundings.
I could no longer see the road clearly, nor hear the cars normally.
All my focus was on one image… Aris and Aaron together, my body moving automatically, unconsciously.
Suddenly… everything happened in an instant.
I didn't feel the approaching truck, didn't hear its engine, and couldn't step back.
The collision was violent, my body propelled into the air before crashing to the ground, a sharp pain hitting me all at once.
I screamed inside, silently, pain was all I felt.
Darkness began creeping around me, as if the air itself had become heavy, suffocating my chest.
Sounds reached me, fragmented and distorted:
"Call an ambulance! Quickly!"
"Oh God… is he still alive?"
"Move! Don't just stand there!"
I saw faces above me, their features blurred, eyes full of fear… but I felt completely distant from them all.
The cold seeped into my limbs, and my thoughts began fading one by one.
I tried to open my eyes more, to cling to consciousness, but everything became hazy.
I thought with difficulty, as if thinking itself was exhausting:
Am… am I going to die like this?
Footsteps rushed, an ambulance approaching, but my heart weakened, and my body stopped responding.
I surrendered… without resistance.
And in the last moments, one thought repeated in my mind:
Aris… wasn't I supposed to be with her? Why did it end like this?
Then the sounds vanished, the light faded, and I took my last breath.