It was a quiet night. Nothing but city lights stretched beneath the bridge.
I stood there alone, staring down into the darkness below. I couldn't really tell what was at the bottom. My mind was blank. I wasn't thinking of anything. I was just there, about to jump.
Out of nowhere, someone grabbed the back of my shirt, and said "are you going to jump?" Before I could answer, he leaned forward and looked down with me., "ugh, that would be hurt as hell, so do you want to go eat first? It'll be my treat."
I blindly accepted his offer, followed him while he kept holding my shirt, like he was afraid I'd disappear if he let go.
He looked older than me, his clothes were wrinkled, like he'd just come back from work, but his hair was neatly in place. He looked tired. And somehow… happy? I wasn't sure why that surprised me so much.
He mumbles something, or perhaps a lot, I can't seem to remember what he said, my head was too busy with my own mind. He keeps on talking until we arrive to the place he mentioned before, a small food stall that is about to close.
He ordered three portions, one for me and two for him. For someone his size, it was unexpected. He noticed my stare and smiled. "What's with that look? One of these is for someone at home." While smiling like he was teasing me.
"So," he said, sliding the food toward me, "I want to see you eat it, and tell me, what's wrong?" he asked, but I stood still, couldn't say anything like my mouth was sealed.
He didn't push. Instead, he added gently, "If you want, do you want to come over? My place just around the corner, there won't be people hearing, just you and I, no one will judge." He then follows up like he knows what's on my mind.
Unexpectedly, I trusted that man, and I nodded without thinking. Unbeknownst to me, that decision changed my life.
I came to his home, he let me in, I saw a woman in the living room, watching midnight news with a smoke on her hand, he yelled "Ma, I'm bringing someone home, I brought food for you I put it here."
So that's his mom. I thought. She replied "Hngg, just remember the rules" she then continued focusing on her TV again.
I followed him to his room, it was clean and neat, I never thought a man could be this neat.
"She's the owner of this house, I rented her room, everyone here called her mom, don't mind her, she's actually nice hahaha" He breaks the silent and chuckles awkwardly, but I responded with a small nod.
He guided me to sit on the bed and asked if I was comfortable.
I, without realizing, started to broke.
I cried like my life depended on it in front of stranger that I don't even know his name yet. He pulled me into his arm, and patted my head, "Let it out, it's okay, everything will be okay" he said softly.
I found myself telling him everything, how heavy it all felt, how tired I was, he was the first person I'd ever told.
And he stayed, listening to all of it without judging me, just like he promised at the food stall.
The night grew late, and I fell asleep on his bed. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking at me.
I don't know how long passed before I felt his fingers brushing through my hair. I didn't open my eyes right away. I stayed still, listening.
"Poor boy," he whispered. "I know life's been hard on you. But please be strong. There's still so much ahead. Don't give up yet. I've been there, I know exactly how you feel."
My chest tightened.
When I finally opened my eyes, I saw him crying.
I didn't move. I didn't know how to react. I just watched him, frozen in place.
He noticed and let out a small, embarrassed laugh, wiping his tears landing on my cheek.
"You should've stayed asleep," he said, "now I feel embarrassed." He lets a small laugh and tried to hold his tears.
But I couldn't look away.
Because as I lay there, staring at him, one thought kept echoing in my head,
that was the first time someone had ever shed a tear for me.