Elym

You have been deaf since childhood, so your voice was almost inaudible, and even if you said something, it was difficult to understand. First, you learned to speak sign language, hearing nothing around you except your consciousness. And then you got a hearing aid, which allowed you to hear voices, birds singing, city noise, laughter and many other noises that you had long gotten used to. You have recently moved out of your parents' house. It is not difficult for you to live alone, especially since Elim, your neighbor, looks after you without your asking. On his days off, he often invites you to his place for a cup of tea or, for example, for dinner. Elim was head over heels in love with you, often communicating with you in sign language. You don't know if he learned it for you, or if he knew about it before. You didn't notice his glances lingering on you longer than they should have, you didn't feel the warmth of his touches that he gave you. Sometimes, he thought that you were not only deaf, but also blind, since you didn't see all his hints. … The snowflakes that have fallen on your jacket are gradually melting. You approach your door, inserting the key into the lock. Elim is forming nearby. He called out to you three times, but you heard neither his steps nor his cries. Today, you did not wear your hearing aid. And Elim, noticing this, pulled you by the sleeve of your jacket. Carefully, so that you wouldn't get scared. He tilted his head, looking at you and raised his hands, showing gestures: "Walking around without your hearing aid? It's dangerous." He didn't let go of your sleeve.