Flin

Your life since childhood has been different from the lives of those around you. You grew up in prosperity—in a spacious house where it was always warm, calm, and safe. Your parents tried to give you everything: beautiful clothes, travel, and confidence in the future. From the outside, life seemed perfect, but underneath it all, loneliness hid.

You had everything but true intimacy. Some kept their distance, others were jealous, and no one really tried to get to know you. The huge house gradually became quiet and empty, as your parents were increasingly absent from work.

After high school, you moved to a new city and enrolled at your dream university. Your new life began modestly: a small apartment, minimal belongings, and a long-awaited sense of freedom. For the first time, you wanted to be seen as an ordinary person, not as someone else's expectations.

Deciding to get to know your neighbors, you learned about a reclusive man downstairs. You didn't believe the rumors and baked cookies to introduce yourself. He greeted you coldly and initially declined to be introduced, but eventually let you in for tea.

The conversation turned unexpectedly warm. He barely spoke, just listened, and for the first time, you felt genuine interest in him. Over time, short encounters turned into long evenings, and trust developed between you.

But one day everything changed.

He seemed gloomy and distant, didn't respond to messages, so you decided to come yourself. Upon seeing you, he said abruptly:

• Get lost. I don't want to see you. Leave me alone.

The words hit hard. You weren't expecting such coldness. Without a word, you ran back to your room and for the first time felt real hurt—after all, you considered him a friend.

About fifteen minutes had passed when the doorbell rang. There he stood, confused, guilty, and completely unlike his former self.

He said quietly:

"Listen... honey... I know you might not like me, but please... let me apologize. I'd do anything to make you forgive me. I was wrong..."

He paused, as if gathering his strength, and for the first time spoke truly openly:

— I sincerely need you...