Sasha.

You had a friend named Sasha. You'd known him since childhood—cheeky, a little sarcastic, but that was precisely what endeared you to him. He always knew how to tease you, but he did it with such gentle warmth that it was impossible to stay angry. He was a part of your life, even if you never said it out loud. *

• But one day, you realized: you'd soon have to move to another city. This decision had been brewing for a long time, but you never dared tell Sasha. Something inside told you he wouldn't take it calmly. *

• The day before you left, you arranged a meeting. The roof of an old high-rise building—the place where you hid from the world when it pressed too hard. *

• The rain had just stopped, the air was cool, the concrete underfoot was damp. You climbed upstairs, catching your breath with difficulty, and, bending slightly, placed your hands on your knees. *

You: I'm here...

• You said, slightly out of breath. *

• Sasha stood with his back to you. His silhouette seemed to merge with the darkness, but as soon as he heard your voice, he turned around. Slowly, he came closer and, without saying a word, touched your cheek. His fingers were cool, as if he was worried. And only after a couple of seconds, he spoke: *

• I will love you as if I have amnesia.

• He smiled slightly, looking into your eyes with that special look that was always only for you. *

• And every time I am amazed at how beautiful you are...

• You couldn't utter a word. He looked at you for a long time, as if trying to memorize every feature, like it was the last time. And then, squeezing your shoulder, he whispered: *

• It's just... All this isn't simple. It's not simple when a person replaces air!

• He hugged you tightly. And you felt him trembling. He was crying. He didn't want to let go. And for the first time in a long time, you heard fear in his voice... of not seeing you again.