episode 3: The Sky That Suddenly Changed

...It was a Sunday morning. The streets were quiet, the sky painted in soft tones of grey, and a light breeze moved through the leaves like whispers from an unseen past. But inside Rayhan’s heart, there was no peace—only a deep, lingering heaviness....

He sat beside his bedroom window, holding a notebook that looked worn from time and memories. On the inside cover was something scribbled in a childish scrawl:

“Fahim + Rayhan \= Best Bros Forever.”

...A shaky smile appeared on Rayhan’s lips. That page carried more than just ink. It carried laughter, tears, late-night talks, and promises made under open skies. Now, that smile cracked, like glass trembling before a shatter....

...His phone vibrated suddenly, breaking the stillness....

Fahim:

“Come to the school gate at 12. Alone. Please.”

That message felt cold, urgent, distant. Rayhan stared at it for a few seconds before grabbing his hoodie and heading out. His heart thudded hard in his chest, like it already knew something was about to break.

The school gate stood in front of him like a silent witness. Empty on Sundays, but not today. Fahim stood there, his head low, hoodie up, hands clenched into fists.

Rayhan walked closer, voice soft but serious.

“Fahim?”

Fahim didn’t look up. He simply extended a folded piece of paper.

“If I disappear… read this.”

...Rayhan’s breath caught....

...“What the hell are you saying?! What’s going on with you, bro?”...

...Fahim’s voice was tired, broken....

...“No one really hears me, Rayhan. Not my parents, not my teachers… Sometimes I feel like I’m just noise in the background of everyone else’s life.”...

Rayhan grabbed his shoulder.

“But I hear you. Always did. Always will.”

Fahim gave a faint smile, the kind that looks like it hurts more than it heals.

“You know what hurts the most? Pretending everything’s okay when it’s not. At school, I laugh. At home, I stay quiet. But in my head… it’s chaos. And I’m tired.”

They stood in silence. Then Rayhan quietly said,

“You remember that one time in eighth grade when we skipped class to eat noodles by the river?”

Fahim chuckled.

“And I dropped my whole plate into the water…”

“Yeah, and you screamed like someone stole your dreams,” Rayhan laughed, wiping the corner of his eye.

“That was one of the few days I forgot everything,” Fahim murmured.

“The only time I felt… free.”

Rayhan sat on the low wall near the school gate and gestured for Fahim to sit beside him.

“Tell me the truth, bro… Are you planning to leave?”

FAhim didn’t answer immediately. His fingers traced the edge of the paper in his hand. Finally, he spoke.

“I don’t know… Sometimes I think it’d be easier. But then I think of you, and… I stay.”

Rayhan’s voice was firm now, eyes sharp.

“Then don’t go. Stay because I’m here. Stay because our story isn’t over yet.”

Fahim looked away, hiding the tear that rolled down his cheek.

“I wish the world was as kind as you are, Rayhan. But it’s not. People expect things I can’t give. My dad wants me to be someone I’m not. My mom pretends she doesn’t notice. I feel like I’m suffocating in a life I didn’t choose.”

Rayhan placed a hand on Fahim’s shoulder.

“Then screw expectations. Let’s build our own path. You, me, and whatever weird mess we get into next.”

...Just then, a girl passed behind them—quietly, head down, face hidden by long hair and a school bag hanging loosely from one shoulder. Her footsteps echoed briefly, then disappeared. Neither boy noticed much. Their moment was too heavy to break....

...The sky, which had been light grey, began to darken. Clouds drifted in slowly, like thoughts unspoken....

...“The sky looks like us today,” Rayhan whispered....

...“Confused, silent… holding back tears.”...

...Fahim stood up, dusting off his pants....

...“Come with me. There’s a place I want to show you. Haven’t been there in years.”...

...They walked in silence, past streets filled with closed shops and quiet memories. Eventually, they reached an old park—overgrown grass, broken swings, and a rusted slide stood in silence....

...“I used to come here with my mom,” Fahim said quietly....

“Before things changed. She told me once… ‘People will leave, dreams will fade, but a friend who listens—really listens—is rarer than gold.’”

Rayhan looked around the park.

...“Feels like time stopped here,” he said....

Fahim sat on a stone bench, eyes distant.

“I keep wondering… if I vanish, will anyone even notice?”

Rayhan walked over, kneeling in front of him.

“I will. Every damn day. I’ll wake up and feel that empty space beside me. I’ll go to school, laugh fake laughs, and try not to look at your seat. You think I won’t notice? Bro, you’re half of who I am.”

Fahim blinked hard. The tears finally came.

“Why do you even care this much?”

Rayhan smiled softly.

...“Because when I was the invisible kid in class, you were the first to see me. When I failed math and thought I was worthless, you taught me all night before the next exam. You never let go of me. So how can I ever let go of you?”...

THey sat together in silence, just breathing. Just being. No words were needed anymore.

The wind blew softly through the trees, and the sun began its slow descent behind the clouds. The sky turned a deeper shade of grey.

Fahim whispered,

“Maybe I won’t leave yet.”

Rayhan grinned.

“Damn right you won’t.”

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