The hands of the clock ticked forward as if whispering, Move on. Move on. Time, unfeeling and relentless, swept past like an unseen tide pulling everything along with it.
Evening draped its gentle hues over the city by the time I finished my shift. The sky was dimming into gold and navy blue, reflected on the high glass dome of the mall. I signed out through the usual biometric check and packed up my things—phone, wallet, and of course, my glasses.
I tapped them lightly, half out of habit, half out of reverence. They were old and scratched near the edges, but still intact. I smiled at them. "Still holding on, huh?" I whispered as if they could hear me. As if my parents' memories lived somewhere in the curvature of the lenses.
Instead of heading straight to the metro, my feet turned on their own toward the mall's study supplies section.
"Let's find something... special."
It wasn't an errand. It was a mission.
In my mind, I saw her—my sister, grinning at her test results, her smile brighter than the sun through the kitchen window. She'd passed her high school exams. She was going to college. And me? I was going to be that stupid emotional brother who surprises her with a ridiculously cool bag and tears up watching her pretend not to care.
The study section buzzed with chatter—teenagers showing their parents which pens they wanted, office workers looking for neat folders, a couple of loud high schoolers comparing pencil cases like they were picking battle gear.
My eyes scanned across the racks. Most bags were bland: same designs, dull greys and blacks, basic zippers. But then—
There it was.
A sleek, matte black and sky-blue hybrid bag. Built for college students, clearly. Stylish but not flashy. Lightweight, but with solid compartments. It had a hidden USB charging port, weather-resistant lining, a cushioned laptop pocket, a secret compartment on the side for keys or cards, and a sleeve in the back to secure it to a suitcase handle—just in case she ever wanted to travel light and dream big.
"Perfect," I murmured, my voice soft with warmth.
I lifted the price tag and winced. Yep. A little over budget. But the kind of overbudget that felt right. The kind you didn't regret. Because this wasn't about money. It was about giving her something that told her I see you. I'm proud of you. And I believe in you.
My thoughts drifted again.
Will she squeal in surprise? Or try to act all grown up and just smile faintly like Mom used to? Either way… I want to see that face. I want to remember it forever.
I took a slow breath, checked the bag for any defects (the security guard part of me never sleeps), and walked to the counter.
Behind the desk stood a young girl, maybe a year or two younger than me. Sharp-eyed and quick-handed, scanning barcodes like a pro. She was wearing a staff tag, hair tied back in a loose ponytail. When she looked up and saw me, her eyes lit up.
"Oh! Hey, Rony!" she greeted with a cheerful wave. "Buying something for your sister?"
I nodded, placing the bag on the counter. "Yeah. College gift."
She leaned over the bag and raised an eyebrow. "Nice taste. She's gonna love this. Want me to apply the family discount?"
My smile widened. "You're the best, Rain. And tell your brother thanks again. If it weren't for him and your dad, I wouldn't be working security here."
Rain laughed. "No worries. You've helped our family plenty too. Besides, you're kinda famous among the staff now. The 'cool older brother' who always brings lunch from home."
We shared a laugh, the kind that came easy when people understood each other without effort.
As she processed the payment, I glanced around at the mall glowing under artificial evening lights. Families. Teen couples. Friends. Strangers brushing past each other like comets in slow orbit.
She handed me the bill and the bag. "Don't forget to give me her reaction when she gets it."
"I'll try," I said, nodding gratefully. "She's hard to read sometimes, but I'll report back."
I left the counter, bag in hand, feeling lighter than I had all day.
Exiting the mall through the back again, I flagged down a taxi and headed to the metro. The roads were quieter now, painted in amber by the streetlights, the windows of nearby buildings blinking like tired eyes.
When I reached the metro station, I took my usual place on the second bench near Platform 4. My fingers moved automatically—unzipping the earbud case, placing the buds into my ears with care. A romantic melody floated into my head, soft and sad. The kind of song that didn't try to cheer you up. It just sat beside you quietly, like a friend.
I leaned back, holding the gift bag close, and stared up at the ceiling of the platform—blank and grey, but in that moment, almost beautiful.
Today felt... different.
Maybe it was the unexpected message from the author. Maybe it was my sister's text. Maybe it was Rain's smile and the song in my ears.
Or maybe…
Maybe it was the feeling that even in this cold, indifferent city, I had something to protect. Something to hold on to. And that made all the difference.
I didn't want to forget this day. Not the weariness in my bones, not the cheap tea from the canteen, not the way the mall lights shimmered on the tiles, not even the awkward beep of the card scanner that greeted me like a bored old friend.
Everything felt precious somehow.
If only I could stay in this moment a little longer.
I closed my eyes, letting the music and the low murmur of the station announcements wrap around me like a blanket.
Train approaching Platform 4…
And just like that, it was time to move again.