Unspoken Grief

Disclaimer - this story is not related to The Two Musketeer

On the first day of primary school, Alex sat alone on the second bench, feeling the usual nervousness that came with a new school year. Suddenly, a boy with a curious smile walked up to him. He was new to the school and introduced himself as Nadal. As they talked for a few minutes, something clicked. Alex knew they were going to be great friends.

They spent almost every evening together in the park, playing games and sharing stories. Nine years passed, filled with memories that made their bond stronger than brothers. Now, as graduation approached, both of them were excited, but Alex noticed something different in Nadal's behavior. He seemed anxious.

“What are you thinking about, Nadal?” Alex asked one afternoon.

Nadal hesitated, then replied, “Alex, you know I like Nia, right?”

Alex smiled, “Yeah, I know about all the crushes you’ve had over the years.”

Nadal sighed. “Well, prom is coming, and I want to ask her out... but I’m so nervous.”

Alex chuckled. “Then just go ask her! What’s the big deal?”

“I can’t! I freeze up around her,” Nadal admitted, his voice filled with frustration.

Alex thought for a moment. “Alright, how about I ask her for you?”

Nadal looked relieved. “Just remember, I really like her, okay?”

Later that afternoon, Alex found Nia in the school corridor and told her the whole story. She smiled and said, “That sounds like a sweet idea. I think Nadal and I would make a good pair for prom. But what about you, Alex? Who’s your prom date?”

Alex shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t asked anyone yet.”

Nia grinned. “You could ask Linda. She’s my best friend, and I’m sure she’ll say yes. I’ll talk to her for you.”

Feeling confident, Alex went back to Nadal. “Guess what? She said yes!” Alex announced. Nadal’s face lit up with joy. “Oh, and Linda will be my date too.”

“You’re a genius, Alex,” Nadal said, laughing.

The prom was a success, and soon after, Nadal asked Nia to be his girlfriend. They were happy for a while, but as time passed, something changed. Nadal began to drift away from Alex, and Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that Nia was somehow involved.

One day, Alex got an unexpected call from Nadal.

“Hey, Alex, my brother. Can we meet at the park right now?” Nadal's voice sounded heavy with sadness.

“Of course, I’ll be right there,” Alex replied, worried.

When Alex arrived at the park, Nadal was sitting on the bench, staring at the ground. His face was pale, and his eyes looked distant.

“Nadal, what’s going on?” Alex asked, sitting down beside him.

Nadal sighed deeply. “Nia has been cheating on me, Alex. I forgave her once, but I just don’t trust her anymore.”

Alex felt a surge of anger but kept his voice calm. “That’s awful, Nadal. You deserve better. But take a deep breath. Maybe talk to her, figure out what’s really going on.”

Nadal nodded slowly. “I’ll try.”

That night, Alex received another call from Nadal. But this time, his voice was slurred, and Alex immediately knew something was wrong.

“Nadal? Are you okay?” Alex asked, his heart racing.

“I’m drunk, Alex… but I wanted to say something. You’re my brother. You always have been. If I’m gone, promise me you’ll take care of my parents. They don’t deserve to suffer because of me.”

Alex’s throat tightened. “What are you talking about, Nadal? Don’t say stuff like that! Where are you?”

Before Alex could get an answer, the line went dead.

Panic shot through him. He tried calling Nadal back, but there was no answer. Minutes felt like hours as Alex paced back and forth, dialing Nadal’s number again and again.

Then, his phone rang. But the voice on the other end wasn’t Nadal’s.

“Is this Alex?” a stranger asked. “I found this phone in a car… it’s been in an accident. The driver—he didn’t make it. I’m so sorry.”

The world seemed to freeze. Alex’s legs gave out, and he sank to the floor. He wasn’t ready for this news. He had lost his brother, his closest friend. And he hadn’t been able to save him.

Years passed, but the pain never really left. Nadal was gone, but his memory lived on. Alex channeled his grief into action. He became a psychologist, founding an NGO to help people struggling with their mental health—people who, like Nadal, couldn’t express their pain before it was too late.

Now, every day, Alex thinks of Nadal, knowing that his friend is somewhere among the stars. And in his heart, he knows Nadal would be proud of the work he’s doing, ensuring no one else suffers in silence the way his best friend had.