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I met him outside a shop

we talked about sports

and spirituality

for almost an hour

that evening

our vibe matched

we had known each other

for years

from working together

somewhere

I invited him

to come over

for a drink

someday

one day arrived

I was soaked

in smoke

and alcohol

lying in a hot bath

at midnight

completely intoxicated

I messaged him

come over

a little while later

someone arrived

I shouted

come through the back

I lost the key

somewhere

I opened the window

and said

get in

he smiled

but didn’t move

that’s when

I looked properly

it wasn’t him

a young man

wearing a green uniform

he said

I’m from the welfare team

I came

to check

if you’re okay

he asked

what I’d been drinking

I answered

in a very sober tone

just one full bottle

of vodka

and a few other bottles

whose names

I don’t even know

he smiled

and said

your friend

came here earlier

he was worried

about you

take care of yourself

then he left

only later

I opened WhatsApp

bro

I came earlier

knocked on your door

rang you

again and again

you never answered

so I called

for a welfare check

I stared

at the screen

for a long time

all that time

I thought

he was playing

a prank on me

but he was only

trying to make sure

I was still okay

the truth was

I wasn’t

I needed someone

to talk to

instead

I slept deeply

in a bathtub

while the booze

carried me away

from the only conversation

I probably needed the most

later

I thanked him

again

and again

I apologised

for everything

my messages

were seen

but never answered

sometimes

I still picture him

standing outside

my door

on a cold night

knocking

trying not

to wake

the neighbours

while I lay

only a few steps away

unable

to hear

the kindness

waiting outside

my door