He Smiled, And I Shivered

Milan didn’t want to carry regrets anymore. So he set out on a year-long journey, going wherever his heart or fate led him.

Second Day of Milan’s Trip

The alarm never woke Milan. His body clock always did.

In his rented apartment, He opened his eyes to the sky from the balcony—hazy, dark, and faintly blue with a veil of fog. Silence hung thick in the air. A beautiful silence.

He began his usual routine of exercise, training his body for a full hour. Sweat dripped down, yet his presence carried an aura—mysterious, calm, almost dominant. After a shower and breakfast, Then, before stepping outside, he pulled on his black cap, a mask covering nose to ear, and light maroon glasses that swallowed the outline of his eyes. In the mirror, he looked faceless. That was how he preferred it.

On the roadside, he noticed a small shop, little more than a cabinet beneath the sheltering branches of a massive tree. The atmosphere was almost heavenly—quiet, cool, and shaded by the tree’s embrace. Milan sat down on a stool.

The shopkeeper was thin, his back bent like the old tree shading the stall. His frown seemed permanent, carved into his wrinkled face.

There is also an young man who was drinking coffee while talking on The phone, The young man had blond hair that brushed his collar, a little too long to be neat. His light blue eyes were sharp but not unkind. Slim frame, red shirt half-tucked into black jeans—he looked like someone in a hurry, yet oddly relaxed.

When the man finished his coffee and stood, he reached for his pocket—then froze.

“Ah, damn… I forgot my wallet.” He turned to the old shopkeeper. “Sir, can you give me a quarter of an hour? I’ll run back and pay you double.”

The shopkeeper’s face darkened. his eyes narrow with suspicion. “Nowadays everyone forgets,” he muttered, lips curling. “You think you can fool an old man?”

Arguments was quite annoying for Milan he knows this is not something big but he understood for the shopkeeper, being tricked like this repeatedly could mean ruin.

Milan Stood up and came to counter, Shopkeeper and Guy stoped argument for a Brief moment, Milan Took out some money from his pocket and placed in front of Shopkeeper.

The old man snatched them with a smirk, smiling as though Milan had been fooled.

Guy immediately flushed in embarrassment “Brother... Please wait give me your number or wait for few moments I will return your money"

Milan shook his head gently, a faint smile behind the mask.“no need for that, Friend"

hesitating with awkward smile.“My name is Levis Allard. I truly appreciate your help. Thank you—and forgive me again for the trouble.”

Milan saw through it.

“Milan Everhart,” he replied, patting his shoulder lightly. “Don’t worry about it.”

Something shifted then — a quiet spark of friendship. They walked together for a while, talking about nothing in particular, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

They talked a little while walking together, then stopped at the corner.

With sparkling eyes and grin Levis Said.“This was most comfortable conversation i had with anyone on my trip, I hope our path cross again" Despite not seeing his face or Milan Don't talk too much, Levis felt comfortable like an sworn brother

Milan noded slightly while smiling.“same for me as well hope we meet again."

Both parted their ways, heading in opposite direction of eachother, they thought this was just an one time talk they had with stranger and their might not meet eachother again but you know fate is surprisingly strange.