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Once upon a time,
there lived an dorky young man who was constantly compared to his older brother.
His brother was handsome and often praised by those around them, in stark contrast to the dorky young man, who became the target of ridicule without a single soul to defend him.
Fed up with it all, the young man left his family behind and began a new life, burning with determination to transform his appearance so he would never again be called "dorky."
Unfortunately, that fire wasn’t strong enough to scorch the wounds left by his past, and over time, it turned into a deep hatred for those who were attractive.
He settled in a coastal village far from the city. In that village, no one mocked him. In that village, no one called him “ugly.” In that village, he was the most handsome of all.
Until one day, the villagers were startled by the arrival of a mysterious figure who had washed ashore.
Pale skin shimmered like a gem, laid bare without a single thread of clothing. His slightly angular face was veiled behind strands of silver hair, and his swollen, bluish legs revealed that the figure was wounded.
Rumors began to spread—questions echoed through the village: Who is this stranger? Is he alive? Where did he come from? What should we do about his sudden appearance?
Amid the commotion, a tall young man stepped forward. He took off his outer shirt and gently draped it over the stranger’s bare body, then swiftly scooped him up into his arms.
"Instead of questioning who he is, we should treat his wounds! He’s hurt!" he declared.
"If no one else is willing to help, then I will take care of him!" he continued, his voice bold and unwavering.
That man was Nirwana—the once dorky young man who had undergone a complete transformation after building a life of his own, away from his family.
Realizing he was right, the villagers nodded in agreement and began working together, offering whatever help they could as Nirwana tended to the mysterious stranger.
***
“Eungh…?”
“You’re awake?”
Nirwana asked the question upon hearing the faint voice of the mysterious figure, whose eyes had finally fluttered open.
But after that, silence.
Nirwana, who had been changing clothes in preparation for work, turned his head curiously—only to find the stranger staring at him in surprise. Though the man's face was partly hidden beneath his slightly long hair, Nirwana could tell his expression was probably adorable—his lips formed a perfect ‘O’ of astonishment.
“Are you hungry? I made some bread. And…” Nirwana checked his watch. “I still have a little time. We could talk about how you've been unconscious for two days since I found you on the beach.”
The stranger gave a shy nod. “Thank you.”
He then tried to get off the bed and stand, but his body suddenly lost balance. Nirwana rushed over and caught him in time, pulling him into a steadying embrace.
“Ahaha… Thank you…”
Realizing the stranger likely wasn’t in any shape to move on his own yet, Nirwana didn’t hesitate. Without being asked, he lifted the frail body and carried him over to the dining table.
“Eat up. You’re so thin it felt like I was lifting a feather, not a person,” Nirwana said, offering him a plate of bread and a glass of milk.
"Thank you…” the young man replied softly.
Nirwana took a seat across from him, quietly observing the figure he had rescued. He was a young man too, seemingly around the same age.
The pale, gem-like skin Nirwana had first seen was now properly covered with the clothes he had lent him. Of course, Nirwana had dressed him himself. Since they were both male, he didn’t feel awkward about it.
Even so, he still hadn’t gotten a clear look at the stranger’s face, which remained hidden behind his long hair.
“What’s your name?” Nirwana asked gently.
“Thank you!”
“Yes, I know. It’s fine. But what’s your name?”
“Thank you!”
Nirwana frowned. “Your name is… Thank you?”
“Thank you!” the young man replied loudly, nodding with great enthusiasm.
Just as Nirwana had suspected, something was definitely off. No matter how many questions he asked, the only answer he ever received was "Thank you."
In the end, both amused and mildly frustrated, Nirwana decided to teach the young man new words during the course of his recovery.
***
It had been a week since the mysterious young man arrived at Nirwana’s home.
During that time, the smaller and shorter young man had followed him everywhere he went—even to work.
Nirwana worked as a fisherman, though most would probably describe his job simply as "fishing." Every evening, he and the young man would set out to sea in Nirwana’s small boat, casting nets in hopes of catching fish.
Truthfully, calling it “fishing” didn’t quite capture it. Nirwana was a true fisherman. This was how he had made a living ever since he began his independent life in the coastal village.
While Nirwana focused on throwing his nets into the open sea, the young man amused himself by splashing and playing in the water.
“You like playing with water, huh,” Nirwana remarked with a small smile.
Once the nets were set, Nirwana turned to observe the boy beside him. After a week of care, he looked much better. His body was no longer frail, his once-pale skin looked a little more vibrant, and his wounds were nearly healed.
Nirwana was about to call out to the young man but stopped himself. He had just realized that he still didn’t know his name.
“Now that I think about it, I still don’t know your name. What's your name?” Nirwana walked over and sat beside him.
The moment he sat down, the young man clung tightly to his arm, then shook his head in response.
After living together for several days, Nirwana had grown used to his companion’s behavior—always sticking close to him, hugging him at random moments, or following him wherever he went. Rather than feeling annoyed by the clinginess, Nirwana found it comforting. Maybe it was because he had been lonely for so long. That kind of affection, in its own way, made him feel warm. It felt like being with a little brother.
Back to the headshake—it meant he didn’t know. Strangely, Nirwana wasn’t surprised. After all, this boy had appeared mysteriously, washed up on the shore with no memory, no words besides “thank you.” Even after being taught new syllables, that was still the only phrase he ever spoke.
“How about I give you a name?” Nirwana offered.
The boy looked up at him, curious.
“Samudra,” he said.
“You seem to love staring at the sea. So I thought the name would suit you.”
After Nirwana said that, the boy—now named Samudra—nodded enthusiastically and wiggled with joy.
Nirwana couldn’t help but smile at Samudra’s adorable behavior.
“You really must like that name.”
Once again, Samudra nodded. Then, without warning, he leaned in and placed a small kiss on Nirwana’s cheek. “Thank you!”
At that moment, a gentle sea breeze swept past them, lifting strands of Samudra’s long silver hair and slowly revealing the face that had remained hidden until now.
And that was when Nirwana saw him—truly saw him—for the first time.
A breathtaking face, as if born from the sea and sunset. So serene, so beautiful, that even time itself seemed to hesitate.
***
The next day, Nirwana dragged Samudra out to get his hair cut.
The image of Samudra’s face from the evening before had haunted Nirwana’s thoughts. He couldn’t rest until he saw it again.
And just as he had hoped—after trimming Samudra’s hair short—Nirwana found himself once again speechless, staring in awe at that beautiful face.
“Woah…” he breathed without thinking.
In all his time living in the village, Nirwana had never seen anyone quite like him—so handsome, yet so delicately beautiful. If Samudra had washed up in the middle of the city instead, he might’ve been instantly scouted by a top modeling agency.
With his hair cut short, Samudra almost seemed like a completely different person. No, not a person—he looked more like a celestial being than a human.
Could it be that Samudra wasn’t human at all? His presence and appearance were far too unique. Maybe he really was a sea-born angel?
That absurd thought echoed in Nirwana’s mind as he kept his gaze fixed on Samudra.
But Nirwana wasn’t the only one left in awe. Samudra himself was startled by the reflection in the mirror. His long hair had always fallen over his eyes, keeping him from seeing clearly. Now that it was cut, he was finally able to see what he truly looked like—for the first time.
Nirwana let out a huff. “Hey, that’s your own face. Why are you just as amazed as I am looking at you?”
Well, he couldn’t deny it. Samudra really did have a captivating appearance—one that made people want to keep staring at him.
“Alright. I need to go to the market to deliver the fish. Want to come with me?”
Without hesitation, Samudra stood up and nodded eagerly. Following Nirwana wherever he went was still his top priority.
On the way to the market and once they arrived, people who had seen Samudra before now looked at him in disbelief.
“Nirwana, who’s that with you?” a woman asked.
“That’s Samudra, the boy who washed up on the beach.”
“Oh my gosh, he’s so handsome! Like an angel!”
That was how the conversations went every time the two young men passed someone on the street.
To be honest, Nirwana was glad that people responded so positively to Samudra. Still, a part of him felt uneasy. No one had cared when Samudra still looked messy and weak, but now that he had changed, they swarmed around him like ants drawn to sugar.
Nirwana glanced at Samudra, who was still happily interacting with the townsfolk. “Just as I thought… people like him really annoying.”
When Nirwana first saw Samudra’s face, he had questioned himself. Was he still bothered by people who looked more attractive than him? In the past, Nirwana had been obsessed with improving his looks, determined never to be outshined. But seeing Samudra’s innocence and sincerity, he had decided, maybe it was okay to introduce him to the world.
But in truth, now that he was experiencing it firsthand, it still bothered him. He didn’t like it—didn’t like the feeling of someone else being more attractive than he was.
***
On the way back from the market, Nirwana said nothing. He remained silent, his expression unreadable.
And Samudra, who had been so cheerful earlier, now walked beside him in silence, anxiety clouding his face.
As soon as they reached home, Nirwana began packing the clothes Samudra had worn.
“Leave,” he said. “You’re better now. Go back to where you came from.”
Samudra quickly snatched the bag from Nirwana’s hands and threw it aside. He shook his head firmly, refusing to go.
“Go, before I get angry with you,” Nirwana warned, his voice tense.
Still, Samudra refused to budge.
“DON’T YOU HAVE A HOME? A FAMILY WAITING FOR YOU? YOU SHOULD GO BACK TO WHERE YOU BELONG! DON’T STAY HERE AND BOTHER ME!” Nirwana shouted.
Tears welled in Samudra’s eyes. Scared, but still trying to be brave, he stepped forward, arms outstretched, hoping a hug would calm Nirwana’s anger.
But Nirwana shoved him roughly, and Samudra fell to the floor.
“Eu... huhu... hu...” His sobs burst out. He was terrified, but the thought of leaving Nirwana frightened him even more.
Nirwana ran his hands down his face in frustration.
“SAY SOMETHING! YOU’RE HUMAN, AREN’T YOU? WHY WON’T YOU TALK?! DO YOU THINK I CAN LIVE WITH SOMEONE WHO NEVER SPEAKS? I’M SICK OF THIS!”
He turned away and continued packing. His mind was made up. Samudra had to leave tonight, before everything ended up like the painful past he had run away from.
“Huhuhu... Nir... wa... na...”
Nirwana froze.
For the first time, he heard his name spoken—softly, through broken sobs.
He turned around and saw Samudra, trembling and tear-streaked, calling his name over and over again.
“Nirwana... huhu... Nirwana...”
Like a balm on raw skin, the sound of his name spoken in that voice slowly eased the storm inside him.
Without thinking, Nirwana rushed to Samudra and pulled him into his arms. Tears welled in his eyes.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry I yelled at you. I’m sorry I pushed you. Please forgive me.”
That night, the two of them lay in the same bed.
For the first time, Nirwana opened up about the trauma he carried—about the past that had shaped his anger and fear.
Samudra listened quietly, his arms wrapped tightly around Nirwana, unwilling to let go.
“I know it’s not your fault,” Nirwana whispered. “But I still yelled at you. I still hurt you. I’m so sorry.”
Samudra shook his head, showing he held no grudge.
He pressed his face closer to Nirwana’s chest, breathing in deeply, finding peace in the scent that comforted him.
Nirwana smiled gently at the boy’s affectionate behavior. He had expected Samudra to be angry, but instead, the smaller boy clung even more tightly to him.
"Why do you always cling to me? Do you really not have a home or any family?"
Samudra didn’t respond. Normally, he would at least nod or shake his head.
Nirwana leaned in, trying to peek at his face, only to find that Samudra had already closed his eyes.
"Already asleep, huh... Good night," he whispered softly, pressing a warm kiss to Samudra’s forehead.
***
In the morning, Nirwana asked Samudra to stay at home. Even though he had been honest about his feelings the night before, there was still a lingering restlessness in his heart. He was afraid that if he saw Samudra interacting with others again, he might not be able to control his emotions.
Although sad that he couldn’t come along, Samudra understood how Nirwana felt. He nodded in agreement and stayed behind, alone in the house.
After Nirwana left, Samudra looked around the home he had been living in for the past few days.
To distract himself, he approached the small bookshelf beside the television. One by one, he read through the books Nirwana owned, never seeming to tire of them.
Even though Samudra had only ever spoken the words "thank you" and "Nirwana," he was surprisingly intelligent. He could understand much of what he saw and heard. With the vocabulary he had learned over time, he had already managed to finish reading an entire book by himself.
By the sixth book, Samudra found himself staring blankly at the last page.
It was a picture book, simpler in story than the others he had read, but something about it lingered deeply in his mind.
***
Days passed. Without realizing it, four days had gone by since Nirwana last spent his time with someone quietly trailing behind him everywhere he went.
He had expected Samudra to eventually grow bored of being left alone and come looking for him. But to his surprise, Samudra had been remarkably obedient. Even when Nirwana left the door open, he never stepped outside unless Nirwana invited him.
"Samudra hasn’t come around lately?" a woman asked Nirwana.
As he prepared to head home, Nirwana replied, half-lying, "Ah, he’s enjoying himself at home. Reading books."
It was true that ever since being left alone, Samudra had taken a liking to picture books. So he wouldn’t grow bored, Nirwana had even bought him a few new storybooks.
"Oh... I thought he had gone back to wherever he came from. He looked pretty healthy last time I saw him. How long is he going to stay with you?"
"I’m not sure..."
Truthfully, Nirwana didn’t know how long Samudra would be living with him. He wanted to hear Samudra speak, to tell his story. But that was difficult, since Samudra never said anything beyond a few simple words.
Maybe it was better not to know. Nirwana had come to feel that Samudra’s presence had become a part of his life. If someday Samudra were able to speak and chose to leave, Nirwana couldn’t imagine what his days would feel like without him.
Returning home, the first thing he always saw for the past two days was Samudra asleep on the living room sofa, waiting for him.
And, as usual, Samudra had fallen asleep while holding a picture book about a mermaid.
"I’ve bought him so many books, but he still keeps going back to this one. Why do you have the same taste in stories as I do?"
The book told the story of a mermaid who saved a prince. Because she had fallen in love with him at first sight, she was willing to give up everything and become human.
But sadly, the prince didn’t remember her and chose another, more beautiful woman. In the end, the mermaid turned into sea foam.
It was a tragic tale—one Nirwana had kept on purpose, because hidden in its pages was a reflection of his own pain.
The story whispered a cruel truth: no matter how hard you try, you can still lose to someone who’s simply more attractive.
Quietly, Nirwana bent down and lifted Samudra into his arms, carrying him bridal style to the bed, where they could sleep side by side once again.
***
On Sunday, Nirwana decided to take the day off from work. He could no longer bear to leave Samudra at home alone every day just for the sake of managing his own trauma. So today, Nirwana invited Samudra to the city for a day at the amusement park. He had made up his mind to face his fears—together with Samudra.
Just as Nirwana had imagined, the moment they arrived at the park, Samudra began jumping around with excitement. He pointed at different rides he wanted to try. Though Samudra didn’t say a word, his expressive face made it easy for Nirwana to understand him.
"Nirwana?"
A familiar voice called out, making Nirwana freeze in place.
There he was.
The person who had, indirectly, planted the seeds of his deepest wounds. His one and only older brother—Erlangga.
The two young men, who had just been waiting in line for ice cream, turned at the sound of the voice.
"Oh, it really is you! You left home so suddenly. I’m glad to see you’re doing well."
Samudra immediately noticed the shift in Nirwana’s expression—the discomfort was clear in his eyes.
"Oh, right. Mom and Dad are doing fine. They’re busy preparing for my wedding. You should come, too. Show them how much you’ve changed."
Erlangga looked Nirwana up and down, then shifted his gaze to Samudra. His mouth dropped open in awe at the beauty of the silver-haired young man standing beside his brother.
"You’re Nirwana’s friend, right? Are you interested in joining an agency? I happen to work for a big one. You could become a star!"
He held out a hand, offering Samudra his business card.
Samudra shook his head, showing no interest.
But instead of backing off, Erlangga leaned in even more, trying harder to persuade him.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Nirwana quickly grabbed Samudra’s wrist and pulled him away from his brother.
"Sorry," he said quietly, lowering his head as he glanced at Samudra’s wrist, still red from his tight grip. "I couldn’t hold my emotions back."
The two of them were now on their way back to the village. That unexpected encounter with his brother had drained all of Nirwana’s energy. He just wanted to go home.
Samudra gently cupped Nirwana’s cheeks, guiding his face closer. Their foreheads touched, soft and calm.
Nirwana stood on his toes, startled by the gesture. But the warm contact between their brows seemed to whisper, "It’s okay. Everything will be fine."
From that close distance, Nirwana caught a faint scent of the ocean from Samudra’s body. It was the same smell he always breathed in whenever he went fishing far out at sea.
"Your scent is... unique."
He pressed their noses together, playfully brushing against Samudra’s. Then he reached up to touch the hand that still rested on his cheek, gently lowering it and intertwining their fingers with care.
"Before we head home... do you want to watch the sunset?"
***
That evening, the silhouettes of two young men could be seen sitting side by side atop a coral rock. The sea stretched endlessly before them, glowing gold beneath the fading light of the setting sun.
"Samudra... do you really not know your name? Do you have no family, no home?" Nirwana’s voice was soft as he spoke. "Or are you like me... someone who ran away because they couldn’t stand their circumstances?"
And... can you stay with me?
Looking at him, Nirwana guessed that Samudra might have a trauma—something that made him unable or unwilling to speak.
That’s why Nirwana didn’t want to be the only one leaning on Samudra. He wanted them to rely on each other.
But just like before, Samudra didn’t speak a word.
Nirwana turned his gaze away, watching as Samudra stared blankly out over the ocean.
"Do you know why I named you Samudra?" he asked quietly. "Because you remind me of someone I met in the sea."
Now it was Samudra who turned to look at him. Their eyes met. In his silence, Samudra waited, as if encouraging Nirwana to continue.
"I didn’t always look like this," Nirwana began. "When I first came to this village, people treated me harshly. They made me work like a slave, gave me the hardest jobs, but paid me almost nothing. One day, out at sea, I tried to drown myself."
Nirwana let out a quiet sigh. "But then… a dolphin came and saved me. I was angry that it showed up. But when I looked closer, I saw its body was tangled in a net. That’s when I realized… it was hurt too. That dolphin could’ve just given up and drowned, but instead, it struggled to reach the surface—just to save me. So, in return, I said thank you and untangled the net wrapped around it."
"After that day, the dolphin kept coming back. Every time I went out fishing alone, he was there, keeping me company. I gave him a name—Samudra. He was just a small dolphin who loved splashing around and getting my clothes all wet." Nirwana chuckled softly at the memory.
"Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen that dolphin for several days. When you came out to sea with me, I was hoping he’d appear. I wanted you two to meet."N irwana glanced at the sea before turning his eyes back to Samudra.
"So... are you like me?" His voice softened. "I know you’ve always cared about how I feel. You've always been thoughtful. But now, I want to hear about you.
I want to know you."
He gazed into Samudra’s eyes, calm yet searching.
A deep silence followed—one that made both their hearts beat a little faster.
Nirwana was the first to break eye contact, turning his face away as heat bloomed across his cheeks. He hadn’t expected that looking into Samudra’s eyes would make him feel so flustered.
"Nirwana..."
That sweet voice. The one he’d been longing to hear. It echoed softly into his ears.
He turned to face Samudra again, almost too quickly.
"Y-yes?" Nirwana’s voice trembled slightly. He hoped with all his heart that this time, Samudra would say something—something more.
Samudra moved closer to Nirwana, closing the space between them.
"That mermaid storybook... it’s not about the prince choosing a prettier girl," he whispered softly. "It’s about the mermaid… choosing to let the prince go."
"A—" Before Nirwana could respond, something warm and soft touched his lips.
It was a kiss—brief and light, like the ones Samudra often gave on the cheek. But this time, it landed on his lips.
"Hey—ugh..." Just as Nirwana began to speak, something rushed into his mind.
A memory that didn’t belong to him.
He saw everything through unfamiliar eyes.
The first encounter with a human. The countless days spent watching that human in secret. Then came the hunters who chased and captured others like him. The memory was filled with fear, grief, and desperate survival. He fought to stay alive while his companions were slaughtered one by one.
Wounded and alone, he floated helplessly in the vast sea… Under the light of the moon, he pleaded—
.
.
.
.
.
"Moon, I want to say goodbye to the human I love. I’m afraid… he’s still out there, waiting for me all alone in this vast ocean."
The moon heard his plea and granted his wish—but with one condition. "Once the human knows who you truly are, you will vanish."
And with that, the dolphin’s form transformed into that of a complete human. He went to live beside the one he had always watched from afar—the human he had come to love.
At first, he wanted to say goodbye right away.
But the dolphin didn’t know how to speak like a human. He only knew one word—“Thank you”—the phrase he heard most often from the man he had always followed.
Fortunately, that very man taught him many words. Words that eventually led him to understand the human’s name—Nirwana.
Day by day, the dolphin lived as a human, his heart full of joy. He was alive. He was beside Nirwana.
And in his heart, he repeated the name again and again.
He memorized every detail of Nirwana’s face—his sharp nose, his thick brows, the moles on his skin, the curve of every inch of him. He held them close, unwilling to forget.
But then… the fight happened.
And it felt like waking from a long dream.
He had come here to say goodbye. So why… when Nirwana shouted at him to leave, did it hurt so much?
It was then that the dolphin understood.
When he prayed to the moon that night, he hadn’t been worried about Nirwana being alone. He had been afraid… that he himself would never be by Nirwana’s side again.
For the first time, the dolphin called out the human’s name. He tried to say goodbye.
But Nirwana’s embrace—tender, trembling, filled with pain—seemed to beg him not to go. The dolphin hesitated.
And then he found the picture book. A story about a mermaid who vanished because the prince no longer remembered her.
From Nirwana’s perspective, it seemed like the prince chose another—someone more beautiful. But from the dolphin’s view, no matter how hard the mermaid tried, she knew the prince might never remember her. So she let him go.
Because life isn’t about who’s more beautiful. It’s about who can endure the longest.
And that mermaid’s story… was his own.
No matter what happens, Nirwana will one day know the truth. And when he does… the dolphin will disappear.
Because he, too, can’t remain by the side of the one he loves.
.
.
.
.
.
"You..."
Nirwana’s tongue felt heavy. He stood frozen, the truth sinking into him like waves crashing against his chest.
The memories weren’t just visions—they were Samudra’s. His dolphin. The small, playful dolphin who had always been there beside him.
Tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn’t hold them back anymore. The pain, the loneliness, the struggle Samudra had endured… it tore at him.
Samudra offered a soft, bittersweet smile. Then, quietly, he stood up.
"I was that dolphin," he said gently. "Thank you for treating me like your friend. I really… truly liked you, Nirwana."
He wiped away the tears trailing down his cheeks.;He didn’t want Nirwana to remember him crying. He wanted to say goodbye with a smile—so Nirwana wouldn’t have to carry sorrow.
"Now that you know who I am," Samudra whispered, "it’s time for me to return to where I belong .Live happily… just like the prince in that storybook."
But Nirwana couldn’t let him go.
Staggering forward, his voice shook as he approached Samudra.
"You idiot..."
He clutched his chest as if the pain had pierced him straight through the heart. His tears flowed uncontrollably, and his voice trembled with both anger and despair.
"You think I can be happy?!" he cried. "When you the only one I care about… and the one I love, are leaving me?"
"You really think my heart will be fine after this?!"
"I... I..." Samudra shook his head gently, his vision clouded with tears. He couldn’t accept it. That a love so deep, so true… could hurt this much.
"...I’m sorry." His voice trembled as, slowly, his body began to dissolve.bTiny bubbles shimmered into the air, rising from his skin like scattered stardust.
He was fading.
"Then let’s go together." Nirwana spoke with quiet conviction. And with that, he kissed Samudra—not a brief farewell, but a kiss filled with meaning, with soul, with love.
Amid the warmth of tears and the chill of the sea, Nirwana wrapped his arms around Samudra, holding him close.
Then together, they let go.
Falling into the ocean’s embrace.
The sun dipped beyond the horizon, leaving behind a sky no longer tinged in gold.
And in that moment, Nirwana and Samudra became one.
No longer two broken souls, but one eternity, inseparable.
Because for them, the end was not disappearing.
It was returning.
Returning to the place where their souls belonged, between the silent sky and the boundless sea.
End.