Timi sat quietly on the bus after a long day, feeling heavier than he wanted to admit. Nothing terrible had happened he was just tired in a way that didn’t make sense.

As he stared out the window, his phone buzzed. It was his friend, Seyi.

“Guy, you didn’t look okay today. You good?”

Timi hesitated. He almost replied with the usual “I’m fine,” but something inside him was tired of pretending.

“Not really,” he typed. “Just overwhelmed.”

A few seconds later, Seyi replied:

“It’s okay. Happens to everyone. I’m here.”

Timi let out a small breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. The day didn’t suddenly feel perfect, but the heaviness was lighter just because someone noticed.

When the bus reached his stop, he stepped down feeling a little less alone.

    "Sometimes the load doesn't get lighter,we just remember we don't have to carry it alone."