That day I was coming home from work when I found Joel, drunk and wanting to jump into the lake. His eyes held a desperate emptiness, muttering under his breath, "Jazz, Jazz, I really can't live without you."
My name is Jaslyn Carter. Back then, I thought Joel was calling out to me, but now I realize he was probably calling for Jasmine.
The moment he saw me, a flicker of comfort appeared in his eyes. To persuade him not to end his life, I agreed to let him come home with me.
My grandmother and I comforted him and I shared my story with him.
"I lost both my parents when I was young. I've only had my grandmother, but I never gave up. Life has been tough, but I've learned to find joy in hardship."
Joel always looked at me with a blank expression, then he smiled with resignation. "I don't have parents either."
We went to school together, ate together. Joel loved my grandmother's cooking and enjoyed visiting the roadside stalls near our school's gate.
That was how we eventually came together.
Though times were tough, Joel filled my life with love. He said he wouldn't let go of my hand this time.
"Jazz, I will marry you someday," he said, looking at me with unwavering determination.