Sleep

It’s 2:43 a.m. The sky outside is still pale blue—brighter than it should be. Where I live, the summer nights don’t darken; they soften. The sun skims the horizon but never fully disappears.

I stand on the balcony, watching the mountains dissolve into the sea. A bird calls once, then goes silent. Nothing moves, yet the world hums like it forgot to go to bed. I used to wear a smartwatch, but it was too bulky for sleep. So I went with a ring instead—sleek, silent, and always watching.

This used to be a comforting hour. The sea barely breathing…