Hina turned slightly, her heart lifting at the sight of Arya. He stood behind her, hands on his hips, pretending to be winded from a long search.
"I've been looking for you on the second and third floors. Finally found you."
She offered him a small smile. "Did you need something?"
"Not really," Arya shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "I just remembered… you once told me you wanted to go outside in the rain. Back then, I was too busy, but if you don't mind… let's go now."
Hina hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly around the handles of her wheelchair. "But my condition isn't—"
"Don't worry about the doctors and nurses," Arya interrupted, his voice light and teasing. "We'll be back before they even notice. I know a way out through the hospital's back door."
She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Arya had already grabbed the handles of her wheelchair, his determination firm.
"We're going, whether you like it or not," he said with a laugh.
---
They made their way to the back door, the rain now pouring down in sheets. Arya fumbled with the umbrella before finally opening it, a victorious grin on his face.
"Alright," he said. "Let's go."
The rain whispered against the fabric of the umbrella, a soothing, soft patter that matched the quickened pace of Hina's heartbeat. For a moment, she forgot about the world that trapped her. As they walked, she slowly extended her hand, feeling the raindrops dance against her skin.
A smile tugged at her lips. "It feels… nice," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain.
"See?" Arya's chuckle was light, almost teasing. "I told you."
Hina closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh, rain-soaked air. "Thank you so much."
Arya shrugged nonchalantly. "No need to thank me. We're friends, right? And as you said before—no thanks or sorry between friends."
She couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh… sorry, I forgot."
Arya rolled his eyes. "Again?"
She laughed, her voice full of life, a sound she hadn't heard in a long time. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt truly happy.
--- In Present Time
RING!
The sharp sound of the phone broke the spell.
Hina blinked, the rain, the umbrella, and Arya all vanishing in an instant. She found herself back in the café, sitting at her table as if nothing had changed.
Her phone buzzed, vibrating on the table, pulling her from the brief, vivid memory.
Hesitantly, she picked it up. "Hello?"
"Honey, where are you?" her mother's voice crackled through.
"I'm at a café near the hospital, Mom."
"You didn't take an umbrella with you. Stay there until the rain stops. Your brother and I are heading out, so don't wait for us. I left the keys with Syria Aunty, okay?"
"Okay, Mom."
"Take care, honey. Bye."
"Bye, Mom."
She set the phone down with a sigh, feeling the weight of the conversation linger in the air.
Taking a sip of her coffee, she closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the cup comfort her. The rich aroma filled her senses, helping to quiet the storm within her. Slowly, she opened her book and began to read, the words pulling her into another world—one where the rain and her memories couldn't reach her.
She continued reading from where she left off.
Arya sat in the café, staring outside at the heavy rain. For a moment, he thought, Why, God?
You've already taken everything from me. Now you want my life too?
He knew there would be no answer. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to push those thoughts away. Let's forget that, he told himself. He acted like nothing had happened, like it was just another ordinary day.
He got up, picked up his milk coffee, and walked to the counter to pay his bill. Then, stepping outside, he didn't bother opening his umbrella. Instead, he walked straight into the rain.
And then—he ran.
For the first time in a long while, he felt happy. When his parents were alive, they used to play in the rain together. And now, every raindrop felt like a part of them, like they were still with him.
This moment… this is the best moment of my life.
She turned the page.
Day 2
A week later, I was inside a general store, working my part-time job.
A customer approached me.
"Do you have any blue cold drinks?"
I checked the shelves and shook my head.
"Sorry, sir, but it's sold out."
"When will it be restocked?" he asked.
"In about two days, sir. It's in high demand, so our stock ran out quickly."
The customer sighed but nodded before heading out.
"Thank you for visiting. Please come again," I said politely.
Just as I turned around, my phone vibrated in my pocket. When I pulled it out, I saw the caller ID—Doctor.
I answered.
"Hello, doctor. Is there a problem?"
"I spoke with the senior doctor, and we've made a decision," he said.
"What decision?" I asked, feeling a strange tension in my chest.
"I can't explain everything over the phone. Come to the hospital."
"But I'm at work right now—"
"Just come. It's important."
His tone left no room for argument. I sighed and put my phone back in my pocket before turning to my boss, who was sitting at the front counter.
"Sir, can I take a half-day? I need to go to the hospital."
My boss knew about my health condition. He was a kind man.
"Don't worry, Arya. Go ahead, I'll handle the store."
I nodded in gratitude and stepped outside.
At the Hospital
After a short walk, I reached the hospital. As I entered, a nurse at the reception stopped me.
"The doctors are in a meeting right now. Please wait for a few minutes," she said.
"If it's going to take long, I can come back later," I replied.
"The meeting will end soon. Just wait a little while."
I sighed and sat on a chair outside the doctor's office. While waiting, I heard voices from inside.
Just then, the door opened.
A girl in a wheelchair came out, pushed by her mother.
It was her—the girl I had seen before.
The moment our eyes met, my heart pounded. Faster and faster.
I had never felt like this before.
What is this feeling?
Why does it feel like my mind is out of control when she's around?
Am I… in love?