The days were cold…
And maybe they were numbered too.
He was a boy—childish in heart, yet burdened with the weight of responsibilities.

Not everything in life was about love, it seemed.
He chased dreams relentlessly, lived frugally, saving every rupee he could.
But behind his quiet determination were scars—scars of wrong turns and even worse decisions.

One night, amidst unfamiliar college corridors, surrounded by faces that felt like ghosts in a blur,
he wandered—lost, as though floating through some distant galaxy.

And yet, even in that void, he saw a light.

Her.
A smile so radiant it could break the darkness he’d lived in.
For the first time in what felt like years, the despair paused.

He was still just a boy, but he gathered courage:
“Maybe… coffee sometime?” he asked.

She laughed—a sound warmer than sunlight.
“Oh, I love coffee,” she said, “But how about… a long walk on a rainy day instead?”

He smiled. “A rainy day? But this is a metro city, not much rain around here.”

“Then we wait for it,” she said with a wink.

But it was May. Hot, dry, unforgiving.
He walked home that day with a soft smile, unsure if fate would ever grant him that rainy walk.

But God had different plans.

He woke up to a sky full of thunder and clouds heavy with promise.
Standing on his balcony, the cold breeze kissed his face. He whispered:
“What are you trying to say, God?”

And then, a text.

“Maybe this is the right time for that walk?”

He smiled.

Maybe… it’s all written.

He grabbed his silly blue umbrella and set off, a strange rush in his chest.
He didn’t walk—he ran. Like this was his only chance to reach her, to reach peace.

And there she was.
Calling him, searching in the rain—lost, just like him.

He saw her and laughed.
Her face glowed with wonder as raindrops danced on her skin.
It felt like she was seeing rain for the first time in years.

His umbrella felt useless now.

He ran, she turned, and without a word—they hugged.
Excited about the rain.

Can someone be this much excited?
He thought,
Or is it just a beautiful day for her because of the crazy exams and timetable she had?

He still remembers the call where she showed him her books—damn, those things weighed at least 5KG and could be used as a weapon in war.

Well, stop talking to yourself, you silly guy.

“Let’s walk,” he said softly.

They grabbed each other’s hands tightly—
like there was nothing in the world that could pull them apart now.

Fingers laced. Hearts calm.
The world faded away.

When the breeze grew colder, she shivered.
But he was ready—he always had been.

He stopped.

Gently, he took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
The moment held still.

Two glowing eyes met.
Two souls, slowly weaving into one.

They blushed. Smiled.
No more words for minutes—just glances and stolen warmth.

She whispered, “Thank you,”
And softly said his name.

As they walked the endless road, she teased:
“You know… you asked me for coffee once.”

He chuckled.
“And you preferred tea.”

“Well,” she said, “I always will.”

He smiled.
“I’ll make one for you someday… But we’re just minutes away from home.”

She tilted her head playfully.

“Good… because I hope you’ve got more plans.”

To be continued…