Three days after the successful meeting with the Singapore client.
Emma and Marcus were in the city. They had just finished a meeting with a local developer for a new project. A long and exhausting meeting, but productive nonetheless.
They left the office building at 4 PM. When they walked toward the car, Emma noticed the sky change color.
The sky that was previously clear and blue now turned dark gray. Dark like night lighting, even though it was still 4 PM in the afternoon.
"Looks like rain will come," said Emma while looking at the sky.
Marcus looked up too. "Yes, it looks like a storm. But hopefully not too heavy."
They got into Marcus's luxurious and warm BMW. Marcus started the engine. Marcus began driving out of the parking lot.
First, drops of rain started to fall. Small sound on the roof of the car. First drops that were gentle and slow.
Then the rain increased in intensity. More drops. Falling faster.
Then the rain became truly heavy. Like someone pouring water from a big bucket directly from the sky.
Marcus's windshield wipers worked quickly, but there was still a lot of water covering the road visibility.
"Visibility is decreasing," said Marcus while focusing on the road. Marcus reduced his driving speed.
But on the road, there were many other cars. Everyone was also scared of this sudden and heavy rain.
Traffic became very slow. Almost like standstill.
"We are stuck," said Emma while glancing at the road ahead. Thousands of red lights from cars that were also stuck.
"Yeah," answered Marcus with frustration. "Traffic like this is very annoying."
They sat in the car, waiting for traffic to decrease. But the rain didn't decrease. The rain got even heavier.
Rain pounding on the roof of the car. A repetitive and monotonous sound. Windshield wipers that kept working. Visibility that kept decreasing.
Fifteen minutes passed. Traffic was still stuck.
Twenty minutes passed. Traffic was still not moving.
"This is taking very long," said Emma with slight frustration. "What if we find a cafe or some place else to wait for the rain to ease?"
Marcus thought for a moment. That was a good idea.
"Okay," said Marcus while looking around. "Is there any place nearby?"
Emma looked to the right and left of the road. "There is a cafe over there, Marcus," Emma pointed to the right. There was a small cafe with a warm and welcoming sign. "That place looks nice."
Marcus looked for an exit from the traffic. He found a small side street. Marcus turned and went toward that cafe.
They looked for a parking spot near the cafe. They found one available spot.
Marcus turned off the engine. "Okay, let's go in," said Marcus.
"The rain is very heavy," said Emma. "We will get soaking wet."
"Yeah, there is no way around it," answered Marcus while preparing to exit the car.
They opened the door. The rain immediately hit them hard. Water that was truly heavy.
"Run!" said Marcus. They ran toward the cafe.
Emma ran in small steps. Emma was not used to running in high heels. Marcus held Emma's hand and helped her run.
They got drenched. Their clothes were wet. Their hair was wet. But they laughed while running.
A genuine laugh. A natural laugh. A laugh that showed they were having fun despite the inconvenient situation.
They arrived at the cafe entrance. They went inside.
This cafe was warm and cozy. Very different from the cold wet weather outside.
There were soft and warm lights. There was an aroma of fresh and pleasant coffee. There were a few other people who were also hiding from the rain. Some customers sat with a cup of tea or coffee in their hands. There were also some business people with laptops who were working while waiting for the rain to ease.
They stood at the entrance for a moment, dripping wet.
"We are dripping everywhere," said Emma with slight embarrassment.
Marcus looked at the cafe staff. The staff offered towels to Marcus and Emma.
"Thank you," said Marcus to the staff.
They wiped themselves with the towels. They were not perfectly dry, but better than before.
They sat at a table near the window. A table that could see the rain outside.
Rain pounding on the window glass. A sound that was loud and continuous.
Marcus ordered two warm coffees and some pastries.
"This is nice," said Emma while looking outside. "Heavy rain from inside a warm cafe. The feeling is like a movie scene."
Marcus gave a small smile. "Yeah, it is nice. An unexpected situation that became a good moment."
The coffee and pastries arrived. They drank slowly and carefully.
"Emma," said Marcus.
"Yes?" answered Emma while sipping coffee.
"Thank you," said Marcus.
"For what?" asked Emma confused.
"For suggesting we go into the cafe," answered Marcus. "Instead of being stuck in frustrating traffic, we are in a warm place with warm coffee. That was a better choice."
"That is my pleasure," said Emma with a smile. "And besides, I like this. Being here with you. No stress from work. No pressure from other people. Just the two of us, enjoying warm coffee and watching rain."
Marcus looked at Emma. He saw the way Emma was looking outside with a peaceful expression. There was something about Emma that made Marcus feel calm and content.
"Emma," said Marcus again.
"Hmm?" answered Emma.
"I was thinking," said Marcus. "About our life. About how things have changed."
Emma looked at Marcus. "What were you thinking about it?"
"I was thinking," said Marcus with careful words, "that before, my life was about work. About success. About making money. And all of that is important, but..." Marcus paused, "but it is not enough. Life is not just about that."
Emma listened to Marcus. Emma did not interrupt.
"Now," continued Marcus, "with you. With Lily. With moments like this. I realize that there are things that are more important than success and money."
"What things?" asked Emma with a soft voice.
"Connection," answered Marcus. "Being with people you care about. Having meaningful moments together with people who matter. Like this. Sitting with you, drinking coffee, watching rain."
Emma felt something in her chest that was warm and tender.
"I also," said Emma with a soft voice. "I also realize that life is not just about surviving and working hard. There is balance that we need to have. There are moments that we need to appreciate."
They sat again in quiet. Rain was still pounding on the window.
Two hours passed. The rain started to ease. From very heavy rain to moderate rain.
"Looks like we can leave now," said Emma.
Marcus looked outside. "Yeah, visibility is much better now."
They paid for the coffee and pastries. They thanked the cafe staff.
They walked to the car. Rain was still falling, but not as heavy as before.
They got into the car. Marcus started the engine.
"Ready?" asked Marcus.
"Yes," answered Emma. "Let's go home."
Marcus drove carefully. Traffic was also better now. People who were stuck before were now starting to move.
They drove in quiet. Only the sound of the car engine and the rain that was still falling on the roof.
On that quiet and peaceful road, Emma held Marcus's hand. Just held it, did not say anything. Just a simple gesture that spoke louder than words.
Marcus held Emma's hand back. They drove home with their hands intertwined.
They arrived at the big house at 7 PM. A house that previously felt cold and formal now felt warm because there was a special person inside it.
When they entered the house, Emma realized something.
Emma realized that this house was not just a place to live. This house had become a home. And home is not about building or furniture or luxury. Home is about the person inside it who makes you feel safe and loved.