The rain came suddenly, aggressive and impatient.
People ran. Laughter echoed. Vendors covered their stalls.
Meera stayed where she was.
Aarav approached, holding his umbrella slightly awkwardly.
"Would you like to share?" he asked.
She looked up, surprised. Then nodded.
Rain has a way of shrinking distance. They stood close, listening to the sound of water hitting metal and earth.
"I'm Meera," she said.
"Aarav."
And just like that, a simple exchange carved a doorway into something far deeper.