Morning came with gray skies and the faint rumble of thunder.
The warmth that Ralt and Princess had been feeling the past days seemed hidden behind the clouds, and even the wind carried a hint of melancholy.
Princess woke up early, prepared her uniform, and checked her notes one last time before heading to school. It was exam day - one of the most important ones this semester.
As she was about to step out, raindrops began tapping against the windowpane. She sighed softly. "Rain, rain, go away," she whispered, almost like a child again, "not today, please."
She opened her umbrella and hurried out.
---
Across town, Ralt had just finished breakfast when he looked outside and saw the heavy clouds. His first thought - Princess.
He quickly grabbed his phone and dialed her number.
"Good morning," he said as soon as she answered. "It's raining hard. Let me take you to school."
Princess's voice on the other end was gentle but firm. "Thank you, Ralt, but I'm already on my way. The bus is moving now."
Ralt wanted to insist, but he heard the determination in her tone - she didn't want to be late. So instead, he smiled softly. "Alright then, but promise me you'll let me fetch you after your exam."
Princess paused. "Okay, deal," she said, and he could hear the faint smile in her voice before the call ended.
---
By the time Princess arrived near campus, the rain had worsened. Strong wind blew from every direction, and her umbrella struggled to stay upright. A passing jeepney splashed water on the sidewalk, and within minutes, her skirt and blouse were soaked.
But the exam was minutes away. She took a deep breath, gathered herself, and ran toward the building.
Her classmates gasped when she entered. "Princess, you're drenched!" one of them said.
"I'll be fine," she replied with a small smile, brushing droplets from her hair. "We have an exam - let's focus."
For two hours, she answered each question despite the chill creeping into her bones. Her hands trembled slightly by the end, but she pushed through. When it was over, she exhaled deeply, relief mixing with exhaustion.
---
Outside, the rain had calmed to a drizzle. Ralt was waiting in his car just across the gate. When he saw Princess walking out, clutching her bag close and moving slower than usual, his chest tightened.
He got out immediately, rushing toward her with an umbrella. "Hey," he said softly, "you don't look okay. What happened?"
Princess tried to smile. "I got caught in the rain earlier. Didn't have time to dry off before the exam."
Ralt frowned in concern. "You should've called me. Come on, you're shivering."
He led her gently to the car, opened the door for her, and turned the heater on low.
"Just rest," he said quietly as he started the engine.
Princess leaned back against the seat, her eyelids heavy. "I'll be fine," she murmured, though her voice betrayed her.
Ralt drove in silence for a few minutes, glancing at her from time to time. She looked pale - her usual lively expression dulled by the cold.
Spotting a 7-Eleven nearby, he pulled over. "Stay here," he said, stepping out quickly.
A few minutes later, he returned with a small paper bag. Inside were two bottles of warm milk and a pack of medicine.
"Here," he said gently, handing one to her. "Drink this. It'll help."
Princess took the bottle, her eyes soft with gratitude. "You didn't have to..."
"I wanted to," Ralt interrupted with a smile. "You'd do the same if it were me."
She sipped slowly, the warmth of the milk easing the chill inside her. For a moment, neither spoke - the only sound was the rain tapping softly against the windshield.
Finally, Ralt broke the silence. "You should rest when you get home. Don't even think about reviewing tonight, alright?"
Princess chuckled weakly. "You sound like my lolo again."
"Then maybe your lolo trained me well," Ralt said with a wink, earning a small laugh from her - tired, but sincere.
He drove her home, making sure she got inside safely. As Princess waved goodbye from the doorway, Ralt couldn't help but smile - a mix of relief and something deeper, something he didn't dare name yet.
---
Inside, Eli noticed his granddaughter's pale face immediately.
"Princess, you're soaked! What happened?"
"Rain caught me, Lolo," she admitted, setting her bag down. "But Ralt brought me home. He even bought milk."
Eli's expression softened, a knowing twinkle in his eye. "Ah, that man," he said with a small grin. "Seems he cares about you quite a lot."
Princess tried to hide her smile as she went to her room to change.
Eli looked out the window, watching the rain fade into a thin mist. "Rain, rain, go away," he whispered quietly. "You've done enough for today."
---
Later that evening, Ralt received a short text message.
> Princess: "Thank you for today. I'm feeling a bit better. Rest well."
He smiled as he typed back:
> Ralt: "Good to hear. Sleep early, alright? I'll check on you tomorrow."
He set his phone down, looking outside at the clearing sky. The rain had finally stopped.
But in his heart, something gentle continued to fall - not raindrops, but the quiet rhythm of something he was slowly realizing.
Maybe, he thought, love doesn't always come with fireworks or perfect sunshine.
Sometimes, it starts softly - in worry, in care, in the way you buy milk for someone who forgot to ask.
And somewhere in another home, Princess smiled faintly at her phone before drifting to sleep, the last sound she heard being the whisper of the rain fading away.
Morning broke slowly, sunlight filtering through the clouds that had lingered from last night's rain. The ground outside was still damp, and the air carried that clean scent that only comes after a storm - fresh, cool, and a little nostalgic.
Ralt was already up early, fixing the table for breakfast when Elena walked into the kitchen, still tying her hair.
"You're up early," she said, smiling. "Something on your mind?"
Ralt hesitated for a moment, stirring his coffee before finally saying, "Mom, Princess wasn't feeling well yesterday. She got caught in the rain before her exam. I brought her home, but she looked really pale."
Elena set her cup down, concern flashing in her eyes. "Oh, that poor girl. Did she see a doctor?"
Ralt shook his head. "No, she said she just needed rest. But I'm planning to visit her later to make sure she's okay."
Elena's lips curved into a soft smile. "That's thoughtful of you, Ralt." She paused for a moment, then added playfully, "But if you're going... I'm coming too."
Ralt blinked. "You?"
"Yes, me," she said firmly. "Princess is such a sweet girl. And besides, I'd like to see Eli again. It's been too long since we last talked."
Ralt chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, Mom. But on one condition - I'll do the driving."
"Deal," Elena said, laughing.
They finished their breakfast together, simple but lighthearted - the kind that carried both comfort and unspoken excitement. Elena seemed almost giddy to see her old friend again, and Ralt couldn't help but notice.
After cleaning up, they got ready for the visit. Elena wore a pale blue blouse, her favorite pearl earrings, and carried a small paper bag of homemade cookies she baked the night before. "For Princess," she said with a smile.
Ralt, meanwhile, grabbed his keys and led her to the SUV parked in front. Before driving, he turned to his mother. "We should bring something. Maybe some fruits?"
Elena nodded approvingly. "Good idea. Sick people need something fresh and sweet - not just medicine."
The two stopped by a nearby supermart, where the aisles were already alive with the chatter of early shoppers. Ralt picked out a neat fruit basket - apples, oranges, and a few bananas - while Elena carefully chose some grapes, insisting they were good for energy.
At the counter, Elena leaned closer to her son and whispered teasingly, "You're really putting effort into this, huh?"
Ralt gave her a playful glance. "Just trying to make sure she recovers fast, Mom."
Elena chuckled, shaking her head. "You remind me of someone."
"Eli?" Ralt asked, smiling knowingly.
"Exactly," Elena said softly, her tone turning nostalgic. "When we were younger, he once walked five kilometers just to bring me soup when I was sick. I scolded him for it - but secretly, it meant a lot."
Ralt smiled. "Maybe now it's my turn to walk that path."
Elena looked at him, a quiet pride in her eyes. "Maybe it is, son. Maybe it is."
They paid for the fruits and left the store, placing the basket carefully in the backseat. As Ralt started the engine, the radio softly played an old love song - one that made Elena's smile grow even fonder.
Outside, the sky was clear again, and sunlight danced gently across the wet roads as they drove toward Eli's home.
Neither of them said much during the drive, but the silence wasn't empty. It was peaceful - filled with unspoken hopes and the quiet feeling that today might bring something special.
For Elena, it was the thought of seeing an old friend once more.
For Ralt, it was the thought of seeing Princess smile again.
And as the SUV rolled down the street leading to Eli's house, the morning light seemed to follow them - as though Room Sapphire's quiet magic was guiding their steps once more.