It started on a rainy afternoon.
Ayan was standing under a broken bus stop shade, trying to avoid the rain that clearly didn't care. His shirt was already half-soaked, and he looked annoyed more than anything.
Then she appeared.
Maya ran toward the same shelter, slightly out of breath, holding her bag over her head like it would somehow protect her. It didn't. She was drenched, hair clinging to her face, laughing at her own failed attempt.
Ayan glanced at her once… then looked away.
But something about that laugh stayed.
"Seems like the rain won," she said, catching her breath.
Ayan gave a small smile. "Yeah. It always does."
There was a pause. Not awkward, just… quiet.
They stood side by side, watching the rain pour down like the world had nowhere else to be.
"Do you always talk to strangers in the rain?" Ayan asked.
Maya tilted her head. "Only when they look like they need it."
He laughed softly. "Do I look that bad?"
"Not bad," she said, smiling. "Just… lonely."
That word hit deeper than expected.
Before Ayan could respond, a loud thunder cracked across the sky. Instinctively, Maya moved a little closer. Not too close, just enough to feel less alone.
And somehow, he didn't mind.
Minutes passed. Or maybe longer.
They talked about small things at first. The weather, missed buses, random complaints about life. But slowly, without realizing, they started sharing more. Dreams. Regrets. The kind of things you don't usually tell someone you just met.
It felt strange.
And right.
When the rain finally slowed, the world seemed quieter.
"I think my bus is here," Maya said, pointing.
Ayan nodded. "Yeah… mine too."
Neither of them moved.
For a second, it felt like something important was about to slip away.
"Hey," Maya said softly, "what if it rains again tomorrow?"
Ayan looked at her. "Then I guess I'll come back here."
She smiled. "Me too."
And just like that, they parted.
No numbers. No promises.
Just a shared moment… and a hope tied to the rain.