The Rain

The clouds gathered, and the rain hummed its lullaby.

It had been raining for days.

Every raindrop soaked not the streets, but her heart. She dreamed of sunshine—of a blue sky stretching endlessly across the heavens. Lost in thought, she wondered why spring had brought only rain.

She loved the scent of it filling her lungs, but she missed the warmth of sunlight flooding her face.

Above her, the cloudy sky whispered in silence, its grayness heavy with a quiet urge to cry.

Again, she had forgotten her umbrella.

How many times had she been reprimanded?

She looked up as the sky settled into its murky, dust-stained tone. Rain spilled from it, whooshing around her while the wind tried—and failed—to hush the chill. The cold rain knew no mercy.

Water streamed down her face, yet a small, stubborn smile curved her lips.

A silver car eased along the curve where she stood waiting. Without a word, he reached across from the driver’s seat and pushed the passenger door open for her.

She slipped inside.

Soaking wet, her toes curled inside her shoes, and her damp hair dripped steadily onto the seat.

His dark eyes never left her.

With a quiet frustration, he grabbed a towel from his gym bag and began drying her hair, brushing away the rain as though he could undo the storm itself. Her skin was cold beneath his hands—too cold—and she trembled despite herself.

He pulled her into his arms, holding her close, as if warmth alone could fix it.

She heard him scolding her. Once. Then again.

But when her brown eyes lifted to meet his, deep and unwavering, she smiled.

And just like that, it took his breath away.

He exhaled slowly, shook his head, and gave in.

A quiet surrender.

Then he started the engine and drove toward Highway 401.