Where the Rain Meets the Heart

Today, the sky over the city was oddly gray. The clouds had been building heavy and dense throughout the morning. There is not a hint of sunlight anywhere. Raindrops appeared to be quietly sobbing as they cascaded down the windowpane, creating hazy trails.

With a hot cup of coffee in her hand, Nandini sat by the window and silently looked out. The soft rain outside echoed the silent pain in her heart. Rainy days like this often brought up memories, both bittersweet and sweet. Particularly of someone named Rishabh, whom she had not seen in years.

The Initial Consultation

She was a first-year college student. Nandini was both excited and nervous about a new city, a new campus, and new people. She struggled to establish friends since she was an introvert, and the large, busy campus occasionally felt overwhelming.

She was standing by herself beneath the building's portico one afternoon after class. The sky was rapidly growing darker. As thunder roared overhead, torrential rain soon followed. Pupils sought cover or fled with umbrellas. Nandini was motionless since she had left her umbrella behind.

Then, from behind her, a composed voice inquired, "Did not pack an umbrella?"

She turned to see a boy with a gentle smile on his lips, holding one above his head.

She answered, "No, I did not think it would rain."

— "I am on my way there. Let me take you on a walk.

Rishabh was his name. The first chapter of their story started with that rainy walk under one umbrella.

From companionship to affection

Nandini felt seen by the warmth in Rishabh's gaze. Their paths gradually started to cross more often, at college functions, at the canteen, and in the library. The length of conversations increased, as did the frequency of laughter.

The rain pleased Rishabh. Rain soothes me, he once remarked. Every time, it feels like a new beginning.

"Rain makes my clothes moist, gives me migraines, and gets roads muddy," Nandini would joke.

"That is because you do not feel the rain," he would respond with a smile. I will teach you to enjoy it one day.

Rishabh observed Nandini from the other side of the canteen one monsoon day while students ran around and droplets rained from the college roof. He muttered, "When rain hits your hair, it feels like poetry," as her wet hair framed her face.

She turned red.

— "Do you tell all the girls this?"

— "Only those who can transform rain into poetry."

In the Rain: A Confession

Slowly but surely, their friendship developed into something more profound, something unsaid but indisputable. Then one rainy afternoon, with thunder resonating in the sky and gloomy clouds looming, Rishabh took Nandini under the ancient banyan tree behind the college building.

Drops of rain started to fall.

"I adore you, Nandini," he replied, meeting her eyes. Deeply. Madly.”

After a period of silence, she broke into a slow, lovely smile. "I love you too," she said in a whisper as she moved closer.

Without an umbrella and without trepidation, they let the rain drench them thoroughly that day. They kissed for the first time that day in the pouring rain. In addition to soaking their bodies, the rain erased all of their uncertainties and anxieties.

The Separation of Hearts

However, not every love tale is still encased in poetry.

After graduating from college, Rishabh came to the US to pursue further education after receiving a scholarship. They spoke every day at first, using stolen video chats, late-night texts, and lengthy phone calls. However, as time went on, his schedule got more constrained, and they spoke less often.

Nandini also began her career in a fast-paced advertising business in Kolkata. Meetings, deadlines, and exhaustion become the norm in daily life.

Rishabh then declared one day, "I am drowning in work." I sometimes do not even have time to chat, much less sleep.

She did not voice any complaints. She got it. However, a silent separation started to develop.

After that, there was a six-month period during which there were no calls or messages. She made a couple of attempts but got no answer. She gradually and painstakingly came to terms with the possibility that Rishabh was no longer in her life.

The Rain Is Back Today

It was six years later.

At her company, Nandini was now regarded as the head of content. In a comfortable apartment in the center of the city, she lived alone. She worked throughout the day and read and listened to music at night. Sometimes she would sit in cafés, drinking coffee and observing the rain, reflecting on the past and the future.

One such day was today. It was always raining outside. The trees swung in a gentle wind. With coffee in hand, she sat near the window and gazed at the water-traced glass.

The doorbell rang after that.

She strolled over, assuming it was the delivery man. However, she froze when she opened the door.

Rishabh was the one.

Standing in the rain with an umbrella in hand, hair drenched, eyes still full of that subtle warmth.

— “You?”

– "Yes, I am. I returned.

She was at a loss for words.

"I have been thinking about this for a long time," he added. I am aware that years have passed. I am not even sure if you will be interested in seeing me. However, when I noticed the rain today... I did not forget you. I was unable to go.

Nandini's heart was racing as she gazed at him.

– "Are you okay?"

– "I feel better now. But after all these years, I wasn't. I made an effort to hide everything behind time and labor. However, nothing was effective. The only aspect of me that felt genuine was you.

She sensed that tears were about to fall.

— "I am not sure if I merit another chance. However, if it is not too late,

Nandini inhaled deeply.

— "Like that day, the rain returned today. Perhaps you did, too. Exactly on schedule.

A Fresh Start

Rishabh entered the room.

Like they had done years before, they stood side by side beside the window. On the damp streets, the city lights glistened. Not uncomfortable, but reassuring, the sound of the rain filled the quiet between them.

With a steady yet gentle tone, Rishabh turned to face her and said, "I am here to stay." permanently. I do not wish to lose you once more. If you do not mind, I would like to start afresh.

Nandini gazed into the same eyes that had inspired her to believe in poetry.

— "True love endures forever. It simply waits for the ideal moment.

They reconnected that night in the same downpour that had marked their first meeting.

Last Remarks

There are times when love takes a different route. It occasionally gets forgotten in the hustle and bustle of life. But it comes back when it is true. similar like rain. Soft, abrupt, quiet, but always at the perfect time.