That afternoon, the sky gradually darkened. Gray clouds hung overhead, signaling that the rain would soon fall. Vio stood in front of the dormitory, glancing at his watch. His heart beat a little faster than usual.
Not long after, Sheren arrived with light steps, wearing a gray sweater and jeans. Her long hair was tied in a low ponytail, with a few strands escaping and swaying in the wind. When she saw Vio, she smiled.
"Have you been waiting long?" she asked.
Vio shook his head. "Just got here."
Sheren looked up at the sky. "Looks like it’s going to rain soon. Let’s find a good spot to watch it."
Without saying much, they walked side by side toward a small park near the dorm cafeteria. The place had a long bench and a small roof that could shield them from the rain. The air grew colder, the wind blew gently, and the sound of rustling leaves accompanied their steps.
Before long, raindrops began to fall from the sky, hitting the leaves and ground. The soft sound of rain filled the air. Sheren took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly with a satisfied smile.
"I love moments like this," she murmured. "It’s peaceful, calming. Feels like all my worries disappear for a while."
Vio watched Sheren as she enjoyed the moment. "I never thought someone could like something this simple. Most people would rather avoid the rain."
Sheren smiled slightly. "Maybe because, to me, the rain is full of memories. When I was little, I used to sit on the porch with my dad, watching the rain. We would talk about life, dreams… Now, every time it rains, it feels like I’m back in those moments."
Vio listened intently. He never thought rain could hold such deep meaning for someone. "You were close to your dad?"
Sheren nodded. "I used to be. But ever since I started college, we don’t talk as much. Maybe because we’re both busy."
Vio nodded in understanding. "Sometimes, time makes us drift apart from the people we love. But maybe one day, you’ll get to have those long talks with him again."
Sheren smiled and turned her gaze back to the rain. "What about you? Do you have any special memories about the rain?"
Vio fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Not really. Rain is just… rain to me. But maybe now, I’m starting to understand why you like it. This atmosphere is pretty calming."
They both fell into a comfortable silence, listening to the sound of the rain. The cool air, the earthy scent of wet ground, and their quiet companionship made Vio feel unexpectedly warm inside.
Sheren looked at him with gentle eyes. "Thank you, Vio."
Vio frowned slightly. "For what?"
"For keeping me company. I usually watch the rain alone."
Vio smiled. "Whenever you want, I’ll keep you company again."
Sheren smiled even wider. The rain continued to fall, but under that small roof, two hearts unknowingly drew closer. And for Vio, for the first time, rain wasn’t just rain—it became something special.
A few minutes passed in a peaceful silence. Sheren closed her eyes slightly, listening to the rhythmic sound of raindrops hitting the roof and leaves. Vio watched her with curiosity. There was something so serene about the way Sheren enjoyed the rain.
"Have you ever purposely stood in the rain without shelter?" Sheren suddenly asked.
Vio raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously asking that?"
Sheren chuckled softly. "Yeah. I’ve done it a few times. It feels nice, like all the thoughts in your head just vanish. Wanna try?"
Vio looked at the rain in front of him, hesitating. "I’ll get soaked."
Sheren shrugged. "It’s not a bad thing once in a while. Besides, rain is a blessing, right?"
Vio considered it. For him, walking in the rain never seemed like a fun idea. But seeing the enthusiasm in Sheren’s expression made him rethink. Finally, he took a deep breath. "Alright, I’ll go with you."
Sheren beamed. "Come on!"
Without hesitation, Sheren stepped out from under the roof, letting the raindrops drench her hair and clothes. She tilted her face upward, enjoying the sensation of the falling rain. Vio followed, albeit a bit awkwardly, feeling the cold water touch his skin.
"How is it?" Sheren asked with a small laugh.
Vio wiped his face, already damp. "Cold. But… not too bad."
Sheren laughed. "You’ll get used to it. Just feel it, don’t think about the cold."
Vio took a deep breath, trying to embrace the experience. Slowly, he began to understand what Sheren meant. There was something oddly freeing about standing in the rain like this. He turned to look at Sheren, who seemed completely lost in the moment.
Without realizing it, Vio smiled.
Sheren turned and caught his expression. "See? I told you so."
Vio simply nodded. Maybe this was the first time he had ever truly enjoyed the rain. And maybe, this was also the first time he realized how someone’s presence could change his perspective on something so simple.
They stood there, under the pouring rain, without a care that they were getting soaked. The only thing that mattered was this moment—the moment where they truly felt alive.
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