Hearing the gentle sound of raindrops falling from the sky brought a fleeting calm to my weary heart. It was 5 in the evening when I walked away from the bakery I'd visit regularly. I picked up two éclairs and a shortcrust pastry—my usual go-to treats, especially when my monthly allowance ran dry. I really adored the scent of the freshly baked pastries, and I couldn't resist inhaling their aroma from the bag I clutched after buying them. The rain hadn't let up when I decided to head to a nearby park, looking for refuge under a small shelter to keep myself from the wet.
Sitting on an old, rusty bench, I noticed a girl who seemed vaguely familiar from my memory. She appeared to be around my age, standing in the distance, staring into my soul. She had no shelter, leaving her soaked by the relentless rain. It felt rude being under her gaze while I savoured my pastries, so I quickly took an unused umbrella large enough for two people and walked over to her. I approached the girl and immediately recognised her. I asked the girl, "Alone here?" She didn't answer but dubiously took my hand and led me to a forest not far from the park. I followed her in silence, careful not to intrude. With my right hand gripping the umbrella tightly, I shielded us both from the rain.
After walking for five minutes, we came to a halt in a desolate, vacant field that resembled an unfinished construction site. At the centre was a circular concrete slab, making the area appear like a small abandoned ballroom. "I still have feelings for you," the girl said. We gazed into each other's eyes for a moment before the girl faced the ground. I noticed tears streaming down her face, and her hand remained firmly clasped in mine. "I know," I replied, feeling the soothing melody of the rain. Still staring at the ground, the girl released my hand and wrapped both arms around my cold body. She rested her face against my chest, and I could feel the warmth of her breath through my damp shirt. I let go of the umbrella and embraced her tightly. The rain instantly soaked us both, blending the sensations of warmth and cold. Her sobs grew louder, as though she was finally revealing her true self, unburdened. We sat together in the centre of the circular concrete slab as the rain slowed to a stop. Her head rested gently on my shoulder, our hands still interlocked. “I’m sorry, please don’t hate me,” she whispered with a tone full of regret. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I could never hate you,” I replied, my voice softening. “Liar.”
As the sky darkened, the cicadas began their melancholic cry. We stood up from the slab and faced each other in the fading light. With a soft yet clear voice, she whispered, "I love you."
"I love you, too," I replied, a genuine smile spreading across my face.
