Love Before Graduation

"What were you looking at?" Arin asked, his voice low and steady.

I was startled and immediately avoided looking at him and looked at the rain. My heart started pounding, silently praying that he hadn't caught me looking at him.

"I was just looking at the rain. It's soothing," I said, pretending nothing had happened.

"The rain, yes?" He smiled softly, "But I thought you were looking at me."

I bit my lip and looked away again.

"No... I was just looking at the rain. It's really soothing sometimes, isn't it?"

I kept my eyes on the rain, convincing myself not to look at him again. But it wasn't as easy as it seemed—he was standing just inches away, his very presence heating up the air around me. My heart was beating so fast that it felt like there was a storm in my chest. I didn't want him to see me in such a nervous . Not again.

Arin reached out his hand past the shelter roof, letting the rain fall on his palm. The drops were slipping from her fingers as if fine silver strings were flowing in the yellow light burning on a street corner – silent, soft, but touching the heart.

"Do you like the rain?"

He asked, this time his voice was softer than before—as if an old memory had suddenly entered his tone.

He was thinking of something, perhaps a past evening, some missed conversation... or perhaps just the answer hidden in my eyes.

I paused for a few moments. I closed my eyes and let the fragrance of that wet soil seep into me—as if an old promise was being fulfilled again.

The first rain of the season does something to me... every time.

As if these clouds rain not just in the sky, but also in the empty spaces within me.. It calmed me. Stirred something I couldn't explain.

"I've always had a strange connection with the rain," I said, still not looking at him. "On nice days, I love it. The breeze feels fresh, the earth smells on the ground, and the raindrops patter so peacefully. It's like... time slows down, just to breathe."

I slowly opened my eyes.

Everything—every tree, every wall, every path—seemed more colorful against the backdrop of the dim sky.

It seemed as if life had retained its colors even under the blanket of sadness.

Some things just look beautiful when there is a slightly sad sky behind them.. My voice got quiet.

"But on bad days, it feels like everything is falling apart. The rain feels so heavy, the cold penetrates to the bones, and everything feels dull, lifeless, lonely."

There was something different in my voice now—as if i was reliving those bad days, lost in the words myself.

"Sometimes, the rain is like that... as if it has come to understand your loneliness, and then gets absorbed into you."

I still didn't look at Arin. I didn't know what he thought about what I just said.

Did he find it weird? Or maybe he understood?

Still, just standing beside him felt nice. I wasn't scared of the people around or the ones glaring at the sky like the rain ruined their day. I didn't care. Not in that moment. I just wanted to be there—with him.

"Oh, is that so?" Arin said.

Just those words—but somehow, they made my heart flutter.I turned slowly to him, and our eyes locked for a little while longer.

"Yes," I said with a slight smile, "perhaps it depends my mood."

A slight shade spread across his face, as if he could sense my words within himself—something that was in the air, unspoken.

Sometimes, even the rain changes with mood, just like we ourselves change

I thought to myself, but the words did not come to my lips.. But... I don't really mind the rain right now. Not as long as I have shelter.

Silence again.

The rain outside got heavier. Cars splashed water everywhere, people ran around with newspapers on their heads or bags in their hands. Some were standing under trees or half-broken roofs to stay dry.

But in all that chaos... I only saw one person.

Arin.

It was like the whole world faded and only he was in focus.

He didn't say anything.

Why's he quiet?

Should I say something?

I shouldn't miss this moment today.

Come on, Aira, say something...

I took a deep breath and asked softly,

"So... are you planning to join Miss Sharam's tuitions?"

I tried to keep my voice light and carefree, as if it didn't matter to me.

"Yes, I'm thinking about it," he said, but there was something else in his voice—as if he was thinking about something else, something hidden.

Thinking about it?

He'll go there... but I'm not.

What will he even do there alone?

I was muttering in my head, getting bothered more than I wanted to admit.

"Did you say something?" he asked, seeing my weird face.

"No, I mean... doesn't she only teach Biology? What about your other subjects?" I said, trying to act like I was just curious.

Then I mumbled under my breath, still not looking at him,

"Don't tell me you're so smart you'll manage the rest on your own..."

He looked at me, something in his eyes changed.

"No, actually... I'm planning to start tuitions for the other subjects too," he said. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

His voice felt a bit cold.

Did I say something wrong?

Before I could fix it, the rain had almost stopped.

"Okay, I have to leave now," he said suddenly and walked away without pausing.

Just like that, without saying another word, he turned around, got on his bike and left without looking back.

There are some people who leave their presence even when they leave, and there are some who leave, leaving behind just an empty space.

At that moment, there were some unsaid things—which were in the air even after he left.

I stood there, watching him go down the wet road.

"Idiot," I said to myself, annoyed at him... and at how he always left me speechless.

I shook my head, grabbed my scooty, and went home.

By the time I reached, it was already evening.

I took my dinner from Mom and went to my room. I wanted to eat alone.

What even was this day?

Good? Bad? No idea.

But one thing was clear...

If I could meet Arin like this every day, I wouldn't mind.

I smiled to myself while eating, thinking about his expressions, his voice, the way he was just there.

Then suddenly I remembered something.

Wait—those other tuitions!

Maybe Rian knows... he's Arin's best friend.

Yes! I'll call him. He must know where Arin is going.

I quickly finished dinner and grabbed my phone.

Without thinking twice, I called Rian.