The rain fell in relentless sheets, drumming on the metal roof of the bus stop. The night was thick, with only the occasional passing car cutting through the silence. A lone figure sat on the bench, hunched over his phone, staring at the screen with growing frustration.
"Why is everyone canceling my booking? Is it that bad tonight?" Arjun muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the rain.
As he refreshed the app for the fifth time, he suddenly became aware of soft footsteps approaching. He lifted his head, squinting through the rain. A figure emerged from the darkness, her silhouette backlit by the faint glow of a nearby streetlight.
The woman walked toward him, her umbrella tilted slightly, obscuring her face. Arjun couldn't see her clearly, but there was something familiar about her presence.
She stopped a few feet away and lowered the umbrella slightly. "Need a lift?"
Arjun froze for a moment, his mind scrambling to place the voice. Then it clicked. "Ananya? You didn't leave yet?"
She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Did your eyes get that bad, Arjun? You're asking this kind of question?"
Caught off guard, he stammered, "Then... then what else should I ask? Did you sleep well, Ananya?"
Her lips curved into a wry smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Get in the car, Arjun. I don't have all night."
Without another word, he got up, clutching his bag tightly, and followed her to the car. The ride was quiet, the only sounds coming from the rain pelting the windshield and the soft hum of the car engine.
After a few minutes, the car came to a stop near his apartment building.
"Thanks, Ananya," he said quietly as he stepped out. He hesitated for a moment as if wanting to say more, but the words caught in his throat. He turned and began walking toward his building, his footsteps splashing through shallow puddles.
But before he could enter, he heard the sound of the car opening. He stopped, confused, and turned to see Ananya standing in the rain, her umbrella left forgotten in the car.
"Ananya?" he called out, his voice hesitant.
She walked toward him, her eyes locked on his, a storm of emotions swirling in her gaze. "Arjun," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "do you still remember me?"
His breath caught. The rain mingled with the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes, masking them perfectly. He couldn't bring himself to answer so he turn around. The weight of the past, the unspoken regrets, and the sharp ache of her words rooted him in place.
"Ananya..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"You're scared to turn around," she said, her tone accusatory yet laced with something softer—hurt, maybe.
He stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. The sound of the rain grew louder, or maybe it was just the sound of his own fears filling his ears.
Then he heard it—the unmistakable sound of her car door slamming shut. The engine roared to life, and his chest tightened. He turned quickly, catching a glimpse of her through the windshield. Her face was unreadable, her eyes shadowed by the night.
But before she could drive away, he stepped forward, his hand instinctively reaching out.
"Ananya, wait!" he called out, his voice breaking.
The car stopped abruptly. The door swung open, and she stepped out again, this time with purpose.
Before he could say another word, she walked straight up to him and, without warning, slapped him.
The sharp sound echoed through the rain, leaving him stunned. He stared at her, his cheek stinging, but the pain was nothing compared to the anguish in her eyes.
"Do you think you can just walk away?" she demanded, her voice cracking. "Do you think you can just... disappear like that and pretend it didn't matter? That we didn't matter?"
He opened his mouth to reply, but no words came.
The rain continued to fall, drenching them both. For a long moment, they just stood there, the silence between them louder than any words could ever be.
Finally, Ananya stepped back, her shoulders sagging as if the weight of her emotions had drained her. Without another word, she turned and walked back to her car.
This time, Arjun didn't stop her. He stood there in the rain, watching as her car disappeared into the night, leaving him alone once again.
As he turned to head inside, he whispered to himself, "Some memories don't fade, no matter how hard you try. They stay with you until the end. Perhaps I should call them eternal memories. Because of you, I must remember them until the day I die."
Eternal Remembrance
A journey of memories.
He started laughing like a madman in the rainy night.