The rain fell relentlessly, as if the sky wanted to pour out the entire weight of the world. The city streets, usually filled with the hustle and bustle of vehicles, now felt empty, with only the thunderous roar of the rain echoing in every corner. Arya, with heavy steps, walked along the slippery sidewalk. It felt as though he were walking in the middle of a maze, trapped by the tedious routine of life. Each step felt heavier, as if something was holding him back.
His mind was full of unfinished work and pressure from his family that only seemed to drain him further. As he walked on, his gaze was suddenly drawn to something that made him stop.
Across the street, a woman stood alone under the pouring rain, holding a torn yellow umbrella. She appeared so calm amidst the downpour, as if nothing could disturb her. Arya felt something strange, something that drew him to approach. Something he couldn't explain, like a call from a world greater than his mundane routine.
With hurried steps, Arya approached the woman, ignoring the puddles forming in the street.
"Wouldn't it be better to take shelter here? That umbrella isn't really an umbrella anymore," Arya started the conversation, trying to throw a lighthearted remark, though his heart felt uneasy.
The woman slowly turned toward him, her face unclear due to the rain that obscured much of her view. However, her smile was so gentle, as if the world had never given her any burdens.
"In this kind of rain, it actually feels nice. It makes you forget the complexities of the world," she replied, her voice soft but resonant within Arya's heart.
There was something in her voice that made Arya feel like he was speaking with someone who knew him, even though he was sure this was their first meeting. They stood in silence, staring at each other, as if speaking without words. The rain, which had once felt heavy in Arya's heart, now brought an unexpected peace.
After a few minutes, the woman handed Arya a small piece of paper.
"Read this later, okay? Thanks for keeping me company," she said, smiling softly before turning and walking away.
Arya watched her leave. Strangely, her steps seemed to vanish into thin air amidst the road, though he knew she was simply walking toward the end of the alley. A strange feeling stirred in his mind, as though she was not just a stranger encountered on the street, but something more. However, he ignored it and opened the piece of paper she had given him.
The note was brief and mysterious, but for some reason, it made Arya's blood run cold:
"Thank you for keeping me company today. Sometimes, the rain is the only one who listens to my story. Oh, and one more thing… three years ago, at this spot, I left forever. Maybe we'll never meet again, but don't forget to be happy."
Arya's hands trembled as he read the note, and his body felt stiff. He glanced around, searching for the woman, but the street was now empty, with only the remnants of the rain soaking the earth. There were no traces of footsteps left.
"What does this mean?" Arya thought, confused. He felt something was wrong, but couldn't explain what he was feeling. Beneath his confusion, there was a strong sensation, as though there was something greater he needed to encounter, something connected to a forgotten past.