"This can't be..." he whispered.
In his mind, Sam drifted back to that moment.
A steady rain had covered the town since morning. Trees across the town had turned lush green, and the sky was filled with gray clouds.
Amid all of this, Sam was jogging along a footpath covered by a thin layer of water. He was completely drenched as he ran toward his house.
On the way, he passed his ruined school building. Debris was scattered across the ground, and dark black burn marks stained the section that had exploded.
He continued running. When he arrived home, he rang the bell. A few moments later, Lilly opened the door.
"Oh my goodness, where have you been in this heavy rain?" she exclaimed.
She continued while pulling off his soaked T-shirt. "And how are you this drenched? You'll catch a fever at this rate. Quick, go change your clothes."
Sam replied, "Mom, I'm not that weak. Besides, you know I love jogging in the rain. You don't need to worry about me."
Lilly stopped and looked directly into his eyes.
"When you'll love someone, you'll understand my worry."
Sam grinned.
"Mom, now you're trying to emotionally blackmail me."
Lilly smiled.
"You left me no choice, love."
She continued, "Now take a quick shower and have some fruit while I make breakfast."
Sam went into the bathroom and filled a bucket with water. Taking a deep breath, he submerged his head up to his neck.
As he held his breath, he recalled what his mother had said:
"When you'll love someone, you'll understand my worry."
The word "love" immediately made him think of Maria. The last time he had seen her was on the day of the school blast.
It had already been three days since that incident.
Suddenly, Sam heard someone calling him. He lifted his head out of the bucket and released a long breath.
He picked up the bucket, poured the remaining water over himself, and came out of the bathroom, rubbing his hair with a towel.
Lilly looked at him.
"What took you so long?"
While preparing breakfast, she handed him a few bananas.
"Breakfast is almost ready. Have these until then."
Sam pulled out a chair, sat at the table, and switched on the TV.
The news anchor was speaking.
"As the investigation into the school blast continues, police have arrested a bald man who entered the school disguised as a plumber. School staff confirmed that there had been no plumbing issues at the school."
An image of the man appeared on the screen.
"His name is Johnny."
Just then, the telephone rang.
Sam picked it up.
"Hello?"
Bruce's voice came from the other side.
"Hey, my boy. What's going on?"
Sam smiled.
"Oh, Dad. Nothing much, just waiting for breakfast. When are you coming back home?"
"I'll be there soon," Bruce replied. "Where's your mom?"
"Wait a second, Dad."
Sam raised his voice.
"Hey Mom, guess who's on the phone!"
Lilly came out of the kitchen, and Sam handed her the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Lilly, it's me."
"Bruce!" she said. "Where have you been for so long? Is something wrong?"
Bruce hesitated.
"Sorry, Lilly, but I'm dealing with some trouble right now."
"What trouble?"
Bruce sighed.
"A fire turned our only shop into ashes."
His voice grew heavier.
Lilly's expression changed.
"What are you saying? Tell me what happened... no, forget that. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Then what's next?" she asked. "Are you going to open a new shop?"
"No," Bruce replied. "I can't. I'm tired of living separately from you and Sam. I'm coming home for good. I have plenty of contacts there. I'll find a job."
Lilly's eyes lit up.
"Oh, Bruce! Really? When are you coming back?"
"Very soon, Lilly. Very soon."
At that moment, she heard someone speaking on Bruce's side.
"Sir, we need to leave now."
Bruce quickly said, "I have to go, Lilly. Love you."
"Love you t—"
But the call ended before she could finish.
Sam looked at her.
"What happened, Mom?"
Lilly hid her concern behind a smile.
"Your dad is coming home."
Sam's eyes widened.
"What? Really?"
Lilly nodded.
"Yes."
"Oh yeah!" Sam cheered.
A few moments later, the phone rang again.
Lilly looked at the screen.
"It's Franz."
She handed the phone to Sam and returned to the kitchen.
"And don't you dare go out in the rain."
Sam answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey buddy," Franz said. "What's up? Want to come play cricket this evening?"
"But it's raining outside."
"Yeah," Franz laughed. "That's what makes it fun."
"Sorry, bro. I can't join."
Sam glanced toward the kitchen and lowered his voice.
"Have you seen Maria lately?"
"No," Franz replied. "I haven't seen her since the blast. Even her friends have been going on walks without her."
Sam frowned.
"You really have no idea where she went?"
"Come on, man. I honestly don't know. Maybe something happened after the school blast. Her father was very close to the principal. Maybe her family left town because of the incident."
Sam's voice grew quiet.
"Okay... see you later."
"Take care, buddy. See you later."
The call ended.
Sam stared through the window at the falling raindrops.
Then he returned to the present, still holding the school group photo.
"Was her father really involved in the school blast?" he thought. "I have to find out somehow."
He looked at Maria's face in the picture.
"There must be a reason she disappeared because of her father."
Sam stood up and walked to the balcony.
Grabbing the railing, he looked out at the rain.
"I need to find Maria. And if she's still in this town, it won't take long."
His grip tightened.
"Maria..." he whispered. "I'll find you."