Title: "When the Rain Chose Us"
The first time Aarav saw Meera, it was raining like the sky had something to confess.
She stood under a broken bus stop roof, clutching her books to her chest, trying to protect them more than herself. Her hair was soaked, strands sticking to her face, but her eyes… they were calm, like she had accepted the rain instead of fighting it.
Aarav, sitting inside the bus, couldn't look away.
He didn't know why—but something about her felt familiar, like a memory he hadn't lived yet.
The bus moved.
And just like that, she was gone.
---
Days passed, but Aarav kept thinking about the girl in the rain.
Then one evening, fate—like a stubborn storyteller—brought them together again.
This time, it was in a small bookstore.
Meera stood on her toes, trying to reach a book on the top shelf. Aarav walked up quietly, took the book, and handed it to her.
"Here."
She looked at him, surprised… then smiled.
And in that moment, Aarav knew—he would remember that smile for the rest of his life.
---
They started meeting more often.
Sometimes by accident. Sometimes by choice.
They talked about everything—dreams, fears, favorite songs, childhood memories. Meera loved the rain. Aarav hated it.
"Why do you like it so much?" he once asked.
"Because rain doesn't hide its emotions," she said softly. "It falls, freely."
Aarav didn't reply—but deep down, he started liking the rain too.
---
One day, Meera didn't show up.
Then another day.
Then a week.
Aarav waited at the bookstore, the bus stop, every place they had shared. But she was nowhere.
Until finally… he found her.
At a hospital.
Meera was sitting quietly by the window, weaker than before—but still smiling.
"I was going to tell you," she said. "But I didn't want you to look at me with sadness."
Aarav's heart clenched.
"Tell me what?"
She looked outside. It was raining again.
"I don't have much time."
---
The world felt unfair.
Too fast.
Too cruel.
Aarav held her hand tightly, like he could stop time if he didn't let go.
"Then we'll make every moment count," he whispered.
And they did.
They laughed, cried, talked, and loved—like every second mattered… because it did.
---
One evening, as the rain gently tapped against the window, Meera rested her head on Aarav's shoulder.
"Promise me something," she said.
"Anything."
"Whenever it rains… don't hide from it."
Aarav swallowed hard. "I promise."
She smiled, closed her eyes…
And the rain kept falling.
---
Years later, Aarav still stood in the rain.
But now, he didn't hate it.
Because every drop felt like Meera—like her laughter, her warmth, her love.
And in the rain… he never felt alone.