The rain had just started when she turned to leave.
“I should go,” Aina said quietly, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. The streetlights reflected in the wet road, casting a golden glow between them. It felt like the world had slowed down—just for this moment.
Zayan didn’t move. He stood there, watching her as if memorizing every detail. The way her hair clung slightly to her cheeks, the way her eyes avoided his.
“Do you really want to go?” he asked.
She hesitated. That one second was enough to say everything she couldn’t.
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
The silence between them grew heavy, filled with words neither of them had the courage to speak. The kind of silence that comes when two hearts are afraid of breaking… or worse, of hoping again.
Zayan stepped closer, just enough that the space between them almost disappeared. “Then don’t decide yet,” he said softly.
Aina looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. “It’s not that simple.”
“It never is,” he replied with a faint smile.
The rain picked up, droplets falling faster now, surrounding them like a curtain from the rest of the world. And suddenly, nothing else mattered.
“Just one moment,” he said.
Before she could respond, he gently reached for her hand. She didn’t pull away.
That was all the permission he needed.
He leaned in slowly, giving her time to stop him—but she didn’t. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, filled with everything they had been holding back for so long. It wasn’t rushed, nor desperate… just honest.
When they pulled apart, Aina’s breath trembled.
“That shouldn’t have happened,” she said, though her voice lacked conviction.
“Then why does it feel right?” Zayan asked.
She didn’t answer.
Instead, she looked at him again, this time with less fear… and more truth.
“Just one more kiss,” she murmured.
Zayan smiled, and this time, there was no hesitation.
As the rain continued to fall around them, they stepped closer again—two hearts choosing the moment, even if the future remained uncertain.
And for now, that was enough.
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