It was just rain

It started drizzling just after lunch.

One of those slow, sticky rains that didn’t look like much at first, but could soak you completely if you didn’t find shelter fast. The kind that crept into your clothes, clung to your skin, and made the air feel heavier than usual.

Shiva didn’t have an umbrella. Of course he didn’t — he never checked the weather app. He didn’t check many things, really.

So he ducked under the small concrete overhang outside the admin block. It wasn’t a great spot, but it was dry, and more importantly, it was empty. He leaned against the wall, pulling his bag tighter against his chest, watching the water collect in little puddles along the edge of the walkway.

The smell of wet earth and cement filled the air. The sound of light rainfall was soft but steady — like a background score nobody asked for.

A few minutes later, he heard footsteps. Then that familiar shuffle. Then the voice.

“Man, every single time I leave my umbrella at home... boom. Instant karma.”

It was Rohan.

Dripping a little, hoodie pulled halfway over his head, socks completely useless by now. A trail of water followed him like he was dragging the rain indoors.

He didn’t seem too bothered by the downpour — or by the fact that Shiva was already standing there.

He just shook the water out of his sleeves and leaned against the opposite wall like it was the most normal thing in the world to be that close again.

“Great weather,” Rohan said, voice bright despite the gloom. “Real dramatic. Makes me feel like I’m in a movie no one asked for.”

Shiva didn’t say anything.

He kept his eyes on the rain, like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. Like he hadn’t just noticed Rohan standing close enough to hear his heartbeat.

A beat passed. Then another. Water dripped from Rohan’s elbow and hit the ground with soft splashes.

“What are you thinking about?” Rohan asked, not looking at him.

Shiva hesitated. “Nothing.”

“That’s deep,” Rohan said with a small grin.

Another pause. A little longer this time.

Then, without warning, Rohan pulled off his headphones and offered them to Shiva.

“Here. Try this.”

Shiva looked at the headphones like they were a bomb.

“What?”

“It’s music. Just listen. One song.”

Shiva blinked.

He could’ve said no. Should’ve. That would’ve been the easy thing — the safe thing.

But he didn’t.

He took them. Slowly. Carefully.

The song was slow. Gentle. Tamil. The kind of voice that didn’t rush. Something about rain, and time, and waiting for someone who doesn’t know you’re waiting.

He didn’t ask the name of the track. He didn’t ask why Rohan had picked it.

He just listened. Eyes still on the rain.

And when he handed the headphones back, neither of them said anything.

The rain kept falling, lighter now. Like it was listening too.

They stood in silence, just two boys hiding from the sky, holding something between them that didn’t have a name yet.

When the rain finally slowed, Rohan pushed off the wall.

“Guess I’ll see you under the tree tomorrow,” he said, casual as ever.

And then he left.

Shiva stayed there for a while. Let the quiet sink in. Let the music replay in his head.

He wasn’t sure what any of it meant.

But he knew it wasn’t nothing.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***