Aleena's POV
It was still dark outside, the kind of gloomy pre-dawn that makes everything feel slower and heavier. The clouds hung low and the distant rumble of thunder warned that the storm wasn't far. I sat at my desk, lost in my thoughts.
A soft sound broke through my thoughts — someone clearing their throat. I looked up and saw Jannat, my colleague and closest friend, standing in front of me with a stack of files in her hands. Her hair was slightly messy, and she had that familiar tired-but-determined look on her face.
"You know we need to go early," she said with a sigh, placing the files on my desk. "But again, here we are — stuck with work."
I leaned back in my chair, glancing out the window. "You're right. It might start pouring any minute now. We should probably wrap this up quickly and make a move. We've got an hour — we can do it."
Jannat smiled faintly, her eyes wandering toward the dark clouds outside. "You know, in this weather, I'd rather be out there enjoying the rain instead of sitting here buried under paperwork."
I chuckled. "Yeah, and catch a cold while you're at it? You'd be coughing like an old lady by tomorrow."
She rolled her eyes. "Can you just stay positive for once?"
"Do I need to?" I replied, raising an eyebrow.
She laughed, shaking her head as she turned back to her work.
By the time we finally finished, the clock read 6:30. The office was nearly silent, save for the distant thunder and the sound of rain starting to pour against the windows.
"Do you need a ride home?" I asked, packing up my things.
She shook her head. "Nope. Ali's coming to pick me up. The weather's getting a little dangerous — he didn't want me driving alone." Then she looked at me with concern. "You sure you'll be fine heading out by yourself?"
I smiled. "That's great he's coming for you. Don't worry about me — I'll be fine. Just need to beat the rain."
"Okay, but text me once you reach, alright? And dare you forget!" she said, pointing a finger at me with mock seriousness.
"I won't," I said. "Now go — it's getting late. Bye.
"Yeah, yeah. Bye," she said, giving me a small wave before disappearing through the door. A few moments later, I saw her outside, running through the rain toward Ali's car, her laughter carried faintly by the wind.
As I watched her leave, I couldn't help but smile. Jannat — my colleague, my best friend, my constant partner in crime. We'd been inseparable since college, surviving deadlines, her heartbreak,and far too many cups of coffee together. She was equal parts extraordinary and delusional — a beautiful paradox who somehow made every dull moment brighter. My ride or die.
"Come on, let's look for a cab now," I muttered to myself as I walked out of the office. It had started to drizzle, and I didn't think I'd find a cab nearby. I began walking in the direction where I might be able to find one. After a few minutes, the drizzle turned into a heavy downpour, and I took shelter under a nearby shed. I was already drenched, the rainwater clinging to my clothes .
After waiting for a while, I decided to keep walking despite the rain. As I hurried along the slippery pavement, I suddenly collided with someone — someone tall with a strong build. I almost lost my balance, but before I could fall, a firm hand caught my hand, steadying me.
"Sorry," I muttered quickly, embarrassed, avoiding his eyes. Without waiting for a response, I stepped aside and continued walking
Azlaan's POV
The rain came down in thick sheets, the kind that blurred everything in dark. The moment she collided with me, I felt the impact — soft, sudden, unexpected.
Before I could even think, my hand shot out instinctively, catching her hand to keep her from falling. Her skin was cold from the rain, delicate beneath my touch. She steadied herself quickly, murmuring a quiet "Sorry," without meeting my eyes.
And then she was gone — a blur of peach fabric disappearing into the rain.
For a moment, I just stood there, the echo of her voice lingering in the air. Her hand had felt weightless yet warm the soft tremor in her voice, the quiet apology that sounded more tired than embarrassed, and something about the brief contact stayed with me longer than it should have. I adjusted my jacket, shaking off the water, and continued toward my car, unaware that something small — something significant — had stayed behind.
The drive home was silent except for the rhythmic hum of the rain against the windshield. The city was a haze of glistening lights and dark streets, the world slowing down under the storm's weight.
I couldn't get her out of my head-my thoughts kept circling back- not to the day's meetings, not to the endless deadlines, but to her. The way she looked right before she turned away, her hair sticking to her face, eyes wide with surprise. There was something about her presence, something oddly familiar, though I was certain I had never seen her before.
By the time I reached home, it was past eight. The house was quiet, dimly lit, the faint scent of sandalwood drifting through the air. I slipped off my wet shoes, hung my jacket on the stand, and ran a hand through my damp hair, trying to shake off the heaviness of the evening.
I walked into my room, unbuttoning my cuffs, when something caught the faint light — a small, golden glint embedded near the inner lining of my jacket. I frowned, pulling the fabric closer.
There, nestled against the fold, was a rose ring.
For a moment, I just stared at it, water still beading along its smooth surface. It was simple but elegant — thin, golden, engraved faintly on the inside. The kind of thing someone wore every day, without taking it off.
My thoughts slowed.
Her.
I turned it over between my fingers, the metal still cool from the rain. For a moment, I just stared at it, a quiet realization settling in. It must've slipped from her hand when I caught her.
But there was something about the way it sat in my palm that felt oddly personal. Like it had chosen to stay.
I set it down gently on the side table, its glimmer catching the dim light, then leaned back against the couch. The exhaustion of the day began to sink into me, blurring the edges of my thoughts.
Her face flickered behind my eyelids — rain, eyes, apology — and for the first time in a long while, sleep came uninvited.
But somehow, as the rain continued outside, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time our paths would cross.
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