That first rain, the college canteen, and an unfinished letter I could never deliver

You know, we're all so busy running around these days that we've forgotten what peace feels like. Yesterday evening, it suddenly started raining so hard that I had to stop under the shed of an old shop on the way. My mobile phone's battery was dead, so I had nothing to look at on the screen. I just stood there quietly, watching the falling rocks in front of me.

At that very moment, I smelled the same sweet scent of soil, and it suddenly took me back five years—that same college, that same canteen, and those same memories.

1. That college canteen and an umbrella

I remembered our last year of college. It was exactly such an evening. We were both standing outside the canteen under a single, small umbrella. The umbrella was so small that one shoulder was completely drenched, and the other was mine.  But neither of us wanted the rain to stop or the bus to arrive early.

Her dry hair, the raindrops falling on her face, and that thing hidden in her eyes... something she never said aloud, but I understood it all.

"It was a similar evening, when you were with me,

There were raindrops and an unspoken hope."

2. The Last Seat on the Bus and That Journey

When we got on the bus after getting completely drenched, luckily we found the last seat empty.  The bus was moving, a cool breeze was blowing through the window, and without saying a word, she placed her wet head on my shoulder.

At that moment, as my heart pounded, I felt as if the entire bus could hear it. I held my breath, afraid that my slightest movement might disturb her peace.

3. That Unfinished Letter (Which I Never Got to Give)

I couldn't sleep that night. I took out a diary and wrote down everything in my heart.  I tore up so many papers, exchanged words so many times, and finally, I composed a complete letter. I wrote in it how much I loved her.

But the next day, when I went to college, I was scared. I felt that saying this might break our friendship. And that letter... remained in my jeans pocket. Then college ended, placements happened, and we both moved to different cities.

 Yesterday night, when I returned home from the rain and took out my college jeans from the old cupboard, I didn't find the 100 rupee note in its pocket, but I did find the same torn, worn-out old paper.

4. Life Isn't 'Perfect,' It's Beautiful in Addiction

Today, I'm busy with my corporate life; perhaps she's also moved on. But yesterday's rain reminded me that some people leave life, but never leave any corner of the heart.

 Life isn't really about the big changes we post on LinkedIn or Instagram. Life is hidden in those small moments:

Friends' teasing: When she would walk by and all our friends would suddenly stop and smile at me.

That last sip of tea: We would both drink from the same cup in the canteen when we ran out of money.

Conclusion: Do you have a similar problem?

People say the world is changing, machines are learning, and the ways of love are changing.  But as long as the raindrops can make you cry remembering someone or make you smile without any reason... there is still a living human being inside you.

Next time it rains in your city, keep your phone in your pocket for a while and feel that coolness.