Luisa was walking toward the bus stop, the rain pouring heavily around her. Her umbrella barely protected her from the cold wind.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of Ben—everything that had happened recently kept replaying again and again.
She suddenly stopped walking.
Luisa (thinking):
Why… why does my heart ache so much? Why does it hurt this badly?
At that moment, a car drove past too quickly, and water from the road was about to splash all over her.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back, shielding her.
Luisa was shocked and scared. She closed her eyes tightly.
A voice reached her ears.
"Hey… are you okay?"
Luisa slowly opened her eyes.
The person standing in front of her was completely soaked. His hair was dripping with water, and the umbrella in his hand had fallen to the ground.
It was David.
Luisa (shocked):
"Oh my God! Are you okay? I mean—I'm sorry and thank yo—"
Before she could finish, David gently interrupted her.
David:
"Luisa, stop. Take a breath. Relax. It's okay. My house is nearby anyway."
Luisa stepped closer and held her umbrella over both of them, since David's umbrella was broken and he was already drenched.
Now they stood together under the same umbrella.
David, completely wet, smiled lightly.
David:
"Oh, thank you for the umbrella, by the way."
Luisa felt extremely embarrassed.
Luisa:
"This is so embarrassing…"
David looked at her with soft eyes, smiling quietly.
They walked together in silence. The only sound around them was the steady rain.
After a moment, Luisa spoke again.
Luisa:
"By the way… thank you so much for saving me from getting splashed. And I'm really sorry you got wet because of me."
David shook his head gently.
David:
"Why are you apologizing? This was my choice."
Luisa felt shy and awkward, trying to keep a little distance between them.
David noticed but didn't say anything.
Soon they reached the bus stop.
On the Bus
Luisa and David got on the bus. It was extremely crowded.
They had to stand close to each other.
Luisa suddenly felt someone behind her moving closer—too close.
A man behind her seemed to be intentionally pushing toward her. His intentions didn't feel right.
Luisa tried to move away, but the bus was too packed.
David noticed immediately.
Without saying anything, he moved behind Luisa and stood there, quietly shielding her from the man.
Because David was completely wet, no one wanted to stand too close to him.
Luisa instantly felt safe again.
She gave a small, grateful smile.
Luisa (whispering):
"Thank you."
David looked up at the roof of the bus and replied calmly.
David:
"It's okay."
The rain outside slowly stopped, and the wind blew softly through the bus windows.
David's eyes occasionally drifted toward Luisa.
Soon the bus stopped.
Luisa stepped off.
Luisa:
"Bye."
David simply nodded.
Later That Night
Back in her room, Luisa took off her jacket.
She noticed a small damp spot on it. It was because of David standing so close to her earlier.
She felt a little awkward thinking about it, but she ignored the feeling and went to freshen up.
Afterward, as she sat quietly in her room, her thoughts drifted back again—
to Ben.
Everything that had happened recently made her heart feel strange and heavy.
Luisa whispered softly:
"Why can't I stop thinking about him? Why does it hurt so much?"
Somewhere deep inside, Luisa already knew the truth.
She was falling in love with him.