Luisa and Ben walked together toward their homes.
Luisa kept glancing at Ben, though she tried to hide it. Meanwhile, Ben seemed lost in his own thoughts.
Luisa (thinking):
Should I ask him if he has a girlfriend?
No, no… that's such a weird question.
What should I do…?
The silence between them was broken when Ben spoke.
Ben:
"The weather is good today. It's bright and the sun is shining."
Luisa:
"Yeah, it's nice. You don't like rain?"
Ben:
"Hmm… not really. It's okay, but it's not my thing."
Luisa:
"Oh… I see."
After a moment, Ben spoke again.
Ben:
"By the way… that guy—what was his name again?"
Luisa:
"David."
Ben:
"Yeah, David. He's probably the smartest in our class."
Luisa:
"Yeah, he is."
Ben:
"Is he your friend?"
Luisa looked down at their footsteps moving side by side on the wet street.
Luisa:
"Yes… you could say that."
Ben:
"That's great."
Ben looked up at the clear sky.
Ben:
"Hmm…"
After a few moments, Luisa asked another question.
Luisa:
"So… how do you like Himmer?"
Ben:
"It's beautiful. But honestly, sometimes I miss Aves. It's beautiful too. The sunshine, the weather… everything there feels peaceful."
Luisa looked at him quietly.
For a moment, she saw a different light in his eyes.
But suddenly his phone rang.
Ben pulled out his phone and answered it.
At that moment, Luisa felt a sudden pain in her chest.
Ben (on the phone):
"Hi, Mom. How are you?"
Luisa felt an unexpected wave of relief.
She looked ahead and realized she was already near her apartment.
Luisa:
"Bye, Ben."
Ben nodded and smiled.
Ben:
"Oh… bye."
Luisa walked inside her building.
At Home
Luisa stood near the window of her apartment.
Luisa (thinking):
Why is this so difficult?
Why do I always feel so strange around him?
And why does it hurt sometimes…?
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Luisa turned and opened it.
It was her landlady's daughter, Amy, holding a small box.
Amy:
"Good morning, Luisa! How are you?"
Luisa:
"Good morning, Amy. I'm good. How about you? Come in."
Amy walked inside and handed her the box.
Amy:
"Here. These are some fruits from our farm."
Luisa:
"Oh, thank you so much! You didn't have to do that."
Amy:
"Oh please. It's nothing."
Amy looked around.
Amy:
"So what are you doing today?"
Luisa:
"I was just about to make some coffee. Would you like some?"
Amy:
"Sure."
They both sat on the couch.
Luisa's apartment was small but cozy, with one bedroom and a comfortable living room.
Amy:
"So… how's university going?"
Luisa:
"It's good. What about yours?"
Amy:
"Great."
Amy suddenly looked at her with curiosity.
Amy:
"By the way, Luisa… you didn't tell me you have boyfriends."
Luisa looked confused.
Luisa:
"What? What are you talking about?"
Amy smiled teasingly.
Amy:
"The guy you were walking with earlier. He was really good-looking."
Luisa immediately shook her head.
Luisa:
"No, no! Please—he's not my boyfriend!"
Luisa (thinking):
Why does everyone keep asking me the same question…?
Amy laughed softly.
Amy:
"Oh, I see."
They continued talking for a while before Amy left.
Later
Luisa returned to studying.
Suddenly she heard a distant sound of thunder.
She walked to the window and looked outside.
Dark clouds were gathering in the sky.
Cold wind brushed against her face.
Luisa smiled softly.
Luisa:
"Oh… it's about to rain."
She looked at the sky thoughtfully.
Luisa:
"I love rain. I don't understand how someone could not like it."
Soon the rain started falling.
The droplets drifted through the open window and lightly touched her face.
The rain grew heavier.
Luisa closed the window and returned to her desk.
Outside, the weather was cold and wet.
Inside, her room felt warm and cozy.
As she studied, she occasionally glanced at the window, watching the rain pour down.
At the Same Time
In his apartment, Ben stood by the window, looking out at the rain falling across the city.
He held his phone to his ear.
Ben:
"Yes, I'm fine. It's raining here."
He paused for a moment.
His voice softened.
Ben:
"How are you?"
Another pause.
Ben:
"Yeah… I miss you too, Charlotte"