Their hearts pounded with a strange, gripping fear. Holding tightly to each other's hands, Aryan and Megha tiptoed toward the mysterious shadow. The air in this part of the woods felt heavy and suffocating, and that eerie rustling sound was drawing closer by the second. Just as Aryan swallowed hard, preparing to speak, the dim, flickering light of a lantern revealed the figure hiding in the dark.
It wasn't a ghost or a monster. Standing before them was a frail old man. His face was etched with deep wrinkles of age, and he wore a faded, worn-out shirt, holding a rusty sickle in his hand. Looking at them in sheer surprise, the old man asked, "Well, young ones! What are you doing out here? No one usually wanders this deep into the forest!"
Realizing it was just a regular person, a massive wave of relief washed over Ayan and Megha. The fear in Megha's voice was quickly replaced by curiosity. "Grandpa, we lost our way. How long have you been working here?"
The old man smiled gently. "Since I was a little boy. This botanical garden is my home. I come here every day, take care of the trees, and keep the wild bushes in check... I have spent my whole life doing this, and I truly love it." As he spoke, he glanced up at the sky, his tone shifting to concern. "The afternoon has passed, and evening is creeping in. Do you see how dark the sky is getting? The clouds are heavy; a fierce storm is going to break any minute. Don't stay here, or you'll get completely drenched. Hurry back to your hostel."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Aryan nodded. "Alright, Grandpa. We are heading back right now."
Following the path the old man had pointed out, they began their walk back. The eerie, spooky feeling had completely vanished from their minds. However, the surroundings were quickly growing dark; evening always seemed to fall a little earlier beneath the thick canopy of the forest. They walked as fast as they could.
Suddenly, Megha let out a sharp cry of pain, "Ah!"
Startled, Aryan spun around to find Megha sitting on the ground, her face twisted in agony. In her rush, a large, thorny branch had pierced her foot. Tears welled up in her eyes from the sharp, stinging pain. She held her foot, letting out a soft sob.
Without wasting a single second, Ayan knelt beside her. Very gently, he took her foot in his hands and said in a soothing voice, "Just bear with it for a second, Megha. I'll take it out right now." The soft, caring touch of Aryan's hands sent a warm shiver through Megha's aching heart. As Aryan delicately pulled the thorn free, Megha gripped his shoulder tightly, finding comfort and trust in his presence.
At that very moment, the sky broke open, and heavy rain came pouring down. Within seconds, everything was soaked. Megha tried to stand, but her face contorted the moment she put weight on her injured foot. Helplessly, she whispered, "Aryan, I can't walk at all..."
The rain was only getting heavier. Without a second thought, Aryan swept Megha up into his arms, holding her closely against his chest. Megha was startled at first, but a moment later, feeling completely safe, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. She could hear the rapid, steady beating of Aryan's heart, and the sweet, earthy scent of her wet hair made Aryan forget all his exhaustion. In the pouring rain of that intoxicating evening, their silent romance painted a truly magical moment.
But staying out under the open sky in this relentless storm meant they would surely fall ill. As Aryan looked around with Megha safe in his arms, a sudden flash of lightning lit up the silhouette of a massive, ancient building in the distance. It looked like an old, abandoned library hidden within the garden. To escape the heavy rain, Aryan held Megha closer and hurried toward the shelter of the old ruins...
To be continued.....🌧️