Durga Puja had just ended, but the festive feeling had not completely faded away yet. The streets still carried the fragrance of celebration, and people were still talking about the grandeur of the pandals, the lights, and the joy they had shared during those few magical days. Although the biggest festival of Bengal was over, the festive season itself was not finished. Diwali and Bhai Phonta were still yet to come. Because of that, the entire month still felt like a long holiday filled with happiness and relaxation.
At that time, the results of the recent examinations had not yet been published. However, studies had already started again. Students were slowly returning to their normal routine after the excitement of the Puja holidays.
One day, Sanjib's father decided that it would be good for him to join a Chemistry tuition class. Sanjib was not very enthusiastic about extra classes at first, but there was actually a secret reason behind his acceptance.
The truth was that Sanjib himself had told his father about this particular tuition class. He explained that in his previous chemistry tuition there were too many students, and because of that he could not properly understand the lessons. His father believed him and decided to enroll him in a different tuition center.
But Sanjib's real intention was something else.
He already knew that Megha, the girl he liked very much, studied at this tuition center. If he joined the same class, then there would be no uncertainty about meeting her again and again. It would give them more opportunities to spend time together.
And that was exactly what happened.
The Unexpected Meeting
It was a Sunday when Sanjib went to the tuition class for the first time. As he entered the place, he suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Hey Sanjib! What are you doing here? Are you going to study here from now on?"
It was Megha.
Sanjib pretended to be surprised when he heard her voice, even though deep inside he had been expecting this moment.
"Oh… Megha! You study here?" he asked, trying to sound natural.
Megha smiled.
"Yes, I've been studying here for quite some time. So you joined from today?"
Sanjib nodded.
"Yes… my father admitted me here."
Inside his heart, however, he felt extremely happy. His small plan had worked perfectly.
The Journey to Tuition
That day both Sanjib and Megha had come to the tuition class on their bicycles instead of taking the bus. The class continued as usual. The teacher explained chemical reactions, equations, and different concepts of chemistry. Although Sanjib tried to pay attention to the lesson, he occasionally glanced toward Megha sitting nearby.
Finally, the tuition class ended at 8 PM.
Most of the students left quickly and hurried toward their homes. The night was slowly growing darker, and the roads were becoming quieter.
But Sanjib and Megha did not rush.
Instead of immediately riding their bicycles, they slowly walked beside them, pushing the cycles along the road. They were talking and laughing, enjoying each other's company.
Their conversation wandered from one topic to another.
They talked about their favorite fruits, their favorite movies, their favorite dancers, and their hobbies. Sometimes they argued playfully, sometimes they laughed loudly.
The evening felt peaceful and pleasant.
Step by step, they continued walking toward their homes.
The Sudden Storm
Suddenly, the calm atmosphere changed.
The sky began to make a deep rumbling sound.
Grrr… rumble…
Dark clouds gathered quickly overhead.
Megha looked up at the sky nervously.
Within a few minutes, the wind started blowing strongly. Leaves began to swirl across the road.
A powerful cyclonic storm began forming due to low pressure in the atmosphere. The wind grew louder and stronger. Trees bent under the force of the wind. Branches started falling. The surroundings looked chaotic and frightening.
Dust filled the air.
Roadside stalls began closing hurriedly.
Seeing the situation become dangerous, Sanjib and Megha quickly searched for shelter. Fortunately, they noticed an old abandoned house nearby.
Without wasting time, they rushed inside with their bicycles.
The house looked worn and silent. The walls were cracked, and the windows rattled in the strong wind.
But at least it provided protection from the storm.
They decided that they would stay there until the weather became normal again.
Megha's Fear
The storm outside became even louder.
Thunder roared across the sky.
Lightning flashed repeatedly.
Megha was clearly frightened. She did not like thunder and lightning at all.
Sanjib noticed her fear.
Trying to lighten the mood, he said playfully,
"You know, this is exactly why I love the rainy season so much."
Sanjib knew very well that Megha's favorite season was the monsoon, so he deliberately said that to tease her.
Megha immediately replied with irritation.
"I like the rainy season too, but I absolutely cannot tolerate thunder and lightning."
Sanjib laughed.
"Oh really? So you're afraid of thunder?"
Megha frowned slightly.
Before she could reply, a loud thunderbolt crashed nearby.
The Lightning Strike
Suddenly, lightning struck a tall coconut tree standing beside the old house.
CRACK!
The sound was so loud that both Sanjib and Megha jumped in fear.
Without thinking, they instinctively hugged each other tightly.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything.
Their hearts were beating fast.
After a moment, Megha looked at Sanjib and said teasingly,
"Hey Sanjib, I thought you weren't afraid of thunder?"
Sanjib tried to act normal.
"When did I say I was scared?"
Megha raised her eyebrow and smiled mischievously.
"Oh really? Then tell me something… why were you hugging me just now?"
Sanjib had no answer.
At that exact moment, another thunderbolt roared across the sky.
But this time something different happened.
Instead of Sanjib hugging Megha…
Megha hugged Sanjib.
She quickly stepped back and said in embarrassment,
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
Sanjib grinned.
"Hmmm… so now tell me… who hugged whom this time?"
Megha blushed slightly but said nothing.
The Rain Begins
After some time, the thunder gradually stopped.
However, the sky opened up and heavy rain began pouring down.
Rain fell like a curtain of water.
Both Sanjib and Megha felt relieved because the frightening lightning had stopped.
Sanjib sighed.
"Well… at least the rain has started. Those lightning strikes were really scary."
Megha nodded.
"Yes… but I'm wondering when we'll finally be able to go home."
Sanjib suddenly looked outside at the rain.
Then he said something unusual.
"Megha, if I could become a scientist someday, I would turn the entire year into the rainy season."
Megha burst out laughing.
"Sanjib, you're really crazy! Do you even realize how many problems the rainy season causes? If it rained all year long, the entire place would be flooded!"
Sanjib smiled softly.
"Yes, I know that."
Then he added quietly,
"But I wouldn't mind… if I could spend moments like this with you."
For a moment, Megha was silent.
Then she said gently,
"Sanjib… you really speak very beautifully."
Sanjib laughed.
"Well, when I'm talking to you, I have to speak nicely."
A Quiet Moment Together
The rain continued falling steadily.
The storm outside had calmed down.
Inside the old house, the atmosphere became peaceful again.
Both Sanjib and Megha sat quietly for a while.
The sound of rain hitting the ground created a soothing rhythm.
After some time, Megha asked softly,
"Sanjib… what are you thinking about?"
Sanjib looked outside through the broken window.
Then he replied,
"I'm thinking… what if this moment could last forever?"
Megha smiled.
"Do you always think about things like this?"
Sanjib shrugged playfully.
"When I'm talking to you, these thoughts come naturally."
Megha laughed again.
Time to Go Home
After some time, the rain started to slow down.
The wind had almost stopped.
Sanjib stood up and looked outside.
"I think the rain has become lighter now. Megha, let's go."
Megha nodded.
"Yes, let's go."
They brought their bicycles outside.
The road was wet and shiny under the streetlights.
Water droplets were still falling from the leaves of the trees.
They both climbed onto their bicycles and began riding slowly toward their homes.
The Beautiful Ride
Riding bicycles in the rain felt magical.
There were very few vehicles on the road.
The only sounds that could be heard were:
• the gentle patter of rain
• the ringing of bicycle bells
• the quiet hum of the night
The cool wind touched their faces.
They both felt incredibly happy.
Megha said with a smile,
"Sanjib… today was really a beautiful day."
Sanjib nodded.
"Yes, I liked it very much too. Every moment spent with you feels beautiful."
Megha laughed again.
"You really are crazy."
But this time, there was warmth in her voice.
The Farewell
After riding for some time, they reached near their homes.
Megha stopped her bicycle.
"Sanjib, you should go home now. Your parents will be worried."
Sanjib nodded.
"Alright. You also go carefully."
Megha replied,
"Yes, you too."
They exchanged a final smile.
Then they went in different directions.
Sanjib rode his bicycle toward his home.
Megha rode toward hers.
Both of them felt extremely happy.
The storm, the old house, the rain, the laughter, and the unexpected hugs — everything had created a beautiful memory.
A memory that they would remember for a long time.
That rainy evening had quietly become one of the most special moments of their lives.