Yesterday came into my life like a desert—
dry, endless… and yet something about it refused to fade.
Even now, its effect hasn't left me.
Maybe it was just a dream.
Maybe it would be easier if it was.
But the rain today…
it still hasn't stopped—just like my thoughts.
I had work.
I should have left by now.
But stepping out in this weather felt wrong—
because the cold wind brushing against my skin…
it didn't feel like air.
It felt like an embrace.
And I wasn't ready to let go of it.
Out of habit, I lit a cigarette and stood by the window, watching the raindrops fall—one after another, like time quietly slipping away.
People search for happiness in everything else.
But being with nature,
being alone with yourself—
isn't that the greatest gift?
And yet…
we forget the joy hidden in the smallest things.
Yesterday, I saw her.
Maybe I won't see her again today.
Still…
I'll carry that memory with me—
like something quietly wrapped around my heart.
Yeah… maybe I'm losing it.
And yet—
Her smile…
her voice…
keeps returning to me like the wind—
soft, sudden… impossible to hold.
Maybe if I go there today…
I'll see her again.
Or maybe—
She has someone.
A boyfriend… or maybe she's already married.
She looked around my age… maybe twenty-four.
No… probably not.
But still—
Why was I even thinking this far when my mind refused to stay quiet?
Still…
I just wanted to see her once.
Just once would be enough.
It's strange, isn't it?
How humans lose themselves over the smallest things…
how curiosity slowly starts to feel like something more.
Even the most beautiful thing—
if held too tightly—
can begin to fade.
Maybe that's just human nature.
We get used to things.
We lose interest.
And in the end…
we all return to dust.
So what's the point of all this?
And yet—
Why did she feel different?
Not love…
just something I couldn't understand yet.
---
With all these thoughts tangled inside me, I stepped out.
The sound of rain filled my ears…
as if it was meant only for me.
People walked under umbrellas—
hiding from it.
But to me…
Rain felt like something we once loved,
something we left behind—
and now it returns, trying to touch us again.
Trying to reach us.
And we keep avoiding it.
I reached the same shelter as yesterday.
And I waited.
Like someone starving—
not for food…
but for a moment that may never come again.
The rain was still falling.
But it didn't feel as beautiful as yesterday.
There were flowers today.
Fresh grass. Life everywhere.
But—
She wasn't there.
I stood there anyway.
Waiting.
"Oh shit… I even skipped work for this."
A quiet laugh escaped me.
I knew I shouldn't be here…
but my feet refused to take me anywhere else.
I kept staring at the sky—
at those heavy clouds—
as the rain slowly softened…
And then stopped.
A faint ray of sunlight fell on me.
Warm.
Unexpected.
I looked up—
And then I saw her.
"Lotus…"
The word slipped out before I could stop myself.
A smile spread across my face—
simple, stupid… like a child who just got what he wanted.
She walked toward me.
"Do you have a cigarette?" she asked.
For a moment, I just looked at her.
And strangely…
it felt like even something bitter
could turn into something soft.
I took a breath and handed her the cigarette and lighter.
She lit it.
And we sat under the shelter again.
"So… what are you doing here today?" she asked.
I looked at her—
And once again, everything else faded.
The world felt dull…
and she was the only thing that carried color.
"I come here sometimes," I said. "My house is nearby. And… I had a day off today, so I thought I'd come out for a bit."
It wasn't a complete lie.
Just not the full truth.
"And you?" I asked.
"My dad has a restaurant nearby," she said. "I help him out sometimes."
My thoughts started again—
Should I ask?
Does she have someone?
No…
Not now.
"By the way," I said, "how did you talk to me so easily? I'm still trying to understand that."
She paused… just for a second.
Then she smiled.
"Life is full of unexpected things," she said.
"People come into our lives like a gust of wind…
and leave just as quietly."
She looked at me again.
"And yesterday… I got a good vibe from you.
Though you were a little weird too. Who offers a cigarette like that? Stupid."
Even the way she said stupid felt soft.
I didn't want that voice to disappear.
Finally, I asked—
"You said… you'd tell me your name when we meet again."
"And… maybe we can be friends?"
She looked at me for a moment.
"Yes… we can."
Then she added quietly—
"But to be friends… we should know each other a little, right?"
I nodded.
"So… what if we meet here sometimes?" she said.
"Not every day… just whenever we can."
"Anyway, I spend most of my time at the restaurant," she continued,
"or writing poems."
"I write too," I said quickly,
"but… probably not as good as you."
She smiled.
"Well… I'll decide that after reading yours."
We both laughed softly.
Evening slowly began to settle.
And then—
"My name is Ren."
I held out my hand.
She took it.
For a moment…
Everything went quiet again.
Her hand was warm.
Soft.
And her presence… lingered.
Maybe I was overthinking.
Or maybe—
This really was the beginning of something.
A story just starting to be written.
Some pages filled…
many still empty.
That night, back in my room, I let the hot water run.
But the feeling didn't leave.
Lying on my bed, I raised my hand…
and brought it closer.
Her scent was still there.
"I won't wash this away… not yet."
I let out a quiet laugh.
Then covered my eyes, smiling like an idiot.
And slowly—
I let the silence of the night take over.
Drifting into it.
Until even my thoughts…
Faded.