The Rainy Afternoon

The rain fell without warning.

Dark clouds had swallowed the afternoon sky, and within minutes, the streets outside San Isidro Senior High School were drenched. Students ran in every direction, laughing as they used their bags to shield themselves from the downpour.

Among them was a girl with shoulder-length black hair, hugging a stack of books tightly against her chest.

"Ah!"

Callie Mendoza let out a small gasp as a passing jeepney splashed muddy water onto the road beside her.

"My uniform..." she whispered with a helpless smile.

Instead of getting upset, she simply brushed the water from her skirt and continued walking.

She had always been like that—gentle, patient, and never one to complain.

As the rain grew heavier, she spotted a warm glow across the street.

A wooden sign swayed gently above the entrance.

LASTHEIMO COFFEE SHOP

The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the air even before she stepped inside.

Without another thought, Callie hurried across the road and pushed open the café door.

Ding...

The small brass bell above the entrance chimed softly.

"Welcome to Lastheimo!"

A cheerful barista greeted her with a smile.

Warm air immediately replaced the cold rain that clung to her skin. Soft acoustic music played in the background while customers chatted quietly over steaming cups of coffee. Shelves lined with books and small potted plants made the café feel more like home than a business.

Callie looked around.

Every table was occupied.

Students were reviewing lessons, couples shared desserts, and office workers typed away on their laptops.

"Oh..."

She smiled awkwardly.

"It looks full."

The barista glanced around before pointing toward the back of the café.

"There should be one table left."

Callie followed his gaze.

Near the large window stood a long wooden table with ten chairs.

Surprisingly...

Only one chair was occupied.

A young man wearing headphones sat quietly near the window, reading a thick novel while occasionally sipping his black coffee.

The remaining nine chairs were empty.

"Would it be okay if I sat there?" Callie asked politely.

"Of course," the barista replied. "It's a community table. Anyone can use it."

"Thank you."

Callie ordered the cheapest drink on the menu—a hot café latte—and carried it carefully toward the table.

As she approached, the young man looked up from his book.

Their eyes met briefly.

"I'm sorry," Callie said with a shy smile. "May I sit here?"

The boy removed one side of his headphones.

"Go ahead."

His voice was calm, almost emotionless.

"Thank you."

Callie gently placed her books on the table before sitting across from him.

For a few moments, silence settled between them.

Outside, rain tapped rhythmically against the café windows.

Inside, only the soft music and the occasional clink of coffee cups could be heard.

Callie wrapped both hands around her warm mug, enjoying its comforting heat.

She stole a quick glance at the quiet stranger.

He looked about her age, with neatly combed black hair and gentle eyes hidden behind thin-framed glasses. Though he appeared distant, there was something peaceful about him.

She smiled to herself before looking back at the rain.

Neither of them knew it yet.

This ordinary rainy afternoon...

would become the beginning of a friendship that would change all of their lives.

And years later...

it would also become the memory that hurt the most.

The silence between Callie and the quiet boy didn't last long.

Ding...

The café door opened once again as another student rushed inside, shaking the rain from his umbrella.

He was taller than most students, with neatly styled brown hair and a bright smile that immediately caught everyone's attention.

He looked around the crowded café before noticing the long wooden table.

Only then did he realize there were still empty chairs.

He walked over with a tray holding an iced americano and a slice of cheesecake.

"Uh... excuse me," he said politely. "Is this seat taken?"

The quiet boy looked up from his book.

"No."

"Great! Thanks."

The newcomer smiled warmly before sitting across from Callie.

"I'm Ryle Clark Anderson," he introduced himself. "I just transferred here from California."

Callie returned the smile.

"I'm Callie Mendoza."

The quiet boy closed his novel and finally spoke.

"Dzythien Villanueva."

"Nice meeting both of you," Ryle said cheerfully. "Looks like we're all hiding from the rain."

Before anyone could answer—

Ding...

The café door opened again.

A girl with a camera hanging around her neck hurried inside.

"Oh no! My camera almost got wet!"

She sighed dramatically before noticing the only table with available seats.

She walked over without hesitation.

"Hi! Mind if I sit here?"

"Not at all," Callie replied.

"Thank you!"

The girl sat down and flashed a wide grin.

"I'm Shantalle Reyes."

"I'm Callie."

"Ryle."

"Dzythien."

Shantalle clapped her hands together.

"Perfect! I already met three people today."

Everyone chuckled softly.

Not even a minute passed before the bell rang again.

This time, two girls entered together.

One looked calm and mature, carrying a folder close to her chest.

The other smiled brightly as she held two cups of milk tea.

The younger girl pointed toward the long table.

"Ate Rein! There are seats over there!"

The older sister nodded.

"Let's ask first."

They approached politely.

"Excuse us," the older one said. "May we join you?"

"Of course," Callie answered.

"Thank you."

"I'm Rein Yhonna Santos."

"And I'm Yhonna Santos," the younger girl said with a wave. "She's my older sister."

"It's nice to meet you," Callie replied.

The table slowly became livelier as everyone introduced themselves.

Outside, the rain continued to pour.

Inside, strangers were becoming acquaintances.

Then—

Ding...

A young woman with long black hair stepped into the café, carrying a suitcase beside her.

She looked around uncertainly before speaking in careful English.

"Excuse me..."

"Is there... any seat available?"

Callie immediately stood.

"Over here!"

The young woman smiled with relief.

"Thank you."

She placed her suitcase beside the table.

"My name is Xuí Lin."

"I'm an exchange student from China."

"Welcome to the Philippines!" Shantalle said excitedly.

Before Xuí could reply—

Ding... Ding...

Three more students entered almost at the same time.

One wore a varsity jacket.

Another adjusted his glasses while checking his phone.

The last one looked around with an easygoing smile.

The three exchanged glances before noticing the nearly full table.

The boy in the varsity jacket scratched his head.

"Looks like this is the only place left."

He walked over.

"Is this seat taken?"

Callie smiled once more.

"Not anymore."

One by one, they introduced themselves.

"I'm Prince Khan."

"I'm Calvin Zhao."

"And I'm Kien Auxelle Cruz."

Only one chair remained empty.

Everyone looked at it.

Shantalle laughed.

"I wonder who gets the last seat."

As if the café had heard her question—

Ding...

The bell above the door rang once again.

A soaked student stood at the entrance, brushing rainwater from his sleeves before looking around the packed café.

His eyes landed on the last empty chair.

He smiled.

"Looks like I'm just in time."

The rain outside showed no signs of stopping.

Inside Lastheimo, however, the atmosphere had become warmer. The long wooden table that had been quiet just minutes ago was now filled with conversations, shy smiles, and curious glances. Ten strangers sat together, though none of them had imagined they would soon become part of each other's lives.

"So..." Shantalle said as she looked around the table. "Since we're all practically trapped here because of the rain, why don't we introduce ourselves properly?"

"I like that idea," Rein replied with a smile.

One by one, they shared their names.

"I'm Callie Mendoza."

"Dzythien Villanueva."

"Ryle Clark Anderson. I just transferred here from California."

"I'm Shantalle Reyes, and yes, I talk a lot."

The table erupted in soft laughter.

"I'm Rein Yhonna Santos, and this is my younger sister, Yhonna."

Yhonna waved happily. "Nice to meet everyone!"

The quiet exchange student smiled politely.

"My name is Xuí Lin. I'm from Shanghai, China."

Beside her sat another young man who adjusted his glasses.

"I'm Calvin Zhao... Xuí's cousin."

The athletic boy grinned confidently.

"Prince Khan. I came here from the United States. Basketball is my life."

Finally, the cheerful boy at the end of the table raised both hands dramatically.

"And I'm Kien Auxelle Cruz, future billionaire!"

Everyone laughed.

"Future billionaire?" Ryle teased.

Kien shrugged. "Dream big, right?"

"I like your confidence," Prince chuckled.

The conversation became livelier as they talked about their favorite foods, hobbies, and why they had chosen San Isidro Senior High School. Although they had only met minutes ago, the awkwardness slowly disappeared.

Then—

A waitress approached their table carrying a tray filled with drinks.

"One cappuccino, one iced americano, one matcha latte..."

As she carefully placed the cups down, someone accidentally stood up too quickly.

"Oh! Sorry!"

Kien bumped the edge of the tray.

The hot caramel latte tipped over.

"Watch out!" Rein exclaimed.

The cup slid across the table—

Splash!

Coffee spilled directly onto Dzythien's open novel.

"My book!" Dzythien said, startled.

For a second, everyone froze.

"Oh no!" Kien gasped, his face turning pale. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!"

Without hesitation, Callie grabbed a handful of napkins from the table.

"Here."

She gently wiped the coffee from the book before it could soak through the pages.

"I'm really sorry," Kien repeated, looking guilty.

Dzythien checked his novel before letting out a small sigh.

"It'll be okay."

Callie smiled softly.

"See? Nothing too serious."

"I'll buy you a new one," Kien insisted.

Dzythien shook his head.

"You don't have to."

"But I do!"

The way Kien looked so genuinely worried made everyone laugh.

Even Dzythien couldn't hide a small smile.

"There it is!" Shantalle pointed at him dramatically.

"What?"

"You smiled!"

"I didn't."

"You did."

"No."

"You absolutely did."

The table burst into laughter again.

Callie smiled as she watched them tease one another. Somehow, the strangers she had met less than an hour ago already felt surprisingly comfortable.

For the first time that day, she forgot about the rain outside.

Just then, the café owner walked over to their table.

"You kids are from San Isidro Senior High, aren't you?"

"Yes, sir," they answered.

He smiled warmly.

"Classes start tomorrow. I hope you become good friends."

The ten of them exchanged glances.

No one said anything.

But deep inside...

Each of them felt that perhaps fate had brought them to the same table for a reason.

Neither coffee nor rain had introduced them.

It was a simple accident...

That became the beginning of something unforgettable.