Moon between us

Episode 4: Rain and Confessions

The sky looked strange that evening.

Dark clouds had covered most of the sunset, turning the town gray and quiet. The wind was stronger than usual, carrying the smell of rain.

Swastika stood near her window, staring outside.

Any normal person would probably stay home.

But after a few seconds of debating with herself, she grabbed her notebook and headed out anyway.

“This is a bad idea,” she muttered while climbing the hill.

Halfway up, the first raindrop landed on her cheek.

Then another.

And another.

“Oh, perfect.”

She quickened her pace.

By the time Swastika reached the top, light rain had already started falling.

And somehow, Kai was still there.

He was standing under a tree, hands in his hoodie pocket like this weather was mildly inconvenient at best.

Swastika stopped and stared at him.

“You’re actually insane.”

Kai smiled. “Nice to see you too.”

“It’s raining.”

“I noticed.”

“Then why are you here?”

Kai tilted his head.

“You came too.”

That was annoyingly fair.

Before she could answer, the rain suddenly got heavier.

Within seconds, it turned from gentle rain into a proper downpour.

“Run!” Kai shouted.

They both rushed down the hill, laughing and slipping slightly on the wet path.

At the bottom was an old abandoned bus stop with a rusted roof.

They ran inside just as the rain became even louder, pounding against the metal roof above them.

Both of them were soaked.

Swastika pushed wet hair away from her face.

“This is all your fault.”

“My fault?” Kai looked offended. “You willingly climbed a hill during obvious storm conditions.”

“You were the reason!”

The moment the words left her mouth, Swastika froze.

Silence.

Kai blinked.

Swastika wanted the floor to open and swallow her whole.

She quickly looked away.

“I meant—because you were probably here, and—”

Kai laughed.

A real laugh.

Not teasing. Not smug. Just amused.

“You’re terrible at covering things up.”

Swastika crossed her arms and stared dramatically at the rain.

“I’m choosing silence.”

“Very mature.”

The rain continued loudly around them.

The small bus stop suddenly felt oddly cozy despite the cold.

Kai sat down on the old wooden bench, and after a moment, Swastika joined him.

Their shoulders almost touched.

Almost.

For once, neither of them joked.

The atmosphere had shifted into something quieter.

More serious.

Kai looked out at the rain.

“My family might move again.”

Swastika’s heart sank.

Not now.

Not already.

She kept her voice steady.

“When?”

“I don’t know yet.”

That somehow felt worse.

No date. No certainty. Just the possibility hanging over them.

Swastika stared at the puddles forming outside.

“Oh.”

Kai glanced at her.

“That's all?”

“What do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know.”

Neither did she.

Because the truth was embarrassing.

She hated the thought of him leaving.

And she had only known him for a few days.

That felt ridiculous.

Yet painfully real.

Swastika tightened her grip on her notebook.

“I think,” she said carefully, “some people appear in your life very suddenly.”

Kai listened quietly.

“And even if it’s only been a short time,” she continued, “they still become important.”

The words were soft, but honest.

Kai stared at her.

The usual playful expression was gone.

For a moment, he looked almost vulnerable.

“Am I one of those people?” he asked.

Swastika immediately felt nervous.

Why was he asking directly?

Why was he like this?

She looked away.

“Maybe.”

Kai smiled.

“You and that word again.”

“It’s useful.”

He shook his head, laughing softly.

The rain slowly began to weaken.

Not completely, but enough to hear softer sounds again.

Kai looked at her thoughtfully.

“You know,” he said, “I used to hate rainy days.”

“Why?”

“They always felt lonely.”

Swastika glanced at him.

“And now?”

Kai’s smile was small but warm.

“Not tonight.”

Her heart did something very inconvenient.

Something fast and chaotic.

She looked back out at the rain to avoid his eyes.

Outside, the storm was calming.

Inside, unfortunately, she was not.

When the rain finally stopped, they stepped outside together.

The ground shimmered under moonlight reflecting off puddles.

Kai looked up.

“The sky cleared.”

Swastika followed his gaze.

The moon had returned.

Bright and calm.

Just like always.

Except tonight, everything felt different.

As they began walking home side by side, Swastika realized something she wasn’t ready to admit aloud.

This was no longer just a random friendship.

And that thought was both exciting... and terrifying.

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