The Men's Final Step

CHAPTER 4 LITLE THINGS

CHAPTER 4

LITTLE THINGS

Rain fell slowly that afternoon. Droplets descended gently neither heavy nor accompanied by strong winds or rolling thunder. Just a fine, steady drizzle that continued to soak the earth, producing a rhythmic, soothing sound. Yet even so, this consistent rainfall was enough to make anyone reluctant to step out from under shelter. The street in front of the shop, usually bustling with people busy with their own affairs, now looked far quieter. Only occasionally did vehicles pass by at moderate speed, splashing through puddles beginning to form along the roadside, while pedestrians preferred to stay sheltered under building roofs or wait in safe spots until the rain subsided.

As a result, the atmosphere inside the shop turned quieter and more peaceful than usual. Gone were the sounds of customers stepping in and out, the haggling over prices, and the general bustle that typically filled their days. Between the neatly arranged shelves, the silence felt very real yet not tense; instead, it felt calm, offering space for thoughts to wander wherever they pleased.

Rian stood still near the large glass window, the only barrier between this warm room and the dampening world outside. He stood upright yet relaxed, both hands tucked into his trouser pockets, his eyes gazing intently at the street, which was slowly turning dark under the rain. His gaze wasn’t fixed on any single object, but rather observed the motion of water falling from the sky, streaming down the glass pane before him, then dropping to the ground and merging with the ever-widening puddles. To others, this sight might have been ordinary, but for Rian, there was a strange sense of calm to be found in it.

“You’ve been standing there quietly, just looking outside for quite a while,” Maya’s voice broke the silence, coming from behind where Rian stood. Her tone was soft, not asking to disturb, but rather filling the quiet space that hung in the air.

Rian did not turn around or shift his body immediately. He remained fixated on the view beyond the glass, as if there was an answer he was searching for among the countless falling raindrops.

“I am… watching the rain,” he replied quietly, his voice low yet clear within the silent room. “Watching how the water falls, how it dampens everything without distinction, and how it makes everything look different than it usually does.”

Maya stepped slowly and stopped right beside him, standing level with him, then shifting her gaze toward the wet streets outside as well. From close by, she could see the expression on the young man’s face—calm, yet as if his mind was drifting far away to another place. There was peace visible there, yet also a faint sense of distance.

“Seriously? Just watching the rain?” Maya asked again, this time with a tone that probed slightly yet remained gentle. She knew very well that for someone like Rian, standing still and observing something was never just about seeing. There were always thoughts turning in his head, always feelings he was processing.

Rian formed a small smile at the corner of his lips a faint smile, yet one that felt more open this time. He shook his head gently, still without turning toward the woman beside him.

“Sometimes, humans need very simple reasons just to be able to pause for a moment and stop thinking,” he answered slowly, as if speaking to himself yet directing his words to her. “And watching rain… is one of the simplest reasons there is. No complex explanations needed, no specific purpose required. It is enough just to look, listen to its sound, and let time pass naturally. Rain teaches us that it is okay to stop for a while, that not everything has to keep moving constantly.”

Maya listened silently, letting those words sink deep within her. She understood more and more why this young man drew her attention so much. Behind his quiet, simple demeanor lay deep thoughts and a unique perspective toward the small things around him.

“In that case… do you like the rain?” Maya asked afterward, her eyes still fixed outside but her thoughts now fully focused on him. “Is this kind of atmosphere something you enjoy?”

Rian fell silent for a moment. That simple question apparently required him to think for quite some time before answering. He recalled his feelings toward rain in the past, back when he kept walking, kept moving, and kept running.

“Before… I didn’t like rain at all,” he replied softly, his tone turning slightly heavier, carrying the weight of old memories. “In fact, I really hated it when it rained. I saw it only as an obstacle because roads would turn muddy, making it hard to walk or go anywhere. Rain meant all plans got messed up, journeys were delayed, and everything felt colder and lonelier. Back then, I felt rain only brought disruption.”

“And now?” Maya interjected gently, waiting for the rest of his answer.

Rian lifted both shoulders slightly a relaxed gesture as if trying to say that his perspective had changed greatly. He took a long breath, then let it out slowly, creating a faint wisp of white vapor that instantly vanished in the warm air of the room.

“…Now? It doesn’t feel as bad as it used to,” he answered honestly. “Maybe because now I am not rushing to get anywhere. Or perhaps because now I am not wandering far out there. Here, in a dry and safe place, watching the rain fall feels different. It no longer feels like it’s blocking my way, but rather feels calming. I finally understand why so many people enjoy weather like this.”

Maya tilted her head slightly toward him, observing the side profile of his face, which looked more relaxed than usual. A growing curiosity stirred within her heart.

“There is a story behind it, isn’t there? About the rain, and how your view changed so drastically?” she asked carefully. She tried to sound not as if digging for secrets, but simply as someone who wanted to listen.

Rian chuckled softly a low, brief sound, yet sounding sincere. He nodded gently.

“Everyone has a different story, Maya. Everyone has reasons behind what they like or dislike, behind what they do or do not do,” he said in a wise tone. “The difference is, there are only two kinds of people: those who are willing to share their stories with anyone, and those who choose to keep them quietly to themselves.”

Maya nodded in understanding. She wasn’t offended by that answer at all; on the contrary, she admired Rian’s honesty even more. She knew very well that forcing someone to talk about their past or hidden matters would only make them pull away. Trust needed time to grow.

“And you… which kind are you?” Maya asked again, her voice soft and full of understanding. “Which of those two types?”

This time it was Rian who turned his head. He looked straight into Maya’s eyes, gazing at her with a clear and honest expression. In his eyes, she could see a sincerity she rarely found in others.

“Me? I am the kind who is still learning,” Rian replied quietly yet firmly. “Still learning to open up, still learning to share just a little bit of what is inside my head and heart. Still learning to trust that not everything has to be borne alone until it’s over. So if I stay silent, it doesn’t mean I refuse to speak. It just means I still need time.”

The atmosphere turned calm and quiet between them once more. No more questions, no more answers. Only the rhythmic sound of falling rain continued outside, like background music accompanying their feelings as they slowly understood each other better. Within that silence, a sense of comfort grew a feeling of safety that allowed them to stand side by side without awkwardness or burden.

“Before… I also really loved the rain,” Maya said suddenly, breaking the long silence, her eyes again staring straight ahead through the glass window. Those words slipped out naturally, as if an old memory had just crossed her mind while hearing their earlier conversation.

Rian looked back at her, this time with a gaze full of attention. There was a faint hint of sadness lingering in her voice just now.

“Why did you say ‘before’?” Rian asked softly. “Meaning you don’t feel that way anymore?”

Maya smiled faintly ,the same kind of smile Rian often wore, one that held many meanings and a touch of bitterness. She nodded slowly, her lips moving gently to answer his question.

“Because back then… back then, there weren’t so many things to think about,” she murmured, her eyes gazing far away as if seeing her simple, happy childhood. “Before, when rain fell, I would just be happy because I could play in the water, or be glad to sleep soundly listening to its sound. Rain meant only joy, freshness, and peace. No burdens, no responsibilities, no worries of any kind. It felt like the whole world was nothing more than my house and the yard.”

Rian nodded slowly; he understood very well what she meant. He too had experienced those times, when everything felt easy and simple.

“And now?” Rian asked gently, continuing the unfinished thought.

Maya took a long breath, letting it out slowly as if trying to expel the weariness stored within her chest. She looked at the wet streets, blurred by droplets clinging to the glass.

“…Now,” she answered quietly and heavily. “Now it feels like there are too many things to worry about. When it rains, I start thinking about whether the house roof is leaking, if the goods here are safe from dampness, about roads becoming slippery and dangerous for anyone passing by, and about the safety of people I care for. Now, rain is no longer just a beautiful view or a calming sound. Rain becomes a reminder that there are so many things to protect, so many matters to take care of, and so many burdens that must be carried alone.”

Rian did not ask further. He did not ask what burdens Maya had to carry, what weight she bore, or why she had to endure it all by herself. He simply stood silently beside her, looking outside together, feeling exactly what she felt without needing many words.

He understood truly. Sometimes, silence itself is the most polite, sincere, and profound form of understanding. Silence means: I am listening to you, I understand you, and I am here with you, even if I cannot change anything.

Beneath the continuous sound of the drizzle, the distance that usually stood between them seemed to shrink little by little. In that quiet afternoon, amidst the gentle falling rain, they both learned that sometimes, the deepest conversations happen without a single word being spoken.

Author :

Stiven shangra haliem