Rain at the Edge of Dusk

The café smelled of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries. A soft jazz tune played in the background, blending seamlessly with the distant hum of conversations. Outside, the sky was painted in shades of gray, the clouds hanging heavy with the promise of rain. Nadira sat by the window, absentmindedly stirring her hot chocolate. It had been years since she last stepped into this place, yet everything still felt the same—the dim lighting, the rustic wooden tables, the familiar scent of cinnamon in the air. And yet, something was different. Or maybe, she was the one who had changed. She sighed, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed out at the street. People hurried past, some carrying umbrellas in anticipation of the coming rain. The sight made her chest tighten. *"How many times have I sat here, waiting for someone who never came?"* She was lost in her thoughts when a voice broke through the noise. “It’s been a while.” Nadira froze. Her fingers tightened around the handle of her cup as she slowly turned toward the voice. There he was. Arga stood just a few steps away, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, his gaze steady on hers. The years had been kind to him—his features had matured, but his eyes still held the same warmth she remembered. "You still like sitting here," he said, a small, almost hesitant smile playing on his lips. Nadira swallowed hard, her mind racing. Of all the people she thought she might run into today, he was the last. And yet, here he was—like a ghost from the past she wasn’t ready to face. “I guess some things don’t change,” she replied, forcing her voice to stay even. Arga hesitated for a moment before pulling out the chair across from her. “Do you mind?” Nadira wanted to say *yes*. She wanted to tell him to leave, to pretend they had never met again. But instead, she found herself shaking her head. And just like that, after years of silence, they were sitting across from each other again—two people who had once shared everything, now unsure of where to begin. Outside, the first drops of rain hit the window, blurring the world beyond. A fitting backdrop, Nadira thought. Because maybe, just maybe, the past was about to catch up with her. **To be continued…**