When the Rain Paused

The rain came out of nowhere.

One minute the sky was a dull gray; the next, it broke open with a sudden downpour. Keiran and Max instinctively picked up their pace, darting across the sidewalk as cold droplets soaked through their clothes.

"We should stop for a bit," Max shouted over the rain, tugging on Keiran's arm.

Keiran rolled his eyes. "Our apartment's not even that far."

"And I'm not dying of pneumonia before midterms," Max shot back, dragging him toward the nearest café tucked into the corner of the street.

They paused just under the awning, both of them dripping. Keiran had turned his back to the glass window, shaking water from his hair when he heard Max suck in a breath.

"Hey," he said, smacking Kieran's arm.

Kieran jerked his hand back, irritated. "What is wrong with you?"

Max pointed at the glass wall, eyes gleaming. "Your girlfriend."

Kieran frowned. Tired. Drenched. Not in the mood. But he turned.

Through the steamed-up glass, Keiran's eyes landed on the familiar figure behind the counter, her hair tied back, sleeves rolled to her elbows. Amara was handing a coffee to a customer, a soft smile on her lips.

"She works here?" Max said with a smug grin, already grabbing Kieran's sleeve to drag him inside.

The little bell above the door chimed, and Amara glanced up. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw them, especially Max but she quickly composed herself.

"Oh. Hi," she said with a nervous smile.

Max stepped forward, grinning. "You work here?"

"Yeah," she replied, rubbing the back of her neck.

Max nudged Keiran. "You didn't know your girlfriend works here?"

Amara quickly interjected, trying to downplay the moment. "Actually... I didn't tell him. I mean—I just started. Yesterday. Sorry," she added, glancing shyly at Keiran.

Keiran gave a curt nod. "It's fine."

Max waved him off. "Ignore him. He likes to cause chaos."

Amara laughed awkwardly, then noticed how soaked they were. "Oh, you're drenched—wait here!"

She disappeared into the back room and returned moments later with two clean towels. "Here, use these."

"Thanks, lifesaver," Max said, patting down his hair.

Keiran muttered a soft "Thanks" and took the towel from her hands.

Outside, the rain had slowed to a drizzle.

Max stretched, glancing outside. "Looks like it's letting up. I'll head out first. Keiran, since your girlfriend is working late, you should walk her back to the hostel."

Before Keiran could protest, Max was already out the door.

"You don't have to," Amara said quickly, avoiding his gaze. "Walk me, I mean."

Keiran tucked the towel under his arm. "When's your shift over?"

"About thirty minutes."

"Okay." He walked to a corner seat without another word and sat down, phone in hand.

Amara blinked, surprised, but turned back to the counter to handle the remaining orders.

She tried to focus on customers, but her eyes kept drifting. Keiran sat quietly, scrolling through his phone, occasionally glancing outside. A group of high school girls near the window were giggling behind their hands, sneaking glances at him.

Amara watched them laugh, then looked back at Keiran—just as his eyes lifted and caught hers.

Their gazes met.

Amara quickly looked away, cheeks warming.

Thirty minutes passed in a blink. She wiped her hands, untied her apron, and walked over to him.

"I'm done."

Keiran stood up. "Let's go."

They stepped into the cool, damp evening. Behind them, the girls at the table groaned in disappointment.

"Ugh, she really is his girlfriend."

They walked side by side under the fading streetlights, quiet footsteps echoing along the damp sidewalk. Neither spoke. The silence wasn't uncomfortable—just suspended in something delicate neither of them dared to touch yet.

Suddenly, the buzz of a motorcycle sliced through the quiet. A bike swerved far too close, splashing water from a pothole as it passed.

Before Amara could react, an arm wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her back with firm urgency. Her body collided against a solid chest.

Kieran.

Her breath hitched.

"You okay?" his voice came from above her head, low and steady, laced with concern.

"Y–yeah," she managed to breathe, blinking up at him.

Kieran carefully released her, adjusting her balance before stepping back and giving her space.

"Thanks…" she murmured, still slightly dazed.

Then—her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.

Amara's eyes widened. She stiffened, heat rushing to her cheeks like wildfire.

Kieran looked at her, brow raised. For a second, something flickered in his eyes—humor, maybe—but he didn't laugh.

"Let's go," he said instead, already turning on his heel.

Still stunned, Amara closed her eyes for a second and pressed her lips together, mortified.

Of all the times…

She hurried to catch up, keeping her gaze on the pavement. Her heartbeat was still racing—but now, she couldn't tell if it was from the near accident or the person walking beside her.

"You didn't eat dinner?" he asked suddenly, eyes still forward.

Amara blinked, caught off guard. "Um… no. I was running late and thought I'd grab something after my shift."

Kieran stopped walking, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "There's a place still open a few blocks down. Come on."

"Oh—" she hesitated. "You don't have to. Really, I'm fine—"

He glanced over his shoulder at her, just once. "You're hungry."

It wasn't a question.

They ended up in a quiet little eatery tucked away from the main road. Not many people were inside. The dim yellow lights and the scent of warm broth made her stomach grumble again in betrayal.

They sat across from each other, and true to form, Kieran didn't make much conversation. He simply ordered for them—nothing fancy, but thoughtful: something hot, filling, easy to eat. The kind of food that soothed more than just hunger.

"Thanks," Amara said as the waiter left.

Kieran gave a small nod. He leaned back in his seat, arms crossed casually.

Their food arrived, cutting the silence again. She dug in gratefully, stealing little glances at him as he picked at his own plate with practiced patience.

As Amara blew gently on her spoonful of broth, Kieran's voice cut through the quiet hum of the café.

"Did you quit your library job?"

She looked up. "No. I still work there. It's only three days a week—Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. After my last class and during the break."

Kieran nodded slowly, then added, "Any other jobs I should know about?"

Amara tilted her head. "Why? Are you keeping track of my schedule now?"

He didn't smile, but the corners of his mouth lifted just slightly. "I have to. Max has a habit of putting his nose in every part of my life. If I don't know, he'll make up his own version."

Amara let out a small laugh. "Right. Max does have a talent for being... curious. Tomorrow…" she started, glancing up between bites, "what time are you picking me up to visit your grandma?"

Kieran looked down at his food as he answered, "Ten a.m."

She nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "Okay. I'll wait in front of the café where I work."

"Alright."

There was a short pause. Then Amara asked curiously, "Is Max coming with us?"

Kieran didn't hesitate. "No."

Amara didn't press further. She simply focused on her food, finishing every last bite while Kieran ate slower, quieter.

After they finished, Kieran wordlessly picked up the bill and paid at the counter. Amara tried to stop him, but he gave her a look that silenced any protests.

They stepped out into the now-cleared night, walking side by side under the soft glow of streetlamps. The pavement was still damp beneath their feet, reflecting golden halos of light. Neither of them spoke much on the walk back to her hostel.