Chapter 1: The rain chose us🌧️💖
The rain had started gently.
By the time Adi locked the small blue gate of kindergarten, it was pouring without mercy.
Children's laughter still echoed in Adi's ears- sticky hands, tiny shoes, unfinished drawings of rainbows. He smiled softly at the thought. Being a kindergarten teacher is not easy, but it gave him something his heart needed- innocence.
He adjusted the strap of his worn brown bag and stepped forward.
within seconds his white cotton shirt clung to him, slightly transparent under the heavy rain. His black trousers were damp at the edges. His hair, usually neatly combed, now fell carelessly across his forehead.
"great", he muttered in his mind hugging his bag closer to protect the children's notebook inside.
The nearest bus stop was a short walk away, but in this weather it felt endless. By the time he reached it, he was breathless- not just from the rain, but for the subtle stain in his chest. His weak heart did not like the sudden exertion.
He leaned slightly against the metal pole of the bus stop, closing his eyes for a second.
And that was when it happened.
Someone rushed under the same shelter at the same moment.
A collision.
A soft gasp.
A firm hand instinctively grabbing his arm to steady him.
"I am so sorry...."
Adi opened his eyes.
And forgot what he was about to say.
The boy standing in front of him was slightly taller than him wearing a dark blue shirt rolled at the sleeves and denim jeans. Rain droplets rested on his sharp jawline. His hair was messy from the storm, and his breathing was slightly uneven.
But it was his eyes.
Warm. Deep. Steady.
"I should have looked" the stranger said softly still holding Adi's arm. "You, ok?"
"I-I am fine", he replied though his voice came out quieter than intended.
The stranger did not remove his hand immediately.
His grip was not forceful.
It was protective.
As if he was making sure Adi would not slip.
Rain thundered around them, but inside that small bus stop, time slowed.
A strand of wet hair fell over Adi's eyes. Without thinking the stranger lifted his hands slightly- almost as if to move it away but stopped midway, unsure.
They both noticed.
They both looked away.
A bus approached, headlights cutting through the rain.
The moment broke.
They stepped inside together.
The bus was half-empty, dim lights flickering slightly as water tapped against the windows. A second later, the stranger sat beside him.
Not too close. Not too far.
Silence settled between them.
Adi pretended to look outside, watching raindrops race down the grass.
But slowly.... almost unconsciously... his eyes shifted.
The stranger was already looking at him.
Not boldly.
Not shamelessly.
Just....quietly.
When their eyes met again, neither looked away immediately this time.
there was something unspoken.
Something curious.
Something that felt strangely familiar, even they had never met before.
The stranger's gaze softened, as if he was studying Adi's eyes- not in a superficial way, but as if searching fora story inside them.
Adi felt his heartbeat change rhythm.
He did not understand why.
They did not speak.
No names.
No introductions.
Just the quiet exchange of glances under the dim bus light.
When the conductor called out his stop, Adi blinked as if waking from a trance.
He stood quickly.
Fora second, it felt like he should say something.
Anything.
But words refused to come.
He stepped from the bus.
As it began to move again, he turned slightly.
The stranger was still looking at him through the rain-streaked window.
Not smiling.
Not waving.
Just watching.
As if memorizing.
Adi felt something shift inside him.
He did not know that this silent boy would one day change everything
- - -
When Adi reached home, the rain had softened.
He quietly entered, removing his shoes near the door.
Adhi was already waiting in the living room, sitting cross-legged on the floor in a loose grey T-shirt and pajama pants.
"You are late", Adhi said immediately standing up "And soaked again".
[ Backstory alert: Adhi and Adi are twin brothers, but they do not look alike. They are three brothers till now, why I am saying 'till now'? well, you will know soon. Adrit,Adhi,Adi are three brothers. Bhavya and Parul are their parents. They had divorce and Adrit started living with his dad and Adhi,Adi started living with their mom. Since childhood Adi and Adhi were very close brothers, and Adhi took care of Adhi very much. Well, the three boys are gay.]
"It rained", Adi replied simply.
"No umbrella?"
"I forgot"
Adhi sighed dramatically, walking closer. "One day you will forget yourself somewhere too"
But his hands were already pulling a towel from the chair.
He gently rubbed Adi's wet hair frowning, "You will fall sick".
Adi laughed softly "You sound like an uncle"
"And you act like a careless child"
Parul, their mom had already slept.
They both sat down together for dinner - simple rice and vegetables Adhi had reheated.
"You ate?", Adi asked.
"Was waiting" Adhi replied casually.
Adi noticed.
He always noticed.
They ate slowly, talking about small things - kindergarten children fighting over crayons, Adhi's taxi driving day, random neighborhood gossip.
Comfort.
Familiarity.
Home.
After dinner Adhi leaned back slightly "You look......different today."
Adi paused.
"Different....how?"
"I don't know" Adhi shrugged "Like something happened"
Adi looked down at his plate.
For a moment, rain flashed in his memory.
Warm eyes.
A steady arm holding his hands.
"Nothing happened" Adi said.
Adhi did not push.
He never did.
Just then Adi's phone buzzed on the table.
A message.
From Adrit.
His expressions changed as he read.
Adhi noticed immediately. "What?"
Adi wiped his hands quickly and unlocked the screen.
Adi looked up slowly.
"Something.... serious"
Rain began again outside.
And somewhere in the city, a boy in a dark blueshift was probably thinking about the silent kindergarten teacher from the bus.
(Episode 1 ends💖)
