Chapter 1
under the shadow of the rain
........
"Mom... Mom... where have you gone? I'm sorry..."
I woke up with tears in my eyes. It was the same dream I'd had ever since my mother passed away. I always see myself in a dark room, hearing her voice calling out to me, and then—she’s gone.
I got up from bed and headed to the bathroom for my usual routine. Today was my first day at university, and despite the dream, I was so excited. I stepped out of the shower loving the way I smelled like strawberries. After drying my hair and letting it fall over my shoulders, I got dressed.
"Breakfast is ready!" my stepmother called out.
I headed downstairs to find my dad, my stepmother, and my lovely big brothers, Adam and Maik.
"Good morning to all of you," I said as I took my seat.
"Are you ready for your first day, my future doctor?" my dad asked with a smile.
"Of course I am. I’m going to be the top of my class," I replied confidently.
I turned to Adam. "Adam, can you come with me to Olivia’s party Friday night? I don’t want to be there alone."
"Bla bla bla. She’s *your* best friend, not mine," he teased, taking a sip of his juice. "And I’m busy that day. Sorry, Little Star."
I sighed and took a bite of my toast, looking over at Maik. He wasn't even paying attention; he was totally focused on his food. "Earth to Maik! Can you hear me?"
He looked up, startled. "Yes, yes, I’m here. What’s up?"
I looked at him with my best puppy eyes. "I’ll come, but I’m going to stay away from your friends... okay?" he finally gave in.
"Okay! You’re the best brother I’ve ever had."
I finished my plate amidst the usual little fights with my "stupid" brothers, laughing at their antics. I stood up to leave. "I’m going now. See you in the evening. Bye, Daddy! Bye, Maik and Adam! Bye, Miss Mary!"
I was about to step out the door when Miss Mary stopped me. "Be careful and do not talk to strangers... okay? What do you want for lunch today?" she asked with a small, soft smile.
"I will! And please make pasta with bechamel sauce! Bye-bye!" I shouted in a hurry as I ran out.
While waiting at the bus station, I put in my earpods and started listening to music. Suddenly, I saw a beautiful biker on a red and black motorcycle. I wanted to take a picture of the bike, but the owner was standing right beside it. I couldn't see his face because of his helmet, but I could see his eyes. To be honest, they were very pretty.
Eventually, the bus arrived. Later, while I was exploring the campus, I saw the bike again. This time, the owner wasn't there. I decided this was my chance. I walked toward it and reached out to touch it.
"Do you like it?" a voice asked from behind me.
I froze, my hand still on the bike. "I... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch it without permission," I said, trying to stay calm.
"It’s okay. Don’t be so scared, I’m not going to eat you," he said with a chuckle. "I’m Bryce. Nice to meet you, miss."
He had a soft smile—a very attractive smile, I noted to myself. I cleared my throat. "Oh... I’m Milisa. Nice to meet you too, Bryce."
"So, this is your first time at uni? I’m in my third year of medicine," he said.
"So you’re a biker?" I asked softly.
"Not exactly. It’s just a hobby I do in my free time," he explained.
"Oh, I see. Well, it was nice to meet you, Bryce, but I have to go—the professor is coming."
"Okay, be careful. Bye-bye," he said with a smile.
On the bus ride home, I was starving. The moment I opened the front door, the scent of bechamel sauce hit me. She did it again. I walked into the kitchen, beaming. "Omg, it smells so good! I’m starving."
"Oh, you’re here! It’s almost ready. Go wash your hands and come down."
After finishing my meal, I thanked her. "Thank you so much, Miss Mary."
"You're welcome. Now tell me, how was your first day?" she asked while washing the dishes.
"It was so big and beautiful! And I met a biker today—he’s also a third-year medicine student."
"Oh, I see..." she said in a playful tone.
"Miss Mary, don’t worry! It was just one meeting. It’s not like we’ll see each other again," I said, defending myself.
She turned to face me with a knowing smile. "I believe that is not going to be the last meeting between you two."
---
One week later, it was Friday, 6:00 PM. I was still waiting for Maik to pick me up for the party. I had called him twenty times. He kept saying "I'm five minutes away," but it had been ten. Finally, his car pulled up.
"Let’s go, we’re late enough!" I said as I got in. He drove in silence. I looked at him and gasped. "What happened to your face?" I asked in worry, checking the bruises.
"It’s nothing, don’t worry," he muttered, keeping his eyes on the road.
We arrived at Olivia’s house. When she opened the door, I hugged her. "Happy birthday, dear Olivia! I hope you like my simple gift," I whispered in her ear so only she could hear. I winked at her as Maik entered. I wanted them to be close, and it was working—they had become friends.
"Where is he, by the way?" I asked Olivia later in the kitchen.
"He had to go somewhere. He got a call, apologized, and left," she said, looking a bit disappointed.
We stayed and talked. I told her everything about my first day because we weren't at the same uni anymore; she was studying languages.
"You really didn't ask for his number or social media?" she laughed.
"Are you serious? On what grounds would I ask? It was the first time meeting him, Olivia!" I kept laughing as we watched a movie and played games.
By 11:00 PM, I was walking home. The streets were empty. I stopped at a supermarket to buy something, and when I stepped back out, it suddenly started to rain. I stood under the awning, hoping it would stop, when suddenly an umbrella appeared over my head.
"You'll catch a cold."
I knew that voice. I tilted my head up, my eyes widening at the person standing in front of me.
"Oh... Bryce. Hi."
