The rain always came without warning.

One moment, the streets of Karachi were crowded with people hurrying home beneath a gray evening sky. The next, heavy drops crashed against rooftops, cars, and sidewalks as if the clouds had finally lost their patience.

Ayesha Malik stood beneath the small awning of a convenience store, hugging her handbag against her chest.

"Perfect timing," she muttered.

Her office building was still three blocks away.

The weather app had promised clear skies.

The weather app was a liar.

Around her, strangers squeezed beneath the shelter. Some laughed while others complained. A child stretched his hands into the rain and giggled as his mother pulled him back.

Ayesha couldn't help smiling.

Rain always reminded her of university.

And university always reminded her of him.

The smile disappeared immediately.

Four years.

Four years should have been enough.

Enough to forget a voice.

Enough to forget a face.

Enough to forget promises whispered beneath crowded hallways and late-night phone calls.

Apparently not.

Her phone vibrated.

Mahnoor Calling...

Ayesha answered instantly.

"Tell me you're still alive."

Mahnoor laughed from the other end.

"I should be asking you that. You're working overtime again."

"Someone has to pay rent."

"You sound eighty years old."

"Thank you."

"I'm serious. You're twenty-six. Go outside. Meet people. Fall in love."

Ayesha rolled her eyes.

"Goodbye, Mahnoor."

"Wait—"

The call ended before her friend could continue her favorite lecture.

Love.

The word alone felt exhausting.

Some people moved on.

Some people got married.

Some people forgot.

Ayesha belonged to the unfortunate category that remembered everything.

Every laugh.

Every conversation.

Every goodbye.

Especially the goodbye.

Thunder rumbled overhead.

The rain became heavier.

She stepped out into the storm.

Within seconds her sleeves were soaked.

A car splashed through a puddle.

Ayesha jumped backward.

The black sedan stopped.

A man stepped out.

Zayan Ahmed.

Everything stopped.

Four years vanished.

"Watch where you're walking."

Ayesha froze.

"Hi."

Zayan looked at her.

"Ayesha."

"Hi."

The rain continued falling between them.

"I didn't know you were back."

"I've been back for six months."

"I see."

"I have somewhere to be."

And then he left.

Ayesha stood in the rain, unable to move.