It was already very late.
Exhausted, I walked into my room and tossed my purse onto the bed.
Outside, the wind howled, and within moments, the rain began to pour—loud, restless, unstoppable.
Cold air and rainwater rushed in through the open window.
I walked toward it and stood there for a moment.
The chilly wind brushed against my skin, raindrops touching my face, as if the night itself was trying to speak to me.
I closed the window and sat down on the edge of my bed.
Opening the drawer, I took out my diary and began to write.
A raindrop slid down my cheek and fell onto the page.
The ink blurred.
The words faded.
And with them… my thoughts drifted back.
Seven years ago.
I was sitting in my college classroom, half-listening, half-lost in my notes.
Laughter filled the room. Somewhere in that noise, I felt someone's eyes on me.
Faish stood at a distance, pretending not to stare.
"Oye, Faish!" someone called out.
A friend placed a hand on his shoulder.
"What are you doing just standing there?"
He smiled faintly.
"Nothing… just got distracted. Look—everyone's looking at me. Even Rozze."
I lowered my gaze, a small smile escaping my lips.
His friend laughed.
"Not you, idiot. She's looking at me."
The memory slowly faded.
My eyes snapped open.
My phone rang.
Tun… tun…
"Miss Miren," the nurse said, "Ayaan wants to talk to you."
"I'm coming," I replied immediately.
"Mama," Ayaan's soft voice said, "when will you come? I can't sleep."
"I'm on my way, sweetheart," I said gently.
"I'll bring your favourite snacks."
The call ended.
I stepped outside, standing under my umbrella.
The rain had grown heavier, soaking the empty streets.
Another cab cancellation flashed on my phone.
"Great…" I whispered.
"Now what?"
I started walking toward the bus stop, still talking on my phone.
"Yes, boss. I'll finish it by tomorrow."
That's when a black car slowed down and stopped in front of me.
I froze.
The window rolled down slowly.
And there he was.
Dr. Ryan.
Ayaan's doctor.
"Dr. Ryan?" I said, surprised.
The rain almost drowned my voice.
"Get in," he said, gesturing toward the car.
"The rain's getting worse."
I folded my umbrella, hesitated for a moment, then opened the door.
"What are you doing here at this hour?" I asked.
He handed me a handkerchief.
"Night shift. I was heading back to the hospital."
I wiped my face and smiled faintly.
"Office work got late… and then the rain."
He smiled softly.
"I told you, Rozze. Sometimes you need to rest too.
And for Ayaan— I'm here."
"Thank you," I said quietly.
"But I don't want to trouble you."
His tone shifted.
"Am I a stranger to you now?"
"No," I said quickly.
"That's not what I meant."
He smiled again.
"Relax. I was joking."
I smiled too.
But between us, an old silence quietly returned.
At the hospital, Ayaan lay on the bed, a drip attached to his tiny hand.
"Mama," he said sadly,
"when will we go home? I feel bored here. I can't even meet my friends."
I gently ran my fingers through his hair.
Before I could speak, Ryan walked in.
"If you want," he said, "we can go to the amusement park tomorrow."
Ayaan's eyes lit up.
"Really, Daddy?!"
My heart skipped.
I pulled Ryan aside.
"Is that safe for his health?" I whispered.
He looked straight into my eyes.
"Yes. Right now, his happiness matters the most."
I nodded slowly.
"Alright…"
A nurse entered.
"Doctor Hale has sent the patient reports."
"Keep them in my cabin," Ryan replied.
I looked back at Ayaan, my chest feeling heavy.
Then my phone rang again.
Tun… tun… tun…
I answered.
"Ma'am… please confirm… is this true?"
My breath caught.
"How is that possible…" I whispered.
"He… came back?"
The screen faded to black.
The rain was still falling.
And the night began to hide its real secret.
To Be Continued…
Some returns are not meant to heal —
they are meant to reopen wounds.