Chapter 40 - When the Rain Spoke
The following morning arrived with clear blue skies and a pleasant breeze drifting through the open balcony doors.
Arjun woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside.
He slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes before glancing toward the other side of the bed.
Aadhira was already awake.
She stood near the balcony, gently tying her hair while admiring the London skyline.
For a brief moment, Arjun simply watched her.
She looked peaceful.
As if the city somehow belonged to her.
Sensing his gaze, Aadhira turned around.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
"I was thinking..." she said, walking back into the room, "...since we only have a few days left before returning to India, maybe we should visit Camden Market today."
Arjun smiled faintly.
"I've heard it's famous."
"It is."
"Then let's go."
Nearly an hour later, they joined the others in the hotel restaurant.
Rohan was already halfway through his breakfast.
Kabir stared at his plate in disbelief.
"Are you eating for yourself or the entire hotel?"
Rohan looked up innocently.
"I believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day."
"You've said that every morning."
"Because it's true."
Naina sighed.
"And yet somehow, you're hungry again before lunch."
"My stomach works hard."
"It does absolutely nothing."
Everyone laughed.
Shanaya placed her coffee cup on the table.
"So, what's today's plan?"
Aadhira answered first.
"I was thinking we could visit Camden Market."
Kabir's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yes!"
"I've wanted to go there."
"I heard they have amazing street food," Dev added.
"And vintage shops," Shanaya said excitedly.
Siddharth looked at everyone.
"So it's decided."
After breakfast, the group took the underground train and reached the lively streets of Camden.
Music floated through the air from nearby performers.
Rows of colorful shops stretched in every direction.
The aroma of freshly baked pastries, grilled food and coffee filled the streets.
"This place is amazing," Naina said, looking around in awe.
"It feels so alive."
"It also feels expensive," Rohan muttered after looking at a souvenir shop.
Kabir laughed.
"Don't worry."
"We're only here to look."
Five minutes later...
Rohan walked out carrying two shopping bags.
Naina folded her arms.
"I thought we were only looking."
"I looked..."
"...and then I bought them."
"You have no self-control."
"That's a harsh accusation."
"It happens to be true."
Meanwhile, Siddharth and Shanaya had wandered into a handmade crafts store.
"This keychain looks nice," Shanaya said.
"The shopkeeper is overcharging."
"You haven't even asked the price."
"I can tell."
She rolled her eyes.
"You bargain everywhere, don't you?"
"It's a life skill."
"No."
"It's a bad habit."
Kabir laughed as he watched them continue arguing.
"They'll probably spend more time debating than shopping."
On the other side of the street, Aadhira stopped in front of a small bookstore.
She gently picked up a novel and smiled.
"You like reading?" Arjun asked.
"When I get time."
"What kind of books?"
She thought for a moment.
"History."
"Biographies."
"And sometimes mystery novels."
Arjun looked genuinely surprised.
"I thought you'd say business books."
"I read enough business files every day."
"They're not exactly relaxing."
He chuckled.
"Fair point."
For the next few minutes, they browsed through the shelves together, discussing books they had read.
Without either of them realizing it, the conversation flowed naturally.
No awkward pauses.
No forced politeness.
It simply... worked.
From a distance, Kabir spotted them.
A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
"Oh no..."
Dev glanced at him knowingly.
"What are you planning?"
"I'm just going to save Arjun from becoming too comfortable."
Before Dev could reply, Kabir walked straight into the bookstore.
"Aadhi!"
Aadhira looked up.
"Come quickly."
"What happened?"
"I found the perfect place for photos."
She laughed.
"You've said that three times already."
"This one is genuinely perfect."
He gently took the shopping bag from her hand.
"Come on."
Arjun watched the two of them leave together.
Again.
He frowned.
Why is he always stealing her away?
Dev walked over and stood beside him.
"Kabir gets excited very easily."
"...I noticed."
Arjun tried to sound casual, but even he could hear the slight irritation in his own voice.
Dev only smiled.
"Don't worry."
"He'll be back in a minute."
Outside, Kabir proudly pointed toward a brightly painted wall covered with artistic murals.
"See?"
"I wasn't lying."
Aadhira looked around before smiling.
"It is beautiful."
"I know."
Kabir folded his arms dramatically.
"I have excellent taste."
"You also have an excellent talent for exaggerating."
"I'll accept the compliment."
The rest of the group soon gathered again, continuing through the bustling market.
Hours passed in laughter, shopping and endless teasing.
As they crossed a small bridge lined with cafés and souvenir stalls, a cool breeze suddenly swept through the street.
Aadhira paused.
She looked up at the sky.
The bright blue had slowly disappeared behind dark grey clouds.
"It looks like rain," she said quietly.
Almost as if the sky had been waiting for those words...
A single raindrop landed on Arjun's hand.
Then another.
Within seconds, the gentle drizzle began to spread across the crowded market.
Rohan looked up in horror.
"Please tell me that's not what I think it is."
Kabir laughed.
"I think London just welcomed us properly."
The drizzle quickly grew heavier.
People around them hurried toward nearby shops and cafés.
"Guys..." Shanaya called out.
"I think we should find shelter!"
Before anyone could decide where to go-
The rain came pouring down.
Within seconds, the light drizzle turned into a heavy downpour.
Rain poured from the grey sky, drenching the streets almost instantly.
People rushed in every direction, trying to find shelter.
"Run!" Rohan shouted, shielding his head with one of his shopping bags.
"Protect the souvenirs!" Kabir laughed.
"You bought food too!" Naina reminded him.
"My priorities are correct."
"They're questionable!"
The group burst into laughter even as they ran.
"Everyone just find a place!" Siddharth called out over the sound of the rain.
Another loud clap of thunder echoed above them.
The group scattered instinctively.
---
A Few Streets Away...
Shanaya hurried beneath the awning of a small bookstore.
Finally out of the rain, she brushed the water from her sleeves.
"Perfect..." she muttered.
"So much for checking the weather."
A familiar voice answered from beside her.
"You got separated too?"
She turned.
Siddharth stood there, equally drenched, running a hand through his rain-soaked hair.
Shanaya couldn't help laughing.
"You look terrible."
He glanced at himself.
"I was about to say the same thing."
She shook her head.
"You wish."
He folded his arms.
"Still arguing?"
"I'll stop when you admit I'm always right."
"I'd rather stand in the rain."
"Be my guest."
Siddharth stepped toward the edge of the awning dramatically.
The rain immediately splashed across his shoulder.
"...On second thought..."
Shanaya laughed.
"Smart decision."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Instead, they simply watched the rain together.
"It actually looks beautiful," Siddharth said quietly.
"It does."
Shanaya looked at the busy street.
"I don't usually like rainy days."
"No?"
"They always ruin plans."
He looked at her.
"Maybe..."
"...or maybe they create better ones."
She smiled.
"That was surprisingly philosophical."
"I have hidden talents."
"I'll believe it when I see them."
---
A Little Further Away...
Naina and Rohan found shelter beneath the entrance of a flower shop.
Rows of colorful flowers surrounded them.
The sweet fragrance filled the air.
Rohan looked at the bouquets.
"If I buy one..."
Naina immediately narrowed her eyes.
"Don't."
"Why?"
"You've already spent enough money today."
"I was asking hypothetically."
"No."
"You weren't."
Rohan sighed dramatically.
"You know me too well."
She smiled triumphantly.
"Exactly."
A cool breeze carried tiny drops of rain toward them.
Naina shivered slightly.
Without saying anything, Rohan quietly removed his light jacket.
She looked at him.
"You'll feel cold."
"I'm fine."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
He gently placed the jacket around her shoulders anyway.
"It suits you."
For a second...
Naina forgot what she was going to say.
"...Thank you."
Rohan smiled.
"You've thanked me twice today."
"Don't get used to it."
"I'll treasure the memory."
She rolled her eyes.
"...You're impossible."
"But you smiled."
"I did not."
"You just did."
She turned away to hide it.
---
Meanwhile...
Arjun looked around anxiously.
The rain had become so heavy that he could barely see through it.
"Aadhira?"
No answer.
His heartbeat quickened.
He searched through the crowd of umbrellas.
Then-
He spotted her a short distance away, trying to shield herself beneath the roof of a closed souvenir shop.
"Aadhira!"
She turned immediately.
Before either of them could say anything, another wave of people rushed between them.
The narrow street became crowded within seconds.
Arjun quickly pushed through the crowd until he finally reached her.
"You okay?"
She nodded.
"I'm fine."
"But we'll get completely soaked if we stay here."
She looked around.
"There."
Across the street stood a tiny wooden bus stop.
It was old, simple...
And almost empty.
"Come on."
Without thinking, Arjun gently held her wrist and led her across the road before the traffic increased again.
They reached the shelter just as another heavy wave of rain crashed down.
The bus stop was much smaller than it had looked from a distance.
There was barely enough space for two people.
Rain splashed in through the open sides.