The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 28 – The Missing Umbrella

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The rainy season hadn't ended yet.

Some mornings were bright and sunny.

Others were hidden beneath dark clouds before the first lesson even began.

That Wednesday was one of those days.

As I entered the classroom, I noticed raindrops tapping gently against the windows.

"Looks like we'll be stuck here after school," one classmate sighed.

Narin looked outside and smiled.

"I don't mind."

"You don't?"

"I like walking in the rain."

I raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you liked sunny days."

"I do."

He looked at me with a grin.

"But rainy days aren't so bad anymore."

I wasn't sure what he meant.

I simply opened my textbook.

The rain became heavier throughout the day.

By the final bell, the school courtyard was covered in water.

Students gathered under the entrance roof, waiting for the rain to slow down.

Some had umbrellas.

Many didn't.

Including me.

"You forgot yours?" Narin asked.

"I didn't bring one."

"Me neither."

We stood side by side, watching the rain.

One by one, students left until only a few remained.

"This could take hours," Narin muttered.

Just then, our English teacher walked toward the gate.

He noticed us and smiled.

"You two are still here?"

"We're waiting for the rain to stop," Narin replied.

The teacher looked at the umbrella in his hand.

"I have a spare one in my office. You can borrow it tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Of course."

A few minutes later, he returned with a large black umbrella.

"Take care of it."

"We will, sir."

As soon as we stepped outside, Narin opened the umbrella.

It was large enough for two people.

Barely.

"If you stay that far away," he laughed, "you'll still get wet."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

He gently moved the umbrella closer to my side.

Our shoulders almost touched.

I could hear the rain falling against the fabric above us.

Neither of us spoke.

The streets were quieter than usual.

Only the sound of rain followed us.

After a few minutes, a strong gust of wind blew against the umbrella.

Raindrops splashed onto my sleeve.

Without thinking, Narin reached out and brushed the water away.

"You'll catch a cold."

His hand paused for a second before he quickly pulled it back.

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

He looked embarrassed.

"I wasn't thinking."

"I know."

We continued walking.

This time, the silence felt different.

Not uncomfortable.

Just... full of things neither of us knew how to say.

When we reached the road where our paths separated, the rain had almost stopped.

Narin closed the umbrella and handed it to me.

"You take it."

"What about you?"

"I'll run home."

"You'll get soaked."

He smiled.

"My house is closer."

I hesitated.

"What if you get sick?"

He shrugged.

"Then you'll have to lend me your notes again."

I laughed.

"You're impossible."

"And you finally admitted I'm funny."

Before I could reply, he turned and started jogging down his street.

Halfway there, he looked back and waved.

I raised my hand in return.

As I walked the rest of the way home with the umbrella in my hand...

I realized something.

The rain wasn't what I remembered most about that day.

It was the quiet walk beneath a single umbrella.

Somehow...

It felt warmer than the sunshine.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJInnwGRMJ

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