Siren of Hearts

4. Whims of Rain and Unseen Bonds

Ishita sat on the window sill of her dorm room, the soft glow of a desk lamp casting a warm hue on her face. The first semester had drawn to a close, leaving behind a tapestry of memories and lessons etched in the corridors of her university life.

The flickering city lights outside seemed to dance to the rhythm of her thoughts as she let her mind wander through the chapters of the past few months. The journey had been a rollercoaster of emotions, a mosaic of challenges and triumphs that unfolded with each passing day.

The first semester was more than just lectures and assignments; it was a canvas splashed with vibrant hues of self-discovery. She found herself drawn to life science not just as a subject but as a tapestry of possibilities that stretched beyond the classroom walls.

The last echoes of Ishita's lecture lingered in the lecture hall as she wrapped up the day's academic discourse. With a sense of accomplishment, she gathered her notes, exchanged pleasantries with a few classmates, and made her way to the university's bus stop.

The bus, a familiar vessel that bridged the academic expanse to the haven of her hostel, greeted her with the hum of its engine. As the bus meandered through the city streets, she found solace in the rhythmic motion, her thoughts a medley of the day's teachings.

As she stepped off the bus and onto the pavement, an unexpected chill brushed against her skin. A glance at the sky revealed an abrupt transformation—a canvas that had once held hues of blue now bore the weight of impending rain. Massive, dark clouds, seemingly summoned by some unseen force, gathered overhead with an ominous grace.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as her keen eyes discerned the sudden shift in weather. Dark clouds gathered ominously, and a gentle sprinkle kissed her skin, signaling the imminent cascade. In mere moments, the heavens opened, and raindrops descended like a curtain, shrouding the campus in a watery embrace.

Her logical instinct battled with an impromptu desire for spontaneity. It was then that she decided to embark on an impromptu race against the rain to her hostel.

 As she ran, holding her breath, Ishita couldn't resist a glance backward. To her surprise, just a few feet behind her, in the midst of the downpour, was Siddharth. His shirt clung to him like a second skin, raindrops glistening on his hair. There was a shared determination in his eyes, mirroring the spirit of their impromptu race. 

" How can you run so fast?!" He asks breathlessly. 

" Haven't tried before!" She replies and didn't stop her run. Both laughs, but ran ahead with more energy. 

First, it's her hostel entrance. She ran inside, hoping Sid will follow her and stay here for a moment till the pouring takes a small break. but she turns around to find him running towards boy's hostel. 

" Siddharth! Take a break here!" She yells at him. 

" I'm not giving up!" He says, still  not turning around and stopping. 

She sighs in relief, runs her hand over her head to find it's completely drenched. It's gonna a long time to get it dried. 

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the hum of animated conversations filled the university cafeteria as Siddharth sat among his friends, immersed in the lively ambiance. The tables were adorned with scattered notebooks, textbooks, and the remnants of a midday meal. 

However, an unexpected twist unfolded as Siddharth felt the first tickle in his nose—an unwelcome prelude to a series of upcoming sneezes. His friends, engrossed in their discussions, were blissfully unaware of the impending symphony about to be conducted by Siddharth's sneezes.