The skies opened up and the rain began to fall as Laila stepped out of her apartment building. She popped open her umbrella and started walking down the street. The weather suited her melancholy mood after having another fight with her boyfriend Charles.

As Laila crossed the empty street, she glanced over at Charles' building. She could see him in the window of his 3rd floor apartment, a forlorn look on his face as he gazed out into the downpour. Their eyes met across the rainy void between them.


Laila felt her heart flutter despite her anger. Seeing Charles so sad softened her. She thought back to all their happy memories together - cozy meals, long walks holding hands, joking and laughing. The rain spurred memories of their first kiss, caught in an unexpected shower much like this one.


Charles disappeared from the window and Laila sighed, ready to keep walking in solitude. But then the front door of his building burst open. There was Charles, breathless, drenched head to toe as he dashed across the street toward her.

"Laila, please forgive me," Charles cried, taking her hands in his. "Being without you, even for a moment, makes me feel so empty. My words were foolish and hurtful. Please, let's go inside together and leave this rain behind."


Laila gazed into Charles’ pleading eyes. The raindrops glistened on his skin like teardrops. Unable to resist, she pulled him into a tight, rain-soaked embrace.

"Yes, let's go in - together," Laila said softly. Hand in hand, they crossed back over the glistening street and entered Charles’ building, leaving the downpour behind. Their fight was over, rain giving way to reconciliation.