Rain had been falling since morning. Alya stood beneath the school building's canopy, hugging her bag. Some students were already running toward the parking lot, while others chose to wait for the rain to let up. Like her.
Alya looked at her phone screen.
Raka: Wait there. Don't run through the rain. I'll pick you up.
Alya smiled faintly. She didn't know when it had started, but even the simplest messages from Raka could always make her feel at ease. They had been spending more and more time together over the past few weeks.
Having lunch together. Doing assignments together. Going home together. Sometimes, they even just sat together without talking about anything important.
Nothing had changed all at once. Everything had grown slowly, until Alya had gotten used to looking for Raka in a crowd. And Raka had gotten used to being the first person Alya looked for.
The sound of footsteps reached her.
Alya looked up. Raka came toward her carrying an umbrella.
"Sorry. You must've been waiting a long time, huh?" Raka said. Part of one side of his uniform was slightly wet from the rain.
Alya shook her head. "Not long."
Raka stood beside her. Alya looked at him, and for some reason, her heart began to flutter.
"Then let's go."
They walked side by side beneath a single umbrella. They were close enough that Alya's shoulder occasionally brushed against Raka's arm. Neither of them moved away. They stopped at a small café not far from the school.
The rain was still pouring. Alya sat across from Raka, warming both hands around her drink. Raka had seemed quieter than usual for a while now, and Alya noticed.
"What's wrong?" Alya asked when she realized Raka was looking at her strangely.
Raka shook his head. "It's okay."
"That's such a lie. There's obviously something wrong. Tch." Alya clicked her tongue, annoyed.
Raka let out a quiet laugh.
"How do you always know?" Raka asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Because your face is so easy to read, Rak." She answered with a small chuckle.
"Seriously? Is it really that obvious?"
Alya nodded. "Seriously. Look at my face. Do I look like I'm kidding?" she replied.
Raka stared at Alya for quite a while. His gaze slowly wiped the smile from her face.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" she grumbled.
Raka took a breath. "Alya," he called softly.
"Hm?" the girl replied with a hum.
"I want to ask you something. Can I?" Raka asked, sounding slightly hesitant.
"Just ask. Why wouldn't you be allowed to?"
"I've actually wanted to say this for a long time." His words trailed off, and he let out a breath.
Alya waited, wondering what Raka would say next.
"Lately..." Raka paused for a moment. "I've noticed that whenever there's something I want to talk about, you're the first person who comes to mind," he said, still looking nervous.
Alya fell silent.
"If something funny happens, I want to tell you." Raka smiled faintly.
"And when I have a problem, you're the person I look for too." Alya's heart began beating faster.
"Raka..."
"I like you, Alya." The words finally left his mouth.
The rain could still be heard outside. But for a few seconds, Alya felt as if she couldn't hear anything at all. She could only stare at Raka.
The boy who had slowly become an important part of her days over the past few weeks. Even though they had known each other for a long time, their closeness lately had definitely grown more intense.
Raka didn't pressure her. He simply waited for her answer.
"I know this might seem sudden," he said softly. "But I don't want to keep it inside anymore. I don't want to stay silent and keep holding everything in," Raka continued.
Alya lowered her head. A small smile touched her lips.
"Since when, Rak?" she asked, her voice soft. Very soft. But Raka could still hear her.
Raka laughed quietly. "I don't know either," he answered honestly.
"How can you not know?" Alya asked in confusion.
"Maybe since I started feeling like my days weren't complete if I didn't see you," he replied.
Alya smiled even more and lifted her face.
"I like you too," she said. She really did have the same feelings for him.
Raka went silent, still processing the girl's answer. Then, a second later, he snapped out of it.
"Seriously?" he said.
Alya nodded.
"Yeah." It was a short answer, but it was enough to make her cheeks turn red.
Raka's smile spread wide.
"So..." he began, trailing off as he leaned slightly closer to Alya's face.
"What if I asked you to be my girlfriend?" he continued. His expression was completely serious.
Alya pretended to think about it, tapping her index finger against her chin.
"Hmm..." she hummed.
Raka waited, and Alya finally laughed when she saw the serious expression on the man in front of her.
"Yes. I want to, Raka," she answered shyly.
Raka's smile grew even wider at her answer.
"Really? I didn't hear you wrong, did I?" he asked, wanting to make sure.
"Really. Why? Did you want me to lie?" Alya replied. Raka shook his head.
"That means we're..." Raka began.
"Dating," Alya finished, still smiling, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Raka nodded. "Dating," he said softly.
Alya let out a quiet laugh. She felt a happiness that was difficult to explain. It wasn't overwhelming, and it wasn't like the love stories she often read. It was simply a warm feeling spreading through her because, at last, two people who liked each other had decided to walk through life together. To build a closer relationship. They were no longer just friends. Not just best friends, either. They were a couple who shared their feelings with each other.
Raka reached his hand across the table. Alya looked at it, then slowly took it.
Their fingers intertwined. It was simple, but to Alya, it felt like a brand-new beginning.