Forsaking the Years of Longing novel Chapter 63

Chapter 28

Linda tilted her head back, gazing at the darkened sky. For a fleeting moment, the scene felt eerily familiar.

Plop.

A cold raindrop landed beneath her eye, rolling down her cheek.

She reached up with her fingers, gently wiping away the raindrop from her face.

"Ivan, it's raining."

Ivan, it's raining.

Her figure faded from his world, disappearing into the downpour. The rain fell in torrents, and Ivan heard nothing but the rumble of thunder and the pounding rain- except for that one phrase echoing endlessly in his ears.

Ivan, it's raining.

He dropped to his knees in the rain, his body trembling as the downpour soaked his clothes and chilled his heart.

The rainwater streamed down his face, mingling with his tears, as they flowed freely.

Those words-Linda had said them to him countless times before.

Ivan's knees sank deeply into the cold, wet mud, each breath dragging up a sharper pain from within.

His heart felt as though it had been split open, the ache unbearable.

Nothing else mattered.

The sound of the rain drowned everything around him, pulling him back nine years to a memory - He had just attended a computer science lecture he wasn't supposed to be in. Outside the classroom building, it was pouring.

Ivan stood at the doorway, hesitating, unsure whether to dash into the rain or wait for it to stop.

His earphones dangled from his shirt pocket, his head slightly lowered, his messy hair hanging over his forehead, making him look aloof and distant.

A pair of soft hands patted his shoulder from behind.