The rain fell in steady sheets, soaking Tina's hair and clothes, the droplets clinging to her lashes as she stood motionless on the street. Around them, people hurried for cover, their footsteps splashing through puddles as they sought shelter under roofs and umbrellas. The glow of streetlights and passing car headlights illuminated the scene, casting long shadows and reflecting off the wet pavement.
Tina and Paiming stood in the middle of it all, the rain pouring down as if the sky itself was mourning their parting. Tina's voice broke through the sound of the rain, her tone soft but filled with confusion. "Moving to France?" she asked, her brows furrowing as she tried to process the sudden turn of events. "Why?"
Paiming hesitated, his gaze dropping for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. The rain dripped from his hair, running down his face like tears he couldn't shed. "Wendy likes painting," he began, his voice steady but tinged with sadness. "France has a better artistic atmosphere, so I want to take her there to learn painting..." He paused, his eyes meeting Tina's briefly before looking away. "And... I want to spend more time with her."
Tina's heart ached at his words, but she forced a smile, her lips trembling slightly. "Paiming," she said, her voice gentle but resolute, "I'll see you off the day you go abroad."
Paiming's chest tightened, and he shook his head, his smile awkward but kind. "No, Tina," he said, his tone light but his eyes betraying his true feelings. "You don't have to do that." He gestured with his hand, as if brushing away the idea, but behind his smile, his heart was heavy with unspoken words.
'Tina...' he thought inwardly, his gaze lingering on her face. 'If you show up...' His chest ached as he looked into her eyes, which were trying to avoid his. 'I'm afraid I'll be loath to leave you...'
The rain poured down relentlessly, soaking Tina and Paiming as they stood in the middle of the street. The sound of raindrops hitting the pavement grew louder, drowning out the distant hum of traffic and the occasional rumble of thunder. Their clothes clung to their bodies, heavy with water, but neither of them seemed to notice. The world around them blurred, leaving only the two of them in a moment suspended in time.
Tina chewed on her lower lip, her gaze fixed on the ground. She couldn't bring herself to meet Paiming's eyes, not after he had denied her the chance to see him off one last time. Though they were no longer in love, he was still someone she cherished deeply, a dear friend who had been a constant in her life. The thought of him leaving like this, without even a proper goodbye, broke her heart in ways she hadn't expected.
But she also knew that stopping him from pursuing his happiness would be selfish. She couldn't, wouldn't, hold him back, even if it meant letting him go.
Paiming broke the silence, his voice soft but firm. "It's late. I have to pick up Wendy upon discharge." He turned away, waving a hand dismissively. "Tina, you should go back too..."
"Paiming, wait!" Tina called out, her voice trembling as she hurried to stop him. She reached into her bag and pulled out the ring, the same ring Paiming had given her when he proposed. It glinted faintly in the dim light, a symbol of a love that had once been but was now fading. She held it out to him, her hand shaking slightly. "I should give this back to you."
She forced a smile, though her eyes were filled with sadness. "This ring should belong to Wendy."
Paiming stared at the ring, his chest tightening as memories flooded his mind. He remembered the day he got it, how excited he had been to propose to her, how he had imagined her wearing it forever as a symbol of their love. Now, it felt like a relic of a past that was slipping away.
"I'll be glad as long as you can be happy," Tina said, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked at him, her smile bittersweet but sincere. "I sincerely wish you happiness."
"Tina..." Paiming's voice cracked, and he looked away, unable to meet her gaze. He wanted to tell her so many things, how much he still cared for her, how much it hurt to leave her, how he wished things could be different. But he couldn't. For her sake, he had to stay strong.
"Thank you," he said finally, his voice barely audible over the rain. He took the ring from her hand, his fingers brushing against hers for the briefest moment. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his steps quick and deliberate.
Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating his retreating figure. The rain grew heavier, soaking him completely as he walked. His face was wet, droplets streaming down his cheeks, but it was impossible to tell where the rain ended and his tears began.
'Sorry, Tina...' he thought, his heart heavy with every step. 'I can't take care of you anymore.' His chest ached as he forced himself to keep moving, to not look back. 'You must be happy with the man you love...'
Tina stood frozen in place, her tears mingling with the rain as she watched him disappear into the storm. Her heart was in turmoil, the weight of her guilt pressing down on her. 'Sorry, Paiming...' she thought, her chest tightening. 'Actually, I betrayed you first...'
She turned away, unable to watch him go any longer. The rain continued to fall, washing away her tears but not the ache in her heart.
'Paiming...'
'Tina...'
'You must be happy...'
They parted ways, each carrying their own pain, their own regrets, and their silent wishes for the other's happiness.
To be Continued :-