ECHOES IN THE RAIN

The rain was pouring heavily outside, drumming against the glass. I stood by the window, clutching a warm cup of green tea, lost in the rainfall and in my own thoughts. Today was my best friend’s birthday. As I watched the relentless drops streak down the glass, a quiet wish rose in my heart—that she might somehow come back into my life, even though I knew it was impossible.

The quiet solitude was broken by the ringing of the doorbell. Opening the door, I found my dear friend Kusum standing there. A sudden wave of relief washed over me; I had needed someone to talk to all day. We embraced tightly, taking comfort in each other’s presence.

"Come on in," I said, stepping aside.

Kusum walked over to the bed and sat down. As she settled in, a photo album on the mattress caught her attention. Flipping through its pages, she paused, pointing to a picture of me beside another girl.

"Who is this with you?" Kusum asked, looking up.

A small, sad smile touched my lips. I walked over, sat beside her, and gazed down at the image. We stared at it together—I with quiet grief, and Kusum searching my expression for answers.

"Why are you looking at these photos so deeply?" she asked gently.

"These pictures are very precious to me," I replied quietly.

"Why? Who is she?"

"Her name is Yuzeena Shakya. She was my best friend."

"Where is she now?" Kusum asked softly.

A heavy silence filled the room. Tears pooled in my eyes before spilling over. Seeing my tears, Kusum’s expression softened with concern.

"What happened to her? Why are you crying?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "She is no longer with us. She passed away eight months ago in a plane crash."

Kusum gasped, completely stunned. For a long moment, she sat in stunned silence, struggling to find the right words in the face of such sudden tragedy.

"I’m so sorry," Kusum finally whispered. "How... how did it happen?"

"It was January 1st, 2015," I recalled, staring into the distance. "She was so full of hope and excitement, ready to start a new chapter studying in Australia. Her flight was at 11:55 PM on a Sunday. It was pouring rain that night—a heavy storm. Because of the weather, the plane crashed. Every single person on board, including the pilots, lost their lives. I will never be able to erase that night from my memory."

Kusum reached out, gently placing a hand on my arm. "I’m so terribly sorry, my dear. How did the two of you meet?"

"We met at Shankar Dev Campus back in 2011," I smiled softly through the sadness. "We studied together for two years. Within just a week of knowing each other, we became inseparable. Yuzeena wasn't just a friend—she was my mentor and guide. Whenever I was lost or in trouble, she was there for me. She was so calm and gentle that her presence changed me; because of her, I learned to let go of my temper and became much more polite."

"Did you two ever fight?" Kusum asked.

"Never," I shook my head. "She was always so peaceful and cool-headed. She hated conflict and never argued with anyone. Whenever I was in the wrong, she would gently reason with me until I understood. I never imagined how completely my life would shift after losing her. When she died, it felt like a part of me died too. I withdrew into myself and became quiet, a shell of who I used to be."

I looked up from the album and looked directly at Kusum.

"You know, Kusum... in many ways, your face reminds me of Yuzeena. Whenever you speak or smile, it brings back memories of her. I really loved her so much."

Rising from the bed, I walked back over to the window. The rain was still falling steadily against the glass.

"I hate the rain now," I whispered, pressing my hand against the cold windowpane. "I used to love rainy days, but now... this rainfall is just a reminder of the storm that took my best friend away."

I fell silent, turning my gaze back to Yuzeena’s photograph on the bed. Kusum remained still beside me, holding space for a grief that words could not heal.