The sky turned dark over the city fast that afternoon, with distant thunder softly rumbling as Sids rode his motorcycle, with Epoy holding on tightly behind him.

Since finishing school, they hadn’t talked much.

Sids sensed the awkwardness, feeling a heavy silence that loomed between them. His thoughts kept going back to the odd dreams that returned last night—about the moon, a tree glowing in silver light, and hands reaching out to him.

Always, there was the same gentle voice calling his name.

“Sidapa…”

But this time, the voice seemed to belong to Epoy.

The first drops of rain splashed on them as he stopped near Epoy's apartment building. In just moments, heavy rain began pouring down. They ran together, laughing out of breath under a single old umbrella that barely kept them dry. By the time they made it to the entrance, they were soaked.

“Come in,” Epoy said softly, holding the keycard in his wet hand. “You’ll catch a cold if you go home like this. ”

Sids paused. “Are you sure? ”

Epoy nodded, avoiding eye contact. “I. . . don’t usually let people in, but. . . I think I can trust you. ”

Sids was surprised but stayed quiet—just followed him inside.

Once inside the neat, small apartment, Epoy gave him a towel and began searching through his drawers for something dry.

“I—I don’t have anything in your size, but this might fit,” Epoy said, his cheeks a bit red as he handed Sids a big t-shirt and sweatpants. “I like wearing oversized clothes…”

“It’s okay,” Sids replied, his voice a bit rough as he took off his wet hoodie. He felt tense, with rainwater dripping from his chin.

Epoy’s eyes looked away, his heart racing.

Minutes passed in an uncomfortable silence, with the rain outside making a constant sound. They sat in the small living room, both now wrapped in blankets. The tension faded into something softer.

“You’re. . . not what I thought,” Epoy suddenly said, glancing at him from beneath his lashes. “At first, I thought you were scary. Tough. Distant. But now. . . you’re kind. Gentle. ”

Sids looked away, his jaw tightening and then relaxing. “I don’t know what’s going on with me,” he confessed. “Since I met you, it feels like. . . I can’t stop thinking about you. Like I’ve known you forever. Like I want to protect you. I’ve never been gentle with anyone, only when I met you. I never understood. ”

Epoy gasped quietly.

“I don’t get it either. . . ”

Sids turned his head slowly to meet his gaze.

“Yeah, me too. But we’ll figure it out soon, maybe we won’t even notice,” he smiled.

And for a moment, the gap between them lessened—not in space, but in feelings. A connection had grown stronger.

Outside, lightning flashed. Inside, two souls started to remember.