Outside, it was raining with a rhythmic sound. The glass of the window had become foggy with water droplets. Neelu was sitting by the window, lost in thought, gazing outside. The busy road of the city was completely calm today. A few pedestrians were hurrying by with umbrellas, trying to reach their destinations, while around the corner, two stray dogs had curled up under the awning of a shop, seeking shelter.
Neelu held a cup of steaming, fragrant tea in her hand. The steam rising from the cup repeatedly condensed on her glasses. During these days, a strange mix of sadness and tranquility filled her mind. Suddenly, memories of her childhood came flooding back. On a rainy day just like this, her siblings would make paper boats and let them float in the collected water in the courtyard. There would be fierce arguments about whose boat would go the farthest and whose would sink first.
