Rainy retreats

01: Clove scented shelter

《Author》

The sky had drawn a deep, foreboding gray, signaling the arrival of a fierce monsoon storm. Ved stood by the window of his spice store, watching as the rain began to pour down in heavy, rhythmic sheets. The air was thick with the rich aromas of cloves and cardamom, mingling with the fresh, scent of the rain-soaked earth. The radio, always tuned to an old classics station, softly played Kishore Kumar's song, the melody blending seamlessly with the ambiance.

As Ved gazed out at the storm, lost in the tranquility of the monsoon, the front door suddenly flew open with a powerful gust of wind. A girl stumbled inside, with raindrops clinging to her soft curls, which cascaded down to her waist. Her blush pink calf-length dress hugged her frame, The rain dripped from her, creating small puddles on the floor.

"Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si, Soti raaton mein jaagi si" The radio played on, the melody weaving through the air as if setting the stage for this unexpected encounter.

Nithya blinked, the song breaking her trance as she looked around, finally focusing on Ved. "Uhm... I didn't know where else to go." She said, her voice soft yet warm.

Ved quickly moved to help her, pulling the door shut against the howling wind. "Uh...yeah, It's okay, take a seat," he said, offering a gentle smile.

Ved came back with a towel and handed it to her just as the radio played, "Mili ek ajnabee se, koi aage na peeche, tum hi kaho ye koi baat hai." Nithya's gaze flickered toward the radio, her cheeks warming as the lyrics seemed to echo in the small shop.

Ved, catching the look of surprise on her face, felt his face flush with embarrassment. He quickly reached for the radio dial, his fingers fumbling as he changed the station. "Sorry about that," he said, his voice tinged with a nervous chuckle. "The radio has a mind of its own sometimes."

Ved watched as Nithya took the towel and began to dry her hair, her movements gentle and deliberate. The towel absorbed the rainwater, leaving her hair slightly tousled but significantly drier. She then turned the towel to her dress, patting it with careful strokes to remove the excess moisture. The soft glow of the store's lights illuminated her as she worked, Her light skin glowed with the faintest hint of pink from the cold, and he noticed she would reach above his shoulder easily.

As she finished drying her dress, Nithya reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. With a sigh of relief, she noted that it wasn't wet. The rain outside continued to drum against the window panes, creating a soothing, rhythmic melody. The soft, earthy aroma of the spices in the store filled the air, mingling with the scent of rain-soaked earth, creating a comforting cocoon around them.

Ved, trying to make conversation and ease the awkwardness, asked, "Are you new around here?"

Nithya looked up from her phone, her eyes meeting his. "I'm just here for a vacation." Her voice carried a hint of excitement. "I didn't expect to end up here in the middle of a storm, though."

Ved nodded, his smile showing up "hey, it's alright, would you like some chai?"

Nithya looked up, shaking her head with a small smile. "Actually, I'm not much of a chai person."

Ved's eyes widened in mock disbelief. "Not a chai person? Which planet you're from?"

Nithya chuckled softly, her smile growing "Rajasthan, I suppose I never acquired the taste"

"Oh...But you're in Assam! How can you miss out on chai here?" Ved noticed the subtle crinkle in her nose

He added with a grin. "Oh... One cup won't hurt. I promise, it's not like any other chai you've had."