Echoes of the Rain

A silent good bye

At Home...

I open the door to my apartment, and the first thing I notice is the darkness.

Yuri: "Yohan! Where are you? Why are all the lights off?"

Suddenly, the lights flicker on, and I hear the soft, familiar sound of Yohan’s piano playing my favorite melody. I turn around and see the room, beautifully decorated with balloons in my favorite colors, vases filled with the flowers I love, and a cake set up on the table. It was like he had thought of every little detail.

Yohan: "Happy birthday, Yuri!"

I stand there, stunned, taking in the sight. Everything was perfect—too perfect. He knew me so well, knew exactly what would make me smile.

Yuri: "What is all this? Yohan, why did you go through all this trouble? How much did this cost?"

Yohan smiles, trying to keep the mood light.

Yohan: "Cost? Yuri, it’s your birthday. Let’s not talk about money and all that."

I feel a wave of frustration and worry rising inside me.

Yuri: "Are you out of your mind? Our savings are almost gone because of the rent for this apartment! We don’t even have enough money to buy a new car—I have to take the bus to the office every day. And you went and spent all this recklessly?"

Yohan’s smile falters, and he looks a bit taken aback, but he tries to stay calm.

Yohan: "I thought… Okay, I’m sorry. Let’s just cut the cake, alright?"

For a moment, the joy I saw in his eyes dims.

But the worries weigh heavy on my mind, and I can’t shake them off so easily. We stand there in the midst of the beautiful decorations, both of us trying to hold onto the moment, even as it starts to slip away.

Yuri: "What happened to your audience?"

Yohan looks uncomfortable, his gaze shifting away from mine.

Yohan: "Yuri... it's... well..."

Yuri: "Did it fail again? Why don’t you just start working a regular job? I really think this path doesn’t suit you."

Yohan's expression changes, a mix of confusion and hurt.

Yohan: "What? You were the one who encouraged me to pursue my talent. Now you're saying this?"

Yuri: "Yeah, I was. The dumbest person alive. I thought it would be okay if one of us worked hard enough for both... but now I see I was completely wrong."

Yohan: "Yuri, what happened? Did something go wrong at the office today?"

Yuri: "What happened? You want to know what happened? Yohan, I’m exhausted. Can we just talk about this in the morning?"

Yohan: "No, let’s talk now. Tell me what’s really bothering you."

I feel my anger boiling over.

Yuri: "You really want to know? You quit your job because of your mom’s ultimatum. Fine, I supported you. You tried to find another job, but it didn’t work out, so you decided to spend your days playing music, choosing a career that’s comfortable for you. And what about me? I’ve gone to every corner of this city, knocking on doors for a job, only to be shut out—because of your mother’s influence."

My voice starts to tremble, emotions bubbling up.

Yuri: "I’m the one who had to endure all the humiliation, all the struggles, every single day. I fought so hard to keep us afloat while you got to follow your dreams. And now, look where we are! I lost my job today. They fired me without cause. How many times have I been blamed for things I didn't do, humiliated by my colleagues, all because they know who your mother is! Do you know how it feels to be treated like nothing, every single day?"

Tears fill my eyes, and I don’t try to stop them.

Yuri: "I’ve given everything, Yohan, everything. And now, I just feel so… alone. I can't keep pretending everything is fine when I'm breaking inside."

Yohan stands there, silent, absorbing the weight of my words. I see the pain in his eyes, but I'm too hurt to care right now. The room, which moments ago was filled with his attempt at celebration, now feels heavy with the tension between us.

Yohan: "I’m going to talk to my mother. This has gone on long enough."

Yuri: "Do you really think that's going to help? She’s been determined to make our lives miserable from the beginning. What makes you think she’ll change now?"

I see the uncertainty flash across Yohan’s face, but he’s trying to stay strong.

Yuri: "You know, Yohan, ever since I was a child, I've faced so many problems, so many hardships. All I ever wanted was a normal life. I thought if I studied hard, graduated from a good university, and worked a decent job, I wouldn't have to face any more of these challenges. I dreamed of a simple life… marrying a good man, having children, just… living quietly and happily. But here I am, still facing the same hardships, feeling like I'm running in circles, never getting anywhere."

Tears begin to fall uncontrollably down my face.

Yohan: "Yuri, calm down, please."

He reaches for a glass of water and hands it to me, but my frustration boils over. I slap the glass out of his hand, and it shatters on the floor.

Yuri: "I regret it…"

Yohan: "What… what do you mean?"

Yuri: "I regret it, Yohan! I regret ever falling in love with you. I regret meeting you, every moment I’ve spent with you… If I’d never met you, I wouldn’t be facing all of this now!"

Yohan looks stunned, his face pales as he absorbs my words, and the hurt in his eyes deepens.

Yuri: "I thought love would make things better, make life feel lighter… but it’s only made everything harder. Your mother, this life… I feel like I’m suffocating every single day, and I can't see a way out. I’m trapped in this endless cycle of misery and it all started the moment I fell for you!"

Yohan: "Yuri, please… don’t say that…"

Yuri: "Why shouldn’t I? It’s the truth! I wanted a life, a peaceful, simple life… but all I’ve gotten is pain. I never imagined that loving you would cost me everything… my job, my peace, my dignity. I’m tired, Yohan… so tired."

The room falls silent except for the sound of my sobs, and I see Yohan’s shoulders slump as if the weight of my words has finally crushed him. The love we fought so hard for now feels like a battle neither of us can win.

The rain outside is relentless, hammering against the windows, each drop a reminder of the misery that seems to follow me. It’s as if the sky itself is crying for us.

Yohan: "So… you’re regretting loving me…"

His voice is quiet, almost broken, but I can hear the hurt beneath each word. He turns away, grabbing the car keys from the counter. I watch him, feeling an ache deep in my chest but unable to speak, to reach out.

Yohan: "…Yuri…"

I look at him, expecting anger, but he’s smiling—a sad, defeated smile that makes my heart twist painfully. The silence between us is thick, suffocating. I don’t say anything. I can’t find the words.

He stares at me for a moment longer, his eyes searching mine for something—anything. But there’s nothing left to say. Without another word, he walks to the door, opens it, and steps out into the rain. The door closes behind him with a finality that makes my breath catch in my throat.

I watch through the window as he gets into the car, his figure blurry through the sheets of rain. He doesn’t look back. The engine roars to life, and then he’s gone, swallowed by the storm. The house feels emptier than ever, the silence louder than my own heartbeat.

I sit down slowly, feeling the tears fall again, matching the rhythm of the rain outside, wondering if this is the end… or if we’ll ever find a way back to each other.