Raisa stood by the window, staring out at the city below as the rain poured down in heavy sheets. The rhythmic sound of droplets tapping against the glass was almost hypnotic, but it did little to ease the whirlwind of emotions raging inside her. Drip, drop, drip, drop. The storm mirrored her turmoil, as thoughts of Zayn and their last encounter flooded her mind.

"Ugh!" she groaned, running a hand through her tousled hair. Why did I have to push him away? Just as she was beginning to understand the depths of her feelings for him, she had let insecurity and fear drive a wedge between them.

Her phone buzzed, startling her. She glanced at the screen to see Kendra's name flashing. Ring! Without hesitation, Raisa swiped to answer, desperate for a distraction.

“Raisa! You okay?” Kendra’s voice crackled through the line, bright and concerned. “I just saw your latest post. You looked... distant.”

“Yeah, just a lot on my mind,” Raisa replied, forcing a smile she knew Kendra couldn’t see. “How about you? Got any good photos today?”

“I did, actually! But that’s not what I want to talk about. What happened with Zayn?” Kendra pressed, and Raisa could hear the urgency in her friend’s voice.

“It’s complicated,” Raisa sighed, pacing the room. “I don’t know how to explain it. One moment we were connected, and the next, I freaked out. I told him I needed space.”

“Raisa!” Kendra exclaimed. “What were you thinking? This is Zayn we’re talking about! You can’t just shut him out like that.”

“I know!” Raisa shouted, frustration bubbling over. “But it felt too real. I mean, what if I’m not good enough for him? He has his life together while I’m just... playing pretend in my digital world.”

“Stop right there,” Kendra said firmly. “You are more than just an influencer. You have so much to offer, Raisa! And Zayn? He likes you for you, not for what you portray online.”

Raisa’s heart ached at her friend’s words. Could it be that simple? She took a deep breath, letting Kendra's encouragement seep in. “I... I don’t know, Kendra. What if I ruin everything?”

Thud! A loud noise from the street below interrupted their conversation, making Raisa glance out the window again. She caught a glimpse of Zayn, drenched and rushing through the downpour, his hair plastered to his forehead, yet his stride was determined.

“Is that Zayn?” Kendra asked, noticing Raisa’s sudden stillness.

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“Yes,” Raisa whispered, her heart racing as she watched him stop under the awning of a nearby café, his expression tense.

“Raisa, you have to go to him. Now!” Kendra urged.

“What? In this weather?” Raisa exclaimed, glancing at the storm. The rain was relentless, drenching everything in its path.

“Yes! This is your chance. Don’t let it slip away!” Kendra insisted. “You can’t let fear decide your fate. Just go!”

Raisa hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. What if he’s angry? What if he never wants to see me again? But then she thought about the way Zayn had looked at her, how he had made her feel alive and seen.

“Okay,” she finally said, a sense of determination washing over her. “I’m going.”

“Go, Raisa! You got this!” Kendra cheered, and with a quick goodbye, Raisa hung up, her resolve strengthening.

Without a second thought, Raisa grabbed her jacket and rushed out the door. The rain greeted her like a cold slap, soaking through her clothes within seconds. Drip, drop, drip, drop. Each step felt heavy, but her heart was lighter with purpose.

She dashed through the downpour, her hair quickly turning into a tangled mess, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was Zayn. Where is he?

As she reached the café, she spotted him through the fogged glass, sitting at a small table, staring down at his phone, his expression unreadable. What do I say?

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open, and the chime rang out like a declaration. Ding! Zayn looked up, surprise flashing across his face as he took in her drenched form.

“Raisa?” he said, standing up. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to find you,” she said, her voice barely rising above the sound of the rain pounding against the windows. She stepped closer, feeling the weight of vulnerability settle over her. “I’m sorry for pushing you away. I was scared.”

Zayn’s expression softened, but uncertainty lingered in his eyes. “Scared of what?”

“Scared of feeling too much,” she admitted, her heart racing. “Scared that I’m not enough. But I don’t want to run anymore. I want to be with you, Zayn, if you’ll let me.”

The air thickened with unspoken words, and for a moment, it felt like the world outside faded away. Then, a small smile broke across his face, dispelling the storm clouds in her heart.

“Raisa,” he said gently, stepping forward and closing the distance between them, “you’re more than enough. You always have been.”

Just as he reached out to wipe the rain-soaked strands of hair from her face, the café door swung open, a gust of wind sweeping through, bringing a chill that sent shivers down her spine. Whoosh!

Raisa’s heart raced, anticipation electrifying the air around them.

“What now?” she whispered, eyes locked onto Zayn’s.

“Let’s get out of this storm,” he suggested, his voice low and inviting. “I think we have a lot to talk about.”

“Right,” she said, feeling a rush of hope as he held out his hand. With a shy smile, she took it, feeling the warmth of his palm enveloping hers, and together, they stepped out into the rain, ready to face whatever came next—together.

As they left the café, the rain continued to pour down, soaking their hopes and fears, but for the first time, Raisa felt a sense of freedom wash over her. Under the same sky, they were finally taking a step towards each other.