It started with laughter. Genuine full- bodied . The kind that filled velma's chest with something she hadn't felt in a long time- ease .They were seated in the corner of a quiet rooftop restaurant, the light of the cities scattered below them like falling stars. Daniel was telling her a ridiculous story about his high school crush and the time is takingly texted his school principal instead of his best friend. She nearly sparts her drink "so you said that man's forehead shines like judgment day to the principal himself". He buried his face. I've never ranso fast in my life. she laughed again, eyes softening as she looked at him. He still had that boyish charm, the sparks in his eyes . But there was something deeper now, like pain had carved out tenderness from him and she wasn't afraid anymore .
The sky cracked open why they were on their way back. One minute a gentle drizzle and the next minute it rained like heaven was grieving something deeply .
Daniel cursed softly when the engine stuttered and the car coasted to a stop - conveniently in front of his parents compound "of all the night" he muttered slapping the steering as he looked at her ,"come inside you can't go home like this" velma hesitated . She knew what this could look like but her hair was soaked,her clth clinging on to her skin and her heart already made the decision "lead the way".
His apartment was warm and dimly- lit ,he gave her a change of clothes ,an old hoodie and shorts and they sat in the living room listening to storm outside speaking in soft tones like it was too scared to raise their voice. And then the front door cracked open, his parents were home earlier than expected, they stepped in together drenched in the rain talking - and then they paused when they saw her . The silence could slice through glass . His mother's eyes widened just slightly ,his father gave a quiet unreadable look ,no one said anything but Velma could feel it. She greeted them gently rising to our feet. His mother offered a small tight smile that didn't reach her eyes ,his father gave a court nod. " You are welcome",his mother said before disappearing into the room without another word ,his father followed . The sound of a door closing down the hallway was louder than it needed to be. Velma sat down back slowly ,her heart beating differently now. Daniel sat beside her rubbing his hands against her" Ignore them, they will come around slowly". But she didn't reply because some storms don't end when the rain stops , some storms begin with silence.