Chapter 20 The Storm 1
Thinking about the past always made me feel soft inside.
When I grew up and really understood love, I realized that my so-called soft heart was just because I hadn't moved on.
Seeing my expression change, Daniel's eyes lit up. He let go of my wrist, smiled, and said, "I never knew you had such a wild side. Impressive."
I thought, 'Wasn't that the case? I used to follow you around, doing whatever you said. Even if I were a tiger, I never had the chance to show my stripes.'
We didn't talk much after that; mostly, Daniel talked, and I listened.
He talked about his college life, sweet moments with Zoe, their future plans, and his dreams.
He mentioned many people but never me.
I wondered if Daniel understood my feelings. Was he telling me all this to make me stop having illusions about him?
Overall, this meal wasn't a happy one.
Talking about his love for another girl in front of me, who had liked him for years, was pretty cruel.
When we left, the rain had gotten heavier. The wind made the trees sway, dark clouds loomed, and thunder rumbled. Lightning occasionally split the sky.
I remembered the storm warning from noon and regretted coming out.
Nothing good ever happened when I was with Daniel.
Two people with one small umbrella—what should we do?
"This umbrella might be small, it's better than nothing. Let's make a run for it; we probably won't get soaked," Daniel said, looking up at the night sky.
Daniel was much taller than me. Standing on the ground, the height difference was even more pronounced, so I had to look up to talk to him, "How about I use the umbrella, and you run back yourself?"
Daniel grabbed my umbrella, opened it, and pulled me into the rain. "No."
The rain was too heavy, and the umbrella was too small. We squeezed together, but the wind and rain still soaked us.
The rain pounded on the umbrella, and all I could smell was Daniel's scent.
My heart started to race. I tried to calm myself and moved to the side.
Daniel pulled me back under the umbrella. "Bear with it; we'll be home soon."
Sharing an umbrella, we were very close. With Daniel pulling me, it felt like he was half-hugging me.
My face felt hot. I wished the rain would last a bit longer.
I longed for this embrace and missed Daniel's scent.
But I knew Daniel didn't belong to me.
I tried to move to the side again, but he held on firmly. I couldn't fight him, so I gave in.
We hadn't walked far when we suddenly heard someone calling Daniel's name. The voice was heavy with sobs, not very clear amidst the storm, but undeniably real.
Daniel's demeanor changed instantly. He handed me the umbrella and looked around, wide-eyed. "Jane, I heard Zoe's voice. Did I mishear?"
"No, it's really her," I said softly.
Zoe, who was supposed to be back in her hometown, stood under a convenience store awning. She held a large floral umbrella, her soaked short skirt clinging to her, revealing her curves. She looked like a flower blooming in the storm.
She trembled, cupped her hands around her mouth, and called out again, "Daniel!"
Daniel saw her, and his eyes lit up. He ran into the rain like a child, splashing through puddles. "Zoe, you're back!"
He hugged her tightly, and Zoe laughed sweetly in his arms.
I stood there in the rain, not even noticing the umbrella had tilted. My vision darkened, and my heart felt like ashes.
Daniel always hurt me without holding back.
The wind and rain attacked me mercilessly, and my heart felt wetter than the pouring rain.
Daniel and Zoe hugged and talked, Zoe laughing and snuggling into his arms.
Daniel glanced back at me, seemingly concerned, but Zoe's smile was too sweet, her body too soft. He couldn't control himself and kissed her deeply.
Tall Daniel holding delicate Zoe, kissing passionately in the rain—it wasn't beautiful, but it was incredibly sweet.
I heard my heart breaking.
Daniel protected Zoe as they ran happily through the rain, leaving me behind. Zoe turned back and shouted, "Jane, we're leaving first. Take care."
It should have been a caring remark, but it pained me deeply.
Daniel and Zoe quickly ran off, leaving me alone on the usually bustling street.
I stood in the raging wind and rain, on the empty road, crying my heart out.
At that moment, I used the storm, the thunder and lightning, and the pain in my heart to mourn the love that had never begun.
The rain grew heavier, the clouds pressing so low they seemed to touch my head. The ground was covered in water. Thunder cracked above, shattering my heart into pieces.
I reminded myself, 'Jane, wake up. Didn't you already know? Daniel would never be yours. Why are you still crying for him? Haven't you started to let him go? There are plenty of other guys out there. Why do you keep letting Daniel hurt you? Aren't you afraid of the pain? Won't you give up in despair?'
I kept asking myself, but my heart hurt too much, and my mind was in chaos. I couldn't find an answer.
Liking someone was just liking them. Eighteen years of effort couldn't be taken back or forgotten overnight.
In the future, I might really be able to forget Daniel, but the marks he left were so deep, occupying all my youthful years. Even when that day came, there would still be a corner of my heart that belonged to him.
Daniel left me in the storm, so I had to go back alone.
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