Chapter 4 - Wheels of Fate

As the man walked through the rain-soaked streets, it was as if he were a mere phantom, disconnected from the world around him.

His expressionless face bore no hint of emotion, and his thoughts remained a hidden enigma.

He moved forward with the mechanical precision of a robot, driven by an inscrutable purpose.

Yet, amidst the tranquil rhythm of his solitary journey, a sudden interruption captured his attention.

There, on a lonely bench, sat the girl from their earlier encounter, drenched by the unrelenting downpour.

At first, he passed her by, as if untouched by her presence.

But then, like an awakening force, a peculiar sensation stirred within him, a magnetic pull that defied explanation.

It was as though fate had decided to intertwine their paths once again.

Try as he might to ignore her, he couldn't resist the inexplicable urge to return to her side.

As he walked toward the girl, his thoughts swirled in a whirlwind of intrigue.

"Thousands of years," he muttered to himself, "but still, curiosity can't be coped." He sighed inwardly, adding, "Huh... I know I'll regret this."

Regardless of his reservations, he approached her, holding the umbrella above her head to shelter her from the relentless rain.

In that moment, under the canopy of the umbrella, two worlds collided – one of stoic detachment and one of unyielding curiosity – creating a unique connection amidst the storm.

Amidst the relentless downpour of the raging storm, the man, an unknown soul who had entered her life through pure happenstance, extended a gracious gesture.

He held an umbrella protectively over her head, shielding her from the onslaught of rain.

This act of kindness was as surprising as it was thoughtful, especially coming from someone she had just met.

The girl found herself inexplicably captivated by the man's presence.

A mysterious sensation enveloped her, a rush of emotions that left her both nervous and blushing.

In this moment, she was entangled in a web of bewilderment, not knowing what was happening and having no knowledge of the man's name.

To her, he was merely a complete and random stranger who had entered her life in the midst of a tempestuous storm.

Her gaze remained fixed on the enigmatic man, lost in thought and contemplation.

It was an intense fascination that seemed to suspend time itself.

As she stared at him, caught in the spell of the moment, the man's subtle gesture shattered the silence.

"Hey, are you drunk or something?" he inquired, his voice carrying a touch of bemusement.

Startled by his question, she stammered, her cheeks flushed, "Ah, sorry. Thanks a lot, but I have to go now."

Undaunted by her response, the man persisted, offering his support with genuine concern. "I can accompany you if you want," he suggested.

In the midst of the raging storm, their connection continued to deepen, an unforeseen bond forged amidst the chaos of nature.

She initially brushed off the man's offer, insisting that she was fine.

But as the storm raged on, she couldn't suppress a series of uncontrollable sneezes, each one echoing her growing discomfort.

With a knowing smile, the man countered her feigned composure. "You don't look fine to me,"

He remarked, his eyes reflecting a deep concern that seemed to pierce through the facade of bravery she had put up.

Eventually, the girl relented. The rain had become too persistent a foe, and the man's kindness too persuasive.

She agreed to accompany him as they navigated the drenched streets, moving towards the train station.

The quietude of their footsteps on wet pavement served as a backdrop to the unfolding connection between two souls brought together by a twist of fate.

As the train station neared, they found themselves in conversation. The man initiated it, "What's your name?"

She replied with a small smile, "Evelyn. What about you?"

With a gentle tone, he introduced himself, "I'm Aldric. It's very nice to meet you."

"Aldric ," she repeated, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Do you know me?"

Her question was accompanied by a hint of suspicion, her expression betraying a desire for answers amidst the intrigue of their shared journey through the storm.

The man, with a discerning eye, responded to the girl's question, "Oh, judging by your question, you seem like a spoiled rich brat."

Shock momentarily gripped the girl, her countenance revealing her disbelief.

Yet the man's voice remained calm, as he imparted a profound revelation,

"Believe me, money is the last on my list of priorities. The concept of money has always been insignificant to me"

The girl, bewildered by his response, challenged his perspective, "Well, you don't know how the world works then"

In her world, money had always held the highest position, a belief that it possessed the power to acquire anything her heart desired.

The man's response was cryptic and enigmatic, delivered with a gentle smile. "Haha," he chuckled softly, "foolish young girl."

As they reached their destination, words seemed inadequate to express the complex feelings that swirled within.

The man bid his adieu, "Well, this is it. Take care. If fate wishes, we will surely meet again. Till then, see you."

The girl, her emotions a swirling tempest, expressed her gratitude. "Thank you so much. I won't forget you."

And with those parting words, they ventured their separate ways, leaving behind a memory of a chance encounter amidst the rain.

The man, standing alone in the rain, allowed his emotions to surface, each expression telling a story of happiness, sadness, anger, and an inexplicable joy.

"She felt weird," he mused to himself, his gaze locked on the horizon. "She's going to remain in my mind for a while."

With that, he blended into the throng of the bustling crowd, vanishing into the urban night, their brief encounter etched in his memory like a riddle yet to be solved.