With that, Yuqeen and Rayn got into the car. Just before it started moving, Uncle smiled softly through the window and said:— “One more thing — I have to say, you look really handsome with this hairstyle.”
Rayn replied in a calm voice:— “I heard that same thing this morning.”
As soon as he said that, the car began to move slowly, and Yuqeen blushed even more at his words.
The chilly winter air rushed past the window, but inside, Yuqeen felt a warmth spreading through her cheeks. After a while, Yuqeen spoke to Rayn in a shy voice:— “Rayn, have you thought about what your uncle mentioned?”
Rayn asked calmly:— “About what?”
Yuqeen composed herself a little and spoke gently:— “About going somewhere during the winter break.”
Rayn stayed silent for a moment, then smiled faintly and said:— “I don’t really have any plans. If you have some, you can tell me.”
Yuqeen slowly came closer to Rayn, gently cupping his face with both hands, and said sweetly:— “Three weeks ago you said you would one day take me to your Town house. So I want you to take me there during this winter break.”
Her heart thumped nervously, afraid of rejection yet hopeful at the same time.
Seeing Yuqeen’s affectionate expression for a moment, Rayn’s mind seemed to drift into another world. With a soft smile, Rayn said:— “Alright, I’ll take you.”
A few days later, the winter break arrived. In the morning, mist began to settle, and the cold wind made everything shiver.
Rayn and Yuqeen got ready early to head to the Town house. Today, Yuqeen wore a golden leather long coat with a red muffler, while Rayn wore a silver leather long coat. Seeing them together, they looked like an extraordinary couple.
Every gust of wind made her scarf flutter, adding a sense of adventure to the crisp morning.
At the platform, on the train, and everywhere around, most people’s eyes naturally turned toward them.
By afternoon, they finally arrived at Rayn’s Town house. Yuqeen was thrilled and excited as she looked at the house.
Outside the house, they saw Rayn’s father waiting for them. Yuqeen ran forward and said in a sweet voice:— “Hello Uncle, how are you?”
The familiar warmth of a fatherly presence made her steps lighter, almost like she belonged there. Rayn’s father replied in a calm voice:— “I’m doing well. How are you?”
Meanwhile, Rayn was slowly walking toward them. With a faint smile, he whispered to himself:— “Yuqeen never had a father’s love, so she tries to find her own father in mine.”
He felt a quiet protectiveness settle in his chest.
A little later.
Rayn and Yuqeen stepped inside. His father gently told them to freshen up.
Yuqeen noticed that Rayn’s mother was nowhere to be seen. She thought of asking Rayn about it, but chose to remain silent for the time being.
A small pang of curiosity mixed with unease tugged at her heart.
The next day.
The soft morning sunlight spilled across the town’s streets. Rayn and Yuqeen strolled toward the market at an easy pace.
On both sides of the road stood small and large shops, their colorful rooftops bright against the sky.
The aroma of food wafted through the air, blending with the hum of people, the patterned sidewalks, and the shopkeepers’ calls — together creating a gentle melody that made the town feel alive.
Every sound, every color, felt amplified as if the town itself was welcoming them.
After a while, they sat down in a small restaurant and placed their order. Yuqeen thought this might finally be the right time to ask Rayn about his mother. In a calm voice, Yuqeen said:— “Rayn, can I ask you something?”
Rayn looked at her and replied softly:— “You don’t need permission. Ask whatever you want.”
With a slight smile, Yuqeen said sweetly:— “I’ve met your father. But I haven’t seen your mother even once. Is she out of town?”
At her words, Rayn fell silent for a moment. Then he gave her a faint smile. But that smile no longer carried warmth — it hid a different kind of pain. In a quiet, distant tone, Rayn answered:— “My mother… she passed away a long time ago.”
Yuqeen’s chest tightened, the weight of unspoken grief lingering in the air.
Hearing this, Yuqeen realized she shouldn’t have asked. In a gentle, apologetic voice, she said:— “I’m sorry…”
Rayn replied softly:— “There’s no need to apologize. It isn’t your fault.”
After a while of silence, Yuqeen nervously asked:— “Rayn, may I know how your mother passed away? If you don’t want to say that, that’s fine.”
Rayn looked at Yuqeen, gave a faint smile, and thought to himself, “This feels just like that day when Yuqeen had talked about her father.”
In a comforting tone, Rayn began to speak:— “Nine years ago, during a hot summer, my Uncle had gone abroad for a vacation, and my parents had taken me to explore the forest.
On our way back, we stayed at a hotel in Jaleenor City. I was about five or six years old at the time. I stayed in the hotel with my father, while my mother went out for some work.
That very night, a massive mafia conflict broke out at the Jaleenor underground metro station.
My father, upon hearing the news, was extremely worried, as it was late at night and my mother had not yet returned. He left me at the hotel’s baby care section and went out to look for her.
Despite searching all night, he could not find my mother. As night turned to morning, he reached the underground metro station. There, he learned that 563 civilians had died in the conflict — and among those 563 people was my mother.
Seeing my mother’s body, my father collapsed right there. He could never have imagined that she would die in such a way.”
Yuqeen felt a shiver run down her spine, the horror of the scene almost tangible through his words.
Hearing Rayn’s words, Yuqeen fell silent. She could see the pain in his eyes, yet she realized — for Rayn, that pain seemed almost insignificant.
In her heart, Yuqeen thought:— Rayn isn’t like me. If I try to comfort him, it will only be empty words, nothing more. Rayn is already strong within himself.
She realized that some pain was too deep to reach, no matter how close they were.
With that thought, Yuqeen said nothing further. After a while, she slowly rose from her seat and asked in a calm voice:— “Are you going to stay here, or will you show me around the town?”
Rayn gave a faint smile as he stood up, as if to say — he had already left his past behind.
The Second Day
They went to the town park. A thin mist hovered over the green grass, shadows stretched from the trees, and birdsong filled the air with peace.
Yuqeen sat by the riverbank, gazing at the flowing water, while Rayn walked quietly at her side. The small lake rippled softly, the breeze blending with the waves to create a gentle melody.
The crisp winter air mixed with the gentle sound of water made her feel strangely calm.
The Third Day
They went to the riverside of the town. The water shimmered, sunlight dancing across its surface, while boats drifted slowly in the distance.
Each step on the soft earth echoed lightly, and the chill made them walk a little closer together.
The air carried a crisp coolness, and far away, the city’s greenery glistened in the light. Yuqeen strolled along the bank, while Rayn walked in step beside her.
The Fourth Day
By nightfall, they reached one of the city’s grand restaurants. Inside, bright lights glowed warmly, tables were elegantly set, and glass walls revealed another side of the city’s charm.
Slowly, Rayn and Yuqeen stepped in, the atmosphere around them feeling fresh and captivating.
Rayn and Yuqeen chose a table by the side to sit at. After a while, Yuqeen asked Rayn in a calm voice: — Rayn, how old is your uncle?
Rayn realized why Yuqeen was asking this question. Still, with a slight smile, he asked:— Why are you asking this?
Yuqeen, slightly flustered, stammered:— I mean… he looks really young.
She felt a small flutter in her chest, noticing details she normally wouldn’t. Rayn replied with a faint smile and a calm tone:— My uncle is 15 years older than me.
Hearing this, Yuqeen said nothing. After a short while, she calmly said: — Alright, I’m going to the restroom.
With that, Yuqeen got up and left, while Rayn focused on his phone. Suddenly, someone called out Rayn’s name from behind:— Taqeesh, is that you?
Rayn turned around and saw a girl standing there. He recognized her but didn’t show much reaction, calmly asking:— Yes, is there something you want to say?
The girl, excitedly, said:— Taqeesh, can you recognize me?
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Rayn replied calmly:— Yes, I recognize you. You were my classmate in middle school, and you used to come third in every exam. Am I correct?
The girl, joyfully, said:— Taqeesh, you remember everything! Seeing you now, it feels like you’ve changed a lot — both in words and in appearance.
Rayn asked calmly:— Do you want to say anything else?
The girl, in a calm voice, said:— Taqeesh, are you here alone? It’s been a long time since we last met, so I wanted to talk to you.
At that moment, Yuqeen returned and calmly said to Rayn:— It’s quite late now; we need to go.
Yuqeen held Rayn’s hand and started leading him outside. Rayn looked at Yuqeen’s face and was slightly surprised, noticing a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
A subtle tension filled the space, the cold winter air outside doing nothing to calm it.
As they stepped outside, Yuqeen glanced back at the girl with slightly angry eyes. The girl just stared in astonishment at Yuqeen’s presence. It had already been a week since they arrived in the town.
Night time.
The three of them finished dinner together but didn’t get up from the table. After a short silence, Rayn’s father spoke in a calm voice:— Rayn, it’s been a week since you two came here. You’ve almost explored the entire town. Have you thought about what you’ll do next?
Rayn replied in a steady tone:— No, Father, I haven’t thought about it yet.
His father gave a faint smile and said softly:— You could take Yuqeen to that place.
Yuqeen, a little confused, asked:— Which place?
Rayn said in a surprised tone:— Father, do you mean Salqarin?
Yuqeen exclaimed in astonishment:— What? Salqarin? But it must be really cold there right now!
Rayn’s father smiled gently and said in a calm voice:— Yes, you’re right, Hanabirah. And the reason I mentioned that place is because that’s where Rayn’s mother and I first met. That’s why I want you two to visit it at least once.
Hearing this, Yuqeen’s mind raced with images of snow-covered mountains and the unknown adventure awaiting them.
Yuqeen stayed silent for a moment. Then, in a soft tone, she said:— Alright, Uncle. But where will we stay?
Before Rayn’s father could answer, Rayn said:— We have a house there. My father and mother built it to preserve their memories.
After hearing this, Rayn’s father spoke again in a gentle tone:— Alright then, you should leave tomorrow.
In his words, Yuqeen quickly asked:— Just the two of us? Uncle, won’t you be coming?
Rayn’s father replied in a quiet voice:— No, I won’t. I have some important work tomorrow.
Hearing that, Yuqeen fell silent for a while. Her cheeks turned slightly red — because this time she would be going alone with Rayn to a cold, mountainous place.
A mix of excitement and nervous anticipation made her stomach twist pleasantly.
The next day, in the afternoon,
Rayn and Yuqeen arrived in the mountainous area. The car slowly ascended the winding road. Outside the window, snow-covered mountains came into view.
Yuqeen stared in awe as the cold mist began to settle on the glass, while Rayn silently gazed at the mountains and gave a serene, subtle smile.
The air felt thinner, colder — each breath sharp, like the mountains were watching them arrive.
Snow-covered peaks stretched all around, shrouded in a veil of mist. The snow-laden pine branches trembled in the cold breeze, making the silent mountains appear even more mysterious.
After a while, they reached Rayn’s parents’ memorial house.
A quiet heaviness settled in Yuqeen’s chest, as if the house itself carried memories in its walls.
The exterior of the house was entirely constructed of solid bricks and wood, giving it a strong and imposing appearance at first glance.
Large windows, thick wooden frames, and glasswork added a sense of strength and elegance to the structure.
Surrounding the house were snow-covered mountains and pine trees blanketed in snow. Even the roof was completely covered in white snow.
The silence around the house felt sacred, broken only by the soft whisper of the wind.
Day One.
They didn’t really do much that day — just wandered around, exploring the house.
As soon as Yuqeen stepped inside, she began to take in her surroundings. A large main hall — with a fireplace in front, sofas around it, and some old pictures hanging on the walls.
Each photograph felt like a frozen moment in time, silently watching her pass. Beside it was the dining area, where a long wooden table stood beneath a chandelier.
Then she moved on to the library. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and in the corner stood an old clock.
From there, Yuqeen walked straight into the guest room — the one prepared for her. A clean bed, light curtains, and a window that opened to a breathtaking view of snow-covered mountains.
The view made her heart feel light, yet strangely small against the vastness outside.
Finally, she stepped out onto the balcony. Ahead stretched distant mountains blanketed in snow, while the cold breeze brushed against her. The chill bit her skin, but her chest felt warm — comforted by the stillness.
Yuqeen smiled softly to herself — it felt as if this house truly belonged to another world.
Meanwhile, Rayn simply followed Yuqeen from place to place. Her smile alone seemed to be the real reason behind his happiness.
For him, the cold mountains faded — only her presence mattered.
At night.
Yuqeen sat on her bed, holding the photo album she had brought along. With a tender smile, she whispered:— “It’s a good thing I brought this album with me.”
Her fingers trembled slightly as she held it, like she was protecting something precious. Hugging it close to her chest, she whispered again:— “Fool… I don’t know when you’ll ever understand.”
Morning.
Yuqeen woke up and glanced out the window. Outside, snow was falling gently, drop by drop. The world looked softer, quieter — as if time itself had slowed down.
The sight filled her heart with joy. Quickly getting ready, she went downstairs toward the dining table.
When she arrived, Yuqeen saw that Rayn had woken up much earlier and cooked for her. The large dining table — big enough to seat ten — was today set for just the two of them.
The emptiness of the table somehow made the moment feel more intimate.
Seeing her, Rayn gave a soft smile and said in a calm voice:— “You woke up so late! Come, let’s have breakfast now.”
A little later.
Yuqeen opened the door and stood there, gazing at the falling snow. Suddenly, Rayn slowly came up from behind and stood beside her. In a gentle voice, Rayn asked:— “Why are you watching like this? Are you thinking about something?”
After a brief silence, Yuqeen answered softly:— “No… I mean, I’ve never gone on a trip like this with anyone before. And in my life, you’re the first boy I’ve ever made a friend and trusted.”
Her voice carried both vulnerability and courage. Hearing those words, Rayn gently wrapped his arms around Yuqeen from behind and said tenderly:— “It makes me really happy to hear that from you.”
His warmth contrasted sharply with the cold air, grounding her completely.
Yuqeen wasn’t surprised by Rayn’s gentle embrace. Instead, his closeness brought her a strange sense of peace — so she didn’t push him away. After a while, Yuqeen spoke softly to Rayn:— “Rayn, let’s go outside.”
Rayn replied in a serious tone:— “No, going outside wouldn’t be a good idea. It’s snowing now. If we go out in this weather, we might catch a cold.”
Hearing this, Yuqeen pouted lightly in mild annoyance and said:— “It won’t be a problem.”
Saying this, she pulled herself away from Rayn and stepped outside. Rayn gave a small smile, closed his eyes, and whispered to himself:— “Nothing will happen to this girl… Playing in the snow—hmm, not bad at all.”
Suddenly, a flake of snow hit Rayn’s face. Surprised, he looked at Yuqeen. The sudden cold made him blink — but her laughter made him smile. She smiled sweetly and said:— “Stop standing there, come over here.”
Rayn chuckled softly, shook his head, and stepped outside.
Then began their snowball fight. Yuqeen ran around hiding, while Rayn tossed snowballs gently, careful not to hurt her. Yuqeen’s laughter broke the quiet stillness around them.
After a while, Yuqeen suddenly stopped. She started gathering snow and rolling it into a snowman.
They began building it together. Yuqeen wrapped her scarf around the snowman’s neck, while Rayn jokingly placed his hat on its head. They both laughed together.
Then Yuqeen suddenly lay down on the snow, arms and legs spread wide. Rayn looked at her in surprise and asked:— “What are you doing?”
Yuqeen laughed:— “A snow angel. You should try it too.”
Rayn hesitated for a moment, then lay down beside her. In the snow, their angels stood side by side. The moment felt childish, pure — untouched by the weight of reality.
Rayn looked at Yuqeen and just gave a gentle smile. That’s how the two of them spent the whole day together.
At night, after taking a warm bath and finishing dinner, they went back to their own rooms.
That night, Yuqeen once again sat with the photo album, smiling softly as she flipped through it. In the end, she gently placed it on the bedside table.
The next morning.
Rayn woke up early again. He began cooking and setting the food on the dining table.
A little while later, Yuqeen slowly stepped out of her room. As Rayn was arranging the dishes, he said in a gentle voice:— “Well, what’s this? You woke up pretty early today.”
But as soon as he turned to look at Yuqeen, he was suddenly shocked. Her face was completely flushed red, and she looked very weak.
Rayn’s chest tightened with sudden fear.
Yuqeen tried to say something, but before she could, her body gave way, and she almost collapsed to the floor. Just in time, Rayn rushed forward and caught her.
He immediately realized that Yuqeen’s body was burning up with fever. Without wasting a moment, Rayn carefully lifted her in arms. She felt frighteningly light in his arms.
Rayn carried her back to her bedroom, and laid her on the bed. Without a second’s delay, he quickly called the doctor.
Some time later.
The doctor arrived and informed Rayn that Yuqeen had developed a fever—her temperature was 104°—due to prolonged exposure to the cold. The doctor gave medication and explained all the care that needed to be taken. After completing the check-up, Rayn escorted the doctor to the door.
Rayn entered Yuqeen’s room carrying a bowl of hot soup. He came to her bedside and whispered:— “I insisted on this yesterday.”
He gently helped Yuqeen sit up halfway and fed her the soup with a spoon. Once she finished, he handed her a glass of water along with the medicine. After taking the medicine, Yuqeen lay back down.
Rayn immediately soaked a small cloth in cold water and placed it on her forehead, changing it every few minutes. He then adjusted the blanket carefully, making sure she didn’t feel cold. Every small movement carried a quiet urgency.
After some time, Rayn slowly ran his fingers through Yuqeen’s hair. Her breathing gradually became steady, and her body started to relax. Rayn sat silently beside her until she finally fell asleep.
Afternoon.
Rayn saw that Yuqeen was still fast asleep. So he quietly got up to go downstairs to cook.
But as soon as he moved, he realized Yuqeen was clutching tightly onto his sweater. When he tried to loosen her grip, Yuqeen clutched it again.
Slowly, Yuqeen opened her eyes. Her voice was weak but clear as she whispered:— “Don’t leave me…”
Then Yuqeen tried to sit up. Rayn supported her, helping her sit. Again, Yuqeen said:— “Don’t leave me… please…”
Rayn didn’t reply — he just listened silently. Suddenly, he noticed tears running down Yuqeen’s face. In a trembling voice, Yuqeen said:— “No one has ever stayed beside me. Everyone who came into my life left me. At least this time… don’t leave me…”
Her words felt heavier than her fever. In the haze of her fever, Yuqeen began sobbing loudly.
Rayn gently pulled her into his arms and spoke softly:— “I will never leave you. And right now, I’m only going to make soup for you. Remember this — I will stay with you, by your side, as long as I live.”
His voice was steady — unyielding. Little by little, Yuqeen rested her head against his chest and her sobs began to fade.
Night.
Yuqeen was asleep. Rayn gently stroked her hair. Once she was completely asleep, Rayn quietly stood up. His eyes fell on the table beside the bed, where some books and an album were lying.
He began to put them back in place, but the album and a few books slipped from his hands and fell to the floor. As he quickly picked them up, one page of the album opened.
What he saw left him stunned—it was a picture of himself. Out of curiosity, he flipped through the album page by page and found that it was filled entirely with his photos.
A slow realization settled in his chest — deep, overwhelming. Rayn picked up one of the photos and turned it over. On the back, written in neat letters, were the words: “I love you.”
He turned another, and another — every single one had the same message written on the back.
Rayn stood still for a moment and whispered:— “Let Yuqeen recover first… then we’ll talk about this.”
After that, he quietly left the room. But before stepping out, he leaned close to Yuqeen and softly said:— “Good night…”
Two days later.
Yuqeen had completely recovered. That morning, she slowly walked toward Rayn, who was already sitting on the sofa in the hall.
Just as she was about to approach him, Rayn spoke in a serious tone:— “Yuqeen, I want to ask you something.”
Yuqeen paused and replied softly:— “Yes, you can ask me anything.”
Looking straight into her eyes, Rayn asked:— “Do you love me?”
The question left Yuqeen stunned — her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed red. She didn’t know what to say.
At that moment, Rayn said in a calm voice:— “Listen… I’m not going to say ‘I love you.’ And I won’t make you my girlfriend either.”
Hearing this, Yuqeen’s heart broke. Her eyes filled with tears as she lowered her head, standing silently. She had never expected to hear something like this from Rayn.
But then Rayn slowly stepped closer and gently held both her hands. Surprised, Yuqeen looked up. She saw Rayn gazing at her with soft eyes and a tender smile.
In a gentle voice, Rayn said:— “I don’t want you as my girlfriend for a few days. I want to spend my entire life with you. That’s why I want you to be my future wife.”
The room felt impossibly quiet, as if the world was holding its breath. After a pause, he asked again:— “Yuqeen, will you be my future wife?”
Hearing such heartfelt words, Yuqeen’s heart overflowed with emotion. Unable to hold back her tears, she threw her arms around Rayn and, crying softly, said:— “Yes… I want to spend my life with you. I want to be your future wife.”
Present Time, Now we return to the present.
Rayn and Yuqeen are standing on a bridge beneath the night sky. Slowly, Rayn closed his eyes — as if, in that moment, every memory he had shared with Yuqeen came flooding back into his heart.
The cold night air carried every memory back to him at once.
Non-canon outfit:-
