The Last Bus Stop

The rain had just started when Daniel missed the last bus home.

He stood under the weak light of the empty bus stop in Enugu, frustrated and tired after a long day. His phone battery was dead, his clothes were damp, and the streets were becoming quiet.

Then a girl appeared beside him, holding a small blue umbrella.

“You can stand closer,” she said softly. “Unless you enjoy bathing in rainwater.”

Daniel laughed for the first time that day.

Her name was Ada.

For the next thirty minutes, they talked like old friends. She spoke about books and dreams. He spoke about life and how difficult things had become lately. Every time she smiled, Daniel forgot about the rain.

When a taxi finally stopped, Ada entered first, then looked back at him.

“You coming?”

The taxi ride felt too short.

Before Daniel could ask for her number, the car stopped near a small street. Ada smiled gently and opened the door.

“This is my stop.”

“Wait,” Daniel said quickly. “Can I see you again?”

She looked at him for a moment, almost sadly.

“Maybe,” she whispered.

Then she disappeared into the night rain.

The next evening, Daniel returned to the same bus stop hoping to see her again. An old newspaper seller nearby noticed him standing there.

“You waiting for somebody?” the man asked.

“A girl named Ada.”

The old man became quiet.

“Blue umbrella?”

Daniel nodded slowly.

The seller stared at him with wide eyes.

“That girl died two years ago in an accident near this road.”

Daniel laughed nervously. “That’s impossible. I was with her yesterday.”

The old man pointed toward a faded poster attached to the pole beside the bus stop.

Daniel turned.

It was her face.

Ada.

The same smile.

The same eyes.

And beneath the picture were the words:

In Loving Memory.

A cold wind passed through the empty street.

Daniel looked down slowly and realized something strange.

In the heavy rain of the previous night…

only one side of him had been wet.

very cool.. thanks for sharing..