Tree Shade

The tree shade was always a secret haven. Amidst the relentless summer heat scorching the city, she always came here. Beneath the large camphor tree, a cool breeze would whisper through the leaves.

"Back again?" came the usual voice. It was the boy who always sat at the root of the tree, treating this shade as his own castle.

"It's hot, isn't it? It's cooler here," she replied, and the boy nodded happily.

They didn't talk much. Just being there was comforting. In the tree shade, time seemed to flow slowly.

One day, when she arrived at the shade, the boy was nowhere to be seen. Only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves was audible. She looked around, but there was no sign of him.

Usually, the boy would have said something, sparking interesting conversations or laughter. But today, the shade was just quiet.

She realized that his presence made the tree shade a special place.