When It Rains

Chapter 08

HINDI MABILANG NI Serenity kung ilang beses na siyang napabaling sa paper cellophane na nasa gilid ng kan'yang desk. Nadatnan niya ito sa mesa niya nang makarating siya sa classroom kaninang umaga. She thought it was from Calvin again. Ito lang naman ang nagbibigay sa kan'ya ng mga ganito.

But no. Because after checking what's inside, she doubt right away. It's was lunch meal with beige color tumbler that has water inside and a letter. It's a short one that says 'I cooked this. Eat well — Dean.'

Yes. It's from him and she almost got a heart attack. There are various one's that causes that but she's certain that heart flutter is the one she felt.

Iniwas niya ang tingin rito. Alam ba n'on na maaga akong pumapasok?

Heaving a deep sigh, she lean back and tried to concentrate to the last subject for the day. Pero ilang minuto pa lang ay napabalik na naman ang kan'yang tingin sa paper bag. She honestly hesitated to eat the food but it looks delicious—tastes delicious also. Tsaka sayang...rin.

Kanina umaga halos usap-usapan ng lahat 'yung pinost ni Miss Briane. It became an issue. Hindi niya alam kung may ideya ba ang binata sa mga nangyayari. If she's not thinking right, she would probably saw the issue as bothersome, giving accusations or whatsoever. But she's very well aware she shouldn't stick her nose to it. Lalo na't wala naman siyang kinalaman.

But why do I feel like it's not really what I truly feel? Dahil ba may kinalaman ito sa lalaking nagpapagulo sa isip niya? Goodness, can't she still distinguish what she feel for this man? It's been a little while. She's not dumb but this is making her one.

When the professor dismissed them, she stood up and silently went out. Nagtaka siya nang lumamig ang corridor. Wala naman kasing aircon. She just came to understand why when she arrived at the lobby. Sighing, she continue her way outside. Doon niya narinig ang malakas na buhos ng ulan.

She doesn't really check daily weather and even if she does, she don't have any umbrella, or more like she don't brought one for a reason.

When it rains, it always reminded her of the accident. That day and moment always hunts her everytime this happens. Ilang taon na ang lumipas pero parang kahapon lang nangyari ang lahat. She was too young to experience that. People may say that there's no reason for her to grieve after all these years but...it's her mom and dad. She may have a very responsible and caring older sister but she feels like there's still a whole in her heart.

She close her eyes. I hate rain. I hate it when it rains.

"Wala ka bang payong, Mendoza?"

Dinilat niya ang mga mata at lumingon sa gilid. The one who ask turn out to be one of her classmate.

Umiling siya rito. "I don't have any."

"Gusto mo makishare? Sabay na tayo. Saan ba bahay niyo?" Lumapit ito at tumayo sa kan'yang tabi.

Nginitian niya lang ito ng konti at muling umiling. "Okay lang, Lia. Mauna ka na."

Ipiniling nito ang ulo sa sagot niya. "May sundo ka ba?"

"Huh? Wala naman. Bakit?"

Ngumuso ito. "Para kasing ayaw mong makasama ako. Please tell me I'm thinking wrong."

"Of course not." She wanted to but it's raining. She prefers to be alone. "Please don't think that way."

"Okay. Mauna na ako."

When she vanished in her sight, she sigh and look up. Patuloy pa rin ang buhos ng ulan. Parang lumalakas nga bawat segundo. Tinaas niya ang kamay at hinayaan itong mabasa ng ulan. It's night and Monday kaya medyo marami pa rin ang mga estudyante. Some of them run—making their bag as an umbrella.