closure

"Great," I mutter as heavy rain starts to pour down outside. "Just great."

I sigh in disappointment. The sun was shining brightly before I went to school earlier, so I thought I wouldn't need to bring an umbrella. Now, as I watch the heavy downpour outside, I realize how much of an idiot I am. I should've known better.

I lean back in my seat and close my eyes, feeling the subtle vibration of the bus that I'm riding. There are only a few passengers left, and all of them are seated in front. I, however, chose to be seated at the back.

Two stops left before I get off. This has been my route since my first day as a college student, so I'm pretty confident that I won't miss my stop even if I fall asleep.

But the thing is, I can't fall asleep. Not that I choose not to, my body just won't cooperate. Earlier at school, I was so bored to death during the lesson that I fell asleep multiple times. Got caught once, lost five points as a consequence. Now that I'm finally allowed to sleep, my body and my mind won't let me.

The bus stops, and I open my eyes to look out of the window. It's already past eight in the evening yet the streets are still teeming with life. I spot a group of students at the waiting shed, faces contorted with annoyance, uniforms dripping. I almost start to feel bad, but then I realize that I will be exactly like them if the rain does not stop by the time I get off.

Which, judging by the looks of it, won't be happening anytime soon.

So stupid of me for not bringing an umbrella, which might be the most important thing that one should have especially in a tropical country like this, where the weather is unpredictable. Way to go, Andy.

I let out another sigh and close my eyes again as the bus lurches forward.

One stop to go.

Somewhere at the front of the bus, a chorus of laughter penetrates the Twenty One Pilots song blasting through my earphones. Must be the newly-boarded passengers. I ignore them, tuning myself instead to the voice of Tyler Joseph.

Before I know it, it is time for me to get off. I stand up slowly, careful to keep my balance as the bus lurches to a stop. I sling my backpack to my shoulder and look outside the window for the last time.

Rain is still falling hard, but I have no other choice. I spot the waiting shed just a few steps away from where my bus is parked. Maybe I would be able to get there without getting wet if I run fast enough.

"Are you going to get off or not?" The driver gives me a nasty look. I give him a timid smile and bow my head as an answer. Then I walk towards the door.

With a deep, shuddering breath, I get off.

I run as fast as I could towards the waiting shed, but in a span of a few seconds, I'm already soaked. I mutter a string of curses as I reach the shed.

"What an unlucky day," I mutter to myself as I watch the bus leave. I turn around, and for the first time I realize that I'm not alone.

There, sitting on the bench is a man that I haven't seen for a long time. His head is bowed, his curly black hair obscuring his face but still, I know that it's him.

I could recognize him anywhere.

Razel.

It's been a year since I last saw him. I don't know what to say, what to do, or how to react. I'm not prepared for this. I swallow, heart beating fast, contemplating if I should stay here or risk getting sick because of the rain.

Before I can decide, Razel looks up and notices me for the first time. Our eyes meet, and my entire body goes rigid. I'm not the only one, though. It's written all over his face that he's as shocked to see me as I am towards him.