When it Rains (Completed)

CHAPTER 8

There was no second that I didn't swear in my mind until he finally left and was lost in my sight. It was my first time getting mad for straight hours because of him. He's treating me like a child going to a pre-school, while others seemed to take it in the other way, but I tried to ignore them and entered the room, instead of glaring back at those malicious eyes.

"Inis ka ata. Should we talk about it or nah?" Lori asked.

"Maybe—"

"Who's that guy? You didn't tell me may jowa ka na pala."

"What do you mean, Lori?" I said as my brows furrowed in surprise. "Look, he is the brother of my Kuya's fiancé. He's looking over me while my family's away, but he's treating me like a pre-school kid. Sino ba hindi maiinis?"

"Oh, I see," she nodded. "But, hey, he's a head-turner brother-in-law. Can I have him instead?"

"Lori, is that really you?"

"Just kidding. Studies first, as I promised."

If she meant what she said, I would be really surprised. Lori's not like that since we've been friends. The last thing I heard she was in love with was a senior who graduated last year and was never seen again after that. Saklap.

After class, we headed to the cafeteria to get our lunch. We were kind of surprised when we saw a bunch of couples at their tables, only for me to realize that Valentine's Day is approaching. Luckily, we found a vacant table, but unfortunately, it's in the middle of a sea of couples. Haven't they reminded themselves that we are on school premises? It's not that I'm completely annoyed, but the fact that they're publicly displaying their affecti— nevermind. I guess, I have to mind my own business instead.

"Mapagkamalan naman tayo na magjowa rin dito, dalawa lang pa naman tayo dito sa table," sabi pa ni Lori pero balewala lang ako ang kumain nang mapayapa.

Naunahan ko namang matapos sa pagkain si Lori kaya inantay ko lang saglit hanggang sa may napansin akong nawawala sa tabi ko. "Lori, have you seen my umbrella? Nasa tabi ko lang naman 'yon," I asked while I looked for it left and right.

"No, umbrella ko lang andito."

Nilingon ko rin sa kabilang table at sa likuran pero wala akong matanaw na dark blue umbrella. I should not lose it, dahil special yun sa 'kin. Bigay yun sa akin ni Tita, ayaw kong mawala 'yon.

"You can have mine if you need it—"

"Lori, I can't lose it. Nakita ko pa yun dito, promise, hindi ako nagmimisplace ng gamit unless may kumuha..."

Palinga-linga ako sa paligid ko, nag-aantay na may magbubuklat ng payong sa labas hanggang sa nakita kong may nagbuklat ng pamilyar na payong. Agad akong tumayo at dali-dali sinundan ang may hawak ng payong ngunit lumayo naman siya at napahinto na lamang ako sa dulo ng silong ng cafeteria.

Tumabi naman sa akin si Lori, hingal, at inabot ang kanyang payong. "I'll chase her," sabi niya ngunit inagaw ko na lang ang payong saka ko binuklat. She even called me, but I got the courage to walk in the rain.

I knew I could feel the anxiety creeping in, feeling the goosebumps all over my body, but I didn't stop chasing the girl. "Hey, excuse me!"

She didn't stop either, and was walking much faster than she had. Nang maabutan ko siya, sinubukan ko patigilin siya ngunit nagulat ako sa bigla niyang ginawa.

Her hand swayed in the air and hit the umbrella I was holding. In a blink of an eye, the umbrella fell on the ground and my body started to soak in wet.

I knew she had said something in front of me. She was mad and yelling at me, but the only thing I could hear was endless screams of people asking for help as the raindrops rushed down on my face. My mind flashes back to familiar scenes again, worsening the panic inside me. I could feel my body beginning to freeze, but as I tried to resist it, the next thing I knew, I was already on the ground, screaming even though I couldn't hear my own voice.

It was a blurry sight, yet I saw figures running towards me just before unconsciously putting myself into sleep.

As I escaped myself from being trapped in an endless dark abyss, I woke up looking at the white ceiling, which I'd seen before. When I looked around, it was a familiar room, and I finally recognized it. I'm here again.

"Never knew na magkikita pa tayo, Mr. Toralba."

I really find her creepy as hell. She looks like a serial killer dressed in nurse's attire. Every time she tries to sound nice, it gets scarier. That's why I despise returning to this place.

Agad kong napansin na sando nalang ang damit na ang suot ko sa pang-itaas. Saka ko naalala ang lahat na nangyari bago ako napadpad dito.

"You seemed to be okay. BP seems fine. Do you feel something?" she asked, and I quickly shook my head.

"If there's nothing, you can go home with your boyfriend."

Furrowing my brows once more. I'm not sure who she's talking about. I was about to speak when someone entered the room and ran towards me. "Flynn."

She immediately gave me a hug. "Sorry, Flynn. I-I let this happen to you," sabi niya at humagulgol sa pag-iyak.

Tinahan ko naman siya. "Lori, wala kang kasalanan. 'Kay? Stop crying," sabi ko ngunit ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago siya tumigil sa pag-iyak.

Sabay kaming lumabas ng infirmary dala ang medyo basa kong uniform. Lori already brought my things to me from my locker, para hindi na raw ako aakyat pa sa building. Ayaw ko namang ginawin sa lamig ng panahon maya isinuot ko ang jacket ko. Nahirapan pa ako kaya nagpatulong ako kay Lori.

"Flynn?"

I heard a familiar voice behind me, and when I looked back, it was him, again.

"Sorry, I'm so late," sabi niya at lumapit sa akin. He drew closer and wrapped his arms around my body.

Something was odd at the time. I wore my jacket to keep warm in the cold, but everything felt warmer after he hugged me.

My mind was at ease. Something in his chest was pounding loudly enough for me to hear. The clock's ticking became slower this time, which I find odd.

After that short moment, I pulled myself together and my gaze was drawn back to his.

"Are you feeling tired? So we can go home," he asked—even the way he spoke, it was slower than it should be.

I simply gave him a nod and followed him. As we left the place under his umbrella, I waved goodbye to Lori.

We went home, and as I took another step into the room, my body got heavier and heavier. Sobrang drained talaga ako, kahit gusto kong magsalita pero nawalan na ako ng gana.

Naupo na lang ako sa couch agad-agad at nakaidlip. May sinabi pa siya pero hindi ko naintindihan pa kahit yung pagtahol ng alaga niyang aso.