Finals week is hell week for Rain. Endless sleepless nights and yet there never seem to be enough time to cover all the studying needed. He may be passionate about being a future doctor, but he really hated this constant sleep deprived state. To think that just a few days ago he was having the time of his life playing in the snow and posing for pictures under blooming Sakura trees.
"I'm so ready for this week to be over.", Rain whined as soon as he sat on the passenger side of the car he and River share.
"Aww my baby brother is whinny today. Let Ate* treat you to a milk tea." River consoled-teased Rain.
"For the millionth time, you're older by 15 minutes, not enough for me to call you Ate. I'll take the milk tea offer though. The sugar might put me in a better mood" Rain answered back.
Rain ordered Pearl milk tea with sweetness at 100%.
"Yessshhh, heaven in my mouth." Rain exaggeratedly exclaimed as soon as he had his first sip.
"Ewe, please don't talk while drinking, it's spilling at the side of your mouth." River handed him some tissues to clean his lips.
The twins have been seating for a few minutes at the milk tea shop enjoying their drink when Rain brought up Archer. "So, where's your boyfriend? Did he get tired of you and ditched you, so you had time to hang out with me today?" Rain tauntingly asked while smirking.
"Pfft, Archer will never get tired of me. Patay na patay kaya yun sa kin." (Love me to death) River confidently said to which Rain gave a disgusted reaction.
"Haba ng hair mo? **" Rain mockingly said.
"Did you forget that our facial features are almost the same? So, mocking my looks is the same as mocking yours. Anyway, he has a meeting with a jewelry brand for a collaboration thingy. Ash made him go." River rolled her eyes.
"I think that's just fair. You told me before that Ash started actively managing Essentiá when he was in 3rd of uni. Now that Archer's in his 3rd year, it's time for him to start too." Rain opined.
"Yes, well I do get that. It's just that I might get a lesser share of his time." Rain wanted to roll his eyes at River's statement but decided against it.
Rain held River's hand as he said, "I'm sorry River, I know I haven't been around since I started Med so you're kinda lonely. I thought Fallon and Archer can make up for that but now that Fallon's with Ash and Archer started working, they will have less time for you. I promise, I will try to hang out with you as much as I can. Okay?"
"It's fine Rain. I know how busy you are right now and it's really okay. I truly understand and I do appreciate the offer to spend more time. Thank you." River squeezed Rain's hand.
***
Rain's running late for a class, last class for this term. He woke up late and had to battle morning rush hour on top of missing breakfast. He decided to listen to music in an attempt to lessen his stress while driving amidst the morning traffic going to uni.
"Started to cry but then remembered I...I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand, talk to myself for hours, say things you don't understand. I can take myself dancing and I can hold my own hands. Yeah I can love me better than you can...Shit!"
Rain was singing his heart out to Miley's Flowers when the song was interrupted by a call connected to his car's audio. Looking at the console, he saw it's his classmate-friend Lucas
"Hey Luke?" he answered.
"Rain, last class with doc Jay's cancelled. Me and Reggie's headed to his clinic though. Reg wanted to seek advice on a case study. We'll meet you there?" Lucas asked.
"Ok but I might be late. Traffic's so bad today."
"No problem, dude." Lucas said
As Rain ended the call, he thought 'At least I don't have to rush myself. This day's looking better!' He smiled.
***
Rain's leisurely walking down the hospital's hallway on the way to meet his friends. He's texting River if she can meet him later since he's cleared for the day. Since he's focused on his phone, he didn't see the person that came out of an open doorway and bumped into him causing his phone to fly out of his hand and him to stumble a little. He frowned and was about to confront the person, but words left him when he saw who it was.
"We meet again Rain." Taylor mildly said as he grabbed at Rain's upper arms to steady him after they bumped into each other.
"H-hey." Rain unsteadily said. He then took a small step back to get out of Taylor's hold. He looked around to get an idea on what to say next. He then saw that Taylor got out from an ortho clinic.
"So, you're having a doctor look at your sprained foot?" Rain asked
"Yes, it's a follow-up actually. Had it checked the next day after I arrived here in Manila. Doctor said you did a good job binding it. Minimal swelling and good support." Taylor explained.
"It's good to hear. Sooo, are you going home now?" Rain inquired.
"Yes. How 'bout you? Are you here for a consult?" Taylor asked
"No, I'm attending uni here, med. But today, I'm just meeting a couple of friends at our Prof's clinic. Our last class with him got cancelled so we're just going to hang out before going home."
Taylor nodded before saying, "Do you have to meet them? I mean, I'm hungry...and I was hoping to take you out to eat. I haven't really thanked you properly for last time."
Rain did not even hesitate to nod and smile, "Lemme text my friends first." Then Rain looked around for his phone and found it near his left foot.
'Luke, I'm sorry I have to bail. I'll tell you later. Thank you.'
After sending the text he looked up at Taylor and told him, "I drove here. How 'bout you?" to which Taylor extended his forefinger as a wait sign as he dialed a number on his phone.
"Hello. You can go back po with the car. A friend will take me. Thank you po ***." Taylor ended the call and smiled at Rain. "I'm all yours now."
Rain wryly smiled because he was thinking: 'I wish it means what I'd like I'm all yours in between us to mean', instead he said, "Let's go."
Rain told himself 'This day is definitely getting better and better.'
A/N:
* Ate – Older sister in Filipino, same as Eonni/Noona in Korean, Jiejie in Chinese and Phi in Thai.
*Kuya – counterpart of Ate, older brother in Filipino, same as Oppa/Hyung in Korean, Gege in Chinese and Phi in Thai.
**Haba ng hair mo? – Literally translates to 'You have long hair?'. In the Philippines, it is an expression used to refer to a person with good looks (mostly females but also for gays). Example: when a girl has lots of suitors or has a suitor that is considered beyond her looks, assets or social status, her friends will comment 'Ang haba ng hair mo!', (You have long hair). I think it started from a shampoo commercial wherein they are implying that girls with long hair are noticeable/beautiful. For this chapter, the expression is used in question form, meaning Rain is questioning River's opinion on her physical attractiveness since she claims that Archer loves her to death.
*** Po/Opo – words used by Filipinos to their sentences/replies to questions to show respect to an elder or any person they respect. Mostly it means yes in a respectful way, but the meaning varies depending on how they were used in a sentence. Much like "ka" and "krub" in Thai.
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If I Let You Go
Romance"So, Rain, baby, just let me do this." He then pulled Rain to stand. "I told you, you do not have to do anything, you do not even have to move." Taylor then stepped closer and caressed Rain's face as he observes every detail of Rain's face. "Just st...
