I figured that moving into this apartment would help me find him or help me move on from him, but it wasn't doing either. It was raining again, but I wasn't bitter anymore. I loved the rain, something Aleks and his wandering soul wouldn't take from me.
I was a long way from my old loft, a completely new territory to explore in the rain.
I found myself treading down the cobblestone sidewalk, rain streaming down my hair and onto the ground like a waterfall.
The streets were empty, but the public radio that had speakers connected throughout this radio hummed a relaxing song that seemed to intermingle with the downpour.
My makeup was already streaming down my face, a prime reason why I rarely wore makeup on these walks.
I always thought the graffiti-ridden downtown area of Seattle was beautiful opposed to others feeling as though it was dangerous.
Dangerous. It hit me like a truck, remembering those first words Aleks spoke to me. Remembering every word Aleks spoke to me, remembering my heart cracking as I read his note.
I crossed the street and headed back the other way, the rain was coming down in curtains and I couldn't see anything.
I made it to a streetlight by an alcove and stood waiting for the rain to die down again.
Against the wall by the next streetlight down the road was a figure clad in a leather jacket with the sleeves pushed up, smoking a cigarette. The rain began to slow just enough, and I squinted at his arm.
I felt like I got slapped in the face as my eyes rested on an astronaut tattoo, Aleks' astronaut tattoo.
Of course, I ran to him. By the time I got to the light, there was no trace. Not even a lingering scent of cigarettes. I sank down against the wall, head in hands. The rain mixed with tears streaming down my face, I couldn't tell which was which.
Had I actually gone crazy? Was Aleks even fucking real?
Someone walked past, I didn't look up. They walked back. Past again.
The stopped in front of me and I heard them kneel down.
"Look, I'm fucking fine okay? I don't need an umbrella and I know my way home. Just kindly fuck off."
"Well honestly, I tried. You're hard to stay away from, Maya. It's like when the rain falls it's singing to me, leading me towards you. The farther I get, the louder it sings. I always find my way to you when it rains."
I lifted my head up, obviously looking a mess.
My voice cracked. "Aleks?"
He crashed his lips onto mine, holding me to him as the rain fell down on us harder.
If the rain was singing to him, it was playing a symphony for me.
fin.
