Rain droplets are everywhere.
I smiled and inhaled the scent the rain clashed together with the soil and road.
I enjoy the rain. It makes me calm and the smell of it makes it better. It sets myself at ease. Everything let go, not tied-down.
I walk out of the apartment every time it rains, day or night, but this particular night was raining.
I took a stroll down the roads; Cars, buses, trucks all busily traveling to their destinations. Mine, just a few blocks down.
I clenched my umbrella due to the strong wind; Another reason why I loved the rain.
The wind caresses my face and messes up my hair. I felt like holding the wind and have it take me away. The wind is free, able to travel wherever it desires.
These were the only reasons I could find to love the rain.
I walked and continued walking while humming a familiar tune that's been stuck in my head. I then saw a shelter and walked up to it. Maybe a short break will do.
I sat on the benches and observed my surroundings.
I lived in the Central-Town area, thus, it always being busy. People hurried by, some even stopping by the shelter to rest after a run in the rain, some stopping by to wait the rain out and sit on the bench I was on. Whatever it was, the streets down around here never seem to die down. I sighed and stared at the rain dripping from the roof. The rain just seems to pour heavily. I looked around when groans and complaints were heard.
Some started hailing cabs, some continued running, some surfed through their phones.
Avoiding the rain.
I heard a huff and stared at the person sitting next to me. I gave a small smile before gazing back to the rain drops.
"Excuse me.." I looked back to him when I heard his soothing voice and I hummed a response.
"Do you think I could borrow your phone? I want to make a phone call out to someone but mine's busted by the rain." I nodded and took my phone out and gave it to him. "Thanks.." I heard him say before he dialed a number.
"Hello? Dude, come pick me up. I'm stuck in the rain..." I stare at the rain. "I'm down by Leustern Road.. Some sort of shelter. Now! Please just fucking come.. I'm soaking wet... I borrowed from someone, mine's busted." I looked at him and he did the same to me. "Thanks dude... Bye."
"Thanks for that.." He gestured to my phone after he gave it back and I shook my head saying, "No problem."
"Uh..Why are you here? Stuck in the rain too?" I shook my head. "I was having a night walk." "In the rain?" I nodded and lifted my umbrella. "You?" "Just got off a meeting and was supposed to meet my best friend down somewhere but I got lost. It started raining too so I guess you could say I had it pretty bad." I laughed and he continued staring as he joined in the laughter soon after. "Do you always walk out late at night?" I shook my head. "I do it only when it rains." He looked at me funnily and I raised my eyebrow. "What?"
"You enjoy the rain?" I nodded.
"I love it. Everything about it."
"Why?"
"It calms me.. It takes my mind away from certain things.."
"Like what?" He continued staring and I looked to my lap. My fingers playing with the handle of my umbrella.
"Sorry,"
"No, it's okay.. I understand. You're just curious." He nodded and leans forward while crossing his fingers together.
"Where do you live?"
"Down the street.." He nodded and I stared at him. He had smooth looking hair, if that was one way to put it. It looks really untouched, unbothered, despite being rustled around by the rain.
"I have always enjoyed the rain.." He stopped moving altogether. "But ever since I started working for my father, I had lesser time to actually play in it." I gave him a small smile and stood up.
"Why did you rush in here then? Why didn't you just enjoy walking in it?" I asked and faced him.
"Being in this suit, layered up, for that matter, isn't gonna be very comfortable for the aftermath." I laughed and pulled him up.
"Take it off." "What?" He looked at me incredulously. "You heard me, take your suit jacket off." He slowly did that and I pulled him up.
He was slightly taller than me, I noticed. Large, rough, palms as well.
I pulled him out in the rain and looked at him to see him smiling. I smiled in return and turned in the rain with my arms out. He did the same and we both laughed. People around ignored us as we jumped and splashed in the rain.
We were all smiles and giggles but soon got tired and retired back to the bench, even more drenched than before.
We both panted and looked at each other.
My heart pounded and I frowned. I never would've thought something like this would happen. The sound of rain and the sound of the man's voice brought me back.
"What's wrong?" I shook my head and he nodded.
"That was fun.. Thank you. It's been a really long time." I smiled at him.
"You're very welcomed and I too would like to thank you for actually accepting my request to jump around in the rain." He laughed and replied with, "It's nothing."
Nothing.
I stared at this man right before me and my heart slowly warmed up. I knew having feelings for this man wouldn't mean anything because all I am ever gonna be is probably rejected. We are going to go in our separate ways and never talk to each other again.
A car pulled up in front of me and we both stood up.
"My ride's here.." I nodded and we both headed to the car. The car was of a beautiful matte black.
"Hop in.. I'm gonna give you a ride home." I looked at him amusingly.
"What? Afraid that Im going to turn out to be a murderer?" We both laughed and I shook my head.
"I don't want to leave so soon. Besides, treat this as my repayment for your phone." He looked at me with puppy eyes and I rolled my eyes. "Fine, I'll ride with you." And hopped in the car and lead the way to my apartment building.
"So.. Thanks again for the ride." He shook his head and smiled at me for the nth time.
I got out from his car and the car drove off after a few waves goodbye. The feeling of sadness was heavy upon my heart but I couldn't do anything about it. I was just another passerby.
I slowly walked up the door and took the lift up to my apartment. My shoes soaking into my socks and carpet.
I unlocked the door to my apartment and stepped in. Took my shoes off and hung them up by the window and headed for the showers afterwards, everything made me relaxed. I soon got to my bed and fell asleep, thinking and hoping to dream about him.
*
When I woke up, I checked my phone to see that I received a message.
-Hey. It's me. The guy you went rain dancing with? I got your number from my best friend from when I called him from your phone. I thought that maybe we could hang and grab coffee later on?-
I smiled and rearranged my thoughts.
He's going to be another one of the reasons why I loved the rain.
