After the rain

Infallible

  Welcome.

  Welcome.

  Welcome.

  To the world.

  The first bout of rain is over. The storm has only started. There is a little light now. I see it. The strings of time which twist, turn and intertwine. In the end none of us could understand them.

  I think you fail to understand this trial I face. The competition and the exams that haunt my nightmares. It is a mere pebble in the face of problems like war and poverty, yet it was enough to injure me. I have never been bullied. I was always so sheltered.

  I am so weak.

  But I thought I was infallible.

  That night they looked at me like haunted souls from another world. Wasting away their youth on cigars. The alcohol sapping away their strength. In their eyes was hurt and deprevation, and a hint of what I had seen in Luke's pupils.

  I'm sorry I couldn't defend myself.

  I'm sorry for being pathetic.

  I'm sorry for being myself.

  I'm not infallible, so just this time, I'll make a request. 

  Len, can you save me from this hell?

——————————————————————————————————————————————

  A thousand paper aeroplanes flying through the wind. That became my sole source of entertainment. 

  1 x 2 = 2

  2 x 3 = 6

  6 x 4 = 24

  24 x 5 = 120

  What is tangent of 90 degrees?

  In the end Daniel and I were both studying for the sake of survival. Not because we liked the subject. But I think econs was an exception. It was more than just a subject, it was my purpose in life.

  I was in the library practicing math.

  'Hey Len, I need help with math,' her sweet voice filled the room.

  What is the tangent of 90 degrees?

  I showed her my answer.

  Oh thanks Len! You're so smart.

  (And you're so kind)

  Len, what's sin 90°

  1.

  Why was she asking me these basic questions? I learned them when I was 15.

  Sorry Len, my foundation in math is pretty bad. I was from a school in the countryside you see. The school took me in solely because I was good at literature. But now I've got to pass math ass well, don't I?

  Harsh sunlight was seeping in through the arched windows of the library. Glass panels on the other side provided little or no protection. The light in the library was bright enough.

  Light in itself is necessary. But like fire, too much of it can hurt your eyes.

  That's what Skye said.

  Let me try these questions on my own. A moment of silence came between us as I resumed my math practice.

  'Hi Len,' a voice shook me.

  I looked up and I saw him. As you would've guessed, it was Daniel.

  'I haven't seen you in weeks.'

  'But I'm standing in front of you now.'

  I smiled.

  He smiled.

  Skye smiles.

  The harsh sunlight did not fade. But at the very least there was someone here beside me to face it. Even if our paths part, we would've faced this part together and emerged victorious together. In the end, no matter where we were, no matter how tired or upset we were, we would always come back, just light strings from the same shirt.

  And you too, Skye. You came back.

  'It's finally over, we won the competition!'

  Cool.

  Daniel collapsed on the chair. He didn't seem too comfortable but it was enough for him. 

  I'm sorry, Daniel, I'm sorry for not noticing earlier.

  We stared at each other for a while. I looked into his dead pupils and he looked into my remorseful ones. I think we had finally reached a mutual understanding.

  He took out his economics textbook.

  Len, I don't get this, can you explain it to me?

  'I can,' a shaky voice came from the stairs. 

  From there emerged a beautiful girl who was so slim that the XS shirt looked loose on her. Her arms were tan and toned, more so her legs.

  'Hi Jenni,' we greeted her in unison.

  She took a seat next to Daniel while blushing slightly.

  'Jenni, you're unwanted here!' Skye teases her jokingly.

  Of course not.

  Our textbooks covered the table. Our worksheets littered all over the floor.

  And we laughed like 5 year olds who went to school without homework.