Umbrella

It was raining and it was afternoon. I pressed my nose onto the glass window and stared at the droplets that hit it mercilessly. My stomach growled so loud that I prayed to God that no one would hear it, or at least for the rain to stop. Afternoon was my luch time, for I hadn't had time at noon to eat anything. I mostly spent my lunchbreak to do my study. Senior year was rough. Any free time you had was a waste if you didn't spend it on calculating the vector problems or memerizing Algae's names.

" Would you like to go to the minimarket and grab something to eat?" said a voice behind me, distracting my thought.

I turned around and found Ariana, my high school, and my cram school friend, smiled at me as she leaned against the classroom door.

" It's raining outside," I said, glancing at the rain

" We could borrow an umbrella," she said

I shrugged her a 'yes' and followed her downstairs. The receptionist table was already crowded with people, discussing homework. Ariana squeezed through the crowd and talked to Mrs. Lia, the receptionist, and borrowed an umbrella.

" Where are you going, Ri?" asked Charlotte just before we managed to open the front door.

" The minimarket, wanna come along?" Ariana replied

" Sure! I was waiting for you to ask me! Hey, Lingga, would you like to go too? You're hungry too, aren't you?" said Charlotte

Lingga raised from the couch he was sitting and swayed his steps toward us. " Sure!" he said eagerly. We walked out the door and Ariana started to open the umbrella. The umbrella was too small for four of us.

" It won't fit for us all," I said under my breath

" I think I brought an umbrella, wait a minute," said Lingga as he rushed inside. Before we knew it, he came back with a red umbrella opened wide.

I didn't know the decision happen, but before we knew it, I ended up sharing an umbrella with Lingga, walking far behind Ariana and Lingga who were busy chatting with each other. It wasn't that I didn't like Lingga, he was such a nice friend, but it was awkward for me, and for him too I bet. We looked like a couple, and I thought he realized it too. Steps were taken towards the mini market with no other voice other than the raindrops, passing cars, and the distant chit-chats of Ariana and Charlotte. It was beyond awkward, and I had to keep up my pace with Lingga for he walked a bit fast.

" We sure look like a couple," he finally broke the ice.

" B-but we're nothing like it. We're just friends. Like..good friends,ha ha" I said spontaniously and regretted it for making the situation even more awkward. Ariana and Charlotte had reached the minimarket and went in without a glance toward us. I cursed them inside my head. Lingga didn't speak any word anymore till we reached the minimarket. I bought fried chicken, so did Ariana and Charlotte. Lingga just bought chips and cheese. The rain had stopped after we finished buying food. Charlotte and Ariana left us as if they forgot our presence. I was about to run toward them when Lingga opened his umbrella.

" But it's no longer raining," I said

He stared at me, " You're right," he said, almost whispering.

I threw my intention of chasing Charlotte and Ariana away. Lingga slowed his pace and we shared a quiet way back. Maybe rainy day wasn't always bad, I thought, smiling unconsciously. I glanced at Lingga ,and he was smiling too as he glanced back at me.