Pink Umbrella (A Short Story)

The Night We Met

Cameron would always be one time for their date, ever since their first date he would always wait for 30 minutes for her. Today, this would be the last time he would wait for her. He would always buy her favorite flower when they would go on dates, a beautifully arranged tulips lay flat on the table. He loved her dearly, never missing a day without thinking of her. He never wanted to end it with her, his life was perfect when she came. There were times when it was too much for him, a sad soul trying to love another broken being with a pure soul.

He met her on a rainy night alone in the streets, apparently she was dumped by her boyfriend and had no ride going back.

He approached her and covered her with his pink umbrella, "A beautiful lady crying in the streets, is such a sad sight. My apologies for barging in your moment, but I couldn't help it to leave a lady soaking in the rain alone."

The girl shouted at him, "Just fucking leave me be! You're just another pretentious person!"

Astonished by the anger in her voice he calmly said, "Fine sorry for my pretentious voice and shit, this is me loud and clear. I just can't help seeing a sad person alone, who is in danger of getting sick or harming them self."

The girl laughed sarcastically, "What's your fucking business and why do you care that much? You know what, you are just like them! You fucking think of yourself as a knight in shining armor, who needs to save the princess! We don't need to be fucking saved all the time!"

Trying to control his temper he thought of an intellectual response, "I'm not a knight in shining armor, it's obvious that they don't duel that much if their armor is still shiny and new. I'm a knight with a rusting armor trying to protect a civilian from danger. I think men are entitled to save damsels in distress, I would rather assist them and fight alongside with them on my armor that has shown war damages."

The girl said, "You have a way with your words, your persistent but I still don't trust you." He said in an annoyed voice, "Oh fucking, would you just stand there and go home."

The girl already done with her moment said, "Fine I'm leaving. So get going."

As he is about the leave, he couldn't help but wonder if she would be okay to be left alone. He decided to take a risk and assist the girl home. "I was raised by my mother to be polite and gentle, as she told me that people already have a war going inside them. So I can't help myself to leave you be, let me at least assist you on your way home or walk you home."

The girl exhausted and soaking wet responded, "Just so you know I won't fall for this old tricks in the book, fucking do something I don't like I will beat your ass; I practice judo for self-defense."

He couldn't help but to chuckle, "Okay I won't do anything weird, just don't bust my lips or break any of my bones."

She then took a deep breath, "It's settled then. My place is only a distance away, the fucking asshole took me out for dinner and dumped me here to break up. So do you have a car?"

Cam scratched his head and said, "I don't have a car, would you mind if we walked until I find us a cab to ride or maybe catch the late night bus?"

The girl then looked annoyed and said, "Fucking loser, fine let us walk in silence. Okay?"

Cam then cheerfully introduced himself, "That is settled then, but first my name is Cameron. You can call me Cam if you want, everyone calls me that."

The girl then introduced herself to him, "Melany, my friends call me Mel. Still don't you fucking call me that, I don't need another boy calling out my name just like that."

Cam then reassured her, "Okay, will you just calm down for a moment. I'm trying my best not to anger you anymore than you are."

Mel then quickly apologized, "Sorry, it's just that this night has been the worst one I have this week. Nice umbrella by the way, your mom gave it to you?"

Cam then defended his umbrella, "What's wrong with pink, everyone should be free to like any color they want without being judged or stereotyped due to gender influences."

Mel seems to be amused at him, "An intellect, I'm starting to be fascinated, but no. Just walk me home so the night can be over."

That was the night they first met, the one with the pink umbrella above their head. Watched over by the moon and stars hidden in the stormy clouds.

While lost in thoughts he was asked by the waiter if he would like to order anything or if his date is coming. "Just water please, she'll be here in 10 minutes or so." The waiter left him after serving ice cold water. Just as the ice would melt and tips the water off the glass slowly, that would be how Cameron felt.

Loving someone with your whole heart in the line will always be worth the risk with someone who does the same. It's the intense passion and feeling on giving everything to that one person, until everything that you do with them no longer makes you happy.

It's trying so hard to remain and try to work things out. Love is about two people working it all out, unfortunately for Cameron he has given up. His demons have won again. Every night when he was beside Mel, he would feel the void inside him growing bigger.

Depression is like getting mugged in an alleyway. You try to walk home safely until one day, you find yourself being held with a knife on your sides and then getting stabbed; if you are fortunate they will only beat you up and take your wallet. Loving Mel, wasn't enough to make him stay anymore. The way her hair smells, the unnoticeable dimples on her back that you will see when you look harder, her hazel eyes that showed wonder and infinite galaxies and how her voice would put him in a trance and into sleep, would no longer work.

He was thinking all of this and how this would be the last time he would hear or see Mel, breaks his heart just thinking of it.