Raindrops, I'm Falling

Song Inspiration:
Enchanted by Taylor Swift

—

It's the first week of April. I thought it's summer already but the weather's fucked up it's been raining hard for days now. Titila paminsan, uulan ulit.

I've finalized my edits na na-assign sa akin this afternoon para makauwi na. Ako na lang mag-isa dito sa office ng School Publication. My Associate Editor just went a while ago.

Tinignan ko ang oras sa wall clock na nakasabit, above the rack full of the school's magazines. It's half-past six. Medyo madilim na nga, tingin ko sa bintana.

Niligpit ko na ang mga gamit ko after i-shut down ang computer, picked some pieces of paper na nakakalat sa sahig and tossed it in the trash can.

It's raining kaya glad thing may dala akong payong, credits sa paranoid kong ina. Kinuha ko ito mula sa bag ko before zipping it close. I final-checked the office before walking out, and closed it. Ilang beses ko siniguradong nai-lock ko ng maayos ang pintuan nito.

The school is very quiet now. I fully zipped my jacket at sinuot ang hood nito, feeling the cool air outside. I opened my umbrella and started walking papuntang exit.

"Oh, Michael Angelo 'di ka pa pala nakakauwi? Gabi na," nagulat ako sa school janitor namin. He calls me by my full name. He is wearing his uniform, bringing in his hands a mop and a bucket.

"May tinapos lang sir, paper works," sagot ko sa kaniya, smiling. Medyo madumi na ang jumper niya, mukhang kalilinis niya lang rin sa kabilang CR.

"Ah, ganoon ba. Busy? Aba'y malapit na nga pala ang release ng magazine ano," he asked bringing his right hand to his waist with the bucket hanging.

"Huwag mo akong kalimutan bigyan ng copy, ah. Aba't abid reader ako," masigla niyang sabi, almost laughing.

"Of course po," masaya kong tugon bago ako nagpaalam sa kaniya.

I stepped out papuntang school plaza. Ang lakas ng tama ng ulan sa payong ko. Medyo nababasa pa ako dahil sa dalang hangin nito. The jacket really helped. I should listen a lot to my mom now.

Wala na masyadong tao maliban sa iilan na nakatambay sa cafeteria, probably waiting for the rain to stop. Good luck on that, though. Mukhang matagal-tagal pa 'to.

I went straight ahead papuntang gate, nagmamadali na akong makauwi dahil baka nag-aalala na si mama. It's a bit lame, but I love her I don't want her worried.

I was walking fast, one hand holding the strap of my back pack, the other my umbrella —nang may napansin akong nakatayo sa waiting shed. She was alone, except the school guard of course.

Nang makalapit lang ako bago ko siya namukhaan. It's Eleanor.

I stopped in front of her, about five feet away para hindi siya mabasa ng tubig galing sa dala kong payong. Hindi niya ako agad napansin as she was looking at her feet probably zoning out.

She was hugging herself. Nakatupi ang long-sleeved niyang uniform to her elbows. Engot talaga, alam namang malamig.

I motioned my foot like kicking her para makuha ko ang mata niyang nakatingin sa ibaba. She snapped back finally knowing I was there.

"Oh, kanina ka pa nakatayo dyan?" tanong niya, eyebrows raised and still hugging herself.

"I'm the one who should be asking," sagot ko. She just pursed her lips and turned her head back down again, nodding.

Eleanor is my classmate. Hindi kami particularly close. A lot of our batchmates think we see each other as enemies. She's also vying for top kase. I mean there's competition, but only inside class. I'm not that hungry for recognition. Besides, I know and accept na she's above me in terms of acads.