Glance of his (17)

Ayesha Point of View,

The next day, the soft rain became heavy rain. It has been proclaimed that the classes this afternoon will be cancelled because due to the typhoon. Everyone needs to be aware of its adverse effects because it was declared in the news and even the NDRRMC sent a message that our place is signal number two. The intense wind and rain were expected to be heavier than it was expected that might cause a flash flood.

Rain makes me joyful because many memories had created. The scent of rain lifts my mood. The scenery of all the leaves dancing and the trees glistening is very breathtaking. The sound of rain pattering on the roof is the most relaxing and delightful sound so imaginable.

But as my mind roamed around, I remembered my family, the livelihood of our family since my home town was one of the affected areas. My father is a farmer. That kind of work gave rise to me and my siblings and turned us into what we are right now and when my mother was still struggling as an engineer. Heavy rain is a hurdle for farmers and people living in low-lying areas. Crops might get damaged due to excessive rain and it may lead to enormous losses for the planters. The houses of people living in low-lying areas might get flooded with water and they may have to move out.

After hearing the news from our school principal that classes were suspended, I sent a message to my family asking how they are and they need to be safe.

Later that, I quickly got on to the faculty office to gather my things. As I was busy arranging my things, a familiar voice called me asking if I was heading straight home.

"Not yet. I will drop by in your coffee shop first," I answered.

He nodded and tag along with me going there.

We both dropped by the coffee shop. When we arrived there, the staffs are busy because there's a lot of customers. I went straight to the counter and buy my usual drink while Vener went to the staff room. I handed my payment but a staff named Jane refused, "It's on the house madam."

I looked confused. "What do you mean?"

She smiled and explained. "Sir Vener said that it should be on the house since you are a regular customer."

I nodded not asking any more questions. Jane looked at me as if she wants to ask something but chose not to ask. Later on, they handed me my coffee and made my way to go home. I was about to wait for a vehicle when suddenly a sports car stopped in front of me. Lowering the car's window made me see who's the driver.

My eyes went wide. "Hop in."

"Mr Costello," I didn't flinch anymore and got in the car. "Brand new?"

He scratched his head so hard. It seems he's hesitating to tell the truth. "It's yours? Don't be that shy."

"It's not mine. Our family owns this car. I just used it for the meantime," he said. Well, I didn't shock since they are business owners. "My mom wants to buy a car as a gift but I refused it. I preferred to ride a public vehicle and have  a low key profile."

"Why not? Car is very useful, what if there's an emergency," I stated. I hope we all afford to buy a new car. If I we're to buy, it's going to be an instalment.

"Yeah. But I want to buy using my own money. I want to have one because it's not from another's a gift or something else," he bitterly mumbled. His every word seemed to have some meaning to it but I chose not to asked another question. I don't want to cause some trouble, that's why I diverted the topic.

"Where's your dog? I don't see him anymore," I asked curiously.

"Toti? I left him to mom. I was always out and no one would take care of him." Our conversation goes on. It just stopped when he dropped me by in front of our building.  According to him, he would not go home to his unit, instead, he would go home straight to their family house.

Dear myself,

I remember those days when I was still a child that when it rains, I want to run out and dance outside of the house and play with the rain.

There are times that I forgot to bring an umbrella or raincoat and suddenly in the afternoon, it will rain. I have no choice but to left all my things in the locker not minding if I have assignments to do, only my lunch box was I'm going to bring back home. I don't mind if my mother got angry because I was soaked and might get sick. She will urge me to take a bath.

One thing that I remember is one of those days, the entire class was ecstatic because it was raining. Everyone was leaping, laughing, beaming and a few of my classmates tore pages from their paper or notebooks and made fashionable paper boats. I was the one who loves doing it when it rains. I feel excited.

After that, my classmates and I floated our boats in the little puddles outside the window. As our boats drifted in the water, it made us glad, bounce and giddy. We even, made a deal if who owns the boat that gets engulfed first.

I even grabbing raindrops from the window and throwing them with our other classmates and did it as well.

We just behave when our teacher entered the classroom after a little while and everyone returned to their seats, being afraid of getting scolded. When she proclaimed a holiday since classes were suspended and the rain was projected to increase in intensity over the next few days, with enthusiasm, we all jump from our seats.

We gathered our belongings, put on our raincoats and hurried outside the classroom to take in the rain. We hopped and danced our way back home in the rain.

Those are those days that I was so innocent.

Happy,

Ms A