Episode 18: Umbrella 2

Practice was canceled. The reason? Of course, it's because of the rain. But we have a covered court, you may say? Well, there's this leaking rain that comes from the roof. So that water falls into the court, making it slippery. It defeats the purpose of a covered court, right?

"Desmond, I'll be leaving early, okay?" my colleague from the basketball team said.

"Take care, Harry. I'll be beating you soon!" I said boastfully. "You better practice at home or something."

"Heh, I look forward to that." he waved his hand goodbye and left the hallway.

I went back inside our classroom and picked up my bag. It has been raining all day. It's a surprise that class is not suspended. Maybe tomorrow, perhaps.

I took her heavy bag, left the classroom, and walked a floor above me. Although we're in the same class, Rita has visited the upper floor because of something. If I were to guess, it would be friends… or past classmates. I don't know. Not in the position to think.

As I reached the classroom I saw Rita lying on the ground. She had her phone lifted and she seemed to be playing something. The others were a guy who's sitting on a chair playing the same game and the other girls, scattered around.

"Oh, come on!" Rita kicked the guy's leg.

"Too easy." The guy moved a little farther. "Do good next time lol."

"Uhm." I cleared my throat. It took the attention of Rita's friends, except her.

"Rita, your bf is here," one of the girls said.

"Oh come on, let's go again!"

"Rita." I raised her bag and smiled a little.

"Ugh, fine." She turned off her phone and stood up from lying. That somehow made her wiggle while walking towards me. "You win bro." She took her bag from me.

We walked together while leaving the room. I could feel the stares coming from her friends and the dark aura that Rita has manifested. In spite of that, all I did was comb my hair using my hands. Such a carefree way of evading this intense air. Perhaps I'll be faced with something worse later for ignoring.

"You should have joined us, it was fun," Rita said as we walked down the stairs.

"You know that I can't play those games." I replied. "And besides, my phone sucks for that."

"Oh, yeah. You should have upgraded like I told you."

"It's much better to save the money for the future than spending it on my own entertainment." I explained.

"It could be 'our'," Rita debated. "Meh, it's useless talking it out to you. We had this conversation before already." she gave up.

"You're right." I concluded.

We walked on the pathway that leads to the gate. The branches of the trees swayed, going along with the wind. I tried to cover my eyes using my hands as the gust was strong. Rita's hair waved; her short hair has grown somehow, now. Why am I even realizing that now?

We reached the gate, exiting the school. I continued to raise my hands, covering my face. And just then, something unexpected came down.

"Is that…"

"Rain!" I exclaimed, instantly spinning my bag from back to front and checking for an umbrella. Even with my abrupt movement, Rita managed to get a hold of her own parasol. I, on the other hand, have seen mine, except the events from the past valentines had suddenly played through my mind. As such, I have decided.

"Oh, crap." I acted and closed my bag.

"Here," Rita offered her umbrella. I walked closer to her.

"Whew. I wonder where've I left it."

"Your grand appearance meant nothing," Rita stated. "Looking back, it seems awkward."

The rain continued to pour. We walk on the sidewalk next to the highway. It was a busy street; the traffic piled up. If I were to guess, some accident happened along the way. Although I hope that's not the case.

I can feel Rita's stare at me while I ponder around the surroundings. And so, I paid it back by looking at her too.

"What?" I broke the silence.

"You're jealous." Rita stated. "Aren't you?"

"Huh?" I started searching my brain. What was she talking about? Is this something related somewhere? Maybe she's joking with me? A lot of questions started to arise from just a single statement.

"Oh, you wanted to play the game with me," She continued. "Aren't you?"

"I thought that we're done with that?" I tried to reason. Although I barely can comprehend what she means. "Could you stop with that?"

Rita squinted her eyes, as if analyzing every action I did. Even so, we continued to walk like we're the only ones in the world.

"So you're not?" Rita tried to assure. "Aren't you?"

"Stop with that 'aren't you' too, please." I explained. "And besides, why would I? I'm walking here, together with you. That's much better than playing some game I can't get along with."

Rita stopped staring and decided to look forward. I did the same, after all, we might hit someone or something along the way.

"They say that a partner who doesn't get jealous doesn't really love you." Rita added.

"Who did?" I asked, in curiosity. Of course, I have someone in mind.

"My mom."

"I figured," I said. While walking, I tried to come up with a better reply. In the process, a car caught my attention. Not only that, I also saw a puddle next to us.

In instinct, I moved. I grabbed her by the shoulder and covered her by myself. I got a hold of the umbrella to try reducing the stain on my clothes, although I'm not sure if it helped.

"Wha-" she squealed.

I felt the wetness on my back. I gave her back the umbrella and let go of her shoulders.

"I'm not sure about this but doesn't this look like genuine love?" I used a line I heard from a movie. Albeit those aren't the exact words, I guess.

"You could have just warned me and we'd move away from it!" Rita scolded. "Now you're wet!"

"Uh," I'm speechless. "Yeah."

And so she continued to scold me while we walked home. All these feel natural to me, maybe my father did this to my mother before. Who knows. I just hope everything goes well for the two of us.