Rain, Rain Don't Go Away

New year's bliss passed by as the first day of school started rolling in with a brochure flying onto my face. The wind is weirdly harsh today, sure it's sometimes windy in Antipolo but sorry to break your temperature expectations of this city—It's usually scorching hot.

That aforementioned scorching heat is replaced by the freezing breeze along with multiple flying brochures attacking innocent bypassers. Someone from the journalism club must be having the worst day.

In our school, members of the journalism club pass out brochures on what to expect for the new semester. I guess they didn't expect the wind to spoil their plans today.

"Anong nakasulat?" Krissia peered behind me, trying to read the wrinkled brochure on my hand.

I quickly scanned it, "Intramurals, Foundation week, plus the valentine's event within that week."

"Oh yeah, February 14 is our school's anniversary," Aizhy said while trying to fight back the wind that keeps messing with her curls.

"Tangina, naka-gray ako this valentine's."

Aizhy looked at Krissia with pity who quickly brushed off Aizhy's expression, "Joke lang, black susuotin ko."

I laughed, our school always upholds the Valentine color coding a bit stricter than other schools. The reason is clear as day even if the sky right now isn't so clear. Anyways, it's because the school was founded on February 14.

Not sure if this is the same for every school but the colors Krissia mentioned have negative connotations. Gray being brokenhearted; Black being bitter. Perfect fit for her lack of romantic relationships these past few years.

"Ikaw, Mel anong kulay susuotin mo?"

I tried to recall what each color means in that event, when I realized I was literally holding the brochure full of information. I turned my attention to the "Valentine For A Lifetime" column to check the colors.

"Pink."

"Wow, umaasa?" Krissia stared at the meaning and side-eyed Aizhy. Speaking of her, she was deeply thinking about what color she would wear.

"Syempre dapat positive vibes ang atake ko sa Valentine's. I'm trying to act like a manifesting witch bitch from TikTok kaya Red."

"Kasing pula ng puso kong tumitibok nang mabilis para sa kanya," She ironically bit her pointer finger then brushed her hair behind. Napatawa ako nang malakas, Aizhy and her animated actions are such a treat I will always want to savor.

"Tama na sa Valentine's," Krissia groaned, the black color really does suit her attitude for the Valentine holidays.

"Mas malapit na ang intrams, saan kayo lalaban?" She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. This brawn freak has her mind on sports 24/7 although it's not that obvious since she doesn't speak about it that much unless it's Intramurals season.

"Next week na siya and I know for sure mga pre may distribution mamaya for the tryouts."

"I actually already know mine, nanalo ako ng Ms. HUMSS remember?" She's going to be the HUMSS candidate for Ms. and Mr. Intramurals. I already know the drill will be our section shouting her name at the top of our lungs and with our section's competitive nature, that'll be interesting.

"Edi ikaw na, Catriona Gray."

"Kaya ka ba mag gr-gray sa Valentine's kasi crush na crush mo ako na si Catriona Gray?" Aizhy joked. I felt my heart sink onto the floor. Normally that joke would be comedy gold, winning prices for the best joke to ever exist in 2025.

However, I couldn't help but hear Krissia's heart shattering into different pieces. She faintly smiled, attempting to also crack a joke just like the old days.

"Dapat pink suotin mo beh kasi asa ka."

I notice the atmosphere dampening and it's definitely not from the air, "I'm not going to join any activity. How about you, Krissia?"

"Kung may boxing lang edi yun na pinili ko pero I guess kahit anong available," She rolled her neck. "Parang gusto ko mag basketball, matangkad naman ako eh."

That's true, she's pretty tall for a pure Filipino woman—she's around 5 foot 9 inches. Last year we were at the same height, it seems that I've shrunk a few inches since that time.

"How about volleyball? Maraming girlies na gusto sa mga vball girlies," Aizhy suggested which I could see Krissia reconsider as she brought out her phone to note it down on twitter?

I'm not a nosy person, she's just right beside me and I'm at the perfect height to accidentally see what she's typing on her phone.

──────

Drafts:

@sialang:
I'm a simple woman really, a girl tries to tell me volleyball is hot. I play volleyball.

──────

This girl is really down bad, her way of typing suddenly transformed. Kadalasan kasi jeje typings niya. She speaks english in real life but she rarely does on social media so that earned her a look full of judgment. Move on, not simp on, Krissia.

"Baka nga, I mean I'm tall and strong enough to spike a ball," I wouldn't want to be a victim of her spikes. She's literally trained for boxing since she was 10! Same goes for Aizhy, she's not professionally trained in any sport yet her arm strength is scary.

"There's tryouts, maybe you don't even know how to receive a ball," I teased.

"Okay, marunong ako mag volleyball grabe ka naman sa akin."

"Sure, you mostly eat the corn dogs on the bleachers than play volleyball," I read the details of the Intramurals that's in the brochure. "Who are you fooling?"

"Tangina ano 'to corn dog slander?"

"No, it's Sia slander and I'm here for it," Aizhy cackled at Krissia's sour expression.

"Tignan niyo ako sa tryouts tatalunin ko lahat ng players doon!" That's why I like teasing her back at times. She gets pumped up when someone doubts her abilities, making her succeed in what she wants to achieve without failure.

Well, she failed to achieve one thing though... a better word pala is 'one individual' even with the crazy amount of our fake-doubting.

"Sige pag ikaw nag misreceive ilalagay ko yan sa tarpaulin."

"Ipa-billboard mo pa pre," Competitiveness most definitely possessed her. Mission accomplished, she's going to kill that tryouts.

"By the way, in the brochure it says that there's going to be multiple booths for foundation week but the marriage booth is only available on February 14," Singit ko sa away nilang 'di natatapos.

"Kaya ba minention mo yan para i-sign ka namin with STEM hottie sa marriage booth?" Krissia wiggled her eyebrows. I was debating whether to be upfront and say yes o maging makipot kahit saglit lang.

"Sure, only if he agrees."

The "pakipot" option evaporated into thin air—in this case violent wind. The wind picked up all of a sudden, resulting in more brochures coming to attack us. Hence, why we ran out of there despite the wind trying to push us back.

Is there a typhoon? This is not a normal wind activity. I honestly don't know how we survived our run to the HUMSS building. That was very dangerous.

"Shet, umuulan na," Krissia said, getting slightly wet by the rain. Because of the direction of the wind, the rain is invading the building's entrance like it's a student going to class.

"Buti talaga curly hair ako o iiyak talaga ako," Aizhy mused while she scrunched her hair.

I can't see anything right now, my glasses are covered in rain droplets. I wiped it using my uniform. I forgot to bring my wiping cloth and also my umbrella. Oh, I hope the rain will pass. If it doesn't, I won't be able to go home. Wala pa naman akong kakilala na taga upper puro lower friends ko expect...

"If the rain doesn't go away can I go with you? I'll repay you," I practically begged Mayi.

"Mel, I'm sorry I want to pero pupunta daw kami sa bgc as a family," She sighed. "Ayaw ko nga sanang sumama eh."

"It's okay, have fun in bgc."

"Sana," She slumped on her seat. I would too if my family was similar, goodluck to her.

Also, goodluck to me. If the rain doesn't go away I will be stranded in this building. Why is the HUMSS building the farthest away from the gate? That's the meanest thing that the architect did.

"Sa tingin niyo may papasok na teacher?" Tanong ni Krissia habang pinapanood ang ulan sa bintana.

"First day of school usually means walang papasok na teacher pero kailangan pumasok mga students," Aizhy was dramatically sprawled out on the cold floor.

"Nakakaantok yung ulan," She groaned.

"Tumayo ka nga diyan. Malamig na nga, nasa floor ka pa!" Krissia pulled her up; however, she persisted and stayed glued on the floor.

"Ayaw ko, nakakatamad."

Krissia rolled her eyes then pulled her up, dragging Aizhy to her seat. "Dito ka sa upuan mo matulog."

"I really hope the rain stops," I muttered while I sat down on my chair.

"Ba't ka nakanguso?" Quatro snaked his arms around my shoulder. His chin lay comfortably on the top of my head—he really is clingy. Pero hindi naman ako nagrereklamo, mabait kasi siya at ang comfy ng vibes niya so I did not push him off.

"How do you know I'm pouting when you're behind me?"

"Palagi ka kaya nakanguso," He teased.

"No, I do not!"

All of a sudden, he cupped my cheeks from behind, guiding my head to look at him. Our faces were inches apart yet I did not feel a single mis-tempoed heartbeat instead my eyes furrowed seconds away from huffing.

"See?"

"Nakanguso ka," His face slowly inched closer.

"Landi," Seth whistled, causing Quatro to back away from me.

"Parang hindi din malandi," He mumbled. Seth, who always hops between being an oa or a nonchalant, did not react even though I'm one-hundred percent certain he heard Quatro. Well, they're now having a conversation which means back to thinking my life away.

First thought, both of them have been friends for a long time so I can only conclude that Seth is used to it. Anyways, If I were to describe their relationship dynamic it would be, "babysitter x the baby." I think it's pretty distinguishable on who's who, Seth as I mentioned does not have a stable personality except for whistling a lot and of course, being a great person who always straightens up other people when they're acting out of line.

On the other side of the coin we have Quatro known as the impulsive fucker of UVDD. Need I say more?

Honestly, this whole section is filled with people with an insane amount of character. Which is now my second thought. Continuing on, some might share other characteristics but there's one thing that always makes them unique, making this section have multiple kinds of dynamic.

Strangely even with the abundance of individuality in this classroom, we all get along. Sure there are separate friend groups however that does not constrain us from being open to one another. We are so open, all of us know each other to the tee—okay maybe there are secrets we do not share even so we're not afraid to be ourselves.

Kung gagawa ako ng metaphor para sa klase na 'to I would relate it to the rain. Amidst the strong pour, where it seems gloomy. We have this classroom filled with individuals who radiate despite being hidden in the clouds.

None of us are that well-known, we do have popular classmates nevertheless if we compare it to the other sections this class is a hidden gem waiting to be found. HUMSS 1 creates a feeling of home—a safe place within the storm.

"Bwiset kumidlat!" Sigaw ni Queenie.

I guess my hope of the rain disappearing is the one that actually disappeared. Kung ayaw mawala ng ulan edi sana mawala na lang ang kidlat 'di ako makapag-daydream if it's loud roaring is interrupting every thought.

Seriously, my thought process has been going like: New year's reso—boom—Sia is focused on—boom—Oh Kirby has a—boom—AJ received a—boom—Leo looks—boom—Seth is smi—BOOM!

It keeps booming! Gosh thunder, let me finish my thoughts. Gusto ko lang naman bigyan pansin mga galawan ng kaklase ko tas suddenly I have thunder ASMR playing on my ears. The bad type of ASMR where you can hear the crunchiness of the low quality audio.

I swear that thunder is observing my every move and is mockingly cackling at me. Everytime I try to think about my surroundings, palagi siyang feeling close at sumisingit trying to get my attention. Sana 'di pumasok ang professor namin so I could sleep in this thunderous weather. Please.

That's the only wish that manifested today, all of our professors did not bother to clock in. Yes, none. Dapat masaya ako eh dahil pwedeng umuwi ng maaga...not. The thunder had stopped pestering us however the rain did not get the memo.

"Kung taga-lower ka lang talaga par sinabay na kita," Krissia patted my shoulder, muttering her condolences. Advance naman 'to!

"Ingat ka ha, Mel. Please if it's already thirty minutes at hindi tumigil ang ulan call the gc, okay?" Aizhy sternly said.

"Yes, I will. Don't worry," I assured them. They looked at each other sighing as they both waved me goodbye.

"At least, the rain's not that strong," I murmur to myself, watching the rain fall under the mini-shed beside our building's entrance. I would run under the rain if I wasn't such a coward, also the fact that I don't want to get wet.

Ganda sana eh, it's such a great opportunity to do the dancing under the rain often seen in romantic movies. Sadly, I hate this type of weather—I'm not those main characters that giggle while twirling around beneath the downpour and go, "Who could hate the rain?"

Me. I hate the rain.

"Please, go away," Repeat till true. I am so close to singing that one children's song that goes "rain, rain go away, come again another day" but please don't ever come at all. I only like rainy seasons when there's no classes and I'm cuddled up in my fluffy blanket while reading a good romcom book.

Minutes passed that means I am so close to giving up. Call me impatient, since 30 minutes had not passed. I don't care at this point, I want to go home. Is that too much to ask? I am not asking for another cliche moment, I just want to have the power to manipulate the weather so the rain can go bye-bye.

A simple wish, really.

Those twelve grapes would come in handy right now.

More minutes passed and I'm slightly going insane since the only sound I've been hearing is the raindrop hitting the metal roof over and over again. My perception is probably gone since I'm hallucinating as well. Like why is Zy holding an umbrella while walking towards the HUMSS building?

I blink.

He did not vanish.

I blink again.

He's closer.

I blink once more.

"Mel?" He's speaking!?

"Are you okay?"

I opened my mouth but no words came out. May theory ako, nakatulog ako habang nakaupo sa waiting shed at panaginip lang 'to kaya hindi ako makasalita. That seems possible.

"Mel?"

"Huh?" Am I lucid dreaming?

"You seem out of it...are you sick?" He pressed the back of his hand on my forehead, checking for my temperature. His touch seemed too real for this to be in my head.

I was awake.

I wasn't hallucinating.

Oh this is embarrassing.

"Your temperature is normal," He sighed in relief. I could only nod as a response—this is so awkward. Why did I think I was imagining him? Stupid.

"Do you have an umbrella?" Pansin kong meyron siyang bitbit na extra umbrella. It wasn't the usual color scheme he had; it was a soft pink umbrella adorned in lace embellishments. Definitely far from his general laid back, almost black and white, style.

"If I did, I would be home, reading..." That came out too snarky. I meant to sound disappointed, I guess I really am fed up with the rain.

He might take it the wrong way. I know my tone unconsciously did that however that is not an excuse for me to be cranky towards him. Despite my stress levels amping up, his heavenly giggle cleared my mind.

The pearly gates could open right now as I'm satisfied with my life.

Mel, ang dramatic n'un. Come back down, it's not your time yet.

"That was stupid of me to ask," Biglaang nawala ang ulan sa aking isip. The sun is right before me, giggling.

"Sandale hawakan mo 'to," He closed the umbrella he was holding then gave it to me.

"Wait for me."

Zy ran off inside the building while I was stunned. Tiningnan ko ang hawak kong payong na kulay lila. Purple nanaman? His little sister's influence on him is huge. I swung the umbrella since I was getting bored at the same time my phone's battery was low.

Doon ko naramdaman na may isang bagay na tumama sa aking pulsuhan. Oh, it's the keychain. I've never seen this up close so I never realized that it was a flower I'm very familiar with.

A hyacinth.

My brain is opening the delulu train and I'm stupidly hopping in with my destination being imaginary scenarios land. Choo, choo, loser, we're going daydreaming. How is his flower keychain coincidentally a Hyacinth? Walang masyadong purple na bulaklak pero kasi if he wanted a purple keychain he can opt for an ube themed one.

Hyacinth-themed merchandise is hard to come by so he must've bought it with intention, right? Right!?

No, let me logically break down the facts about his crush. Number one, he likes a boy; I'm a boy. Number two, from HUMSS section 1; I'm a HUMSS student at section 1. Number three, he clips this hyacinth keychain in random things just so he can carry it around; I'm the only one with a Hyacinth in my na–

Sandale lang... I'm having flashbacks on the first day of school introductions.

A tall boy stands up, straightening his polo. His smile can rival Zy's golden ones. What's more is he seems confident, already sure of himself. There was not a single nervous sweat dripping from his forehead—He was pristine, bright, and introduced himself as...

"Good morning everyone, I'm Nicole Yacinth Contretras. You can call me Cole."

Oh my gosh, I forgot Cole's second name! Paano ko nakalimutan eh palaging active yun sa gc, parang second home niya ang group chat namin. His name handle is literally Cole Yacinth in facebook.

He's only missing the letter H, still it sounds similar to Hyacinth. Also If I remember correctly Cole is part of the journalism club specifically the sports category. He always takes pictures for the official games including some of the practices.

That's not all, his name totally is in tune with Zy's type of having a crush on wattpad-sounding names. He's nicknamed Cole and did not derive from Nicholas or Coleton—it came from Nicole and his second name is misspelled... that's so "the author was feeling quirky and wanted their character name to be unique" vibe.

My delulu train was put in a halt. No, it got into an accident after trying to force itself to stop. These are the consequences of my own actions. Daydreaming is a nightmare.

"Sorry for making you wait," You're apologizing for the wrong thing. Dapat sorry na delusional ka, Mel. Ang bobo ko!

"No, it's okay."

"Let's share the umbrella, sabay na lang tayo umuwi."

I tried to stop my heart from beating quickly. Heart be still, you can thump as fast as you can next time—I'm too down for romantic descriptions.

"Okay."

My response is rational, okay? Not being marupok. Kung hindi ko inaccept offer niya I would be stranded. Anyways, he took the umbrella out of my hand, opening it. Zy titled his head, his curls bouncing with the action.

"Let's go?"

Tumango ako, hindi na ako nag-pakipot pa. I went under the umbrella with him—it was a decent sized umbrella, however the person beside me is a behemoth of a man thus we were tightly squeezed together avoiding the rain.

"You know what this feels like?" He