A Decade ago
She wore a white Tee and capris with a sling bag weighing her shoulder down. The class was fairly occupied. She found an empty bench and walked up to find him across from her; sitting in the other row. He wore a plaid shirt with jeans and never carried books – kept to himself, always quiet. Until the week after when the teacher asked him to read. He looked around to borrow one. She offered hers.
Weeks went by with acknowledging half-smiles. He borrowed her book when he was asked to read. The obligation to speak had reached its brim but neither had anything to say. The half-smiles extended into full-smiles, nods, a word here n there and then into conversations.
He had plans to go to New Zealand and study photography, had just 1 friend and sketched and wrote for a girl he was madly in love with but had never spoken to. He didn’t get along with his father and hated his first name.
The need to spend more time, talk some more, sketch together had taken over. They met often to show each other their work, to talk passionately about the things they loved, and sometimes just to watch the rain. She knew he was going to leave soon. Saying goodbye wasn’t going to be easy and the day was soon approaching.
The rains were fierce that season. It wasn’t supposed to rain that day. It poured! Like never before. The thundering blocked out the sound of her thoughts. All she felt was the cold wind against her skin and his eyes watching her now n again. He had given her his windcheater. They walked fast trying to outrun the rain. Shivering against each other; neither saying a word.
They reached the doorstep as she fumbled for the keys. He waited as she turned the key in the lock, sealing the fate of the moment that quivered in the space between.
Hungry kisses were cherished, each touch meeting with acquiescence. The alchemy of that day had changed everything!
———
I feel the soft drops of rain on my hands.
It had been a decade ago!
It wasn’t supposed to rain that day!
