In Screaming Color

Chapter 26

She had this love and hate relationship with the rain. It always had a way to calm her nerves when she's mad and help her forget about the things that is making her sad. She would often stay inside of her car and watch the droplets run down from the window as if it was the best race of her life. When she was young, her and her brother would stare into their bedroom window and watch the lightning appear before their very own eyes. It was scary but it was beautiful.

Bea was sitting inside her car, parked near the place where she met Jhoana. She wanted to be alone and thought this was the most convenient place she could visit. But then, the rain started pouring. She was mesmerized while watching the green field turned to look foggy with the amount of droplets falling all at once. She found herself smiling.

It felt like she was back in her childhood years. Where they would run under the rain and get soaked. Kicking those puddles towards her brother and run because she knows her brother will be running towards her for some revenge. And her Mother would be so mad because for some reason, it would always get her sick the next day.

She doesn't like the state of being sick but she loved the rain and it was always worth the risk.

A click was heard when she opened the door to her car, followed by a louder sound of the rain. She was smiling like a goofball as she allowed herself to get wet as she walks to the park. Closing her eyes and lifting her head, facing the sky and spreading her arms.

"Bring it on."

She whispers to herself, challenging the Heavens to pour some more.

Then good memories shifted to bad ones. She seemed too young then when she heard the news but not too young to drive. She remembers running towards her car and drove off away from home. It was past midnight and the streets were empty. Not until flashes of blue and red lights caught her eyes.

She didn't got sick the next day but she remembers praying how she wanted to be so. Yes, that was her last prayer. Because nothing came close to the pain she felt that day.

She shakes her head and slumps her body to the wet grass. She was breathing heavily, she felt so tired right now. She remembers hating the rain then. She no longer wanted to play under it or watch the droplets race. Rain started to make her feel sad.

Not until Jhoana happened. When Jhoana came, life started to become brighter than they used to be. And the things she used to hate is something she learned to love again. Now, rain reminds her of the cabin. It reminds her of cuddling under thick sheets as they both watch the rain fall. Running on the field she used to run with her cousins. She ran trying to catch Jhoana until their feet were covered in grass and mud. Rain reminds her of rainbows that brought so much glow and excitement on Jhoana's eyes.

Contrary to the belief, later that day, she didn't get sick. Jhoana did, and she's happy her immune system is better than Jhoana because nothing felt more rewarding than taking care of the one you love. Even if it is scary.

And since the day Jhoana pushed her away, she's torn between love and hate.

She was still thinking about Jhoana while on the way home. Her car's interior is getting soaked due to her wet clothes  and her aircon was on full blast.

"I'll probably get sick tomorrow." She grins.

Little did she know, this will bring Jhoana back... temporarily.

...

"I can't believe you did that. Hindi ka na bata!"

Jhoana was not happy after hearing Bea's reason of getting sick. She was so worried she wanted to hit Bea's arm but stopped herself because she knows how sensitive her body could be. Instead she settled on roughly wiping the towel on Bea's skin every now and then.