Raincoat

Where has it gone? I remember shoving it inside the closet a month ago. I’m careless with things I think I’d never use.

When I was a kid, an autorikshaw used to drop me at school. As I grew older, the modes of transportation have changed from bicycles to bus. With age came a rebellious attitude, with it came nonchalance and I stopped attending my classes altogether. But whatever might be the reason, rainy days are always special to me. I remember watching droplets of rain drip from leaves creeping into our window as it rained outside. I prayed to God for my autorikshaw to be late or be absent so I could stay back home and watch TV all day but the guy was unstoppable and he was always on time.

Early years of my college were boring as I was stuck in a classroom, listening to lectures. As time passed, I found out new ways to skip classes without losing the attendance percentage. But it never rained when I was out for it. The older I grew, the more I dreaded going to college. Coping up with people who are far more studious and scored better felt like a ton of weight on my skinny shoulders. When you don’t come to the classes, they’d either assume you’re a fool or you’re a low-life which I won’t deny. Who cared about people anyway?

Then came days full of rains. We were together, everything was getting better. As much as I loved getting wet, I enjoyed staying dry and in shade. Months passed like days, days like hours. Our minds were clouded with love and then came the days of heavy downpour.

For the skies to be clear, clouds should disappear. Only this time, the rain wouldn’t stop, good for me, I won’t have to hide my tears. The rain continued for months, dark clouds hovering over like flies on stale meat. Patience pays, they say. Seasons changed, and skies were bluer than ever.

There’s a new sun out there now, waiting for me to soak its rays in. I look up at it and ponder, let the truth sink in. I’m lucky enough to have what I now possess and it’s not worth looking back again.

There it is! The big black raincoat!

As I sit here and look out the front door, I see clouds roaring and the rain hitting the ground as hard as it can and I know it’ll pass and waiting for me are the blue skies.