That Rain Thing

Totot – totoot – totooot… The alarm goes off and I found myself waking up on a dark and rainy morning. The rain was pouring and the weather was cold. Everyone in the house was still sound asleep, even the dogs. But despite my being a sucker for a cool weather, I was excited to get out of bed and start my day. I love the rainy days. I’m not sure what it is, but somehow it gives me a comforting feeling. Yes, I know and I feel it sometimes. Something in the rain also brings a gloomy feeling; a cheerless and a dispiriting atmosphere. Most, if not all, gets emotional during this kind of weather.

I was driving on my way to the office and I turned the radio on. After almost 30 minutes trip, it was then I realized that I have already listened to three straight sad songs – Break it to me gently, Cool with you and Tonight I want cry. I arrived in the office 5 minutes ahead of time; parked my car and by the last note of the song, “Tonight I want cry,” I turned the engine off. For a few minutes there I was dumbfounded. Suddenly, memories of heartaches went flashing through my mind. Not only of my own, but also of friends whom had their share of painful experiences too.

I remember the time my ex broke up with me over the phone. The words “I fell out of love” echoed in my ears like a church bell. I was in bed when I got the call and I cried a river that time. It was a murky day. The time Megan was crying in the office early morning. She already had puffy eyes when she told me, “I don’t know what to do anymore,” then tears continuously flowed down from her eyes. It was heartbreaking. I remember Jayson’s shaky voice over the phone when he said, “I love him but I’m tired… I’m breaking up with him.” It was emotional. That dawn, when Mild opened up to me and told me how partly unhappy she is with her life. How she longs to have someone to inspire her and share her life with apart from her family. It was heartrending. I remember when my sister secretly told me that, she and her boyfriend had already broke-up due to a third-party. She attempted to be courageous and put on a smile, but her tears betrayed her. It was nostalgic. There was also that time when my mom got a long-distance call from my aunt, informing her of my grandmother’s death. Tears fell from her eyes as she woefully puts down the phone. Her hands were shaking as I held it; then she embraced me and told me what happened. It was a mournful day.

It made me feel a little depressed, but I had to overcome it. I was not planning of getting emotional, while face with loads of work in the office. After a tiring day, I went home and went straight to bed. I was so sleepy that I didn’t even bother to eat dinner at all. The rain continued to pour until the following day. I watched as it fell from the shadowy sky, accompanied by a cool breeze that swooped in my room. I thought the rain was calling me, so I took off my shirt and went outside. It has been a long time, as far as I can remember, since I freely bathed under the pouring rain. I felt the raindrops on my face and all over my body. I was enjoying myself. For a while, the rain poured hard and I thought it dropped so hard that it stings a bit. It was cold, yet it felt so refreshing and uplifting. Then the rain stopped and there was a short silence. Suddenly, streaks of sunlight appeared in the open air. Frogs started to croak, as if a wonderful song is being made. I looked around me and the place was so invigorating. The plants looked so green and the place was glowing. Everything seemed so alive and new.

I continued to watch my surroundings, as I wiped my body with the towel that was hanging outside the terrace. Then it came to me; I guess this is the reason why I feel something in the rain is comforting. It is natures’ way of cleansing the earth and bringing out the best in everything. Just like the problems we have in our life, it polishes us to become a better person. It would be boring if life were all sunny and funny. I think we need the rain like we need to endure hardships in life. It is the only way for us to be able to grasp happiness and the true meaning of life. Although, sometimes the rain can pour longer than we expect it or even become a storm, but we just need to hold on and keep our faith. The sun will always shine after every rain. Remember that everything happens for a reason, and it is for that reason that we continue to live and endure pain.


*** To all the people in pain