The sky was gloomy filled, with dull grey clouds. It started to pour down heavily, the midday sun has never been seen for the past two hours. Cold wind blew briskly, making the pages of the books flutter, enjoying the showers. The kid in the last row opened the window a bit wider. It caused the droplets of water to sprinkle over the notebook of his bench mate. They both argued and got into a row while their social teacher arrived.

They were in their own world ignoring the teacher, seeing the ruckus he made them both to stand outside. Blaming and hissing at each other they both stood outside the classroom silently peeking at their friend from the door.

Nilika yawned as her teacher continued reading the paragraphs. She stared at her watch, and it's been just three minutes since the class has started, still forty-two to go. Counting down she forced herself to not drowse off. To divert her mind, she looked at the window as she was not at all interested in listening to the class.

There was a sudden urge in her to stand in the rain as she saw the droplets pitter patter. She drifted her gaze towards the door and saw her friends peeking at her. Raising her brows at them, she smiled as she understood when they prompted her to come out. Grabbing a few rough papers from her desk and stuffing them in her pockets, she stood up from her place and interrupted her teacher. Perks of being a last bench student.

"Excuse me sir, may I use the washroom please?"

He looked at her for a moment before adjusting his glasses that were on the tip of his nose. He hesitantly agreed.

She slowly walked towards the door and ran past the name board 'VI B' dragging her friends along the corridor. Murmuring, careful so that their voices don't echo in the empty corridor took a long way to the washroom which is on the second floor on the other side of the building.

Climbing down the stairs they were near the veranda on the ground floor. They settled before the door of a pre-primary class as the kindergarteners had the half day schools. Nilika took out the papers from her pocket.

The water droplets dribbled from the roof. The rain slowed down a bit. She handed the papers to Ishi and Sai. Challenging each other, the trio started to make origami boats. They let the paper boats sail in the stagnated water.

"See, I told ya that I would win" boasted Sai, as his boat sailed while Ishi's sank after some time.

"You can't beat me!" Declared Nilika making a boat with a rudder.

In order to win they started to blow air so that their boats could sail faster, amidst this Nilika did not notice principal Mary taking rounds.

Glancing at their principal who was checking the time, Sai gulped and whispered to Ishi. Both of them stood for a moment staring at each other before making a run to temporarily save themselves from her wrath forgetting about their friend.

Nilika looked to her sides, she found none... she turned her head when she heard someone clearing their throat. She was stupefied to see her principal. Cursing her friends in her mind, she opened one eye and faced her.

"What are you doing here child?" She questioned her.

"Ma'am, I- I was... returning back to the class" replied Nilika shuttering.

"This is the pre-primary section, and stairs are that way," she replied pointing towards the staircase.

Nilika tried her best to hide the damp papers as well as to escape by giving numerous excuses. But all her tries went in the drain like the rain.

"Miss?"

"Nilika, ma'am"

"Come with me to the office,"

Nilika groaned silently and walked with her principal to the office.

"So you bunked the class and were playing in the rain?"

"Yes ma'am," she replied not wanting to involve her friends.

"I would've normally given you a detention. Since it's your first time, I'm leaving you with a warning and hand me an essay on any freedom fighter of India."

"Yes ma'am," she replied looking at her

"You may leave now."

"Thank you ma'am," said Nilika, leaving the office.

It was not her first time breaking the rules but her first time to get caught. As she made her way towards the classroom, the shrill sound of the bell filled the school. Giggling, the students ran down excited to get wet in the rain while some whined looking at the puddles of water.

Sulking Nilika stood near the gates with her umbrella, while Sai and Ishi apologized to her holding their ears.

Smacking their arms, she forced them to help her complete the essay.

"I'm really sorry Nili. I have a match tomorrow," said Sai to escape.

"You're going play in the rain?" asked Ishi knowing that he is trying to dump all the work on her and Nili.

"Well, if it's going to rain then the match will get cancelled," he replied.

"And you're saying that you'll play all day?" she asked him.

"Fine I'll help you both in the morning," he agreed while walking on the narrow footpath carefully not to step his feet on the road that is filled with murky waters.

The light drizzle grew into a heavy rain. Ishi zipped up her raincoat and put on the hood. Nilika clutched the umbrella tightly while Sai tried to skedaddle away from the buckets of water, the heavens were emptying.

Sighing at his stupidity, Nilika shared her umbrella. As they were walking, water splashed on their shoes and the hem of their clothes when the bus passed by. They kept going on with wet socks and sloppy shoes that gave a weird sensation. 

Upon seeing the street vendor roasting the sweet corn, the red-hot coal igniting smoke and the popping sound of corn accompanied with the aroma of petrichor and the unsettled winds that moved increasing the moist in the air, urging the temptation to taste the spicy, tangy delight; their faces lit up like the lighting bolt with a spark in the eyes.

They fished in their pockets and found three '2 rupee' coins. Satisfied that they could buy corn on the cob each, went up to the vendor who was fanning the coal with the bamboo hand fan.

He garnished the corn by rubbing the lemon on the cob that is dipped in salt and chilli powder and handed it to the kids by placing it on the corn husks.

Nibbling on the hot corn, they walked the way to their homes. Soon the showers stopped like the moments unnoticed until they become memories. The triad parted their ways as they reached their homes like the passing clouds above fleeted as the sun casted it's rays once again in the sky.