CHAPTER 14 - UNDER THE RAIN

Almost 3PM na nang makabalik kami sa Mystown Campus. Tahimik lang si Nash buong biyahe, at ganoon din ako. He sometimes glanced at me, then looked away whenever I noticed. On our way to the office, he didn't start a conversation like he usually does.

He looked like he was deep in thought. Habang ako, busy sa panonood ng bawat galaw niya. Hindi sa gusto ko siyang kausap o may pag-usapan kami—nasanay lang ako na madaldal siya kapag magkasama kami, unlike ngayon.

Pagdating namin sa office, nakukumpulan sina Ciqa at Florissa sa common table, nanonood ng kung anong series. Wala si Vashnee, pero nandoon sina Maine at Ynigo, busy sa kanilang tables.

"Kumusta ang Grimsfield?" bungad ni Isang.

I shrugged. "Boring as usual. Walang ganap. We had to sit through Mr. Quirino and Mayor Escajeda boasting about each other."

Naupo ako sa sarili kong table. Makalat pa iyon dahil sa dami ng news articles na kailangan kong i-edit. Plano ko nang tapusin lahat ngayon.

"Ang balita ko... may ipinasara na restricted area para bigyang-daan ang school na ipatatayo ni Mr. Escajeda. Nabalitaan mo ba 'yon, Rayne?" tanong ni Ynigo.

Hinarap ko siya saka umiling. "Pero noong paalis na kami sa Grimsfield, may nadaanan kaming grupo ng mga nagra-rally sa tapat ng munisipyo. Wala sila noong dumating kami."

"Madalas doon si Papa noong nagpipinta pa siya. Ang alam ko may mga nakatira roong mga IPs sa lugar na gustong gawing industrial land," Ynigo added.

"I think I could write about that in my column for this semester..." suhestiyon ko.

"That's a direct strike on the ad min, Rayne." Nagulat ako nang umimik si Nash. Naupo siya sa table niya, katapat ng sa akin. "Let it go," dagdag pa niya. He looked annoyed.

Nangunot ang noo ko. "Alam ko, pero magandang topic iyon for my column..." Nilingon ko sina Ynigo. "We can use our platform to help those people who are affected by politicians abusing their positions for personal gain," I said, trying to convince them.

"I understand your point..." he trailed off. Humarap siya sa akin, slightly closing the distance between us, eyeing me. "Pero malalagay sa alanganin ang pub. Iisipin ng admin, kinakalaban natin sila."

"Ako naman ang magsusulat. At saka, hindi naman natin sila kinakalaban, Nash." I continued, trying to take it lightly. "I'm just going to state some facts. Anong mali doon? Totoo mang maganda ang hangarin ng school na magtayo ng campus doon, ang akin lang—may maaapektuhan."

"Kahit anong anggulo mo tingnan, gano'n pa rin ang kakalabasan. You'll state some facts, yes. But do you think the readers will get your message if they think it's an attack on the admin? Many people can read, but there's a difference between understanding what you read and selectively reading words you just want to see—because you don't want to make an effort to understand the context." He brushed his hair back with his fingers. "It's hard to make a sound with someone who doesn't want to listen—someone who doesn't even see things objectively!"

I raised my brow and shook my head in disbelief. The heaviness of his words slowly crept in.

"Dahil lang sa tingin mo hindi tayo papakinggan... hindi na tayo magsasalita? Ganoon ba 'yon, Nash? Sayang pa't naging 'The Voice of Arrionians' ang pangalan ng pub kung hindi tayo magiging boses ng mga napipi."

Hindi ko alam kung maiinis ako o maiiyak. Why do I feel like we are so voiceless?

"I'm not saying that we can't be their voices... What I meant is that we should consider the pub's condition as well."

Naiintindihan ko naman ang pinupunto ni Nash. Nakakainis lang... nakakapanghina... nawawalan na kami ng boses dahil sa pangit na sistema ng paaralan. I guess, you'll really know how fucked up the system when even us—campus journalist are being afraid to stand up for the truth.

Bumuntong hininga ako. "We only have two options. We can either let public officials get away with their selfishness and greed..." I smiled sadly. "Or we can stand up for those innocent people," I said as he waited for my next words. "I'm choosing the latter one. I hope you do too."

Ciqa cleared her throat. Akala ko ay iimik pa si Nash ngunit nanahimik lang siya. Ynigo smiled awkwardly at me as he continued what he was doing. Mariin akong pumikit habang nakapatong pa rin ang ulo sa lamesa.

Tama naman ang pinaglalaban ko, ah. Alam kong walang mali doon. Pero bakit pakiramdam ko mayroon?

Bahagya kong sinilip si Nash. He load off his film on his cam and then hid it in his bag. Pagkatapos niyang ayusin ang gamit ay tahimik siyang nagpaalam kina Ciqa. Nagpanggap akong nakapikit nang mapalingon siya sa akin.

"Psst..." rinig kong tawag ni Ciqa pagkatapos ng ilang sandali, "nakaalis na."

Nagmulat ako ng mata saka sinuri ang paligid. Lumapit sa table na inalisan ni Nash si Ciqa at doon naupo. Tiningnan niya ako ng matalim parang nagdedemand ng sagot.

"Nag-away ba kayo sa Grimsfield?"

Nangunot ang noo ko. "Ano namang pag-aawayan namin doon?"

Lumingon siya sa pinto kung saan ito lumabas. "Eh, bakit parang ang tahimik noong dumating? Tapos inaway mo pa pagdating dito."

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Hindi ko siya inaway. I'm just stating my opinion. Anong masama roon?"

"Ewan ko ba. Basta. Bahala kayo," aniya saka bumalik na sa kaniyang pwesto.

When the trainees came, I took that opportunity to brainstorm with them for the magazine along with Ynigo and Florissa. Everything was smooth, just like what I expected. I just hope that when the press work starts. Magawa namin iyong lahat. Madalas kasi'y maayos sa planning ngunit pangit na ang nagiging execution.

Lumipas ang mga araw at halos lahat kami sa pub ay naging busy sa finals. Dalawang linggo na lang at matatapos na ang semester. I was on my way on my class with Mrs. Mababangloob. Akala ko ay hindi na ako makakaabot sa time niya, mabuti na lang at tumawag si Vash dahil may nawawalang article.

Nakaupo ako ng matiwasay sa upuang malapit sa bintana bago tuluyang pumasok si Mrs. Mababangloob.

"Next week will be your final exams," she said while flashing our pointers to review on the projector. "You know me very well, class. Hindi ako nagpapa-take ng special exams at hindi ako tatanggap ng late. You can chase me on bended knees, but that was my rule."

Humugot ako ng buntong-hininga habang sinusulat sa papel ang pointer's to review na binigay niya. Sobrang dami noon at halos hindi naman namin natapos ang iba sa lesson doon. Sa sobrang stick niya, halos na uubos na rin sa pa-recitation ang oras namin. Halos hindi na kami umuusad kapag hindi nakakasagot ang mga kaklase ko.

Nang matapos ang klase ko kay Mrs. Mababangloob ay sumaglit ako sa office para iclarify kay Vash iyong nawawalang article.

"Si Nash?" tanong ko kay Ciqa nang makarating ako sa office.

Nasa kaniya ata ang hinahanap na article ni Vash kaya siya ang una kong hinanap. Nang ma-clarify nga ni Vash iyon ay nag-proceed na kami sa short meeting. We'll be having a final meeting for the presswork. Akala ko late na ako pero may mas late pa pala.

"Sabi niya susunod na lang daw siya... may tinatapos pa sa capstone."

We proceeded. Hindi na namin siya hinintay. Mabilis rin namang natapos ang meeting dahil nga wala siya. Most of the concerns ay about sa design ng pubmat kung may progress na. The rest ay about na sa nalalapit naming presscon para magazine na paglalaban namin.

Nang mga nagdaan na araw ay dumadalas ang hindi nito pagpunta sa office. May isang time pa na may brainstorming dapat sila nila Ciqa pero hindi siya nakadalo. Nang tanungin ko kay Ciqa, busy lang sa capstone ang palagi niyang sinasagot.

Pagkatapos ng meeting namin ay dumiretso ako sa library para doon may review. May natitira pa akong oras bago ang shift ko sa coffee shop kaya doon na lang ako mag-aaral. Gusto ko sana sa office kaso may nirurush din silang mga articles kaya sa library na lang.

I went to the underground library near the auditorium. Sa underground kasi ang library ng Arrion. I'm not sure who came up with the idea, but it was fantastic since it was more tranquil and quiet. I presented my library card to the Librarian. Mabilis naman akong nakapasok. I chose books that I could use for references then I started studying. I take down notes when I am in class, and I use those to review faster. Sa tuwing may exams kami, I made sure that I had time to study because that was my first priority.

I highlighted those terms that I have to memorize. I take down notes of those I have a hard time understanding. I also listed some words that I am not familiar with.

I occasionally took a break. Listening to music for a while, then continue on to what I am reading. I also finished proofreading some articles for the latest issue. After an hour or two, napagpasyahan ko nang umuwi.

I walked down the aisle where I would return the borrowed books. Natigilan ako nang mahagip ng mata ko ang pamilyar na bulto ng lalaki. He was also returning a book on the other side of the shelf.

Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin. My heart instantly raced when he looked at me intently. Confusion registered in his eyes, but he slowly recognized me. I saw him slowly walk towards me. Napaatras ako nang makalapit si Nash.

"Bakit ka nandito?" he asked. Dumapo ang mata ko sa book na hawak niya. Sinundan niya kung saan ako nakatingin pagkatapos ay dumapo naman ang mata niya sa mga hawak kong libro. Limang malalaking aklat iyon.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?!" I also asked.

"Nagbabasa." We almost said in chorus.

Umirap ako. Malamang magbabasa sa library.

Binalik ko ang tingin sa mga aklat na dapat kong ibalik sa shelf at nagsimula nang maglagay noon. Tahimik siyang muling lumapit sa akin. Muli akong umatras nang kuhain niya sa akin ang tatlong libro, naiwan sa akin ang dalawa.

Magkasalubong ang kilay ko nang lingunin siya. Sinimulan niyang ibalik iyon sa shelf. Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya habang ginagawa niya iyon. I can hear clearly how fast my heart raced while he was near me.

Nang matapos kaming magbalik ng aklat ay nauna na akong maglakad para kunin ang mga gamit na naiwan ko sa table. Sumunod siya sa akin.

"Nakapag-brainstorm na kayo?" salubong niya, may ngiti sa labi nang dumiretso sa lamesa. He leaned on the table where my things are located.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Bumagal ang pag-aayos ko ng gamit.

"Yup. Kayo? Hindi ka raw palaging dumadating sabi ni Ciqa..." I smirked. "Magbaback-out ka na ba?"

That was a joke more than a threat but his features became serious. Malalim niya akong tiningnan. Umiwas ako nang tingin at kinuha ang mga gamit ko. I pursed my lips and realized why the heck would he do that?

Tahimik lang siyang pinapanuod ang bawat galaw ko. Nagsimula na akong maglakad palabas ng library. Kasunod ko pa rin siya.

"Well..." Panimulan niya nang mapantayan ako. "Kung magba-backout ba ako... would you accept me as your friend?"

Nasa gitna kami ng hagdan nang natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. I instantly regretted it when I looked at him. He was taller than me pero dahil paakyat ako halos magkasing level lamang ang mukha namin.

"So, magba-back-out ka nga?" I don't intend to sound unhappy, but my voice came out dissatisfied.

He looked away at nagsimula nang maglakad. "Parang hindi ko pala kayang i-lead 'yong pub with my capstone and OJT coming." Tumawa pa siya ng pabiro.

Sinabayan ko ang paglalakad niya. "May thesis at PT din naman kami..." ani ko, "What makes you think that you can't? Natatakot ka, oo... pero kaya mo naman," nahihiya kong sinabi.

Nilingon niya ako nang nakakunot ang noo. "Bakit parang hindi ka masaya?"

Umiling ako. "Kung iyon pala ang dahilan kung bakit aayaw ka... para mo namang sinabi EIC ang gumagawa ng lahat. Nandiyan naman 'yong ibang editors kung hindi mo magagawa ang ibang task. Hindi sa EIC nakaasa ang lahat. I think you are capable of leading, Nash, based on what I witnessed in the conference in Baguio."

"Akala ko ba kalaban ang tingin mo sa akin?" May hindi mapigilan na ngiti sa kaniyang labi. "Why are you convincing me to continue now?" He tried to stifle it but his dimples betrayed him.

Umirap ako. "Ayoko lang manalo dahil nag-back out ka... I want to win because I am deserving of that position. I want a fair fight."

"But you are deserving of that position." Nagsimula na siyang maglakad na sinabayan ko naman.

"Alam ko." I said.

He chuckled and slowed down his pace so that I could follow him. Nang makalabas kami sa campus ay didiretso na sana ako sa waiting shed nang hawakan niya ang palapulsuhan ko.

"Ano ba? Bakit?" tanong kong naguguluhan.

Ngumuso siya sa isang sidewalk vendor. Nabebenta iyon ng iba't iba uri ng turo-turo.

"Samahan mo 'kong kumain..." He smiled again. "Treat ko."

Binalik ko ang tingin sa kaniya at pinanlakihan siya ng mata. "May shift ako sa cafe!"

Nilingon niya ang orasan. "You still have 30 minutes left."

"Paano mo na nalaman ang sched ko!?"

Sa halip na sumagot ay nginitian lamang niya ako at nagsimulang maglakad. Hawak pa rin niya ang wrist ko hanggang makarating kami doon. Iniwan niya akong sandali saka siya bumili ng para sa amin doo.

I was thinking of leaving him. Pero habang pinapanuod ko siyang nakangiti at masiglang makipag-usap doon sa nagtitinda... something warm stirs in my heart.

"Sa inyo na po ang sukli. Salamat, 'tay!"

Lumapit siya sa akin nang may dala nang tig-isang cup kwek-kwek at kikiam saka ang isa pang nakatusok din sa stick pero hindi ko alam ang pangalan.

"Anong trip mo?" tanong ko nang iabot niya sa akin ang isang cup noon.

Tahimik siyang tumawa. "Wala lang. Mas masarap kasing kumain ng tuhog-tuhog kapag may kasama," aniya, "tara do'n."

May tinuro siyang lumang gazebo. Malapit iyon sa department nila pero hindi kalayuan sa pwesto namin. Nagsimula sa siyang maglakad patungo roon. Nakasunod lang ako.

"Himala hindi ka nagsusungit ngayon?"

"Tinatamad ako."

Tumawa siya. "So hindi ka talaga tatanggi na masungit ka madalas?"

"Kung iyan ang pagkakakilala n'yo sa akin, may magagawa ba ako?" I shrugged. "Simple as Johari's window."

"But based on that, may hindi rin kami alam tungkol sayo... what if pala nagsusungit ka lang kasi defense mechanism mo yan."

Umiwas ako nang tingin at itinuon iyon sa garden na nakapalibot sa gazebo.

"Ano naman ngayon kung defence mechanism ko nga 'yon?" I almost whispered.

"So you admit it?" Natahimik ako dahil tama siya. "At kaya hindi ka na madalas nagsusungit hindi dahil tinatamad ka... Baka kasi dahil alam mo nang wala naman akong balak na masama sayo. That's why you're lowering your guard."

I gazed at him. He was right. He was freaking right.

Umiling ako. "I-I'm not..." I denied. Naghahanap ng pwede kong isumbat sa mga mata niya.

He shook his head and his eyes dropped on the cup he was holding. "Don't lower your guard... kahit sa'kin. Baka kasi hindi kita kayang protektahan kahit sa sarili ko."

Hindi ko maintindihan ang nais niyang iparating. Nabalot kami ng nakakabinging katahimikan.

"Rayne..." he trailed off, "When we argued about that column, I realized you're more deserving of that position... hindi ka kasi natatakot na maging boses ng Arrion. You are fearless. Tama ka... we can be their voice."

Umiling ako. "But you inspire your people to not give up in unimaginable circumstances too. Hindi porque hindi ka nag-agree na we can be the voice of the people of Grimsfield doesn't mean you don't have those same principles. You're just concerned about the publication... you see the bigger picture than I do."

"Don't praise me while degrading your abilities, Nash." I gave him a genuine smile. "If I am deserving, so are you."

Humugot siya ng malalim na buntong hininga.

Umiling siya. "I forced them to be the voice of the people in our province..." His lips curled into thin melancholic smiles. He then started to share. Malumanay ang boses niya pero ramdam doon ang bigat ng bawat salitang binibitawan.

"My mother was an editor of the Algood Post, a local newspaper focused primarily on the issues in our province. While my father was a lawyer before he became an investigative journalist, best known for his reporting on corruption and human rights abuses."

Right. Both of his parents are journalists.

"I thought it was only a simple defamation case against the Governor—Hon. Guantanamo. Puro lang daw disinformation ang pinapakalat ng local publication nina daddy tungkol sa kaniya. But it was all true. Those allegations... My father has evidence. That's why he received so many death threats."

My mind went blank the instant I heard it. I feel like I know where this is going.

"Isang araw... kahit si mommy, nakaka-receive na rin ng mga ganoon. Hindi nila pinansin dahil sanay na raw sila doon. When I graduated from high school, I wanted to pursue journalism, but they both didn't allow me. They said it was for my own good... how come it was for my own good? I got angry... even more when they dropped the case against Guantanamos. They have the platform...they're near in disclosing all of the evidence pero bakit sila titigil?"

Hindi ako nakagalaw. Unti-unting nagtagpi sa isip ko ang pinaglalaban niya noong pinagtalunan namin ang nangyari sa Grimsfield.

"I treated them badly..." Regrets were etched in his voice. "I declined their help... every bit of it. I didn't understand back then... kaya galit ako. They are journalists... they're supposed to tell the truth. One night, I went home under the influence of alcohol..."

That's why he doesn't want me to decline his help.

"I called them journalists for nothing. The day after that..." bumuga siya ng hangin. "My father, along with his firm, called a press con. They disclosed all of the evidence and pressed charges against the governor. The threats become massive... kahit kami ni Yvonne nakakareceived na rin.

"I swear I regretted it when mom called with her last words... that she's giving me blessings—no—them. They're giving me blessings to pursue my passion. That... that they never regretted becoming a journalist. After that... Yvonne told me... that their local newspaper office—that the Algood Post was burning with them inside."

"I swear I regretted it when mom called with her last words... that she's giving me blessings—no—them. They're giving me blessings to pursue my passion. That... that they never regretted becoming a journalist. After that... Yvonne told me... that their local newspaper office—that the Algood Post was burning with them inside."

My eyes warmed from all his stories. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Naalala ko ang kinukwento niya noong nasa seaside kami... on how he watch his parents died as the sun goes down. I can't imagine how painful it is.

"Nash..." iyon lang ang tanging nabigkas ko. He then smiled.

"I pushed them to represent other people's voices... even if I didn't listen to their own voices."

Hindi pa rin ako makapagsalita. I never had these deep talks with anyone. Not even with Jace... Should I tell him it's okay? But no! That was not okay. I can't say that I understand his pain because I know I don't.

"Nahuli... nahuli ba ang may gawa?" Instead I asked.

Tumango siya. "Pero hindi sapat iyon... kahit kailan hindi matutumbasan ng pagkakulong ng mga Guantanamos ang sakit. Even if they rot in jail."

Sa pagkakataong iyon, I finally understood him. The reasons why he kept on saying he was seeing his old self in me... his reasons for not letting me write the column... his pain while watching that publication burn with his parents inside.

"Gusto kong mag-back-out sa position dahil pakiramdam ko... I lost that principle when my parents died. Somehow... I envy that bravery that you have to fight for the truth."

"Sabi ko papatunayan ko na hindi ako magaling na journalist dahil lang sa achievements ni papa at mama... pero at the back of my mind... I know they are right. I am where I am now because of their passion. I want to become like them—someone who is passionate about truth-telling."

As I looked at Nash's eyes, I saw fire flicking in them. He was really determined to follow in his parent's footsteps and become a journalist—which made him also deserving of the position.

"You didn't blame yourself for what happened?" I suddenly asked.

It was too late when I realized how insensitive that question was. Tumingin siya sa akin at umiling.

"Countless times, noon. Sometimes... I still think of it, but I know they don't want me to. If I'll blame myself... para ko na ring in-invalidate ang naging desisyon nila."

Sinasabi niyang naiinggit siya sa akin... sa katapangan ko raw. Pero nang sandaling iyon. Ako ang nakaramdam ng matinding inggit. Both of us are grieving... but in different ways. Pakiramdam ko... ako ay naiwan at siya ay nagpapatuloy na.

Tamimtim niya akong tinitigan na parang nabasa niya ang nasa isip ko.

"May iba-ibang proseso ang paghilom, Rayne. I chose to move on and move forward because that's what I felt like would make them proud. Kung kailangan mo munang bigyan ng hustisya ang nangyari sa best friend mo... Nobody is forcing you to hurry. Your wounds will heal at your own pace. Just remember to make a simple steps... hindi naman kasi kailangang malaki ang kailangan lang ay umuusad ka."

I know Jace's not happy with me getting stuck in the same old place. Moving forward? I heaved a deep sigh. Finally... my lips curled, and I looked at him, nodding.

"Susubukan ko..."

I guess I'll give it a try without giving up on seeking justice for Jace.

Nang maubos namin ang kinakain ay nagpasya na kaming umuwi. Lumamig ang simoy ng hangin at kumulog ng sandali. Maya-maya pa ay bumagsak ang malalaking patak ng ulan. Akala ko kanina ay walang dalang ulan ang ulap sa kalangitan dahil umaaraw naman kanina.

Nilingon ko si Nash. "Wala akong payong... sumilong muna tayo."

Tumawa siya. "Bakit ang inisyal na reaksyon ng tao kapag umuulan ay kung may masisilungan ba? How 'bout we enjoy the rain?" hindi alintana ang malalakas na patak ng ulan.

"Ano ba, Nash? Sumilong na tayo... lumalakas na ang ulan," hinawakan ko ang braso niya para hilain sanang tumakbo sa gazebo. Mas lalo pang lumakas ang ulan.

"Have you tried being drench in the rain without crying?" natatawang tanong niya.

Para akong nainsulto sa sinabi niya kaya inirapan ko siya. "Bahala ka riyan."

"Rayne... naman."

Hinawakan niyang muli ang palapulsuhan ko. At hinila ako paharap sa kaniya. Sinalubong ako ng basa ngunit mainit niyang dibdib. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Our eyes met in an instant. My heart is pounding against my chest. Mas lalo pang lumakas ang ulan.

"Nash!" I looked at him defiantly.

I tried to pull him again toward the direction of the gazebo, but he was stronger than me. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang tumayo sa harapan niya. Basa na rin ng ulan. He swallowed hard. The calm look in his eyes made me a bit conscious.

"Rayne... enjoy the rain," he said huskily, soaking wet in front of me. Kami lang ata ang nagpapaulan dahil ang iba ay nagtatakbuhan na para sumilong.

Binitawan niya ang kamay ko. He closed his eyes and spread his arms. Drops dripped from his forehead down his chin. Pero balewala iyon. Dinama niya ang bawat patak ng ulan.

My eyes narrowed. He glanced at me, still looking calm, but his eyes were domineering.

Basang-basa na rin ako ng ulan. Ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko? Pumikit ako at dinama rin ang ulan. Rinig na rinig ko ang ingay ng bawat patak noon. Nagdala iyon ng hindi maipaliwanag na ginhawa sa puso ko. The coldness of each drop soothes the fire that is coming from all the hatred in my heart.

I spread my arms as he did. Savoring each drop... Genuine happiness lit up my face as I smiled.

Unti-unti... naging kalmado ang tibok ng puso ko. I opened my eyes.

His eyes were suddenly stern as he looked at me, enjoying the rain. A small smile crept on his lips.

"Smiling suits you well," he said, then closed the little space between us. I returned his stare.

Nang tuluyan na siyang makalapit... hinagilap niya ang kamay ko. He slowly holds it and leads me to dance... under the rain.

All of my doubts... my walls were washed by the cold rain. We danced under the rain... not minding the world behind us.

He pulled me closer to him. We stopped dancing. He held my gaze as he looked into my eyes deeply. We remained like that for a second. I can feel his cold breath on my skin. Our nose is almost touching. All I can hear is my heart blending with the sound of the rain.

"Rayne... guard your walls. Because I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from climbing."

Para akong nabingi sa sinabi niya. Pero umiling ako... ngumiti.

"You don't have to. You deserve to walk on my door."

Tumila ang ulan at humina ang hangin. The rain fog even vanishes. After the rain comes the rainbow, which hides behind the clouds and the mountains.

That day, when I chose to let go for the first time in my life... I was able to love the rain without associating it with pain.

Perhaps letting go was my rainbow after the rain.

***

#WCATR14UnderTheRain