Waiting in the Rain

This is a bit different from the stuff I've been writing. I passed by a park on the way home and an idea just popped in my head. I just had to write it down. 

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You said you'd be here. It's 3:30 PM, exactly 30 minutes after the time we agreed on. 

Sigh. Always late. 

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The first date we had, I had to take a cab to Glorietta since I couldn't stand waiting at home for so long. I mean, come on, it was our first date! You had to drop off your sister, you said. It was traffic in EDSA, you said. There was an accident in front of your car, you said. 

Yada yada yada. 

Thing is, I knew you were telling the truth. I just enjoyed busting your chops. Of course, I forgave you. The flowers were a nice touch too. Who could resist tulips anyway? 

3:42 PM. Still no sign of Joshua. Typical. 

Remember the first time we went to this park? You knew that I'd rather be at the mall, watching a movie or eating chicken wings at my favorite restaurant but you insisted that we go here. You even packed a picnic basket filled with Tortillos, Chiz Curls and V-Cut, my favorite chips. Being yourself, you forgot to bring the cooler filled with drinks at home and that we had to pass by Mini-Stop on the way here. 

So forgetful. So you. So Joshua.

3:50 PM. Skies are getting gray. Hope it doesn't rain. 

Right after you carved our initials inside a heart on the table, the rain fell like crazy. We made a mad dash to the basketball court only to find it locked. Drenched and shivering to the bone, you put your arm around me and kissed me. It wasn't our first kiss but it was my favorite. It still is. My hair was all over my face but you didn't mind. You even said I looked prettier. 

You're such a bad liar. 

As we walked in the pouring rain back to your car, we held hands. I remember you looked up at the sky and said that it was the best date we ever had. Looking back at it now, I have to agree. 

4:13 PM. Just like I feared, it's already raining. Real smooth, Josh. Real smooth. Sigh. I'm still here. 

Inside the car, you asked me for a number between 0 and 10. I answered with the number four. You looked at your watch and said, "Okay, in four years, at 3:00 PM, let's stop whatever we're doing and go back here."

4:20 PM. 

While it seemed like a crazy idea at the time, I still agreed. On the way home, we talked about the weather and how we loved the rainy days and the happy ways we feel inside. 

When we got to your house, no one was home. As soon as your room door was closed, we began kissing open-mouthed. I peeled off your wet clothes and you peeled mine, the fabrics heavy with rainwater. Skin on skin, we danced the dance of love. And as our bodies became one, our hearts and souls followed suit. After we made love, we shared yet another kiss and fell asleep in each others arms. 

4:47 PM. An hour and forty seven minutes late. Four years, an hour and forty seven minutes after that rainy day in this same park. 

Two years after you proposed, in this same park.  A year and seven months after you were just supposed to buy Chinese take-out. A year and seven months after that drunk driver took our dreams away.

5:15 PM. It's raining really hard right now, Josh. I wish you were here with me so you can put your arm around me. And hug me. And kiss me. 

6:00 PM. Three hours late. So you. So Joshua. You said you'd be here. You promised. I'm going home now. 

Sigh. Always late. No worries. It's what I always loved about you. 

***** the end *****