December Rain

I watch drops of water fall from the end of my hair.

I have just got out of shower, and found out that it is raining. It surprises me. Even though the sky was cloudy, I didn’t think it would rain. It’s December after all. But sometimes things don’t go as you predict.

I have always had a fascination for rainy days. But now, rainy days have become even more meaningful for me. On rainy days, I am reminded of a certain memory. A certain person.

I sit by the window to watch the rain closely. As I inhale the scent of damp soil, listen to the harmonic pitter-patter sound and see the rain fall, I find myself lost in thoughts of him.

* * *

That day, we were sitting by the window, leaning on each other. It was raining.

"To me, you are like rain," I said.

"Why?" He asked.

"You know, ever since I was young, I have always thought of rain as a miracle. Even though I have learnt the scientific explanation behind rain, to this day it still feels miraculous to me. You came to me just like a miracle. No matter how much time I spend with you, it still feels too good to be true.

You know that I love rainy days. On summers, I have to wait for a long time for rain to come. The more I wait and anticipate, the more beautiful rain seems to me. Sometimes it also rains at unexpected times, like today. After a long wait, after going through a really rough and lonely time, you finally came to me. You came to me when I lost hope and expectations. That's why, to me you are someone as precious as rain."

He smiled, "I'm thankful that you feel this way."

"Tell me, what am I to you?" I said.

"You are like a warm cup of tea to me."

I smiled, "Explain why."

"Because a warm cup of tea is my source of comfort. On good days, I simply enjoy having it. On bad days, it comforts me. It always makes me feel warm and happy. It may seem ordinary to people, but to me it’s a part of my everyday life. A important and precious one at that. Just like that, you always make me feel warm inside. You make me happy and comfortable. You are always there for me."

We were happy and grateful to know how much we meant to each other.

But there was something I forgot about. The fact that rain showers usually don’t last long.

* * *

I remember the last time I bade him goodbye. "Come home safely," I said while hugging him. He promised me that he would.

But sometimes you don’t have control over your promises. Hence, you have no choice but to break it.

He never came back.

Once the rain is over, the burning summer comes back again. But rain doesn’t give only momentary relief - it gives the soil and plants that dried up in summer a new life.

He gave me a new life before leaving me forever.