“It looks like it’s gonna rain soon,” Karl said.
The weather was good earlier. In fact, the heat these previous days made you feel like you were melting ice cream. Most people would complain about that.
Eric was not like most people. While others would curse at the sun for doing its job, Eric found comfort with the heat it’s sharing. The sun present means that rain was absent. He was not fond of the rain. Actually, he was not fond of the memories that came with it.
The memory of burnt plastic and gasoline invaded his sense of smell. He could remember that the rain washed away the blood that was on his hands. His shoulders were on fire when he bumped onto the nearby pole. But even the heavy rain could not wash away the pain he felt—physically and emotionally.
Right now, as the rain poured outside the office, Eric felt like the world was playing with him. He wants to deny the existence of the wretched weather but his best friend’s statement was not helping with that plan.
“It finally rained,” Karl commented.
Eric sighed. He stopped his fingers from dancing around the keyboard.
“So?” Eric asked, not hiding his irritation.
“What’s with the attitude?” Karl asked, wide-eyed.
“You know how I feel about the rain,” Eric muttered. He turned his chair to look at his best friend. He wanted to keep his mind off the memory of his mother pushing him away on that rainy day.
“I know,” Karl agreed with his words. “That is why I’m telling you to go home,” she added when he turned his chair around to look at the article he was editing on the screen.
Eric turned around his chair at lightning speed and looked at Karl in disbelief. He knew that his best friend was a workaholic and that she was someone who wanted to stick to her schedule. Still shocked, he looked at the white clock on the beige-colored wall. It was 3 pm. He looked at Karl again. She was his boss but was it alright to play favorites?
“The others are in a meeting,” she said. “I’m letting them go home after that,” she added when she saw Eric still not preparing to go home.
Eric was still hesitating. He was not part of the meeting because he had loads of articles to read. He didn’t trust his assistant editor with the editing part.
“Just go, Rick,” Karl said. Eric did not notice that she was already beside him. Karl helped him stand up and gave him his coat and suitcase. She pushed Eric away towards the door.
“You’re acting all weird,” Eric said but he finally walked towards the door on his own accord. He touched the doorknob but before turning it, he looked at Karl.
She was looking outside. The raindrops were sliding down the glass windows. The dark clouds were even getting darker. Karl’s eyes became smaller when the rain poured faster.
“Karl?” Eric tried to get her attention.
“Yes?” She answered absentmindedly. She was still not looking at Eric.
“Sometimes I think you are stupid,” Eric said with a serious face.
“Why you—,” Karl interrupted but Eric did not let her finish.
“Thanks for looking out for me,” he continued.
Karl froze. She looked at her best friend. This was the best friend who just accepted the fact that she wanted to be called Karl instead of Karla. This was also the best friend that stuck with her even if she was a bitch. And it was this best friend who calmed her down when she was crying her eyes out. She cried when she just learned Eric’s parents died on that rainy day. He didn’t cry though. He was more concerned about calming her down.
Maybe she really was stupid. Karl thought as she at the weather outside. The rain was still pouring very hard. She looked at Eric again. She did these motions a few more times—looking outside then at her best friend. Eric patiently waited for her to say something.
Karl flinched when the rain sounded like it was knocking on the window instead of pouring.
“So, do you want to go drink tea?” she suggested hastily. She almost hit herself because of her worthless suggestion.
“God, no,” Eric chuckled as he saw her invisible puppy ears droop. “But I can join you just this once,” he added.
Karl’s eyes sparkled—for just about one second. “Wait here. I’m gonna tell the others they can leave early,” she said almost running towards the room where the meeting was held.
“Yes, ma’am,” Eric said while saluting her clumsily. He was trying to hold his laughter in.
Maybe the rain isn’t so bad sometimes, he thought.
Author Disclaimer: The image above isn't mine. All rights belong to the owner. Please click it if you want to know where I got it.
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