Waiting Shed

The clouds painted in gray and teardrops splashing against the rooftop yet here she was. Remained unbothered amidst the weather.

Displaying her favorite book within her hands while listening to the soft melody of rainfall. Maggie began to wonder when was the first time she liked the rain, when it drips the remains of the many tears she had shed.

It brings her back to that fateful day. When her Mom bid to the world for eternity. Her death.

Before she could realize, she does not understand the book she's reading anymore. Her thoughts concentrated to the memory she reminisced.

Oblivious of the students that are passing by. The world doesn't seem to stop turning because she lost a loved one.

Because life. Still goes on. It will never stop.

She sighed weakly as she close the book and stare at a general space. Not merely realizing that she was constantly staring at a humanly figure.

Gosh Nathan! I have to hide. She quickly thought. Nathan was holding an umbrella to walk through the drizzle to reach his vehicle.

Maggie looked at him with awe. He did something significant today. He is brilliant.

Reminded of the class discussion today, Nathan who was effortlessly witty, countered their tacky professor with his remarks and corrections. It brought the professor to shame.

It was like the tables had turned for both student and professor.

"What a dream could be to be that outstanding?" She sighed. Maggie, being mediocre is generally contented with what her brains can only memorize and analyze.

She never greed for something she couldn't attain.

Contentment is hers to apply.

A young boy ran towards the waiting shed from the school's lobby in the middle of the happenstance of a drizzle. Covering his head, using his thick plastic portfolio.

"I will gonna be damned once Dad finds out I'm damped with water." Gulf complained. What can he do? He was foolish enough not to check the weather forecast for today.

Upon sheltering the waiting shed, he disheveled his hair to shake off water particles. "I fixed my hair today for her to see."

He was pertaining to the girl he laughed with that other day. Could she be at home by now?

After hanging around the office, Gulf went out to drink water and bring Maggie water.

But he came back, wondering why Maggie left without saying a word. He sighed and by reflex, he looked at the person on his right.

Gah!

"Ma-Maggie, you're here?!" Gulf muttered surprisingly. He was thinking about her in a split second and she was here the whole time.

But Maggie didn't turn at his direction. Gulf wondered where could her eyes was focused on so he too stared at the direction she was staring.

His eyes softened when he realized the girl was ogling at the boy he deemed as charming.

Well, according to his posture and displacement. It says the word 'wealth' out loud. He diverted his eyes to look at Maggie, she was still staring at him.

Confusion clouded his thoughts. He knew for sure he doesn't care about any girl's feelings...

But...

Her.

Gulf grew up having no knowledge about the woman society. Unbelievable isn't it?

What he knows was. Girls like his mother are damned to this competitive world. He refuses to live and not enjoy.

He feign ignorance and sat beside Maggie, who was done staring. The boy left with his lavish, flashy sports car.

"Bah!"

"Wah!"

"Dang it! I thought you were someone else." She exclaimed with so much shock. How many times did this boy shocked me already?

She immediately noticed the wetness in his white polo and looked at his wet portfolio nonchalantly. She guessed that this foolish boy walked under the rain.

"How come you're so wet? Weren't you aware of the rainfall occurring this afternoon?"

Gulf smiled and leaned against the chair. Her words are so simple but sweet, he couldn't comprehend the feeling much longer.

"Were you worried? I could sense it in your tone." He said, smile-smirking. He tilted his head and met her gruesome eyes. He can't help but let out a laugh.

This girl is so transparent. Her expressions entertains me more than any theater shows I have ever watched. Is she an actress by any chance?

"You're flattering yourself." Maggie shaked her head.

He isn't that kind of boy to be oblivious of the weather forecast as I am today. She thought.

Mindless of the thought that their perceptions are wrongful but they chose to indulge their minds with wishful curiosity. Silently pushing them to know each other more.

"Say. Who are you waiting for?" Gulf asked in order to break the silence after his pompous remark. His gaze directed towards the glass top of the waiting shed. Shielding them from the rain.

The sky is so much a romantic disaster. But he couldn't deny the fate it brought him.

"My father." She shortly muttered. A breathe was released like it was tiresome to say the word. She just thought her father is stacked up with so much work and will still be fetching her amidst the rain.

Ever since her Mom died, problems were stacking up but Maggie couldn't do anything about it yet.

She prayed in silence to forever provide strength for her and her dearest father. She can't afford to lose both of her pillars, or she'll collapse.

"I'm waiting for my Dad too. The old man is going to smack me with his heavy hands again." Gulf humorlessly laughed. A sight of his bleak reality opening up.

Maggie looked at Gulf with empathy. Does he have complications of his relationship with his father?

"Do you..." She tried to ask the personal question this boy has. "... nevermind."

Gulf sat up straight and faced Maggie. A smile uplifted his face once more. "Ask."

He said it like a command to be fulfilled. Not allowing more words to hinder its true meaning.

Maggie looked at him as well. She promptly looked away to avoid the awkwardness the environment has.

"It was nothing..." She brushed off until she remembered what happened earlier.

"Sorry I left." She started. Gulf was comtemplating the surprise apology she was making.

Was it about earlier?

"I left because you left me first. You were nowhere to be found." She added. Upon realizing she was wrong about what she intended to think.

She saw Gulf making his way back to the office after getting some water. She deeply failed to realize, clouded with her droopy eyes.

"You were only getting yourself something to drink. It was... very mindless of me." It would be described as full of empathy.

But the reason behind it, was abandonment. Something her mother did unintentionally. She was scared she might do that to someone who needed her. Now that she is much older.

That will be very reckless to do.

Gulf's smile dissipated and reached for her to comfort her. However, he hesitated. The reason for apology must be connected about the reality she was in.

He curled his hand into a fist then landed on top of his lap. "It's okay. There is no need for you to be awfully sorry about."

Maggie nodded but it lacked agreement. "I thought you're here to ask why I left?"

"Was about to." He snickered. "But hey, I came back just after you left. Now I'm here."

Left? Came back? His words are bloody unnecessary. This guy... Gulf.

Is hilarious.