Beaten by the Rain

Mom and I boarded a bus and when we finally got to the bus stop nearest to our home, we alighted.

Suddenly, the weather changed in a flash. The clouds became dark and heavy, there were flashes of lightning and it thundered. In a minute, it began to rain heavily.

We had to stay at the bus stop and wait for the rain to stop. People with their private cars rushed to get to their destination and commuters were a bit stranded because whenever it rains heavily, buses become scarce due to safety reasons.

Two hours later, the rain didn't seem as if it was going to stop anytime soon, it will stop for a bit and resume almost immediately with a greater force. We had to go into one of the shops close by to wait for the rain as it became worse.

"How I wish we brought an umbrella," I said to my Mom.

"Even if we brought an umbrella, this type of rain won't listen to an umbrella." Mom lamented.

We were at the shop for another three hours and still, the rain wasn't stopping.

"I'll have to call your dad to come and pick us up. It's already 6 pm and they should be back home by now."

Mom tried calling Dad repeatedly but the network was bad and his number wasn't going through.

                         **********************

Back at home, Dad was also trying to get through to Mom but to no avail.

"Where could they be now? It's already late." Dad said to himself as he pranced up and down in the sitting room.

"Dad, try calling them again," Fred said as he struggled to stay awake. He was sitting on the dining chair and kept dozing off.

Dad noticed it and took Fred to his room.

                          ****************

"Mom, can't we go home now? Our home is not that far from here." I said to Mom.

"We can't go home under this rain. You will catch a cold."

"Mom, have you ever played in the rain?" I asked her.

"Of course, when I was a little girl." Mom chuckled.

"Hmm, I have never experienced it, and you are stopping me from experiencing it," I grumbled.

Mom broke into a fit of laughter before she spoke to me, "You can't play under this rain."

Mom and I continued dragging about playing under the rain for a while before we stopped.

The rain subsided for a bit but there were no buses as it was already late.

Mom took out her phone to try and call Dad again but she changed her mind.

"Come, let's go home." Mom said to me.

She packed our stuff in a waterproof bag and she helped me to cover my hair,  and with that, we set out for home.

It was still raining but it was no longer heavy. I enjoyed the feeling of the rain touching my skin but I struggled to keep my eyes open, I would feel a tinge of pain in my eyes if the rain got into my eyes.

I held my mom's hand tightly, closed my eyes and enjoyed the rain.

I can say that rainwater has no taste, I was expecting it to have a salty test but It was just like normal water.

By the time we got home, it was almost 8 pm. Dad opened the door almost immediately after we had knocked on the door. He was very happy when he saw us but his countenance changed when he saw that we were wet.

I and mom quickly showered and changed into a set of dry clothes before we came downstairs.

Dad had prepared dinner for us and he also reheated the couscous I kept in the refrigerator for me.

As we ate dinner, Dad began to scold Mom for letting me go under the rain.

"How could you have gone under the rain with her? What if she catches a cold? You could have called me.

"Darling, can you stop scolding me?" Mom interrupted him. "You sound a lot like me now"

"We called you but couldn't get through to you because of the network and we couldn't wait again as it was getting pretty late."

"Besides,  aren't we all warm and cosy now?"

"You are unbelievable. You wouldn't let me scold you one bit even if you are wrong. Dad sighed.

I continued eating my food while I watched my parents bickering. It was rare to see them both like that.

I finished my meal and greeted them good night.

I slumped into my bed as soon as I got to my room and slept off. I was so tired that I forgot to check on Fred whom I haven't seen in a whole day.

I finally checked an item off my bucket list thanks to my mom and the sudden downpour.

                              **************

After our parents had gone to work the next day, I was left all alone with Fred. He kept pestering me to tell him all that happened yesterday.

I gave in and told him everything about the hospital, the rain, and even our parents bickering, Fred and I laughed over everything.

"Sis, do you mean yesterday was your first time being beaten by rain?" Fred asked me.

" Nooo! But yesterday was the first time I intentionally did it and enjoyed it." I replied.

"I have played football in the rain with the twins for a couple of times now. It's really enjoyable."

"Please don't tell mom about it." He pleaded with me.