[Original] RAIN Chapter 1

Rain.

It’s nice to have rain once in a while. It keeps the earth watered and replenished. Just like our bodies need water, so does the earth. The rain gives the earth a chance to start again. Drowning out all the weeds and pests, rain allows the flowers to grow back and bloom into magnificent works of nature.

But what about our soul? What replenishes our soul? For those times when life throws us challenges, what keeps us going on? For those times when we stumble and lose our way, where can we find strength to stand up and keep walking? For those times when we feel most alone, from whom do we get our comfort?

Who is our drop of rain in this scorching drought of life?

-oOo-

Thunder was clapping at a distance. Dark clouds pass the skies at enormous speed.

“It’s going to rain.” I mumbled to myself, “I better get home.”

I quickly closed my laptop and got up to leave.

“You’re leaving, Dr. Jameson?” asked one of the research assistants as I was about to exit the room.

“Yes,” I replied, “You probably need to leave too. A strong storm is brewing and you might get stuck here for a while.”

“I still have to finish the immunoassays you wanted me to do.” He replied.

“Well, I guess, safety comes first.” I said, “Come on, I’m closing down the lab for the day.”

Taking a day off is really not my style. Being one of the young senior faculties at the university, I’m more inclined to building my research group than having a break. However, taking care of one’s graduate students is also a part of being a good mentor, so I guess giving them time off also works well to my advantage. So making sure that everything is in place, I closed down the laboratory and went to my car.

As I was walking down the red bricked façade, I notice the emptiness of the university. Students were hurrying to get to the dormitories or to their apartments, coffee cup in hand. Janitors were quickly closing up the windows of the classrooms. And me, well, I’ve got a load of papers to grade safely tucked in my bag.

Despite the impending threat of rain, the university grounds look peaceful. The falling leaves create an intricate pattern weaved by the strong winds. The coolness invites you to a state of trance, a state of relaxation.

Peaceful silence.

Arriving at my apartment, I got the newspaper I received this morning to look up some news on the approaching storm. However, an article from the sports segment caught my eye.

Tim Chua, one of our basketball stars is facing divorce with super model wife Katrina Uy. Katrina says she found out of Tim’s supposedly secret love affair with a former college classmate. Rumor has it that Tim used to date a guy in college in secret while keeping Katrina as a cover-up. After 3 years of married life, she finally found all the evidence she needs and even went public with it. As of the moment, neither Tim nor Katrina could be reached for comments.

“The league really doesn’t care whether or not someone is homosexual,” said the Basketball Association Commissioner. “However, we have no control how the fans will receive it.”

Tim Chua.

I’ve heard that name before.

-oOo-

MOB!

Fuck! I’m getting tired, I thought, when will this stop?

“C’mon Freshmen! just a few more stops and we’re done for the campus tour”

Our tour guide prodded us to run towards her. This is freshmen orientation. We already met our Dean’s the day before and it wasn’t really that fun as I imagined. Today, we were doing the campus tours... running across campus is not what I call fun.

Ouch!

Who the fuck bumped into me? I thought as I try to get my bearings.

“Oh shit, sorry man!” said an angelic face with the best eyes I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t help but stare. He has dark brown, chinky eyes, high cheek bones, pinkish lips that curved up into a smile. He has a very fair complexion and again, eyes that just draw you in them. Standing 6’1, he was lean but packed. Wearing a green shirt that says “College of Business”, it suddenly clamped to his ripped body as he extended his hand to me.

“Tim,” he said.

“Nathan,” I replied. I took his hand and pulled myself up.

“Nice to meet you, sorry about that” he said.

I was still in trance by my encounter with the angel when my friends came up to me with smiles and all.

“You lucky bastard!” Reese said sarcastically, “Why did you just stand there?”

“Wha-? What should I have done differently?” I asked

“Don’t you know who he is?” Ann asked back.

“Uh, Tim?,” I replied, “Who is he anyway?”

“He just happens to be one of the most famous people from our batch: Tim Chua” said Ray.

“Tim Chua?” I asked quizzically, “If he’s that famous, why don’t I know him?”

“Earth to Nate! Where have you been all you’re life?” replied Reese. “Tim has to be the hottest man in our batch.”

“Like me!” interjected Ray. There was a moment of silence. We looked at him sarcastically and ended up laughing out loud.

“You have got to be kidding me, Ray” I said in between burst of laughter.

“Oh fine then, He’s also our batch’s basketball star, he’s in the honors program of our business course meaning he has brains, and he plays the piano too.”

“Quite talented don’t you think?” said Ann.

“Oh ok then…” I trailed. I walked along the path as we arrived at our next destination not really caring that I’ve just met the hottest guy in school.

-oOo-

One month into the semester and I was late for Math. Damn. Dr. Manalastas would be mighty pissed. He didn’t like late comers, so I’m really screwed. Dr. Manalastas is my advanced calculus professor.

When I arrived, the class room was empty except for one person: Tim.

“He just finished giving out the result our last exam, and I got your paper, I didn’t look at your score though” said Tim, giving out my paper. I was somehow stunned. Why was Tim here, giving me my exam results

“Thanks,” I replied taking the paper from his hand, I subtly looked at the score: A. Woohoo! It was my second A for math. I know I couldn’t hide my smile for long.

“I saw you smile,” he said, “I bet you got an A?”

“Damn luck!” I replied ecstatically, “Yeah. How about you?”

“Same,” he said. “Oh well, I’ll catch you later for the problem solving sessions.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

Then he walked out and I was left in the classroom. What just happened?