Rain, Rain, Come Again

Chapter 2

The sound of the frying pan hitting the wood made the strange man whip around in pure surprise. Munching, on the other hand, leaped up in shock.

I covered my mouth and almost let out a scream. Intense fear and sudden wonder confused my mind as I stared at the man. He raised both of his hands, stepping carefully to approach me while his eyes remained warm and calm.

"Don't come closer!" I yelled in panic and picked up the pan from the floor.

Assuming the pan would protect me, I cast a wary look at the stranger. I observed his clothes, which seemed too big for his body--my grandfather was a big man. Thanks to the full moon, I could clearly see his face. He looked decent and sophisticated, not like a thief or a bad person I thought he'd be like. His eyes were gentle as he looked at me.

"Don't be afraid of me, Flora," he muttered softly, with the most relaxing voice I've ever heard.

His voice made my heart flutter, my eyes droopy and I felt myself softening. But I quickly shook my head to fight the strange feeling. I was even more scared.

How did he know my name?

Despite my fear, I pointed to his hand with my trembling finger. I couldn't make a mistake: I saw water flowing from his hand! How did that happen?!

"I'm not bad. You know me, Flora," I shook my head.

I highly doubt that! Even if I stared at his face several times--his brown eyes under those thick lashes, his straight thick brows, his firm-looking lips--

I knew I had never seen him before!

"Are you really a thief? Why... why do you have water in your hand? Where did it come from? Are you an enchantress?!" I bombarded him with questions.

The stranger let out a warm smile. I became even more confused.

"I am your friend, Flora, as you are my friend for a long time," he paused and smiled genuinely.

"I am a rain spirit, Flora, and it was you who created me."

Rain spirit?

I glanced at the clock several times. My gaze shifted back and forth between the wall clock and the man sitting on the sofa, his gentle eyes fixed on me. I looked away and bit my lip. I felt his gaze following me as I paced back and forth.

An hour had passed since he told me that he was a rain spirit. And I didn't know why I let him into the house. I should still be asleep! I shouldn't be awake in the middle of the night like this!

I tightened my grip on the frying pan. I glared at him--the stranger who claimed to be a rain spirit--but he met my gaze with the most soulful, purest eyes.

"When did you arrive? When did you get here?" I asked, pointing the frying pan at him. He straightened up.

"Since I merged with your tears. I felt all of your emotions, and because of this—"

"I'm asking about when!"

"Two months ago?"

I gasped.

"And you're hiding in my grandparents' room?"

He nodded. I exhaled in disbelief! All this time, there was someone with us in the house with Munching, and I had no idea?

But Munching knew! That arrogant cat betrayed me! Ha! And a rain spirit? They're not even real! I had long forgotten my madness about those creatures.

But with the person in front of me, my mind said otherwise.

"And I water the plants early every morning. I'm happy to help you—" he stopped when he felt my piercing glare.

"Do you think I'll thank you?" I snapped.

"I want to help you. I want to heal the wounds in your heart—"

"Wow—!" I huffed. "What is this? You want to help me after what you've done to lola? Are you guilty that she's gone because of you and pity me for being alone? I don't need your help! You should not exist because I'm fine alone! I don't believe in rain spirits anymore, so I want you to leave!"

I almost ran out of breath as I stopped speaking. I felt tears rolling down my cheeks as the wound in my heart that I thought I had buried came back. But I was wrong.

My pain was too deep to heal. Too broken to fix.

The stranger in front of me remained silent. But his eyes showed sympathy and concern. I wiped my tears harshly with the back of my hand. I took a deep breath and stood up straight.

"By tomorrow when I wake up, you had better be gone," I said coldly before turning my back on him.

It was hard to sleep after what happened. But maybe my constant crying while thinking about lola Carin helped me finally fall asleep. My eyes felt sore and heavy when I woke up. They also felt swollen because of all the crying last night. It's been a while since I last cried myself to sleep. I stared at the ceiling and sighed. I remember what happened early this morning. Was it real? Or just a dream?

I yawned and quickly got up. My hair was a mess, and I hadn't washed my face yet when I went out of my room and headed to my grandparents' room. I opened the door and quickly went inside. I looked around the whole room and noticed that nothing had changed or moved. I sighed with relief. I closed my eyes. A dream.

Right. It was just a dream.

I yawned a few times when I went down to the living room. I noticed Munching sleeping on the sofa. I smiled as I looked at the cat that once became my comfort when I thought my world was crumbling.

Definitely a dream.

I turned away from the living room and walked towards the kitchen. I opened the fridge and took the pitcher of water out. I faced the sink, and my heart almost stopped in shock when I saw the back of the person standing at the back door.

My eyes widened, and I stepped back.

Not a dream!

The stranger turned around and smiled. I dropped the pitcher, and the sound of shattering glass filled the silence. We both gasped when he looked at the broken pitcher on the floor. I crouched and started picking up the shattered glass. I winced and yanked my hand away when I felt the stinging cut on my thumb.

While I was enduring the pain in my small wound, my eyes widened as I saw the water rising. Higher and higher until it disappeared into the hands of the stranger. My lips fell apart, and my eyes grew wide as I stared at the dry floor. Only the broken glass was left, and the water had completely dried up.

"H-how..."—I covered my mouth—"W-why..." I couldn't find the right words.

"I feed on water, Flora."

So it wasn't a dream. He's real! He's a rain spirit.

I gasped and hastily stood up. I stepped back until I felt the sink against my back. I stared at him in disbelief. He sighed and lowered his eyes. He bent down and started picking up the broken pieces of glass.

"I-I... didn't I tell you to leave?" I said in a trembling voice. He looked up.

"I can't."

I furrowed my brows.

"What? You can show up whenever you want, but you can't leave?"

"It was you who asked for me, who wanted me—"

"Wait a minute! What are you talking about? As far as I can remember, I never wanted to see you again. You've been completely out from my mind."

"But it's what your soul seeks," he said with a gentle gaze.

I shook my head and pointed to the open kitchen door.

"You're mistaken. I didn't ask you or anything. The door is open, you can leave," I insisted. He shook his head this time.

"I am bound to you. I can't leave. Wherever you go, I go. I am connected to your soul, I can read your emotions, your memories, your thoughts—"

I gasped exaggeratedly and pinched my temples. This creature not only trespassed, but also invaded my thoughts and privacy. This can't be. This is not what I wanted! He's wrong!

I pursed my lips, my brows knitted as I walked towards him and grabbed him by his sleeves. I pulled him and he complied until we reached the old garage. I opened the passenger seat of the truck and pushed him inside. He almost stumbled but didn't complain.

He watched me carefully as I sat in the driver's seat next to him. I slammed the door and quickly fastened my seatbelt. I revved the engine to life and gave him a quick snide glance.

He's wrong! I'll make sure he disappears from my life, now!

I drove quietly out of the remote village of 2B-District. The place was alive with plants and trees. Almost every household had their own gardens. The people were simple, friendly, and conservative, especially the elders.

It took us more than twenty minutes to reach the town center. There were still some bumpy roads to traverse. It was difficult to drive when it rained because of the deep puddles and the thick mud. The stranger inside my truck watched in awe as we passed trees, houses, and rivers. I could tell from his shimmering eyes that he was enjoying the view.

Weird, a rain spirit enjoying summer.

Finally, we reached the city and were now driving on a wide highway. There are more cars on the road now.

"Where are we going?" he asked. I didn't answer him. Instead, I turned at an intersection towards the market where there were many people.

"Why are we here?" he asked again when we arrived at the busy market.

I got out of the truck and walked to the other side. I opened the door and pulled him out. He stumbled as I led him towards the middle of the busy and bustling people.

"I don't care what happens to you. But enough of this, this madness ends here," I breathed deeply. "I repeat, I don't need you in my life, so leave and never come back to us," I said sharply.

His soulful eyes bore into mine that I had to walk away before my heart could soften or change my mind. He remained in his spot until I returned to the truck. He was still looking at me as I got into the truck, with a confused, innocent smile on his lips as he watched me leave.

Guilt. Deep within, I felt guilty that I left him alone in that crowded place. But I fought off the feeling with anger. I shouldn't pity him. Maybe he can handle himself.

All he needed to do was go back to where he came from. I never needed anyone, I'm sure of it. Only Munching was what I needed.

It was already nine o'clock when I returned to 2B-District. I was hungry and sweating from the intense heat. After parking the truck beside the house, I went inside and felt like I was floating, with a heavy weight on my chest. Munching was waiting at the doorway, glaring at me with accusing eyes. I avoided his gaze guiltily.

"I have to do it, Munching. We don't need him," I said.

I walked towards the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took out some frozen meat. I took it to the sink and washed it. I took a deep breath and leaned on the sink while waiting for the ice to completely melt from the meat. Now, it feels better. No rain spirit. No evaporating water. Just the silence, just back to normal.

My eyes shot upward towards the open kitchen door. I approached the door and went outside. But I was shocked when I saw the garden! My flowers!

They're... withering.