1 Let’s Get a Taxicab

A Friday was supposed to be the day that I would wake up late. Commuting would not be so hard because most universities on this day usually start the class on eight thirty or nine. But today's Friday was different. It was raining so hard it sucks.

The wake up alarm on my phone rang at five and hitting the snooze button might be the biggest regret of my life. Waking up twenty minutes later gave me hopelessness that I would be arriving at school on time.

The final exams for this semester passed by two days ago and the remaining days before the semestral break would acquire all students to comply their clearances. In my case, I only lacked one signature from my clinical instructor. This is why I need to get myself up from my bed and perform my morning routine like what I usually do.

I scurried my way towards the door, foot snugging on my left shoe. My hair was partially wet and strands of it tried to get away from the bun I styled a minute ago. Pulling the door open, the petrichor smell lingered through my nose as the the wind blew on my face.

I hate morning rains on school days. Other than the problem of taking a shower on cold water, commuting is the number one issue. I grabbed a spare umbrella, hanging on a hammered nail on the unpainted wall.

The rain was pouring hard. I can even barely hear my heels making any sound as I took a few steps and leaps on stoned blocks. Holding the umbrella tightly, I opened the gate, enough for me to pass by. As I went on my way towards the highway, I could hear the sound of the busy road. It seems like it was not my day afterall. After hearing the traffic, I have concluded that it would be difficult for me to get a ride at this hour.

The rain was making it hard for me. The rain was making the traffic busier and even heavier. The rain was effortlessly letting the people rush on a Friday morning. This was not what I had in mind the night before.

It only took me seconds to cross the road at an intersection lane a few blocks from home. It was a good thing I didn't wear my skintone stockings. It would be uncomfortable to walk around the campus with soaked garments.

As expected, there were no jeepneys vacant, most of it were occupied and full-packed. People rushed and made a mild stampede over a jeepney making a stopover to unload and load. It was already six but I am still stranded on a shaded shelter while gripping on my kept umbrella. I tried to dive within the crowd but it only gave me a hard time, plus the pencil skirt that I am wearing limits my movement.

I started to worry then I heard my phone rang. Someone's calling.

"You are supposed to be here at exactly six thirty? You know that, right?" A tiny voice spoke on the other line of the phone.

"Rain, no transpo." I said cheaply. "What's up?"

"You're gonna get in trouble to what I am about to say, Mia." I paid my full attention to the one speaking.

"Spill it, Tryx."

"Mrs. Gonzales will have an early leave. Eight thirty to be exact." My mouth agaped. "And as far as I am concerned, you need to have your clearance signed by her."

And that was the bad news. Mrs. Gonzales was the clinical instructor whom I needed the most on a rainy Friday. Compiling all the clearances for the semester would mean a lot to a Nursing undergraduate like me, it was like a ticket to be enrolled for the next semester.

"Out of all people, why does it have to be Mrs. Gonzales? Did she mention the reason why she'll be having an early leave?" I noticed that the guy beside me was staring. I tried to ignore it the first time, thinking he was just spacing out but as the conversation between Tryx and I went by, our eyes met.

He was staring at me!

"You need to be here before she leaves. Late enrollees means three days extension." Tryx said before she hung up the call. Extensions would be the last thing I want to have in this world. It sucks to have an extension, going to the university during semestral break and doing some duty works isn't fun at all.

The guy was still looking at my direction. I remain composed and focused on getting a ride when he approached me.

"Hey." His voice was deep which gave me chills. I looked at him and likewise he did, but with a blank and cold face. I couldn't read his mind because of his expressionless face. He was tall and his body was strong built. I could not see his face clearly but one thing's for sure, his face was small, maybe even smaller than mine.

"H-hey?" I didn't know what to say. And that wasn't a good reply, I know.

"We're from the same university." I looked at his uniform and he was right, we have the same university plus same department, too.

"So?" I know it sucks to give the guy a one-word reply but it was the best thing I can do. I'm running late. I didn't have the leisure time to chitchat with some random guy.

"Let's get a taxicab." I gave him a confused look. The rain was pouring harder than it did awhile ago. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your phone conversation but it seems like you are running late, and so am I. Let's get a taxicab."

I didn't say anything for a minute. I wasn't able to process the things he was saying inside my mind. He just offered me to ride a taxicab with him, a guy whom I am not even familiar with, and for the record he doesn't even know me, too.

"I'll pay." He added.