A storm seemed to hint its arrival; not the life's storm I was anticipating though, the literal one. The sky was blemished with a dome of nimbus clouds since morning, blotting the zenith with patches of cocktail blue. I observed the weather from a comfortable position, with Bruno relaxing on my lap, through the open window at the bedside. The clouds condensed as they diverged across the vivid landscape, blocking out even the slightest golden ray of the already obscured sun. Thunder cracked in the distance while the clouds released their first droplets of pure water on Mother Earth's surface as a response. Pitter-patter resonance reverberated as rain pellets drizzled upon the concrete roof. I outstretched my hand out of the window as if trying to catch a few droplets.

There was a knock on the door. Jonas came hopping in, his hair and t-shirt drenched slightly at places.

"Got the groceries just now. Asked Mrs. Arabella to make some warm bread bowl soup and baked potatoes," he said curiously while rubbing his hands together to warm them up.

I giggled eagerly. Bread bowl soup and baked potatoes made the perfect combo for a rainy day.

"By the way Amy, I saw your clothes in the yard, you should bring them inside."

My clothes. How could I forget about them!

I had brought only a few pairs with me and I had been piling all of them up these days, expecting that I'll find a way to get them washed. Not finding any, I had washed them last night; yes, I washed my clothes by myself for the first time in my life.

I had left them for drying in the yard, they must be all wet again in the rain by now...

I got up so hastily that Bruno almost tumbled down to the floor. Jonas probably got worried seeing me rush downstairs in such a hurry because I soon perceived the echo of his footsteps following me. I didn't stumble down the stairs just by luck. Well, it all went in vain; my clothes were already fully drenched by the time I reached.

"You should have informed me before that you are planning on a race down the stairs," Jonas jested while panting heavily.

We both glanced up at the sound of Bruno's sudden barks.

"See, he also knows about the race."

I guffawed wholeheartedly at that, forgetting that I was supposed to be worried about my clothes at that moment.

"When was the last time you had a water balloon fight in rain?" Jonas asked curiously, looking at the downpour.

"Water balloon fight?" I repeated.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you have never done it!"

I shook my head. I was never allowed to drench in the rain back at our house. Pappa always used to forbid me saying that I would catch a cold.

"Then what are you waiting for? Let me bring the balloons, I should have some upstairs!"

Jonas was already gone even before I could respond. He came back a while later with a handful of water balloons of multi-colors.

"June but-" I interrupted as he prepared to hop into the yard, "-all my clothes are wet and the one I'm wearing now is the only one left, so I can't go."

"Why fear when June's here? I'll lend you one of my shirts, no worries," he assured in high spirits.

"Now let's goooooo!"

I always wanted to try out things that I had never got the privilege to do in my mansion, and it seemed like the perfect time. We both sprang out into the yard, Bruno following us.

Jonas explained the rules to me; each of us would have five balloons which we had to fill to the brim with rainwater one by one, and then shoot the other person with it successfully. The one who finishes first wins.

I took five balloons from him as we both parted with a considerable distance between us.

"On the count of three!" he exclaimed from the other end.

"One, two, and three!"

We both instantly started filling our balloons with the rainwater. My first balloon was done, but the moment I tried to tie it up, all the water leaked out from the balloon. My luck.

"There you go!" Jonas aimed a water balloon towards me that smacked me on the arm, water splashing out of the balloon.

I narrowed my eyes to convey my irritation. I started filling another balloon, determined to attack him next. I prepared to tie my balloon when another water balloon came flying and hit me directly on the head. I dropped the balloon in my hand due to the sudden blow.

"Bull's eye!" he exclaimed with an air of success.

I might blow up like a balloon myself out of annoyance.

He was busy filling his third balloon when I almost gave up. Until-

My eyes fell on a pipe nearby that was attached to a water supply. It was used for washing the car. I sneaked a look at Jonas; he was too busy to keep a check on me. Perfect.

I tiptoed towards the pipe and began filling all my balloons with water from the pipe. It was a way too quick process compared to the rainwater. I was already done filling all five balloons in no time and peeked over to find out that Jonas missed his third balloon, so he was refilling it again. I took this chance to tie up all my balloons and sneaked back to my position, pretending that nothing extraordinary happened.

"Three points to me!" he exclaimed as the third balloon bashed against my knees.

He began preparing for the fourth attack, too excited to win already. Just get ready for the plot twist boy. I chuckled as I imagined his upcoming reaction in my mind.

I shifted to a better position, from where I was sure I could aim perfectly. And there we go!

I began shooting all five balloons at him, one by one, giving him absolutely no chance to counter my attack.

To say he was 'startled' would be an understatement. The look on his face was worth watching! He hadn't expected the sudden twist in any way.

I laughed out loud as he stood there with a frown, which seemed more like the puffed-up face of an angry little child who would be throwing everything he finds on his way.

"I win!" I grinned, revealing all my teeth.

"Fine-" he stopped in the middle of the word as his eyes fell on the pipe from which water was still oozing out.

I had forgotten to turn off the tap.

"Wait, you cheated!" he exclaimed.

"I'll take my revenge for that!"

Before he could take his revenge, our attention was drawn to an approaching figure at the foot of the staircase.

"You two are never going to stop your childish acts, are you?" Kelvin commented with an expression that gave out the 'I-am-fed-up-of-you-both' vibes.

"Why don't you join us, Xav Bro?" Jonas invited him eagerly.

"I am fine thank you," Kelvin replied with an eye roll.

An idea popped into my head. I was going to make Mr. Angry Young Man join us.

The very moment Kelvin turned away to leave, I leaped towards the pipe and pointed it straight towards his direction. WHOOSH!

The water hit Kelvin directly with a powerful splash, drenching him from top to bottom. He turned back to reveal a mighty scowl, his green eyes half-hidden by his wet jet black hair. He looked hilarious in that wet cat face.

"Miss Amyra, I'm going to kick you out of my house!"

Jonas chortled at the scene, even he hadn't expected that I would do such a thing. He thought of adding an extension to my bravery, so he skipped towards Kelvin and started dragging him into the yard.

"Xav Bro, please please please!"

Kelvin retaliated for a while before finally giving up at June's childishness. Jonas tugged him into the yard successfully and then plopped himself down on the ground.

"What? Sit down," he gestured to both of us.

I followed and flumped down beside him as I saw Kelvin doing the same on the other side. Bruno settled peacefully on my lap as I caressed his hazelnut fur. I had almost forgotten that he was also enjoying the rain with us all the time.

There was a long stretching silence. None of us spoke, we just enjoyed the soft musical chime of the rainwater resonating in the calmness. I glanced at my side; Jonas was enjoying the serenity with his eyes closed, even Kelvin had a smile spread across his face.

I looked at the horizon, it was tinted a beautiful shade of deep blue with a greyish hue. Rain could indeed make everything seem so beautiful. The song of the rain, the smell of the Earth, everything. This was the first time I had drenched in rain like this. It felt euphoric.

I wish the rain could wash away all the worries and agony from my heart, just the way it washes away even the slightest vestiges of city dust. I didn't know what was coming next, but this moment was beautiful.

I wish I could hold onto it forever.

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