Replenished

It was a scornful Monday afternoon. Everything and everyone was pretty loud at the school field, the same music plays from different groups over and over again, resonating from their respective speakers that it began irritating me that I thought my ears would soon bleed.

"De Chardin, listen! Listen! Back to the previous formation! Back to the previous formation! Niño, stop poking fun with Ca— shahajsnakka" I turn my attention to the class president and some classmates who served as choreographers who were trying their best to lead the class, shouting the entire lungs out with their face red and chests panting. It was as clear as this morning's daylight that they are tired. We are too, but not as tired as they are. I couldn't bear handling a group mixed with a bunch of immature, hard-headed goonies well without losing my temper, what else an entire class?

Gripping on the near edges of my Arnis sticks, burying the soles of my dirty sneakers on the dusty, grass pastured ground to maintain a firm handa position, I let out a listless sigh and watched several of my leading classmates guiding the others to their designated area for the next formation while the others are along with the president, create a new choreography.

My eyelids were getting heavier and heavier as I blink. My muscles, still tired from last Saturday's practice are still sore that they felt as they're about tear apart and my feet, carrying my weight felt as if they're going to sink on the ground. I'm dead tired. But thinking that this practice is going to end soon gives a wee hope and strength to keep myself together.

A small, wet drip suddenly saturated my cheek. Water. Slowly, I feel it flow down my face and I thought that I might look like I'm crying because of the little drop, sailing smoothly from my cheek down to my chin. Looking up at the sky to see the how's weather, my entire body shivered and seem to be awakened the moment my eyes came in contact with dark-grey clouds covering half of the sky, the other half remained blue and clear but the former caught my attention the most.

Nostalgia begins embracing my tired body as sounds and images flash on my thoughts, playing like a film. The fascinating sound of pitter-patter of rain drops as they clash towards the dry ground, saturating the latter. When they fill the flower pots that creates a wonderful view of consecutive graceful ripples, one after another. The forceful gust of wind as they pass through, guiding dry, fallen leaves into unfamiliar places. The gradually cooling down of the hot atmosphere that gives the urge to grab a blanket and make warm cocoa that gives ease not only to the tongue but also the entire body. Ah, it reminds me back in the days, when I was still a kid, waking up on a rainy, my mom serving me delish, smoking breakfast on the table and telling me the news that classes are suspended because of the heavy rain then I would either plop on the couch and watch cartoons on TV the entire morning or go outside and play I the rain with other kids outdoors.

I bit my lower lip hard, inhaling in fervor with deep craving. What wonderful food for my soul. Just remembering the rain replenished my exhausted mind and gave energy to my tired body.

"Okay, now. Ready! Back from the very first position! Let's go back to the top!" My senses were pulled away from my reverie when I heard the class president's voice booming. Immediately, I scuttled to my position and waited for the music to start, prepared and ready to perform with full energy for another round of our practice.