Chapter 2 - Red Umbrella and Memories

"If I wasn't in his life. Would she be happier?”

**

I just finished cleaning my shoes and luckily they are black. So, it's not very visible if it's wet.

“Still smells a bit. Are you okay?" asked Sandra who was standing next to me with a wet tissue in her hand.

"Yes." I don't mind the smell. At least these shoes dry quickly before I get home.

Sandra who heard my words nodded briefly, then handed her the mineral water she bought earlier.

"Thanks."

After drinking it, I immediately took Sandra to class. But Sandra refused and let go of my hold.

"What is wrong?"

“Emm… I'm going to go visit Tommy. You can go first."

"Are you sure? I'm afraid you can't call it yourself. What do you need me to do?" I offered, but she immediately shook his head.

I think she's still mad at me. I didn't mean anything bad though. Or she was being too presumptuous?

"Okay, I'll go back to class. Take care of yourself!" I concluded with a smile and she didn't reply at all.

Honestly I'm curious, does her boyfriend still remember his first kiss with me? Or not? If he forgot, oh dear. Even though the kiss under the rain at that time was really romantic.

"Will he repeat it with Sandra?"

**

I looked out the window at the clouds and the birds flying freely in the sky. The weather forecast says it's raining today, but that doesn't seem right. Because everything looks fine.

"Even clear clouds can be a sign of rain," said the voice as if reading my mind.

I turned to the source of the voice and it turned out that the voice belonged to a man sitting beside me

"Hi," he said softly to me.

"Ah, hi," I replied awkwardly.

Wasn't this the man who saw me earlier in the cafeteria? Why is he sitting on Sandra's bench? And how did he know my class?

"You seem to have a lot of questions in your head."

"Hah?"

"My name is Nicky Oliver. And you?" she asked with a sweet smile.

"Tamara."

"Only Tamara?"

"Yes."

I deliberately answered briefly, so that he immediately returned to his class. But to my surprise, he continued to watch me.

"Soon the bell, why don't you go back to your class?" I asked without looking at Nicky.

"I will be right back. But I have to meet my cousin first. She's in this class."

Ah, she's looking for his cousin. So this meeting was just a coincidence.

"Did you bring an umbrella?"

"Not."

"Hey, it's going to rain. Why not take it?"

I looked at him annoyed. I don't know how his words reminded me of someone and now I'm really fed up.

“Stop talking! Do you understand?!” I snapped at him.

And I could see that his face was so shocked. However, is he smiling at me now?

“…” Wait, his voice is too low. I can't hear it clearly.

"Nick?!" call Alexi who just came with her friends.

I turned around for a moment before finally seeing Nicky stand up from Sandra's bench and approach Alexi.

Did he mean Alexi as a younger cousin?

“Hey, pretty girl! See you again!" said Nicky who from afar greeted me with a wave and I who was on the bench could only cover my face as if I didn't know him.

What does he really want? We're just getting to know each other. And I'm not at all attracted by his looks, even though he's handsome. But he's not my type.

Ah, just mind blowing.

**

"Didn't you bring an umbrella?" asked Sandra, looking up at the sky which was so dark.

"No," I answered slowly.

I should have brought it, but… ah never mind, what's the point of me complaining all the time. If I ran to get home, it definitely wouldn't get soaked.

"Then just use mine. I'll have my maid bring another umbrella later."

"No need. Besides, my house isn't far from here."

"But still, Tam—" I immediately put my finger to his lips, telling her to stop talking.

“Why worry about other people, if it bothers you?”

Sandra was silent by looking at me half sad. But I ignored it and immediately took my bag.

"You want to go home, don't you?" take me.

"Want."

Sandra then went home first because the driver had arrived. While I was still silent in the increasingly quiet school.

"Use this umbrella!" said the voice while giving me a red umbrella.

I looked up at the owner of the umbrella and who would have thought, it was Tommy. A man with jet black hair with brown eyes. The man who once filled my days.

"Why did you give it to me? You need it yourself," I replied.

However, he quickly put the umbrella in my hand. I glanced at him for a while, before he went through the rain that was still pouring down at that time.

"Just tell me you don't want me to get sick. What's so difficult?" I muttered with a faint smile while looking at the red umbrella in my hand.

If I can tell the truth, I'm sorry I hurt her feelings in the past. If so, all is well. Will you still be by my side?

**

"I am home!" my scream echoed in the house.

I then threw my bag on the sofa and lay down on the other sofa. Ah, tired today. I just wanted to take a shower and go to sleep. However, I still have piano and maths lessons scheduled.

Then, when can I rest?

"You just got home?" the voice asked me getting up from the couch.

"Oh yes, Mom. Mom herself just got home too?” I asked the woman who was wearing a t-shirt and leggings.

Her face always looks so serious and cold as if telling me never to play with her. I don't know, is she annoyed with my question? Or is she really tired now?

“Harisson said you came home at 2, but why did you come home at 3? Isn't your school and this house not far away? What excuse do you want to give today?”

All these questions left me speechless. I don't know what answer to give. And what's the point of giving it, if she just doesn't care.

"It was raining. So I waited for a while until the rain stopped,” I replied with my eyes staring at the floor.

"Reason. You saw the rain forecast yesterday. So why not bring an umbrella?”

I wish I could cover her mouth at that moment. Tell her how annoyed I am. Even though it was clear, she brought her umbrella and there was no more spare umbrella. I even told her, but she said she would buy it soon. Is she really forgetful?

"Mom, isn't the umbrella-"

“Go to your room now! And get ready for the lesson!”

I kept quiet and obeyed her, and that was my life. Always obey her words.

Sometimes I wonder, is she really my real mother? Or is it not?

"Asking in the heart always gets no answer. But asking directly ends in a fight. Actually, how does life work out?”