Our Rains

“I am fond of you Marcus Alvarez!” To a heart that could no longer keep the passion, it searches for ways to break down any walls of shame. But for Alicia Rodriguez, she sees no walls or any circumstances that could cease her confession, for she has always been strong minded and composed over her feelings. No matter what the result, it shall fall to the future. And the current moment is what truly matters.

Marcus and her; with their eyes gazing ten steps away from each other.

The hallway feels like a box cornering them from edges to edges. People with their greatly awed expressions, stood waiting for the side opponent to respond and when he did, came the roar of the crowd.

“You are blessed to have courage” he said. “But courage is created because misfortunes and failures exist. And at the moment, you are not favored by fortune, for I am not fond of tenacious and outrageous girls”

It is true that she is courageous, but courage is not the only thing which possesses her, but as well as perseverance and persistence.

Rejection does not cause her pain but feeds the boldness of her spirit.

“Do you hear how desirable you sound presently?” answered she.

Marcus smirks “You are unbelievably strange” He said and these words only killed the female-role stereotype, for Alicia Rodriguez, is indeed strange.

Marcus now breaks away from her sight as Alicia—the bold and strange girl prompts her winning grin.

*****

Alicia finds herself in a difficult situation as her phone slipped off from her pocket inside the taxi cab. It has been 10 minutes since she reached the house of her mother’s fiancée and it has also been 10 minutes since she’s looking for her phone. Thank God that the driver was kind and patient enough to wait and help her find it that it didn’t take another forever to locate her device.

“Thank God” she said, pulling out her phone from the very dark corner of the car. She was sweating out of infuriation and impatience and her dress became ruffled by her wiggling and squirming.

She’s going to be meeting her future stepdad and sibling—which apparently she’s not very much enthralled meeting with. And she means to appear presentable as ever.

Alicia is astounded after hearing her mother’s engagement. Truly, she doesn’t object to her mother marrying but the only thing which brings her concern is her going to be stepfather. She had seen how much her mothers’ past relationships dropped to failure that she couldn’t help but expect nothing on the engagement. God forgives her but she has begun to have trust issues ever since.

As soon as the taxi cab drove away, Alicia quickly entered the widely opened gate and ascended up the entrance door. It was a wooden two way door curated with an intricate Bohemian carving. Alicia was in awe standing in front of a building that stretches out in an L-shape over the isolated top of a hill. She is not quite great with determining the detailed style of the house but she was certain it is a modern tropical home owned by a very affluent family. The walls were made out of stone, transparent glass walls and natural timber woods. And by the night, the warm lights inside greatly glimmers as if the house itself is made out of gold.

Distracting her own awe, she pressed the home buzzer. Without another second of waiting, the door quickly opened to reveal an attendee in a white uniform.

She beholds a very welcoming expression that Alicia exchanged with a warm smile. The attendee escorted her toward the pool area where they’ll be taking dinner. As they pass through the living room, Alicia quickly scans the room and holds her breath.

A three layered Bohemian pendant light hangs over the high ceiling. Under it is the 7 seat L-shaped postmodern beige leather couch paired with its centralized rectangular table completely made up of pure wood. Massive tropical plants reside each corner of the room. And a full length sheer drape covers an area of their high ceiling glass walls.

Alicia felt like she was inside the lobby of a hotel. She pondered to herself that moving in here is not bad at all. However, she quickly withdrew the thoughts as if it was a disease slowing eating her disposition.

The attendee left her alone standing before the glass wall. Beyond it, she sees two silhouettes of people sitting around a table. Alicia takes a look at herself before deciding to show up. She fixed her dress and hooked strands of her hair in the back of her ears.

She stepped in and just before her presence is noticed, a voice hovered in the air.

“Dad!” He called.

The man sitting next to her mother, quickly stood up. “Marcus? Son!”

She stopped.

The world spins around in a never ending spiral. As if she was sucked up in a wormhole or got carried out by a tornado. All she was left to do was stand rigid on the cobble stone as a swift of air passed beside her. Before her eyes is a familiar stance of a man jogging toward the direction of his father.

“Seriously? Marcus couldn’t possibly be?” She thought.

Alicia wanted to retrace her steps. She wanted to fight the force that was sucking her deeply towards an unknown. However...

“Alicia!” Her mother called.

Taking a 45 minute flight from NAIA and 20 minute drive home just to find out Alicia Rodriguez is going to be his stepsister, would have to be the greatest plot twist of all time in Marcus Alvarez’s whole existence.

He thought of this as he stands beside his father greeting his soon-to-be-stepdaughter. He could not calculate what he feels nor could let the idea of his reality inside his own consciousness.

“Nice to finally meet you Alicia. I am in no doubt you are your mother’s gorgeous daughter” Roberto Alvarez a middle-aged man, freshly cut hair, proportioned physique, harmonized facial features squired by his son, 6.5 foot tall height, with his air of decency and wrinkles when he smiles, took the hand of Alicia for a gentle shake.

The young woman who has already been painted red by bewilderment a long moment ago, produced another tinted facial expression by such a compliment.

I’ve never been with guy with despicable look Alicia and most of my suitors failed to even meet my standard” as what her mother says. Alicia would just scorn over her vanity. She knew her mother’s a bit haughty when it comes to her looks but tonight, I guess she proved herself right when she clearly saw the face of Mr. Roberto Alvarez the master of the house.

“I heard you two got to the same high school” Roberto stated as soon as they settled around the table. “You must have both known each other?”

“Oh...YES! Marcus was actually my batch mate” Alicia replies.

“That’s good news. Familiarity is a great advantage” he remarked.

“Sure it is” Alicia nods.

During dinner, few words had been expressed by the two younger people. Alicia does only her drink—sipping a glass of cold champagne refusing to look at anyone. Marcus on the other hand, still envelopes with disbelief and confusion— speak only when being spoken to or asked. Without the commencements passed by the adults to the food and fine champagne, as well as the clinking of the plates and utensils, the table could be deadpan.

“Did you like the buttered shrimp, Marcus?” Roberto questioned his son—disrupting his silence.

“It-it was delicious,” he said.

“Your Aunt Meryl prepared it” he warmly smiled towards her. “She asked me about your favorite dish and insisted on cooking if for you”

“Oh? Is that so? You shouldn't have bothered” he said.

“Oh no! it was my pleasure cooking for my future son” she replied which made Alicia gulped another shot from her drink.

“Th-thank you Au-Aunt Meryl” Marcus forced a smile.

There was a minute of silence before the a disturbing sound coming from the kitchen sent Meryl’s face in horror.

“What was that?!”

Alicia motions to hold her mother’s hand but across the table, Roberto was quick to grab it first.

“Mother are you alright?” She only questioned.

“Y-yes I-I was just surprised. I apologize for that” her mother answered.

“It’s alright dear” Roberto reassured.

Marcus who knows too well that he shouldn’t be estranged to Meryl’s tremendous reaction decided to check the kitchen. He arrived and saw fragments of broken plates on the tiles and the window wide open. After his suspicion decides it to be a neighbor's cats’ intrusion—sliding the pile of newly washed dishes on the counter table, and also, with housekeeper’s arrival, immediately dismissed himself back to the pool to provide the people explanation.

“Our window cannot be left open these days, the neighbors' cats had grown quite aggressive and I fear that it would bring more destruction inside our house,” said Roberto, clicking his tongue.

After some short conversation, Roberto then gripped the hands of Meryl and declares, “So, Marcus, Alicia? Meryl and I have both decided to get married in two months”

“Two months—?!” Alicia quickly reverted her reaction.

“We understand it’s earlier than expected but as we both realized that you and Marcus are really going to get occupied with your jobs, we thought we could make it in haste”

“But dad? Isn’t it more formal if we could know better of each other’s family before you both get married? I -I guess that would be fair for Alicia and I” Suggested Marcus.

“You have a point son, that’s why we decided that your aunt should move in here as soon as possible while Alicia is still on her vacation and before your ATPL”

“Huh?!” Alicia interrupted "I mean- isn’t it too soon Mother?”

“I understand your feelings, we do, but your uncle and I aren’t getting any younger, it’s not like we are in our 20s” Meryl laughs, encircling her arms over Roberto.

“B-but?”

The younger people needed not to reason, now that their parent’s minds cannot be changed. The moving-in process will now take place, with or without their objections.

Screaming and yelling are not only the epitome of loudness but silence—their silence evoking after the verdict had been confirmed.

The next day, Alicia begins to pack for their department. As she strips her room with things, a cold wind suddenly slips in through her window causing her to think how much their house in Maharlika Street she lived all her life and her room that were great witnesses of her childhood, she would not imagine leaving behind. Alicia never once idealized that she would ever leave the place. Even if she becomes wealthy and able to purchase better property than her mother’s lover, apart of her will always want to stay. However, this sadness curling and syncing in her heart, were ceased by the entrance of her mother.

“You should get rid of the things that are not much needed” her mother suggested.

“And what do you suggest for me to do with the others?” Alicia turned to her.

“Throw it away! Give it to our neighbors” she said.

“Absolutely not mother! I cannot be assertive on this ‘planned marriage’”

“And why is that?”

“Mother? I am your daughter and I know you better than the judgement of anyone else’s, your mind is transient and indecisive, you could change it all the time”

“But this one I am certain! Roberto’s kind and I haven’t met anyone as handsome, agreeable and—

—rich?” Alicia interrupted.

“How dare you talk to your mother that way?!” Meryl exclaimed, crossing her arms together. “Well, I do not blame you for having such ill judgement about me, I do indeed prefer rich men” she withdraws her anger.

Alicia smirks.

“But indeed it is true! I have never met as kind and understanding as Roberto” continues Meryl, now positioned closer to her daughter.

“How about Tatay Roel?” Alicia replies, causing her own mother to flinch “Was he also the kindest and most agreeable man?”

“W-well he was, but they are different people in different eras of my life Alicia. And besides, I have greatly moved on from him, I guess you should do as well my dear” she responded and quickly dismissed herself from the room.

Alicia rolls her eyes and drops herself on the bed.

Though denied from the affection of her unknown biological father, Alicia never felt fatherless, as her Tatay Roel—an unmarried and childless tricycle driver— who was the first person to show them kindness the time they moved in the street, had provided her with love and care. A care more than a father could have ever done. Though his relationship with her mother was unclear, Alicia sees him as a parent, as he treated Alicia as his very own. But one day, when she was sixteen, he left with no trace. Alicia never had the chance to see him again before the day she received the terrible news, tremendously breaking her heart. He died. Greatly leaving a void inside Alicia’s heart up until the present.

***

Darkness has finally eaten the crimson sky of St. Vincent Village when Marcus alleviates himself at their balcony. The night sky had finally set as stars starts to become evident through the disappearing clouds. The village stands atop the mountain—secluded from the center of the city. Nevertheless, the property is advantageous for those house owners who enjoy a night panoramic view.

Alvarez’s residence stands three houses away from the entrance gate of the villa. A tropical L-shaped two-story house with a wide lawn and space that stretches out for a 15 square meter pool. The property is secured with its wrought iron frame and wooden planks gate.

The house had recently been redesigned by the master of the house himself, Roberto Alvarez who enjoys architecture whenever he’s free from business. Though their previous house was instilled with many memories of the late mistress, the son of the house Marcus Alvarez realized that change doesn’t steal away memories, it will always be there— living in your mind like its very own person.

“Marcus?” His father arrives.

It is seldom for Mr. Roberto Alvarez to wander around the house nor spends a long time relaxing over a couch in the sala. His pass time is always spent on his study. But presently, due to some future change, he took the stairs and headed himself to examine the room where Alicia is going to be staying for tomorrow on.

“I thought you left” he tapped his back.

“The airline moved me to another schedule. I’m going to join an afternoon flight tomorrow” he answered.

“I see! So you cannot welcome your Aunt Meryl and Alicia with me tomorrow?”

“What time they’ll be here?” Marcus asked.

“First thing in the afternoon”

“I have my flight to Bohol during that time, but I’ll make sure to make it the night. I apologize Dad” said he, slighting a smile.

“It is alright son, as long as you welcome them warmly at our home.”

“Of-of course, Dad” he answered. There was a bitter hesitation he ceased on his tongue. A truth drilled on his gut. And an undeniable disagreement he chose to tie around his throat. Marcus is still trapped in a momentum of yesterday. Still drowned on an indescribable feeling, he wishes a word could encapsulate. That no matter how Marcus tells his father that he would welcome them, he would not be doing so without a spit of indifference to himself. Marcus could not stop but wondered how his relationship with Alicia would take its turn. Or how this pretense would drag them along or could bring change between them.

The father and son, after momentarily got occupied with silence had shifted to a conversation of astronomy. Besides the fact that these two had similar features, they also share the same interests. 8 p.m. strike and a call for a late dinner have made them move downstairs to the kitchen where they enjoy their favorite dish ‘pinakbet and caldereta’

“Have you settled in your room, Alicia?” Says Mr. Alvarez to the young woman sitting across the table as they took dinner. Both women arrived exactly one pm on the afternoon while he was staring blankly at the screen of his computer. Mr. Roberto Alvarez is known to have a calm disposition, but that day, he could not quite settle himself. Going back and forth from his chair— impatiently waiting for one of the housekeepers to call his attention by saying that his soon-to-be wife has arrived. Most of their belongings were first to arrive. He was supposed to personally fetch them, however due to an unexpected work-related event, he was unable to personally lend his fiancé a hand. Nevertheless, he sent a big truck and few people that could help them pack. He felt bad of course, but was immediately eased as his lover comforted him with words.

“I’m quite comfortable now, Sir”

“Sir?—

“I apologize, I do not know how to address you” she flushed.

He laughed. “The first time I met you, you called me sir and I was fine with it, but please stop the formality. We are about to become family so better practice yourself calling me ‘uncle’ or ‘dad’, if that’s alright with you”

The way Alicia glances over her mother is either an indication that she was not prepared for it or ever will be. And he understands this and gave a playful wink as the young woman repeated the word ‘uncle’

“Is Marcus not coming home tonight dear?” Questioned Meryl.

“Marcus was supposed to have a flight to Bohol earlier this afternoon and promised to come home tonight. However, there was a 2 hour delay so I am afraid he would not be joining us” he said scratching the chicken meat through his fork.

“You know what dear? Marcus quite has an interesting job”

“Hmmm precisely he does, but quite exhausting I may say”

“Why do you find so?”

“Well-I don’t prefer fleeting from place to place and let’s not leave out the risk and danger”

“You are quite right, it is indeed risky”

“But if it’s risky?” Alicia wonders “why did you let Marcus take such a job?”

The adults quickly turned their attention to her. They did not expect her to join in the conversation. She, who notices their reaction quickly withdraws with an apology.

Mr. Alvarez smiled.

“I was also wondering why?” He leaned forward. “I remember when Marcus was young, I rarely let him miss away from my sight. I admit, I was overprotective of him. There was even some time when he asked for my permission if he could be a little late after school with his friends, but I quickly turned him down and never even tried to hear his reasons. And then I just found out that he was laughed out by his classmates because he made mistakes while performing on the stage. I didn’t know that it was important for him to stay and what’s worse? he got a low mark in performance tasks. And that’s when I begin to understand that in order for him to be competitive in this world, I must let him go. But before doing so, I must also exercise myself of letting go of everything I fear. His safety, his life. I do value them as much I do value my own life. However, we do not bore children to keep them in our pockets, they need to be adults as they ought to be. If it is our responsibility of keeping them safe, we are much oblige of allowing them decide of who and what they want to be. And let them shape the person they intend to be in this world—though, as a parent, I would live my whole life worrying.”

Meryl rubs his back and speaks, “What a great father you are dear”

“Marcus is indeed very lucky to have you as a father” complimented Alicia to whom Mr. Alvarez responded with a smile.

After their dinner, Meryl requested if he could spare some time to show them around the house. It is not for her sake but for her daughter who had a little opportunity after their introductory dinner last time to be showed around the house. Upon receiving such kind plea, Mr. Alvarez was glad to oblige. He stands taking the hand of his lover as they advance to the living room, calling Alicia to follow.

“I hope this house will bring you both comfort” Roberto said as they stopped in the living room. They just finished strolling around the house and the women could not help but throw compliments to every corner Roberto shows them, especially Meryl—though had been already introduced to the house for quite a long time now—still cannot help but be mesmerized.

“The place is more than comfortable Uncle” Alicia eased him.

“I am glad you both like the place but if ever—in the future—Meryl and you would like some change in the house, it will be open for another adjustment” he said, rubbing his hands over Meryl’s—which he refused to let go the moment they left the dining table. But away from their sight, is Alicia’s unclear facial expression hearing the word ‘future’ The future that for her seems so unclear and indecisive. Whether she should be glad over such wonderful and promising words prompted by her uncle Roberto—the decision will be laid to the future itself, specifically, to her mother.

Alicia came eye to eye with the ceiling as soon as she woke up one morning. Almost a week after their arrival in the Alvarez’s household. Her room remains gloomy as the thick curtains suppresses the sunlight to simp in. However, she could tell that the sun had fully risen due to a light peeping through the edge of the uncovered part of the window. The room was quiet—she could hear none except the sound of her own breathing. She means to spend another minute—just feeling the sensation of the warm comforter wrapping around her body. But alongside the comfort that she’s felt, was the wish that she’s somewhere else’s than there—lying in an unfamiliar bedroom in an unfamiliar house.

It was not a minute after she closed her eyes — when she hears footsteps trailing the hallway. A door opens then closes. For a moment, she breathes, but then the footstep heads forward until it recedes in front of her doorstep.

“Alicia?” Came a gentle voice on that early morning.

This is the inescapable truth she doubts she can ever withstand. If ever the marriage does work— Marcus would become her stepbrother. Whether she opposes it or not, he would still be. It was like a game of trial and error. However, lose or win, still it was a game.

“Good morning” Marcus greeted as soon as she swung the door open.

“Good morning” she replied.

“I-I apologize for disturbing your sleep, but can I use your bathroom?”

In regards to such a request, for a moment, it left Alicia in skepticism. For she knew that the house had four baths but as to why Marcus wanted to use hers, she now disregards herself to further wonder. Alicia then excused herself from the room after letting Marcus in but before that, she sees him rub his nape as if deliberating to proceed inside.

“Thank you,” he said.

It must have been the aroma of coffee she smells from the kitchen that made her mood slightly elevated. She greeted the housekeeper good morning and Mr Alvarez— whose face was covered with newspaper.

“I hope you had a good sleep” he said as he hears Alicia occupies the chair adjacent to him.

“The room was comfortable, I definitely had”

“I am glad”

Roberto takes off the newspaper.

“Marcus has arrived, have you seen him?”

“Yes, I did. He is actually in my bathroom”

“Bathroom? Why is he in your bathroom?” He wondered.

“He asked me if he could use it?”

“Well, that is strange. But perhaps the other bathrooms are having trouble again” He said.

“Trouble?”

“The water pipe sometimes refuses to work. I tried fixing them but I guess we need someone professional to do the job.” “I hope it was not a trouble to you Alicia?” He added.

“Oh no! Not all!”

Alicia was about to inquire about her mother—when she hears her voice interrupting their conversation.

“Alicia, have you seen my cleansing soap? I’ve been trying to find it since last night” she stepped in. She was in a pink robe with a tight band on her hair.

“I am not quite sure” she answered.

Her mother had plenty of soap so she couldn’t identify the exact one she was looking for, but brought by the memory last night, she did see a familiar green bottle— that must have been her mother’s mixed with her toiletries. And speaking of soap, rouse from her senses, the night she accidentally met Marcus in Japan and shared a hotel room with him on her way back to the country— where she kept all the hotel soaps and lotions in her bag, not expecting that Marcus will look for them.

“It is strange he said, that the hotel has forgot to put some bottles of shampoo and soap. I know it is unbelievable for you, but I use them because I don’t usually bring shampoo with me” Alicia only pretended to agree. It was not to her anticipation that Marcus is not a very intricate/picky person. But now that she forgot to hide them—Marcus must have seen them now.

“Oh god!” She gasped and then quickly run upstairs leaving the pair in wonder.