Outside My Window

The sun was setting on yet another day, the rain unyielding for days. I sat there at my window, staring as I usually do on evenings such as this, listening to the droplets hitting the pane. The headlights looked blurred as they drove past. I took a deep sigh and took a sip of my coffee, smiling as the warm liquid filled my senses. The taste bitter sweet as I ran out of sugar but still had my beloved creamer. I sat there, silent. An old man ran past my window with a dog on a leash. Poor man got caught in the storm that was surely on its way, the sound of distant thunder confirming my suspicions. Time seemed to stand still in these moments, the faint pitter patter of the rain hitting my window pane, the rumble of thunder, the scent of freshly brewed coffee, the sight of the droplets falling down the glass like tears, the warmth of the coffee mug in my hand. Not a worry in the world. No expectations from society for how I'm meant too look, how I'm meant to act, who I'm supposed to be. I get to just exist. That is until I saw her.

Her taxi pulled up to the apartment across from mine that lonely, rainy night. Her hair dyed a bright purple and carrying but a single suitcase. She turned to talk to the driver and I could barely make out her features through the blurred water, but from what I could see, she was beautiful. She didn't seem to mind the fact that she was getting drenched. She appeared to be laughing as she waved goodbye to the driver before heading to the door where another woman greeted her. They exchanged a hug and went on inside. Days passed before I saw her again.

I carried on my life as normal. Wake up, go to work, go home, repeat. It had finally stopped and the summer weather returned much to my disliking. It was sunny for days. The weather much too hot to function. Its probably why I like the rain so much. It causes such an impact on the world, watering plants but making people cancel plans, but yet it was so peaceful, serine. My life wasn't very exciting so it didn't bother me. One of these days I went to check my mail and noticed a package that wasn't mine. It belonged to the street across from me. I went to bring it over when the rain started again before I could even step out the door. I guess I'll bring it over when the rain lightens up. I went to bed after setting the package on the dining room table and went to bed, the light drumming of the rain on the roof like a lullaby soothing me to sleep. When I awoke the rain had stopped and I went to work forgetting all about the package. About a day or so went by before I had time off work to deliver the package and I'm glad I did. The girl with the purple hair answered when I knocked at the door. She had the sweetest smile and was one of the most beautiful girls I'd ever seen in my life. She had brown eyes and some piercings and tattoos that made her look like living art. "Um, I believe this is yours, it was delivered to me by accident," I spoke quietly. Why was I so flustered and shy? Its just a girl. A girl unlike anyone I've ever met. She was far more unique than anyone from around here. "Thank you, I've been looking for this," she beamed. I nodded before scrambling home. Why was I so nervous?

I couldn't stop thinking of the girl after that. Her gentle, welcoming smile, her voice. She was stunning too. I wish I asked for her name. The days went by again until the rain began once more. I sat down to enjoy the serenity of it as my usual routine goes when I noticed the girl outside. There was no car and she didn't appear to be rushing inside. In fact she seemed to be standing still, staring up at the sky. She opened up her arms and I could see the brightest smile upon her face even through the rain drops. She began spinning and dancing in the rain, laughing. She seemed so pure and full of life. She seemed to have found the secret to happiness. I watched, infatuated with her. I had to know her name so I ran to the door and opened it just to see her heading inside, the woman draping a towel around her. They were both laughing, although the woman looked quite stern, the purple hair girl seemed genuine. I missed my chance again.

The next morning the sky was clear again and as I ate my breakfast I saw the girl leaving with her suitcase in hand. Was she leaving? She hugged the woman one more time before getting in the taxi and leaving. She was gone. I never got to know her name and I never got to ask why she was dancing in the rain. It started raining again as I finished getting dressed and I decide in that moment I would at least know something about her. I stood at the door watching the rain create puddles on the concrete. I reached my hand out, feeling each rain drop hit my hand. I took a deep breath smelling the fresh earth and listened to the patter of the rain on the concrete. It was like music. I took a step out and shuttered as the warm water hit my face but I kept going until I stood in a newly formed puddle. I held out my arms as I saw her do and started to dance. I soon was fully drenched but I didn't care. I was listening to the rhythm of the storm, the rain and thunder like my own personal orchestra. I danced until I couldn't breathe and I thought to myself, I didn't realize how enjoyable dancing in the rain was because I was too worried about a storm. If I keep worrying about the outcome then I wont experience the moment. This is how you live in the now. I may not have learned her name but she did teach me a valuable lesson, and I will never forget it.