The Strength to Stand

It was a gray day for Carol. She was drinking warm, bitter coffee on a cold gray, rainy day. In his cold gray apartment, Looking at his window outside, She can see unfortunate people who forgot to bring their umbrellas moving faster than usual. Some took cover in the hard pouring rain that knocked like tiny needles on her pale gray window. Others who are fortunate to bring one walk gracefully in the flowing rain, throwing bitter smiles at the people who ran frantically like a dog who lost its leash. She often enjoyed days like these quiet days where the usual roar of the engines and people talking are drowned by the pitter-patter of the rain. It was such days like this where Carol can truly enjoy herself looking at people in his gray apartment on her tiny glass window. 

Then suddenly, like a stroke of lightning, an echo of a door being knock filled the dying room with life. It gave Carol a start, almost spilling her coffee. The fact was it was so loud that it drowned the sound of the rain, or maybe it was his apartment that was quiet, and looking at the red door filled her with malice. “Who in the world, whose brave enough to traverse, in this rain to knock on her door.” She thought to herself. With lazy steps, She made her way towards the door, ready to give the person an earful for violating her quiet moment. She opened the door, it purred. 

The person behind it was a girl drenched like a rag, her black and white uniform stick to her like glue. It was an orange-headed girl whose Carol is so familiar with, the girl who loves to dress in stylish clothes, complete opposite to her casual look. It was her childhood friend, and there was nothing stylish about her. In fact, she looks like a candle. Carol urges her to go inside, noticing her intentions.   

The usual gray apartment that was filled with nothing, but the sound of falling rain seemed a little bit brighter. The usual knocking of the rain from her window can’t be heard anymore. Instead, it was replaced by the loud complaining of the rain from her friend Merry, “You won’t believe this, Rae, but out of time, the weather decided to be mean with me. Am I like curse or What?” She yelled loudly at Carol, who was looking at her, removing her clothes, leaving them on the floor like toys. “So, let’s ignore the ancient way of living and tell me what brings you here?” Carol complained to Merry, who was taking her shoes off. “I’m here to take a shower. Genius.” She pointed the sandals at Carol. “I didn’t mean that kind of brings you. Genius. I meant the kind of BRINGS YOU here kind at this town?” Carol moved back, fearing the sandals might get thrown at her. “Well, there’s this guy whom my parents force me to go in date with, but he stood me up because I was cooler than him.” Throwing her sandals on the floor, it bounces two to three times, then slides towards Carol’s feet. “Dress in that?” Carol pointed. “Yes, I dress like James Bond and not those ladies who dress in their fancy dresses, the man with sharp clothes. I dress like them.” Kicking her clothes, she said fiercely. “Well, it might help if you- you know dress more, “Ladylike, the kind where those ladies in James Bond wear. The Fancy Dress-.” Merry interrupted, “You fucking bitch, You knew I like to dress sharply.”  She marched towards the bathroom, now naked, Carol followed.

The bathroom was decorated with simple white tiles. Other than that, it was a bathroom without distinguishing details, but it still serves its purpose for more than 3 years now. Merry step into the shower, the hot shower began to pour like rain. Carol stands beside the door. “So, what did you really came here for May? Don’t tell me that obvious lies again.” Merry was standing silent under the embrace of the shower. “Did your parents kick you out again? Merry nods slightly, drilling her head in the bathroom walls. You don’t have to say anything, I’ll be waiting in the living room.” She nodded again in silence. Carol went to the living room and grab her coffee. The sound of the pouring rain and Merry’s stifled cries filled her apartment with life. 

Merry got out after a while, her changed of clothes prepared near the living room sofa. It was a pair of black shirts which was slightly smaller compared to her usual size. Carol looked at the bust area with dismay. “Both of them sit in silence for a minute, then Merry began to talk, “You know, how religious my parents are, right?” Merry played with the pillow beside her. “They really love sticking to traditions, and today they told me to straighten up.” She hugs the pillow tightly. “And I was at lost, I took a long drive and think, then a long sleep and thought about a lot of things regarding my life.” Carol listened eagerly, gently massaging her right hand. “Am I doing it wrong? What’s wrong with me? The things that they said to is tearing me apart.” She held Carols’ hand tightly. “One day, if the wall I build for myself will breakdown. What then, Rae? What then, It’s breaking my walls are slowly crumbling?” Carol reached out for the pillow and pry it away from her hands. “Stand tall, the May I know won’t let this small stuff decides her future. The May I know will fight for the ones that are right. You for me May, now it’s time for you to fight yours.” Merry took the pillow back. “I can fight for others, but not for me all my life, I help others straighten their walls, but I’m afraid to straighten mine. I’m alone when facing it. Carol yanked the pillow away from her again. “You know, you’re always helping others when it comes to their problems, and now you’re telling me you can’t face yours?” Merry tried to yank the pillow away, but Carol throws it away before she could. “Don’t try to act all alone, You’re not. Like you said, if you can’t face the wall yourself, then I’ll face it with you. If you can’t strengthen your walls yourself, I will strengthen it for you, Starting with this.” Before Merry realizes it, Carol already scorches her forehead with a kiss. “If you ever feel alone, I have a pair of hands for you to hold too, So don’t ever say that you’re alone again. Because you’re not, I care for you, and you should too, May.” Still in silence, Merry faced Carol’s eyes full of tears. “Now, let’s go, May.” Carol reaches out her hand. “In this weather?” she looked at the bright sunny day and the people’s lively conversation from the window. Merry took Carol’s hand, and they went for a long drive.