She Was Sea

My day was so sad today. My heart felt heavy all day, and to top it off, when it started raining, I realized the rain made me happy. I didn’t bother finding shade and let it drench me completely.

I love rain in a way that most people don’t. When it rains, my first thought is, OMG, let’s go out! That’s exactly what happened tonight, on an already terrible day. Everything was going horribly wrong, overstimulating me and leaving me mentally numb.

It started with a voiceover recording, after which I couldn’t get a cab for what felt like forever. I was stranded in the middle of Majeedi Magu, sweating and dying of embarrassment from all the rejection. Every cab I tried to hail ignored me.

Finally, after what felt like ages, I managed to get one. The driver even stopped at my house so I could run in and pee before heading to Hulhumalé for another work thing. That tiny act of kindness—bare minimum, really—felt like a lifeline. It touched my soul in ways I didn’t expect.

Later, after my work thing, it started raining lightly. I thought I could find some shade under a tree, so I stepped out and kept walking. But the tree didn’t help, and soon I was completely soaked. The place I wanted to eat at was about a block away from the park I was in, but the park itself was huge. So I walked, in heavy rain, drenched to the bone. I must’ve looked miserable, but somehow, it made me happy.

Two women offered to share their umbrella with me, and it warmed my heart. I refused, of course, but the gesture meant the world to me.

The streak of things going wrong continued. I finally reached the restaurant I’d been thinking about all day. Since my cards were expired, I asked if they accepted transfers. They said no. Just like that, I had to walk out and sit outside, feeling wet, sad, miserable, and hopeless. No cab would take me because I was soaked, and it was still drizzling. I didn’t have anyone I could call to pick me up. I think I cried a little.

Then, one of the servers came out and told me to come in—they would make an exception for me. My heart leapt, like a child seeing candy. I thanked him and went inside.

I’d been craving steak all week, and they were one of the few places that served it. I ordered so much—I was sad. The meal was incredible, even though I cried here and there. It was just one of those days. But I loved the food.

Finally, when it was time to pay, I got the bill with a note saying it had already been paid by someone. He’d left his number in case I wanted to thank him. I couldn’t believe it. I’d been feeling lonely and uncared for all day, and a stranger—someone I’ll probably never see again—did that for me.

Most people might find it creepy, but for someone who hasn’t been loved properly, it felt like magic. It honestly made my day. It gave me hope that the universe puts me where I need to be at the right time so it can work its wonders.

That was my day—sad and rainy, but damn, I loved the rain. When I came home, it was still raining. I got wet again just getting inside. Once in my room, I changed out of my wet clothes, lit a candle, dried my hair, crawled into bed, and started watching F Is for Family until I passed out.