"Kalachuchi"

         It was late in the evening when I had gotten out of school because of a meeting I had with my organization members. I was in such a hurry to get myself home especially because it was already peak hours. Suddenly, I heard a loud rumble coming from the clouds. It was at that very moment that I knew, I was going to be soaking wet in the rain tonight. A bright bolt of lightning had then sparked the dark skies, serving as a prelude to the most awaited violent downpour. As expected, the heavens started showering me and I had nothing, not even a book, to cover over my head. Nevertheless, I had waved my right hand up, hoping that a single jeepney would notice and stop by. To my dismay, every jeepney that passed seemed to be full. It was either going to be a long night of waiting or I’d have to walk home, regardless, I was still wet from the pouring rain.

            Out of nowhere, a tall, pale-skinned girl with long wavy hair, carrying her white tote bag, had stood close beside me with a yellow umbrella. She was staying so close that I was able to smell her fragrant perfume. It smelled like kalachuchi flowers. I looked at her and realized, she was my schoolmate, Rea Plumera. “Are you waiting for a jeepney?” She asked. “Uhmm, yes,” I answered. “My dad will be here in a minute, you can use my umbrella if you want,” she offered. “Thank you,” I said, feeling grateful. As she waited for her ride home, I asked her about how she was feeling ever since she got out of the hospital. It was spread around in school that she had broken her knee during her gymnastics practice. It was so severe that she had to be gone for a week! Fortunately, she said that her knee was all better and that she’ll be getting back to practice as soon as possible especially because she was planning to join a national competition.

            Later that night, a black BMW car had stopped beside us. I presumed it was her dad. “Well, my ride is here. You can give me back my umbrella tomorrow in school,” she said as she hurriedly ran off to her car. As they drove off, I looked around. Realizing that there were no jeepneys around anymore, I decided to walk home since there was no use for me in waiting anymore. Suddenly, the rain had stopped. The skies were calm, and the night was as silent as a ghost. Walking home, the only things lighting my way were the yellow-orange gleams coming from the erected light posts on the street corners. My thoughts then went back to Rea Plumera, the school celebrity who wasn’t just beautiful and smart, but kind as well. She was quite known for being a great gymnast, who had been able to get into the Pambansang Palaro every year; and a mathematical genius, who has been representing the school for countless math leagues. Rumor has it that she even got into the top universities of the country.

            Yet, there was always something that made me wonder about her. She doesn’t really go out with any friends nor does she talk much to anybody. She doesn’t even go out to wander around after school since she goes straight home after classes. She must be a very busy person who doesn’t have time for any of it. I’ve passed by her house once and I recall hearing a lot of screaming. I heard her dad say, “I said, pose for the camera!” I thought it was funny that they would fight over taking a picture. Maybe I just misheard what he said and maybe, fighting was something that Rea’s family usually does. I brushed off my thoughts and just continued walking, since I knew that her life was none of my business.

            As I got closer to home, I saw a crowd of people outside a 2-story house. Police cars and an ambulance were parked outside. Curious, I went closer to check out what the fuss was all about. I look through one of the house’s windows from afar; and I was able see a female’s naked body on a pool of blood, being covered up by investigators. Then, I saw two policemen getting out of the house; carrying a knife, a broken laptop and a white tote bag which were all drenched in blood. One of the policemen who was carrying the bag had passed me by and tripped. All the items in the bag were out, including a perfume bottle which got broken and spilled. The perfume’s fragrance was strong – it smelled like kalachuchi flowers. I then wondered, maybe Rea’s dad wasn’t trying to take a picture after all.