The Yellow Brick Road
Chapter 19: RAIN – Milly runs into Dearka
September, C.E. 80
It's raining hard in December City, and it's just Milly's luck that she forgot her umbrella today. She's been stranded at the bookstore entrance for half an hour already. She planned on waiting out the rain, but it doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Her apartment rental is just two blocks away, so Milly's entertaining the idea of just drenching herself to get home. It's been a long day and being a little wet wouldn't be much of a concern if it means getting to lie down on her bed sooner.
She takes two steps out of the bookstore entrance when someone shields her from getting hit by the raindrops. She looks up to see a large black umbrella being held by a familiar blonde man with tanned skin, who, when their eyes meet, is as surprised as she is.
"Miriallia?"
"Dearka."
They stand in silence for a good few awkward minutes. It doesn't take a genius to guess that Dearka was trying to help a stranger about to drench herself in the downpour. But he didn't realize the stranger just so happened to be his ex-girlfriend. He didn't recognize her from inside the bookstore — it's been years since they last saw each other, after all.
"Thanks," Milly tells him, directing her gaze to the pavement. "I stay just two blocks from here. I can go by myself."
"What? No, I'll take you there," Dearka offers, looking around to see the rain pouring harder than earlier. "I don't have anywhere to be anyway."
So Milly allows him to escort her to where she's staying. She gives him directions, and she raises her voice when she does so because the rain has become loud. They arrive at the building entrance and step into the lobby shaking off the wetness as best they can.
At that moment, the rain becomes deafening, and before Dearka can turn around to leave, Milly stops him. "Do you want coffee? Or a drink? The rain's even worse now. Might as well wait it out at my place before going home."
Dearka looks at her, as if assessing her intentions. Then he looks down to the ground. Milly can see hesitation in his eyes, but then he nods and says, "Sure."
X
Dearka finds himself staring at the heavy rainfall from Milly's window. The room is just a studio apartment, with a bed on one end and the bathroom and the kitchen on the other. There's a couch in the middle, and it faces the only window in the apartment. It's small, but enough for Milly to be comfortable. It isn't like she's staying in the city for long anyway.
The rain really isn't letting up. Part of him thinks he shouldn't be here. He and Milly have had nothing to do with each other for years. It's awkward and weird; that's what it is.
But then that's exactly it — it's been years. There's nothing anymore. So this is just coming across an old acquaintance. Totally harmless. Nothing to worry about.
Milly, in a fresh change of clothes, brings him a bottle of beer, which he receives gratefully. She opens her own bottle and takes a sip. "Shouldn't you be in the military station?"
Dearka drinks from his bottle. "I've resigned from my post."
"Oh, wow." Milly is genuinely surprised. She purses her lips in contemplation. "Good for you, I guess?"
"It has been good. Quiet, but good." Dearka finds himself smiling. "What about you?"
Milly shrugs nonchalantly. Obviously she's not about to open up to her ex-boyfriend. "Things are okay. Can't really complain."
Dearka nods in agreement. He finishes the last of his beer, and he entertains the idea that there's a reason the universe allowed them to meet again like this. "I shouldn't be saying this, but it's good to see you again, Milly."
Milly looks at him strangely, and Dearka bursts out laughing. "We didn't exactly end on good terms. So it's good to see you well."
Milly smiles, almost shyly. "Same here."
Dearka's laughs subside to chuckles, and he decides to tease her a bit. "Come on, admit it. We had fun."
Milly laughs quite loudly at that. She turns around to take a seat on the couch, tucking her legs beneath her knees. She props her chin against her hand that's resting on top of the back pillows. "Yeah. All the meaningless sex was fun."
Well, that hurt.
Outside, Dearka notices the rain has stopped. "Was it really meaningless?"
She meets his gaze, as if challenging him. "Wasn't it?"