Day 30: Rainy Day Woes

There’s something about a rainy day that makes you want to stay in bed. Unfortunately, life doesn’t care about the weather. I woke up to the sound of rain hammering against my dorm window, a grey, overcast sky promising a dreary day ahead. My first thought? Skip class. But then reality kicked in: attendance counts and I wasn’t about to risk losing marks for something as trivial as bad weather.

Getting ready felt like gearing up for battle. I grabbed my umbrella—an ancient relic I found at a campus sale—and hoped it would hold up against the downpour. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

By the time I stepped out of the dorm, the rain had intensified, coming down in sheets that made it nearly impossible to see. My umbrella flipped inside out within five seconds, turning me into a walking cliché from a rom-com. I tried to wrestle it back into shape, but it was no use. My bag, shoes, and carefully pressed shirt were soaked before I even made it halfway across campus.

The real challenge came when I reached the main campus walkway, which had transformed into a miniature river. I tried to hop from dry spot to dry spot, but with every leap, I managed to splash more water onto myself. My sneakers squelched with every step, and I felt like a drowned rat by the time I reached the lecture hall.

Inside, it wasn’t much better. The AC was blasting, making the room feel like a refrigerator. I huddled in my seat, trying to wring out my shirt discreetly. Amanda walked in a few minutes later, looking annoyingly perfect despite the weather. She had one of those big, sturdy umbrellas that probably cost more than my monthly food budget. She gave me a sympathetic smile as she sat down, and I wanted to melt into the floor.

The lecture itself was a blur. I spent most of it trying not to shiver while Faisal whispered jokes about my “drenched puppy” look. The professor droned on about supply chain management, but all I could think about was how much I hated rain.

By the time the lecture ended, the rain had let up slightly. I trudged back to the dorm, my spirits as soggy as my clothes. On the way, I passed a group of students laughing and splashing in the puddles, clearly having the time of their lives. For a moment, I felt a pang of jealousy. How do some people turn misery into fun?

Back in my room, I peeled off my wet clothes and wrapped myself in a blanket. Faisal knocked on my door later with a cup of hot Milo, claiming it was his way of “rescuing a disaster zone.” I didn’t even argue.

Lesson of the day: Rainy days are inevitable. You can either let them ruin your mood or find a way to dance in the puddles. Maybe next time, I’ll try the latter—if I can find better shoes.