I waited for my turn

It rained the night before, and the sky still heavy with grey cumulonimbus. It looked like it was seven in the morning, but in fact it was eight-thirty. The morning was cool with the saturated atmosphere, plus, the sunlight was softened by the dense clouds a few kilometres above. Far away, the tropical birds called each other amongst the thicket of evergreen foliage. Their chirping and singing was crisp and clear interlacing with the sound of water flowing through the pebbles in the river and the wind whispering through the leaves in this almost pristine rain forest. The noise of trucks, cars and alarm clocks are alien to them. The only form of obvious human civilisation is the wooden chalets built around the area. It is the almost sensual representation of tranquility.

Thirty or so KBU students climbed up a fleet of concrete stairs to a platform, about three storey's high. The boys are mostly excited, because they are going to cross the cable hanging bridge and do the flying fox today. The girls are excited as well, but some felt some fear among their excitement, because they have to cross the cable hanging bridge and do the flying fox today. All of the students had crossed the bridge once the day before; some confident as if he/she had walked the tightrope all the time before, while some shivered their way across the bridge, exaberated by the height and adrenaline rush. That was the day before.For those who were too afraid to walk across the bridge, they considered the alternative of climbing up a hill to reach the flying fox, exposing themselves to the clandestine attacks of thirsty leeches. Posed between the dilemma, some students were deep in their internal conflict, oblivious that people are now forming groups of 5 to cross the bridge.

Most stuck with their group the previous day. Some swapped. I, myself, was among the former, but Wei Xin replaced Franky, because Franky is the council member and have to do the flying fox first, and hence have to cross the bridge before the rest will. After the first few groups have crossed, it drizzled lightly. It felt like the sky is sprinkling powdered sugar down the earth, covering the Earth with a sweet layer of sparkling moisture. Some of the students complained about the rain and talked about how they are going to cross the bridge in the rain, but it was so light that nobody cared. The line is still moving, though slowly.

I enjoyed standing in the drizzle, let the raindrops settle on my skin and feel the instantaneous, highly localised coolness it provided at multiple spots on my body. I like how the raindrops settle on my hair - the moment I feel it, it's gone. I love watching the raindrops gliding through green background like a shooting star in a velvety black night. I love the raunchy smell of the Earth when the first raindrops fell into her. I did not realise when the drizzle stopped, but it gave the canopy a mysterious veil of translucent white mist. It was a beautiful morning. Peaceful. Serene. Quiet.

(to be continued...)