It was a gloomy afternoon back then. I was in school chatting with my seatmates as we wait for the afternoon class to start. We waited and waited then our teacher arrived telling us that we won’t be having our afternoon class. Due to a reason I can no longer remember. Since there is no class we rejoiced and continued chatting. Some of our classmates had left our room. For the reason that they need to attend their next class in the main campus. Which is approximately 5 kilometers away from our annex school, quite far isn’t it? After we ran out of interesting topic that we could discuss to kill time. We then decided to play a number of entertaining games with our remaining classmates in the room. As we are playing, laughing and having fun. A strong wind blew then heavy rainfall started pouring. Considering that the rain keeps on pouring we decided to stay a little longer in school until the rain would stop. Since we weren’t able to bring our umbrellas.
Seconds, minutes and an hour had passed by. But still instead of weakening the rain became stronger. Thus we decided to go down to the covered court. As we arrived we witness some students sweeping rainwater out of their classroom. The drainages are overflowing and slowly the covered court ground is being covered by rainwater coming from the gutters and drainages. Despite of the heavy rainfall and strong wind blowing, we then decided to vacate the school for if we stay a little longer we might get stranded. A classmate of mine volunteered to go by the highway to fetch a motorized trisikad that we will be riding going home. It took her a couple of minutes before she was able to fetch one. As the motorized trisikad arrived by the front gate of our school, we immediately hopped in. As we were driving along the highway. The driver had a hard time maneuvering the steering wheel of the motorized trisikad. It is because of the knee-deep flood and the zero-visibility caused by the heavy rainfall.
As we arrived on the nearby barangay the motorized trisikad suddenly stopped. The engine of the motorized trisikad could no longer withstand the knee-deep flood. Thus we decided to get out of the said vehicle and went to a high place. Which at that time was the overpass. Many people had taken shelter at the overpass and just like us they were drenched in rain. As we look down at the highway it is slowly turning into a muddy river. The knee-deep flood is slowly raising. Many vehicles stopped running that had caused a heavy traffic jammed, probably because their engine could no longer withstand the flood. The elementary school which is besides the highway is slowly turning into a swimming pool. As the flood occupied the school’s open space.
We even met a grandmother who is very worried and so eager to go to the said elementary school. Since she told us that her grandson is attending the said school. However instead of letting her do what she wanted, we stopped her midway and calmed her. We told her that her grandson might no longer in there. Since we heard from a conversation by two bystanders that the students attending the school were sent home early because of the storm warning. We even added that maybe her grandson is already at their home, therefore she no longer need to go down and go against the strong gush of flood down below. Her worried expression started to calm down. She then thanked us for the said information then she went to the two bystanders and asked them some inquires.
As two of my classmates went down to grab something to drink and eat. I can’t help it but to look at the faces of my classmate, fear and uneasiness are written all over their faces. Some of them are reaching out their family through phone calls and text messages updating them about their situation and even one of my classmate is silently praying at the corner. I can’t blame them though why they acted that way. I mean who wouldn’t feel fear, worry and uneasiness as down below the flood is slowly rising while the overpass we are taking shelter is shaking from time to time. By the moment my classmates where back they had a plastic bag containing a bottled water and some biscuits. We shared the drink and food and waited till the water to go down.
As we were waiting for the water to go down. We are all shaking due to the cold breeze caressing our skin. We tried to lighten up the mood by telling jokes to lessen the worry that each one of us is feeling at that moment. Thankfully it worked, we were able to laugh and smile wholeheartedly despite of our situation. By twilight the heavy rainfall became weaker and the flood is slowly lowering down. We then went down and assess if it is safe now to go home. After we are sure that everything is quite safe and fine. We then decided to leave the place. Since many vehicles had stopped working, we are left with no choice but to walk going home.
As I arrived at our home everything is dark and the only thing that gives illumination at our house was the candle placed in the dining table. I took a shower first and cleaned myself. Afterwards I wore a thick sweater and a jogging pants. Then went to the dining table and ate a warm meal with my whole family. After eating and washing the dishes. I chatted my classmates at our group chat on messenger and thankfully all of them are able to go home safe and sound. By the following day the school administration decided to postpone classes in all year level since there are students as well as teachers who were greatly affected by the heavy rainfall.
✒️ thegirlwholeaptthroughtime || 022021
