Yael stared at Solanne while she was on the phone. The sun was shining so brightly it was almost blinding. He frowned, noticing that Solanne was squinting.
"Are your eyes not that good with light?" Yael asked the question, but Solanne was not able to answer. Yael noticed that Solanne often blinks as if her eyes can't stare at a person for a minute or so.
"Hello?" Solanne answered as the call went through. Yael removed his hat and put it on her. Solanne shot him a questioning look.
"It's hot. You're sweating."
"Hi, Solanne. Is there something?" The cabin owner answered. From the background, Solanne can hear the water flowing.
Solanne smiled. "Thanks." She mumbled as she focused on the call. Yael patiently waited beside her.
"Hi, uhm…" Solanne doesn't know where to start. Still, she began to talk. "Yael and I are on the way to your house right now."
"Now?" The sound of the cabin owner seemed to be surprised. Solanne's cheeks turned pink. She's embarrassed, and she doesn't even know why.
"Yes. We're walking on our way there since there's no transportation. I want to ask if the neighborhood is dangerous for the night, as we plan to walk later tonight."
"Wait a minute. Are you two walking right now?" The cabin owner repeated again, sounding so flabbergasted.
Solanne chuckled. "Yeah. Can we not? Or should we choose another day?"
"No. No, today is fine. Just let me come and get you. Oh," The owner of the cabin paused. "uhm…I do not have a car or any vehicle, but I have horses. Is it okay with you?"
"Horses?" Solanne repeated, her eyes widening in disbelief as she gazed back at Yael. He shot her a questioning look.
"Yes. Do you both know how to ride horses?"
"Do you know how to ride a horse?" Solanne asked Yael. Yael shot her a ridiculous look as he did not understand where that question came from, but he answered, "Yes. I learned one time when we were shooting. Wait, why for?"
Solanne ignored his following questions. "Yes, he knows. I think horses are perfect. Should we keep moving and meet halfway?"
"Yes. That would be great."
As soon as the phone call ended, Solanne smiled at Yael. "You are freaking me out."
Solanne chuckled. Just by her expression, Yael can tell that she's excited.
"The owner of the cabin said he'll pick us up."
Yael smiled. "That's great." His expression looks hopeful. "Wait, why were you asking about horses earlier?"
Solanne grinned. "Because the owner will use the horses to pick us up."
"Huh?" Yael blinked, trying to understand what Solanne meant. Solanne smiled back at him. She looks pretty excited. Her eyes were shining so brightly.
"Can't believe I can ride a horse at such an age! I'll take note of this experience! Good thing I even brought my power bank."
"What do you mean horses?" Yael asked again, trying to understand what Solanne was saying. From his perspective, she was not making any sense. She just looks so excited.
Solanne smiled at him. "Of course, horses." She answered as if it was given. "The cabin owner doesn't have a car. He only has horses, so we should be thankful he will pick us up. Let's continue to walk. We'll meet halfway there."
"Really," Yael sighed. "Do you even know how to ride one?"
"That's an easy question. You know how to ride one; I can ride with you."
"So that's the reason you asked?"
"Of course!" Solanne giggled like a child. "You get to ride one before; it's my turn now. You see, peasants like me can't waste such an opportunity. So, now, let's walk! The horses are waiting for us."
Yael laughed and shook his head. At least they won't get tired that much from walking.
"Where did we leave off again?"
"Pictures?"
Solanne smiled. "Tell me a story."
Yael frowned. "About what?"
"Anything."
--
Twenty minutes into their walk, Yael stopped for a while when he felt something call and wet fall from the sky. They shared stories, asked questions, and played games they could do as they walked.
"Wait," Yael uttered. Solanne stopped and looked at him in a puzzled expression. Yael drew out his hand as if he was waiting for something to fall from the sky.
"What?" Solanne asked.
"I think it's raining."
"Eh?" Solanne's eyes widened in disbelief; she opened her hands, trying to catch the rain. Seconds later, she felt the tiny droplets on her hands. She smiled. "It's raining," she uttered like a child. "I told you! It's going to rain! It's a sunshower!"
Solanne's excitement was through the roof. Her eyes glisten like a child, and Yael can't seem to understand. "It's just a drizzle of rain, Solanne. We're going to get wet if this becomes a shower."
"Oh come on, Yael, this nothing." She persuaded. "Let's live a little, hmmm?" He looked at her as if he was so done with her.
And just how Yael's expectation. The slight drizzle of rain indeed formed into a shower. Soon enough, Solanne can see the rainbow.
Because of the rain shower, Solanne and Yael's bodies were almost wet but not soaked.
"Do you think the cabin owner will meet us if it's raining like this?"
"Now that you mention," Solanne typed something on her phone before she said, "He's on the way."
"Well, that's a turn of events," Yael commented. "Why do you like rain that much?"
Solanne shook her head. "I don't know too."
"Huh?"
"It's just that when it rains, you are allowed to stop. Stop to watch the tiny droplets. When it rains, you feel this certain calmness that it brings. Like it washes everything within you, and that it's so powerful all you can do is watch and wait. Besides, looking at these droplets," Solanne looked up. "I can feel the relief washing over me. I love the feeling very much."
"How poetic."
"Thank you."
Yael sighs, but there's a small smile on his face. "What are we going to do then?"
"Yael," Solanne muttered, causing Yael to stop and look at her. He had this odd gaze, but Solanne didn't even notice as she was busy catching the rain inside her palm. She's almost dancing.
"My dear actor and idol," Solanne giggled. "Learn to live a little. Hmmm?"
Yael stomps his foot. "I am trying." He uttered trying to ride Solanne's enthusiasm.
Solanne laughed at him. "Live more!"
"Shall we continue walking?" Yael asked, rolling his eyes. Solanne smiled at him.
"Lead the way."
10 minutes into their walk, Solanne tilted her head before her eyes lit up again, "The horses are here!"
"I've been meaning to tell you this, but you have a good hearing," Yael complimented.
Solanne smiled. "Thanks. That's trauma."
"Huh?"
"Nothing." Solanne dismissed as she shifted her gaze in front. Her eyes were expectant. Yael stared at her for a second before brushing off her words. It's just a joke, he muttered in his mind.
As soon as he shifted his gaze, he saw two horses running towards their direction. One Was white, and the other one was brown.
"Never in my life!" Solanne exclaimed. Through the distance, Yael saw the cabin owner wearing a black sweatshirt and loose pants. He had a hat, and most of his clothes were wet since it was raining.
In what Solanne knew, the cabin owner was in his middle 30s. There's not much difference in their age, but why does Solanne feel like the owner has more experience in life.
"Hello there," he greeted with a smile. The cabin owner has brown eyes and a perfect smile. He looked good and confident riding that horse Solanne couldn't help but stare at him in a daze.
"Owner?" Yael and Solanne both mumbled.
The owner of the cabin jumps down. "Please, just call me Vincent. Nice to meet you two. How was the walk? You both look like you're enjoying it despite the rain."
Solanne chuckled. "I was in the middle of convincing Yael."
"I'm still not convinced," Yael added.
The three of them laughed.
"Well then, since it's raining," Vincent smiled. "You'll ride with Yael, right?"
Solanne nodded as she looked at Yael. She shot him a knowing look. "Right?"
Yael sighed. "Of course."
Vincent chuckled. "Both of you seemed to get along well. To be honest, I was worried since I accidentally mixed up the dates for the both of you, and now, we're in a pandemic."
Solanne smiled. "It's okay. We managed to live in harmony."
Yael shut his mouth as he slowly escorts Solanne to the horse. "Thank you," Solanne said as she grabbed his hands, and within a second, Yael pulled her up, settling on the back of the horse behind him.
Vincent watched them from the side. He smiled. "Far more harmonious than I thought."
"What?" Both Yael and Solanne asked.
Vincent shrugged. He tried so hard not to chuckle, but his smile failed him. "Nothing."
--