I pushed my feet harder scurrying my way through the pouring rain, trying to find a shelter, until I found myself stopping under a tree. The lush leafy branches provide little shelter, for the time being. I'm figuring out to which direction should I run to, and the only logic direction is to go straight ahead, to the open street. 'One, two, three go!' I mentally count as I make another run for it.

Ah, how the weather hates me. When I thought it was going to be a beautiful sunny day and ditched the umbrella at home, it decided to rain. I need to find a good shelter from the thunder rain. It makes my heart jumps every time the thunder roars along with the bright white lightning flashing across the dark grey sky.

I finally made it safe, at least from the rain, I'm as good as coming out of a shower, my clothes, at least it was only my coat that is completely drenched in rain, my hair, flat on my face, my bag, safe as I had it under the coat, my jeans; soaked halfway through and my sneakers, pooling with water. It made a 'squish squash' noise as I walk on.

I cannot let myself go around walking in these wet clothes and hair. I'm sure to catch a cold if I was to let it air dry, but that is seemingly futile as I predict the rain would not be stopping anytime soon. It will be at least another half or an hour till it does. By the time it does, I'll be freezing. Luckily, I found myself walking up to a self service Laundromat. I pushed the glass door and got myself in. The fresh and clean scent of the detergent greets my nose as I stepped in. The low roaring sound of the machine was audible, but there wasn't anyone around.

I made my way to the back corner of the shop, making sure no one was around. 'Okay, this is it. I am just going to do it' I told myself. I untied the sash and undid the button of my drenched wet trench coat and pull it off, placing it on top of the white dryer machine. I placed my bag down on one of the long benches. I took out my coin purse from my bag and dig out a few coins and insert them into the coin slot. I loosen up the knots of my shoe lace, pulling my sneakers off as well as my soggy socks. Water is dripping endlessly from it. Gosh. Why did I go and left the umbrella at home today? Pulling the door open, I put in my coat, my socks and shoes into the dryer cylinder, but pulled out my sneakers afraid that it'll be ruined. Setting the heat and the fabric, I pressed the start button and sat myself for the wait. 

I had my eyes settled onto the spinning dryer, watching as my clothes spun around up and down clockwise. Soon, it made me a little dizzy and I shook my head off, trying to regain my self. This is boring. I took out my notebook from the leather casing and flip open the screen, pressing it on. After texting Ayu, we decided it'll be easier for us to do video call. So, I signed into my Skype account and dialled Ayu-chan's name. Ayu is my friend whom I've met during my student days in Japan. I was an intern in an architecture firm. She just started working there when I got in. So, being the new ones, we became friends and ever since then, we have been pretty close, even though now we're apart. We still kept in touch.

She answered the video call and I can see her face clearly. Her hair dolled up in a bun while was stuffed with ice pop. I waved at her and she waved back. She had this huge smile plastered on her face. 'How are you? I missed you so much' she told me. I made a pouty mouth and puppy eyes for her, feeling the same. 'I'm doing fine. I missed you too! It's raining heavily over here. How about you? What's the weather like over there?' I asked her back as I glanced to my left to the glass walls, showing the still grey sky up above. My body jumps a little from the thunder and lightning.

I looked back to the screen only to find Ayu with a concerned or was it alarming look. She asked me 'What's wrong? You seemed frightened? Where are you anyways?' when she saw me jumped a little and maybe due to the expression on my face that shows I was petrified. I told her, 'It was the thunder and lightning. That's what's wrong. I'm at a Laundromat. I got wet and now waiting for my clothes to dry up' Her lips made that 'O' shaped when she replied, 'Oh' she had that relieved face. 'No wonder your hair looks flat and messed up' she added and it made me realized about my wet hair. Darn it. I don't have a towel or anything to dry it with. Oh well, I'll find a solution soon. The machine finally came to a stop and I told Ayu to wait. I placed my notebook on the bench and took out my clothing from the dryer. Setting the socks aside, I wore back my coat and took off my jeans this time. It was soaking wet up to the thigh part, so might as well have it dry in the dryer.

I got back to my video call with Ayu as the machine started once more, but now, with my jeans in it. I'm so wasting energy right here doing drying with only a piece of clothing. In the midst of my conversation with Ayu, I heard the front door squeaked open. I continued on with Ayu, talking about what's been up with our life, work, love life; that was Ayu's, not mine, since my love life is non-existent. But that's okay, I'll live, in fact I'm doing just fine with whatever it is that I have at the moment. It may not be a lot, but I'm thankful.

I could go on forever chit chatting with Ayu. One thing led to the other, random things, food, cars, her water tap issue and the dumb plumber who made the matter even worse, and how she made him pay for the damage incurred, the new shoe shop that was opening in Omotesando. We would sometimes spend weekend's window shopping or just lazing around at home, since she lives nearby. I do most of my time have sleepover at her place, since she was living alone. Our weekend was pretty much like anyone else's, except that she would every other week go out on dates with her boyfriend. While me, dates with books in the sanctuary of my own bedroom.

It is rather hard to believe how my life has been all the few months while I was in Japan. I was or am pretty much known as a social butterfly, but I just don't befriend simply everyone. I am very particular when it comes to friends, because for me, everyone can be my friend, but not everyone will actually be by my side like they would in the high times of my life when I'm down in my dark times. Those kinds of friends are the kind of people I've maintained in my life. Proudly saying, there are a few, maybe less than a handful who are actually those I have considered as my friends. Those people are the ones who've been and seen me through the good and the ugly times. They stuck to me when others simply walked away and disappeared from my life.

The dryer alarm went off, signaling my jean was done. 'Chotto matte ne' I told Ayu for her to wait a few seconds for me to get my jeans. Yup, it's dry and good to go. The glass walls were embossed halfway through so, I won't be having problems with people outside looking at what I'm doing because they won't be able to see a thing.

I insert my right leg into the jeans and pulled it up and my left leg doing the same when I heard 'Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't see anything! I'm sorry!' and face up finding a glimpse of someone backing away from my corner of the shop. ‘! And darn it!’ Imentally cursed. Someone is actually in here besides me and he has accidentally seen what I was doing! Yup it's a 'he' as from the voice I've heard. I quickly zipped and buttoned my jeans, pretending as if nothing happened. Okay, he will leave after this, so just don't bother. 

I went back to continue where I had left with Ayu. After a while, the rain had finally stopped when I looked out the glass walls. I mentally reminded myself to get my hair dry and washed at the nearest hair salon, well since I am getting it trimmed anyways, so, why not just do all of it. 'Ne Ayu-chan, I got to go. We'll 'talk' again later okay?' Ayu nodded and said 'Goodbye and take care. Mata ne (see you again in Japanese)' and the video call ended.

I shut close my notebook and turned to my left to where my bag was and noticed a figure by the corner end, standing there, looking at me. Arching my brows, I gave him 'Yes? What is it?'- kind of look at him. The guy, probably my age pursed his lips, seemed hesitant about something. He walks closer to me and about half feet away, he bowed 90 degree. What is wrong with him? What is he sorry for? I was puzzled.

He straighten up, fussed around a little bit and then, did the funniest random thing that I had least expected. His hands were in full motion, trying to express his apology. 'I -pointing to himself, sorry- bowing 90 degrees with pleading eyes and his hands clasped together-probably meant please-forgive -me?'.  He looked back at me, awaiting my response.

What am I suppose to do? This is hilarious. Then, I had a great idea. I took out my small writing book and wrote 'Gwenchana. Geogjeong hajima' (It's okay. Don't worry)' on the paper and showed it to him. His face lit up and I can see that he's feeling relieved. I smiled at him and took my stuff with me walking away, but he stopped me in my tracks.

I tilted my head to the side. He typed something on his phone and showed it to me. It read 'Have a good day' with a smiley at the end. I looked up to him and our eyes met, and I smiled nodding. He smiled back and waved me goodbye. 'He's cute and weird, but he's funny as well' I thought in my head as I made my way out looking for a hair salon.

The guy on the other hand, had this unceasing smile from his face, 'She's beautiful' he thought to himself.