If the clouds move against the wind, rain will follow.
Megyn and Cindy walked to the bus station in the evening after their shifts.
The weather suddenly changed. There was going to be a storm in Randy. Dark heavy clouds were hanging casting a dim light over the landscape and threatening the sky. A restless wind shook the branches, and forming mild whirlwinds, that spread dust all over the landscape. Violent waves were forming on Lake Randi – the sound of the waves hitting against the land could be heard over miles of distance away. The air grew dense and electric – and in the distance, a low rumbling growl rolled across the town…not yet thunder, but a warning that it was going to rain.
"Whatever may be, we must get home before the storm." Megyn said, clutching her dress that was a flare at the hems. "This wind is threatening to undress me."
Cindy sympathized with her friend. She was lucky she had put on black pants that morning. However, her worries were on her hair. She had no umbrella.
"I'd rather have wet clothes, but not wet hair," she said touching her newly made hair, that was still fresh from the salon.
They could not take the chance with the bus.
They hailed a cab.
Immediately their cab left the station, the sky opened, and the first drops of rain spluttered onto the dusty road. People hurried to shelter.
The first stop was at Megyn's house. But the cab won't start after dropping Megyn.
It was raining heavily.
It was pouring.
Megyn therefore insisted that Cindy comes to her house. She was always a welcome visitor to Megyn's. Besides there was an extra bedroom to accommodate her.
The family had gathered at the table taking evening snack, of course expecting Megyn before the storm became more serious.
Mr. Maringo had released his staff early after the weather forecast news that afternoon, because he knew it would be chaotic at the lake. On the way home, he picked up his wife from the office, and they drove home together. Mellissa and Mex were already dropped home from school.
"Good evening, Mum, Dad, Mellissa, Baby b…"
"I'm not a baby." Mex shouted, making the room filled with laughter.
'I'm sorry Mex." Megyn said with a smile as Mex ran to her for his usual hug.
Cindy greeted the family, shaking each other's hands.
Megyn and Cindy each carried a mug of hot milk chocolate to Megyn's room.
They sat down on the bed, sipping their drink.
"Cindy."
"Yeah."
"You said Doctor Evans is coming. How do you feel about it? He's always hunted you."
Cindy shrugged.
"He can't pull that on me. It's you I'm worried about though."
Megyn rolled her eyes.
"Why?" she asked putting down her cup on the table.
"Because every time I met him, she asked about you, and always claim how you are different from other girls."
"What? You are telling me now." Megyn said - surprised.
"How did you know he's coming?" Megyn asked, Cindy has gotten used to such questions.
"Jerry told me." Cindy said simply. "Jerry will be absent next week…He'll take a leave of absence."
They were silent for a moment. Cindy shifted a bit and said, "Meg, I think he fears and likes you at the same time."
"He had always hit on me, without success." Megyn said, taking a sip of her chocolate. "…I had to tell him that was a sexual harassment and he stopped."
"I wonder what he does with all those ladies, that he charmingly talks to" Cindy murmured.
"I don't really know. What I know is that he is a childhood friend of Benjamin." Megyn said as she empties her mug.
"Really?" Cindy was surprised. "Does he know him personally?" she asked as she removed her shoes and folded her legs on the bed.
"…Maybe he can tell us about the reasons behind Dr. Evans' actions. What do you think, Meg?"
"I don't know." Megyn replied. "He didn't talk much about him."
"What little did he say about him?" Cindy probed.
Megyn knew Cindy wouldn't settle until she got all the information. She impatiently gestured with her hands for Megyn to continue.
"Relax Cindy. I'll tell you everything." Megyn said with a knowing smile. "Actually, he blamed me for judging him based on Evans actions."
'Okay." Cindy smirked. "Speaking about Benjamin – has he communicated with you since you unblocked him?" Cindy asked, looking at Megyn.
"I have not responded to his last two texts." Megyn said, reaching out for her phone. "Oh. It's off – No charge."
Before Megyn could insert her phone to the charger, there was threatening lightning, followed by loud and deafening thunder.
Just like that, there was a power blackout in Randi town.
"The telecommunication signals have also disappeared…Randy is cut off." Cindy said.
This always happens in Randy. Every time there's a thunderstorm; strong winds and electrified, humid air interferes with electric cables and transformers. Network goes off and communication breakdown sets in. It may even take a week for services to be restored. And then river Ole and overflowing its bank - is another story to tell.
The hospital and fish storage freezers survived on generators when this happens, which is very expensive for operations.
Thanks to solar led bulbs that used solar panels, that Mr. Maringo had set on the roof for such a time as this. They had lighting in the house.
With supper ready, the family and Cindy, who was like a part of the family, filed into the dining room. Supper was eaten in silence, except for chatting from Mex. He was excited about the thunderbolt.
"Did you see that thunderbolt, Megyn?" Mex asked his big sister.
"Yes, Baby boy. I saw it." Megyn flashed a warm smile at him.
"That was thunder man. He came to our house today." Mex said enthusiastically. He then turned to his mother with a request. "Mum, can I look for him outside after supper?"
"Mex, do you love thunder man?" Mrs. Maringo asked.
"I love him, Mum." He replied.
"If you look for him outside, he'll strike you, and both you and him will die- you don't want that. Let him find you in the house." Mrs. Maringo said.
"Understood...Son?" Mr. Maringo confirmed if the son understood the repercussions of playing out in the rain during a thunderstorm.
"Yes, dad." Mex responded with teary eyes.
"Good. Never go out during a storm." Mr. Maringo said with a voice of finality.
After the family dinner, as was their custom, they sang and Mr Maringo prayed and then everyone retired to their rooms. Cindy retired to the guest room.
Alone in her room, Megyn thought about Benjamin and regretted why she didn't respond to his texts.
Nobody knew how soon the telecommunication network will be restored.
She pressed the power on button on her phone once more, hopping...
She was cut off Benjamin.