Last Thursday after evening classes, the weather changed so dramatically that we were all caught off guard.

While we were exiting the classroom building, winds were rising, whipping leaves across our faces. The moment we stepped into the square, we felt sparse raindrops splattering on our heads. Once we were outside the school gate, the wind started to bluster. It was so forceful that I thought my umbrella would be collapsing anytime.

It was not long before it was raining cats and dogs. I felt lucky that I was with an umbrella. Even under the cover my clothes were drenched within minutes by the slanting winds and pelting rain. A lot of schoolmates on the way looked like drowned rats in the storm.

All of a sudden, my classmate, Hua, joined me under my umbrella. We got very excited and yelled as we were racing along. I tilted my umbrella so that Hua was better sheltered from the downpour, but she gently pushed it back to my side.

When I spotted my father’s car parked at the kerb waiting for me, I bade Hua farewell. The girl rushed away with nothing over her head. My father, seeing that Hua was umbrellaless, asked me to go back and give mine to her. I did as told.

After I finally caught up with Hua, panting, and handed over my umbrella, there was a sparkle in her eyes.