It's raining again.

I'm thinking of the things we did again, when it rained.

You're seated on the desk by the window and drawing on a cigarette, the ceiling fan waving the smoke out of the window. As you sit barechested and smoking, you'll strum on the guitar and hum a tune. Sometimes I'll say "Do Breakfast at Tiffany's" or "I'd like to hear something by Bob Marley". You'll give me a grin and a nod, and play my tune. Otherwise we'll be singing to tunes playing on your stereo system - The Verve, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Blur, Nirvana, The Doors, Deep Purple, Cake, Alanis Morissette. And so the afternoon passes.

We're seated on plastic chairs in the front porch, watching the water wash down the leaves of the plants. Swirls of smoke from your cigarette resting on the ashtray travel up toward the hanging lamp, get stuck momentarily under the ceiling, then dissipate with the breeze. I nestle a warm cup of cocoa in my hands while you stir your cocoa with your left hand. Sometimes we'll chat about our future together or ask after our respective friends, while sipping on our drinks. Sometimes we'll just sit and observe all that happens around us. Sometimes we'll play with the stray dog that has become an unofficial pet.

The aftermath is always what I look forward to because that's when we have our most intimate conversations. Lying on the bed and facing each other, I'm on my right while you're on your left. The plush quilt keeps us warm as we lay naked under it in the air-conditioned room. You brush my hair off my left cheek and plant a kiss on my forehead. I give you a kiss on your lips. Then I move in towards you and you embrace me in a reassuring hug. I feel protected, safe and loved.

Swish-swish. Swish-swish. Swish-swish. The windscreen wipers chant out a hypnotic rhythm as you drive us to my place for dinner in your little jeep. The speakers try their best to amplify the electro sounds of Suede or the haunting melodies of The Corrs. You're driving with your left hand on the gearstick, right hand on the wheel and right elbow propped on the window sill. I remove my feet from my sandals and put my feet up on the chair. You turn and grin to me. I look back and return the smile. We hold hands for a brief second and exchange a quick kiss on the lips. Another precious moment has just passed between us.

It's raining again.

I'm sitting here without you. I'm sitting here, only with memories of you associated with the rain.