The High Rise.

Who knew it could happen so soon?

It was just a normal day for me. I did chores, took care of the house, my younger siblings after and when they didn't have school, while my parents were out for work, trying their best to make money so we could eat.

It wasn't a big deal, I could always go and climb some trees and gather some fruits or fish by the river. But even with that, there wasn't enough time or sources, and there were some things that we couldn't get.

After cooking dinner and tucking my brothers and sister in bed, I sat at the kitchen table unable to sleep. Thoughts filled my head about the future.
I was only 16 and thought about life that has yet to come.
I didn't go to school as I wasn't able to attend college and possibly become a nurse, well, because we couldn't afford it. Yet.
But I had secretly hoped that with some hard work, I could someday become a nurse or a doctor so I could help people.

Mother came home from her work, she was a kindergarten teacher for half a day, then the rest of the day she would sell some little snacks to people out in the sun. It made a little bit of money, and that was good.

She looked absolutely exhausted. I greeted her with a hello and a smile even though she wouldn't have been able to notice it. Her eyes sagged low against her skin that looked like it was getting paler, even though she had brown skin.
I remember when she was beautiful, happier, but it seems so long ago.

I settled the plate of fish, rice, and some vegetables in front of her to eat. A glass of water too.
She picked up the fork and finally noticed my presence. She smiled weakly and lifted up her fork and ate quietly.
I was used it, exhaustion did that to you.

It must've been a long day. But I knew that she loved me. She loved all of us.

Father wasn't home yet, probably still out late working.

I waited for mother to finish eating and put the plates away. I looked back behind me and she was already asleep on the couch.
There was still things to be done, but I wouldn't wake her up for that.

Staring at the pile of clothes in the small basket peeking out, I noticed there was a bit of a stench coming from it, a sign that it's time to wash them.

After putting a blanket over her and a hug, I carried the basket and a small bar of soap and took a 20 minute walk towards the river.

When I arrived, my face lit up. Andrew was there.

"Hey," he greeted me with a dimpled smile from his boat. His dark hair shined under the moonlight.

"Hey yourself," I called, "You fishing?"

"Of course, what else would I be doing at my free time at 9 o'clock in the evening?"
He stared at the basket, "Washing?"

"Is that what time it is?" I asked teasingly, "What else would I be doing?" It was an inside joke exchanged between us.He chuckled pulling in his line.

I met Andrew around five years ago, when I was eleven, he was thirteen. We have been best friends since then. Our families were really good friends too.

The water rippled cooly under my hands. I scrubbed my hands together with the clothing in between, trying to get the stain out that my little brother had made on his red shirt. He had worn it today at his class' Christmas party for the last day before break. I smiled, he was only 5, my other brother who was 8, sister 12.

Pulling in his net with some fish, Andrew paddled back to where I was sitting.

Immediately, after putting his catch aside took a piece of clothing from the basket and started washing it.

He glanced at me and winked. "So how's your day KitKat?" he asked using his special nickname for me. My name was really Catherine. Cathy. Cat. KitKat.

"The usual," I replied, "Papa's not home yet though. Your day?"

"Brilliant. Jasmine said her first word today," he smiled proudly.
Jasmine was his 7 month old little sister.

"That's wonderful! What word?"

Rinsing the blue shirt, he reached for the faded green one and applied some soap on it, "Mama."

I smiled. We both talked for a while, catching up since we last saw each other.
We both shared how our families were doing and other stories.
He told me that he wanted to be a lawyer someday and make lots of money for his family. He would go to school, study, and work hard for it. We both knew it was a bit of a far-fetched dream since he couldn't afford the education. Even with our profits for 5 years put together.

He chuckled lightly, "Yeah I know, impossible right?"

"Nah, don't think so," I said positively. Though I thought about me becoming a doctor and how impossible it was.

"But we have time don't we?" he spoke softly, "to figure things out?"

He was right, we do have time. Once we figured things out for ourselves and when our siblings would be old enough to help support the family, we'd get more money, maybe build a business, who knows what else? That's what I wanted to believe anyways.

I hesitated a bit, prolonging the silence, still unsure of what to say.

"Yeah, we do have time," I finally replied, smiling at him. He grinned back, it was definitely the answer he was looking for.

After rinsing the clothing, we put the clothes back in the basket. Andrew carried his fish, while I the basket as we headed back home.

We walked across the unpaved dirt road in silence.

After a few minutes, Andrew said softly, "Hey Cathy?"

"Mmhm?" I lifted my head up to look at him curiously. He rarely called me Cathy.

"I-uh..how's?" he stuttered nervously.

"Yes?" I raised my eyebrows. He had never been nervous around me before.

"Uhm.. i wanted to talk to you about something... it's kind of weird though, and I..."

A million thoughts rushed into my head.What was he going to talk to me about? I thought nervously. Was it?- No, it couldn't be. My hands started getting all clammy and why did my eyes look around trying to avoid eye contact? He was doing the same and still muttering, trying to say something.
There had never been anything romantic between us before, and I really don't think that there would ever be... I mean, he was Andrew. We're best friends. Just friends.
Despite the talk in our village about us probably eventually getting married and having a family together, I still highly doubted it. We both laughed about hearing that not too long ago of course.
But then why did my stomach feel all light and bubbly?

Interrupting my thoughts, I suddenly heard a strangely loud rumble coming from behind us. I ignored it, but noticed that Andrew heard it too.

"Damn," he shook his head then eyed me worriedly.

I placed my hand on his shoulder, "No, it's okay, what were you saying?"

He perked up and looked at me, giving me that look.
"No Cathy, Dam."

It was then I knew what he was talking about.

We both turned around slowly to see the source.
A great outpouring, large mass of water was suddenly rising high up the air coming from the river, rapidly building up, ready to submerge the land.

"Go," Andrew said loudly.


Next thing I knew, we were both running in opposite directions rushing our way home.

I never did hear what he was going to say.
As only one thing was on my mind right now.

There was going to be a flood.


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To be continued...