First Rains

The intolerant heat lashed in fury day after day and the sticky days get stickier. With the exception of kids who were basking in the glory of their summer vacations slurping ice golas and playing fervently in the playground, without wasting any bit of daylight, the entire human race seemed worked-up with the heat. People, already tired of chasing dreams that eluded them like a mirage in a desert, get all the more thirsty under the punishing summer sun that took pleasure in dehydrating them just as easily as it parched the vast fertile lands. Tempers became shorter, days grew longer, nights seemed clearer, winds were scarcer, temperatures raised higher, water problems dipped deeper and irritation bred quicker. There were so many people awaiting the first rains that season. They were awaiting ME.

Thick dark rain clouds gathered outside the windows of the hospital. I was about to depart my misty abode and smell the Earth after several months... Oh, how I looked forward to this moment! And then it happened. I lashed against the of the hospital, from where I could see a crowded room. The weighing machine in that room seemed intimidatingly­ large for the small bundle placed on it. The bundle weighed 3.5 kg. For a bundle that size, it sure made a lot of noise. A tired-looking nurse lifted it up and placed the fragile package in a man’s arms with an understanding smile, where it slid into a peaceful  sleep. He was unusually delicate all at once and the expression he wore was torn between pride and astonishment. He probably­ captured a few snapshots of his life that day as he saw his grandchild sleeping peacefully­ in his arms. He could feel the slumbering infants tiny lungs expand and contract, breathing in a beautiful rhythm, within the layers of blankets. He was surrounded by several others who seemed just as ecstatic about the fresh arrival as this tall, beer-bellied man with salt-pepper hair.  And I knew I had arrived in his life and in theirs­.

The boy nervously peered round the bend of the bus stop. His hand subconsciously went up to his hair and tried to tidy it, a futile attempt considering the messy locks remained just as wild as they were even after he was done with them. He knew it’d be quite a few minutes before she would step out of her home, but he couldn’t help sneaking a peek at her home yet again. He closed his eyes and told himself he’d tell her today, come what may. Every minute seemed to last forever and his emotions were swinging between heaven and hell, taking him painfully through all the possible calamities that could befall him in his attempt today - a day that could decide how his tomorrow would look like. Dozens of options popped in front of him and they all looked unnerving and depressing. But he’d dealt with this too long and wanted to get done with it today.

The sun also had hidden behind layers of dark clouds as though it sensed his anxious clouded brain. And just as he wiped the sweat off his brow, he saw her come out. She was about to walk past him as though she hadn’t noticed he existed there or anywhere else in this world, and that’s when I decided to intervene.­ She rushed to the shelter of the bus stop to take refuge from me. Then it all happened quickly, she looked at him, their eyes met, he blushed severely and told her something in an emotionally charged voice, and then she blushed as she said something back. He seemed elated, and when he looked into her eyes, he knew why he had felt so choked without her; and when she looked away shyly, she within herself how much she’d wanted this day to come... And that’s when I knew had arrived in their life.

The birds flew back into their nests and sang merrily to one another. The trees shivered in joy and bathed in my presence­ The caterpillars felt their wings sprouting in them within their cocoons. The frogs croaked praises to me. Everything I saw, I cleansed.­ I quenched the lands thirst and made it fragrant.The washed lands scented the air in my fragrance. Kids, got drenched and remained as joyous as they were under the summer sun; rain or shine, they’re in eternal bliss, maybe thats why they’re kids. People heaved a sigh of relief and there were smiles all around for their dry hopes were no longer dry. And then I knew I had arrived on this part of the world... I, the first rains of monsoon...