The previous day, when the rains took the earth by surprise, I found myself walking alone in the streets at 10 O’clock in the night, partially protected by my old and debilitated umbrella .
A good friend of mine was leaving the city so we planned to meet before he left for home. After bidding him a goodbye, I walked my way back to my abode, which was a good 1-kilometer walk. The winds were fierce, and the streets were being swept away with dried leaves, twigs and dust. The gaudy restaurants on either side of the road were being shut down in haste. Some ice-cream parlours still kept their business running with couples pleasuring themselves with late night deserts. Small cigarette shops glowed in their tiny spots waiting for the legitimately addicted customers.
I walked down, road after road. Few drops of water poked on my skin, however, I refused to open my umbrella. The rain took over me and left me with no choice—I finally gave in. Battling the winds, I inclined my umbrella against the slanting rains.
Crossing a two-way road, I reached near the divider to go the other side. The endless stream of headlights bothered me more than the downpour—I waited to cross the road for nearly 10 minutes. Cars and cars vomiting out from one side of the road spoiled the beauty of the wild rainy night—but the weather raged back despising humanity.
I seized the opportunity and made a dash to the other side of the road—my umbrella, trying its best to keep the rain away followed me lazily. I turned towards an empty street—and believe me when I say the scene looked enchanting!
The mystic sodium lamps gave the heavy rains and the wet roads a tint of orange—the colour of fire, yet it soothed my eyes to see the rainfall I could hear the music in the pitter-patter, the rustling of the winds and the solitude in the darkness of the night. There was not a human around—the only one I saw was a man struggling with his mechanical bike that had refrained from starting. A car flashed its artificial light spoiling the atmosphere for a minute or two. Following the street, I entered the lane from where the building that offered me shelter didn’t stand much far.
The lightening roared announcing of its power and traveled miles across the sky cutting the clouds, bringing the night to life. I looked up and felt the rain falling from high up in heavens gently touch my face. The Ashoka trees, which I had never before noticed standing on the sides of the road, swayed like tall giants, dancing and closing in on the dark sea of sky. The view was dangerously beautiful. I was frightened—not by the rains or the wilderness, but by the vastness of the world around me and the power of nature—which I thought I should be. I removed the curtain of plastic sheet protecting me from the purest form of water and drenched myself with the eternal bliss. Nature’s gift so easily available, yet missed by all.
I reached home and had some hot milk with oats. Soon, my blanket welcomed me in its warmth and I fell asleep to the most peaceful sleep I got in days.
P.S – Well, things didn’t happen as perfectly as in a fairy tale. After reaching home, I enjoyed the downpour once again on the terrace, had a cup of milk, of course, watching the rain. My sleep betrayed me because I checked in on my facebook, whatsApp and, then, youtube. When I finally closed my eyes, I realized I had caught a cold.
